Ebony

Ebony is a very dense, fine-grained hardwood, ranging in colour from deep brown to almost black. Various species occur across Africa and Asia, and the wood has been valued for centuries for furniture, decorative objects, musical instruments and fine cabinetwork.

Its close grain allows it to take an exceptionally smooth finish, making it especially effective where a dark, highly polished surface is required.

Ebony was used by British box makers, but it appears particularly frequently in French and continental cabinetwork, where its dark colour was often contrasted with brass, gilt metal, ivory, mother-of-pearl or lighter woods.