Italian Pietra Dura Playing Cards Panel (Presumed Former Box Lid) team of young men that though in German I

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

He's definitely a folk creation

Measured on the square: 2 1/2" l (knee to toe) x 1" d (knee to thigh end" x 7/8" d at threaded end

The box measures 2 5/8" cubed and features a slide top and finger jointed corners

This one did require a little mending--one of the axels was split

Italian Pietra Dura Playing Cards Panel (Presumed Former Box Lid) team of young men that though in German II 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"