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Ebony Wood

Ebony, also known as India Ebony or Ceylon Ebony depending on its origin, is a tree in the genus Diospyros, native to southern India and Sri Lanka. It is noted for its heavy black fine-grained heartwood. It is a medium-sized evergreen, reaching 20 to 25 meters tall.

Ebony heartwood is one of the most intensely black woods known, which, combined with its very high density, fine texture, and ability to polish very smoothly, has made it very valuable as an ornamental wood.

Ebony has a long history of use, with carved pieces having been found in Ancient Egyptian tombs. The word "ebony" derives from the Ancient Egyptian hbny, via the Greek "ebenos", by way of Latin and Middle English.

By the end of the 16th century, fine cabinets for the luxury trade were made of ebony in Antwerp. The density and hardness lent itself to refined moldings framing finely detailed pictorial panels with carving in very low relief, usually of allegorical subjects, or scenes taken from classical or Christian history. Within a short time, such cabinets were also being made in Paris.

Modern uses are largely restricted to small items, particularly in musical instruments, including piano and harpsichord keys, violin, oboe, guitar, and cello fingerboards, end-pieces, pegs and chin-rests.  In addition, black chess pieces have been made from ebony, with rare boxwood being used for the white pieces.

Source: Wikipedia