Marquetry is a woodworking technique where small pieces of wood veneer are arranged and glued onto a surface to create decorative patterns, designs, or pictures. The veneers are typically made from a variety of different woods, each with their own unique color and grain pattern. By carefully cutting and shaping the veneers, they can be arranged to create intricate designs and images.
Marquetry has been used for centuries to decorate furniture, floors, walls, and other wooden surfaces. The technique reached its height of popularity in the 17th and 18th centuries in Europe, where it was often used to create elaborate designs for furniture and interior decoration.
There are many different styles and techniques of marquetry, including the use of “packets” (small bundles of veneers) to create repeating patterns, “painting with wood” (creating an image by layering different veneers in a way that mimics paint), and “double-bevel marquetry” (where the edges of the veneers are beveled at an angle to create a seamless transition between pieces).
Marquetry is still practiced today by artisans and craftsmen around the world, and examples of marquetry can be found in museums and private collections.