Ebonyis a dense black wood, most commonly yielded by several different species in the genusDiospyros. Ebony is dense enough to sink in water. It is finely-textured and has a very smooth finish when polished, making it valuable as an ornamental wood.

Ebony has a long history of use, with carved pieces having been found inAncient Egyptiantombs. By the end of the 16th century, fine cabinets for the luxury trade were made of ebony inAntwerp. The wood’s dense hardness lent itself to refined moldings framing finely detailed pictorial panels with carving in very low relief (bas-relief), usually of allegorical subjects, or with scenes taken from classical or Christian history. Within a short time, such cabinets were also being made inParis, where their makers became known asbnistes, which remains the French term for acabinetmaker.

Modern uses are largely restricted to small items, such as crucifixes, and musical instrument parts, including blackpiano and harpsichord keys, violin, viola, mandolin, guitar, double bass, and cello fingerboards, tailpieces, pegs,chinrests, and bow frogs. Many plectra, or guitar picks, are made from this black wood. Traditionally, the black pieces in chess sets were made from ebony, with rare boxwood or ivory being used for the white pieces. Modern East Midlands-style lace-making bobbins, also being small, are often made of ebony and look particularly decorative when bound with brass or silver wire. Due to its strength, many handgun grips and rifle fore-end tips are made of ebony, as are the butts of pool cues.