An overview of marquetry

Marquetry involves the addition of decoration, in the form of pictures or designs made up of pieces of veneer, often to furniture.

A history of marquetry

Marquetry started to become popular in Britain towards the end of the 17th century.

Tools of the trade

You can cut your marquetry pieces with a knife or if you do not have the time then use a scroll or fret saw.

Straight edge, marquetry horse, marquetry cutters donkey, cutting board, sharpening stone, tape and veneer hammer.

Materials used

Although most veneers are wood, craftsmen often use other materials like bone, shells and metals. Other materials could be used as long as they are going to be hard wearing.

You will need to create or acquire a pattern, tape, glue, board and sanding block for finishing. Once you are happy with your finish marquetry you can then coat it with a varnish.

Techniques

Here is a short list of marquetry terms, banding and cross banding, boulle work, book or mirror matched, backing-off, feather matching, intarsia, inlay, knife-cut, log or flitch, on and off the line, paterea, packet, quarter matched, Rotary cut, saw cut, stringing / lines, seaweed or arabesque marquetry, sand shading, veneer and veneer matching and window method.