Marquetry playing card box, 19th century

A decorative marquetry box for playing cards dating from the 19th century. The object features a flat lid entirely inlaid with geometric and figurative motifs. Its central decoration depicts three playing cards arranged in a fan shape, representing an ace of clubs, a spade and a diamond, rendered in trompe-l’œil using dark wood inlays. The background consists of an arrangement of small veneer segments laid out in a radial pattern, reminiscent of the straw marquetry technique. The whole is framed by a finely carved border. The dimensions are 12.5 cm wide, 9 cm long and 3 cm high. The box is preserved in its original, well-used condition.