Marquetry is a highly skilled decorative art form which involves creating intricate designs or pictures by inlaying thin pieces of wood veneer (and sometimes other materials) onto a solid surface, usually furniture or panels. Essentially it is ‘painting with wood’
History
Marquetry can be traced back to Mesopotamia in around 2000 BC, where ivory was inset into bitumen to create a picture of daily or royal life.
The first recorded use of different wood veneers and semi precious stones to decorate furniture dates back to the court of the Pharaohs in Egypt.
The craft crossed the Mediterranean to ancient Greece, where it is described in Homer’s Odyssey, and it became even more sophisticated at the height of the Roman Empire.
In the 11th Century wood veneers were being used in Italy to decorate church furniture and panels, with particularly fine examples being found in Sienna.
Sorrento has always been renowned for its wide range of marquetry pieces, right up to the present day.
In France marquetry became extremely popular during the reign of Louis XIV, whereAndre Charles Boule, a master craftsman, worked in the royal workshops. He used a variety of materials…..brass, silver, tortoise shell, pewter, ebony….to create exquisite craftwork.
Marquetry became popular in England after 1660 following the return from exile of Charles The Second. He brought back with him Dutch and Huguenot craftsmen who excelled at the craft.
William and Mary’s arrival from Holland in 1689 further increased the popularity of this flamboyant way of decorating furniture.
Marquetry brought colour and beauty to furniture, which was in sharp contrast to the plain furniture advocated during the Interregnum of Oliver Cromwell.
At this time explorers were returning from Aftica and The Americas with exotic new woods such as Kingswood, ebony, rosewood,satinwood, which stimulated interest in marquetry.
We can only marvel at the skill, artistry and patience of the craftsmen of the 17th and 18th centuries, who worked with rudimentary tools to create great works of art.
Resources…..Books, Videos, Images and Societies to help YOU create a marquetry masterpiece.
Books (Click on the cover of the book to be taken to Amazon)
Essential elements of marquetry: using a fret saw, sawing your own veneers, the tools and materials required for marquetry, choosing wood, design, shading with hot sand, and applying a shellac finish. Finally, follow Stevens as he demonstrates making a beautiful, simple box with a marquetry top.
An overview of the tools and materials required; cutting techniques; tinting and shading; bandings and fillets; parquetry; composition; and finishing.
Videos
A video tutorial is a great way of learning the basic techniques of marquetry…here is the link to the first of a series of four videos presented by Paul Schurch
Marquetry 101 – Chapter 1 of 4
Paul has produced a wide range of videos on marquetry which you can search for on YouTube using his name.
……and here’s the second video……
How to Create Marquetry Pictures with Wood Veneers
by Peter Young on Wood Review TV
Marquetry Societies
Joining a marquetry Society offers many benefits……
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The friendship and guidance of like minded people
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Newsletters which keep you up to date on new techniques
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Informative talks by leading craftsmen
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Opportunities to display your work
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Discounts on equipment and materials
In the UK the craft is represented by The Marquetry Society, who publish The Marquetrian.
In the United States there is The American Marquetry Society
In Canada The Marquetry Society of Canada
For other international societies click on this link
I hope that marquetry gives you many hours of enjoyment.
🎨 Modern Marquetry
Contemporary marquetry artists use:
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Laser cutting for precision.
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Computer-aided design (CAD) for complex patterns.
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Dyed veneers for vibrant color palettes.
It remains a blend of craftsmanship and artistry, used in fine furniture, wall art, musical instruments, and even luxury cars (e.g., Rolls-Royce interiors).
Under Construction
