In addition to these highly decorative
uses, slate also has numerous other applications, including shelves, fireplaces,
skirting, tables, benches and, more recently, household and decorative objects.
One common use not everyone knows about is in the construction of billiard
tables. Since 1800, the green baize hides one or more slabs of slate rather
than the oak used previously. Exports to the USA of slate slabs for billiard
tables continue to represent one of the main revenue items for slate companies.
Despite being a niche market, slate is of vital importance for the economy
of the Val Fontanabuona and until recently this was the only decentralised
industrial district in the region.
