The Best Way To Use Marquetry In Your Home

If you've never heard the term marquetry, it's an old technique incorporating pieces of veneer to decorate home furnishings. In marquetry, these thin pieces of wood are put together in a puzzle fashion and then adhered to a solid surface, as noted on Art History Glossary. While this intricate technique has been used all over the world, the name comes from the French word marqueter, meaning to variegate. This makes sense because different colors of wood are used to form highly detailed, variegated patterns.

Marquetry is sometimes confused with parquetry, which is an inlaid wood technique used to form geometric patterns. Usually seen as parquet flooring, this technique is sometimes used to decorate furniture. Only wood is used for parquetry, while marquetry can incorporate small bits of metal, mother of pearl, and other natural materials to add color and contrast. Another main difference is that the patterns in marquetry are designed to create pictures rather than geometric shapes.

The roots of marquetry date back to ancient times when bits of stone were used to form decorative inlaid patterns in Egypt and Turkey. However, the type of woodwork described by art historians as marquetry became popular during the Renaissance, according to All Marquetry. By the 16^th century, Italy was a hub for this skilled wood crafting technique, although it was widely used across Europe. Dutch and Flemish craftsmen also created beautiful designs using marquetry. The practice never really stopped, but by 1900 it was used less and less to decorate fine furniture.

Today, marquetry is still being used to create custom furniture and decorative accessories around the world. For instance, skilled woodworkers can recreate corporate logos using marquetry to decorate desks and conference tables. Some artisans also use reclaimed wood to make jewelry and decorative boxes using this technique. Another interesting use of marquetry can be found in luxury car interiors like those produced by Rolls Royce. The price of modern marquetry varies depending on the skill of the artisan and the materials they use in their craft. 

While you can certainly commission a marquetry artist to decorate any type of solid surface in your space, the best and easiest way to add this technique to your home is by purchasing a decorative object. What you decide on buying will usually come down to personal taste and budget. For instance, you can invest in a piece of antique furniture of Dutch or other European origin. These range from case furniture pieces like bookcases and desks to smaller tables and chests. If you love antiques but can't splurge on a piece of furniture right now, older decorative boxes are also an option that can be more affordable.

For those with a more contemporary aesthetic in mind, you might enjoy supporting small businesses by looking for the work of individual marquetry artisans currently creating pieces. Etsy is a good source for exploring options ranging from small jewelry boxes to decorative trays. You can even purchase reasonably priced craft kits that let you try your own hand at creating simple marquetry designs to display in your home.