19th Century French Satinwood Ecarte Playing Card Box

Details

Description

A very fine antique French satinwood "Ecarte" playing card box, circa 1870 in date. The slightly domed hinged cover decorated … Read more A very fine antique French satinwood "Ecarte" playing card box, circa 1870 in date. The slightly domed hinged cover decorated with cut-steel pinwork and inscribed Ecarte and opening to reveal provision for cards and counters. Ecarte is a card game for two players, originating in 19th century France, in which thirty-two cards are used and certain cards may be discarded in exchange for others. There is no mistaking its unique quality and design, which is sure to make it a treasured piece by any discerning collector. Condition: In excellent original condition having been beautifully cleaned and waxed in our workshops, please see photos for confirmation. Dimensions in cm: Height 2.5 x width 17 x depth 11 Dimensions in inches: Height 1.0 x width 6.7 x depth 4.3 Satinwood is a hard and durable wood with a satinlike sheen, much used in cabinetmaking, especially in marquetry. It comes from two tropical trees of the family Rutaceae (rue family). East Indian or Ceylon satinwood is the yellowish or dark-brown heartwood of Chloroxylon swietenia. The lustrous, fine-grained, usually figured wood is used for furniture, cabinetwork, veneers, and backs of brushes. West Indian satinwood, sometimes called yellow wood, is considered superior. It is the golden yellow, lustrous, even-grained wood found in the Florida Keys and the West Indies. It has long been valued for furniture. It is also used for musical instruments, veneers, and other purposes. Satinwood is classified in the division Magnoliophyta, class Magnoliopsida, order Sapindales, family Rutaceae. See less