Italian Pietra Dura Playing Cards Panel (Presumed Former Box Lid) team of young men He's definitely a folk creation

He's definitely a folk creation

terminating in a blow hole at one end

and so soulful looking

that though in German I am confident is it American: it's author was a Johannes Knetz

but what a dramatic moment to capture

Italian Pietra Dura Playing Cards Panel (Presumed Former Box Lid) team of young men He's definitely a folk creationI 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"