Italian Pietra Dura Playing Cards Panel (Presumed Former Box Lid) old wooden egg Overall: 7" x 6 5/8"

Overall: 7" x 6 5/8" x 1/2" Recess on the back is 5" x 4 3/4" with 4 5/8" x 4 3/8" visibility from front

meat shops

one presses down and turns the lid

and indeed

signaling peace

Italian Pietra Dura Playing Cards Panel (Presumed Former Box Lid) old wooden egg Overall: 7" x 6 5/8"I believe this Italian pietra dura (hard stone marquetry) panel was once inset into the lid of a brass or wood playing card box (one can find a range of examples out there with a quick search), but I was quite happy to find it on its own and would be inclined to hang it, perhaps in a gold frame, as a harbinger of good luck and fortune! Earlyish 20th century I believe, with a variety of semi precious stones inlaid lapis, malachite, etc. Lovely. 5 7 8"