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Marquetry in the history of design

wp:paragraph Marquetry is a decorative technique using wood veneers and various other materials (mother-of-pearl, ivory, stone, shagreen, non-ferrous metals, etc.).

Design MarketApril 2022
wp:paragraph Marquetry is a decorative technique using veneers of wood and various other materials (mother-of-pearl, ivory, stone, shagreen, non-ferrous metals, straw), usually cut to a design and glued to a support (furniture, woodwork or a painting). Over the centuries, cabinetmakers have perfected the marquetry technique to create sumptuous pieces of furniture with highly figurative or more abstract decorations. In this article, we take a look back at the evolution of this ornamental technique, which was very popular during 2 major historical periods and is now being revisited with taste by a number of contemporary designers. Marquetry is a decorative technique using veneers of wood and various other materials (mother-of-pearl, ivory, stone, shagreen, non-ferrous metals, straw), usually cut to a design and glued to a support (furniture, wood panelling or a painting). Over the centuries, cabinetmakers have perfected the marquetry technique to create sumptuous pieces of furniture with highly figurative or more abstract decorations. In this article, we take a look back at the evolution of this ornamental technique, which was very popular during 2 major historical periods and is being tastefully revisited by a number of contemporary designers. /wp:paragraph wp:image {"id":16696, "sizeSlug": "large", "linkDestination": "none"} Photo credit: Antiquité en France Louis XIV-Régence chest of drawers, 18th-century Parisian work, stamped J L L F DELORME (Jean Louis Faizelot Delorme). A superb example of marquetry work: the structure is in exotic wood veneer, with inlays of brass, pewter, ivory and chased ormolu ornamentation. /wp:image wp:paragraph In ancient Egypt, certain highly skilled craftsmen were already practising inlay by placing pieces of bone, ivory, glass paste and stone in the wood. It was not until the 14th century and the Italian Renaissance that Florentine craftsmen placed thin slabs of precious wood or mother-of-pearl - previously cut with scissors - in wooden furniture. Italy is considered to be the cradle of traditional marquetry. In ancient Egypt, certain highly skilled craftsmen were already practising inlay by placing pieces of bone, ivory, glass paste and stone into the wood. It was not until the 14th century and the Italian Renaissance that Florentine craftsmen placed thin slabs of precious wood or mother-of-pearl - previously cut with scissors - in wooden furniture. Italy is considered to be the cradle of traditional marquetry. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph The 17th and 18th centuries marked the 1st golden age of marquetry, particularly in France, where the historical context allowed the development of richly ornamented furniture (Louis XIV and Louis XV style). Louis XIV undertook a series of bold projects aimed at restoring the kingdom's image of power: restoration of the Tuileries palace and gardens, construction of the modern "Versailles", development of the Gobelins National Manufactory. State furniture richly decorated with veneers and inlays was synonymous with wealth: marquetry reached its apogee. The 17th and 18th centuries marked the 1st golden age of marquetry, particularly in France, where the historical context allowed the development of richly ornamented furniture (Louis XIV and Louis XV style). Louis XIV undertook a series of bold projects aimed at restoring the kingdom's image of power: restoration of the Tuileries palace and gardens, construction of the modern "Versailles", development of the Gobelins National Manufactory. State furniture richly decorated with veneers and inlays was synonymous with wealth: marquetry reached its apogee. /wp:paragraph wp:image {"id":16697, "sizeSlug": "large", "linkDestination": "none"} Photo credit: New-York, Metropolitan Museum of Art Example of a broken desk made around 1685. Marquetry after Jean Berain I (1640-1711), cabinetmaker: Alexandre-Jean Oppenordt (1639-1715) Example of a broken desk made around 1685. Marquetry after Jean Berain I (1640-1711), cabinetmaker: Alexandre-Jean Oppenordt (1639-1715) . /It also benefited from the export of precious woods from the colonies (Guiana amourette, Indian rosewood). One man revolutionised the technique of marquetry. André-Charles Boulle (1642-1732), the king's cabinetmaker, developed the technique known as "La Tarsia a incastro" or "part against part". The designs are formed in negative and symmetry. The Atelier Boulle used copper, brass and red tortoiseshell cut-outs. It also benefited from the export of precious woods from the colonies (amourette from Guyana, rosewood from India). One man revolutionised the technique of marquetry. André-Charles Boulle (1642-1732), the king's cabinetmaker, developed the technique known as "La Tarsia a incastro" or "part against part". The designs are formed in negative and symmetry. The Atelier Boulle used copper, brass and red tortoiseshell cut-outs. /wp:paragraph wp:image {"id":16700, "sizeSlug": "large", "linkDestination": "none"} Photo credit: Museum für Angewandte Kunst Frankfurt Medaillier by Max Emanuel of Bavaria, circa 1694-1695, marquetry by André Charles Boulle, bois de rapport, ebony, amaranth, maple, walnut, ash, mahogany, rosewood, padouk, pewter, brass and tortoise shell. Chased and gilded bronze. The Boulle workshop often produced "flower paintings". Medaillier of Max Emanuel of Bavaria, circa 1694-1695, marquetry by André Charles Boulle, bois de rapport, ebony, amaranth, maple, walnut, ash, mahogany, rosewood, padouk, pewter, brass and tortoiseshell. Chased and gilded bronze. The Boulle workshop often produced "flower paintings". /Although techniques were perfected, marquetry fell into disuse in the 19th century before being revived by the Art Nouveau movement at the turn of the 20th century. In reaction to the industrial era, Art Nouveau favoured furniture with rich ornamentation and forms inspired by flora and fauna. Although techniques were perfected, marquetry fell somewhat into disuse in the 19th century, before being revived under the impetus of the Art Nouveau movement at the turn of the 20th century. In reaction to the industrial era, Art Nouveau favoured richly ornamented furniture whose forms were inspired by flora and fauna. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph Émile Gallé (1846-1904), leader of the Nancy School, incorporated wooden marquetry ornaments into his furniture designs. In Paris, Samuel "Siegfried" Bing Bing (1838-1905), a dealer in Japanese and Oriental art, promoted Art Nouveau, particularly the creations of architects, cabinetmakers and furniture designers such as Georges de Feure (1868-1943), Eugène Gaillard (1862-1933) and Édouard Colonna (1862-1948). Émile Gallé (1846-1904), leader of the Nancy School, incorporated wooden marquetry ornaments into his furniture designs. In Paris, Samuel "Siegfried" Bing Bing (1838-1905), a dealer in Japanese and Oriental art, disseminated Art Nouveau, in particular the creations of architects, cabinetmakers and furniture designers such as Georges de Feure (1868-1943), Eugène Gaillard (1862-1933) and Édouard Colonna (1862-1948). /wp:paragraph wp:image {"id":16698, "sizeSlug": "large", "linkDestination": "none"} Photo credit: Gazette Drouot Splendid moulded and carved walnut wood chest by the designer Emile Gallé. The lid and the 3 sides with characters marquetry. The sides with marquetry of lumberjacks and their dog, magpies on a snowy forest background. A splendid piece of marquetry! Splendid moulded and carved walnut wood chest by the designer Emile Gallé. The lid and 3 sides with a marquetry background of figures. The sides with marquetry of lumberjacks and their dog, magpies on a snowy forest background. A splendid piece of marquetry! /wp:image wp:image {"id":16699, "sizeSlug": "large", "linkDestination": "none"} Photo credit: Jon Mills Low sideboard with rounded sides in black lacquered wood, design: Georges de Feure, circa 1920. The sideboard opens with a front door decorated with marquetry representing a vase of stylised flowers, 2 drawers and 2 compartments Monogrammed "DF". Low sideboard with rounded sides in black lacquered wood, designed by Georges de Feure, circa 1920. The sideboard opens with a front door decorated with marquetry representing a vase of stylised flowers, 2 drawers and 2 compartments Monogrammed "DF". /wp:image wp:image {"id":16713, "sizeSlug": "large", "linkDestination": "none"} Photo credit: Antiques de Laval Tea table with 2 trays signed Louis Majorelle (1859-1926, Ecole de Nancy), 19th century Art Nouveau period. Model "Au Gui l'An Neuf", veneered with various woods (mahogany, walnut, etc.), with marquetry decoration of mistletoe branches and butterflies. Tea table with 2 trays signed Louis Majorelle (1859-1926, Ecole de Nancy), Art Nouveau period, 19th century. Model "Au Gui l'An Neuf", veneered with various woods (mahogany, walnut...), with inlaid decoration of branches of mistletoe and butterflies. /wp:image wp:image {"id":16712, "sizeSlug": "large", "linkDestination": "none"} Photo credit: Antiques de Laval Tea table with 2 trays signed Louis Majorelle (1859-1926, Ecole de Nancy), detail, 19th century Art Nouveau period. Model "Au Gui l'An Neuf", veneered with various types of wood (mahogany, walnut, etc.), with marquetry decoration of mistletoe branches and butterflies. Tea table with 2 trays signed Louis Majorelle (1859-1926, Ecole de Nancy), detail, 19th century Art Nouveau period. Model "Au Gui l'An Neuf", in veneered wood of different species (mahogany, walnut, etc.), with marquetry decoration of mistletoe branches and butterflies. /wp:image wp:paragraph Art Deco Art Deco followed on from Art Nouveau with furniture featuring more geometric and refined lines. Nonetheless, marquetry remained highly prized, an era of great decorators who continued to use "rich" materials. Straw marquetry, in particular, enjoyed a renaissance in the 1920s with Jean-Michel Frank (1895-1941) and André Groult (1884-1966). /wp:paragraph wp:image {"id":16709, "sizeSlug": "large", "linkDestination": "none"} Photo credit: Leclere - Maison de ventes Double-sided screen with six panels decorated with straw marquetry and different motifs, designed by Jean-Michel Frank. The technique is quite similar to that of wood marquetry, with straw replacing the wood veneer. Double-sided screen with six panels decorated with straw marquetry and different motifs, designed by Jean-Michel Frank. The technique is quite similar to that of wood marquetry, with straw replacing the wood veneer. /wp:image wp:image {"id":16704, "sizeSlug": "large", "linkDestination": "none"} Photo credit: 1st Dibs Rare 2-level Art Deco pedestal table in straw marquetry designed by André Groult Rare 2-level Art Deco pedestal table in straw marquetry designed by André Groult . /wp:image wp:paragraph After this second golden age, marquetry became more discreet after the war. It was no longer very fashionable, but it continued to appeal to a public that loved furniture with a meticulous finish. In France, the Jansen furniture house revisits old styles using quality materials. Its customers include some of the world's richest families, as well as the British royal family, whose homes are adorned with beautiful marquetry furniture. After this second golden age, marquetry became more discreet after the war. It was no longer very fashionable, but it continued to appeal to a public that loved furniture with a meticulous finish. In France, the Jansen furniture house revisits old styles using quality materials. Its customers include some of the world's richest families, as well as the British royal family, whose homes are adorned with beautiful marquetry furniture. /wp:paragraph wp:image {"id":16703, "sizeSlug": "large", "linkDestination": "none"} Photo credit: Design Market Louis XVI-inspired neoclassical desk in mahogany and pastel-tinted wood quartefeuille marquetry dates from the early 70s, in the spirit of the neoclassical style of the Jansen house of the 60s and 70s. Louis XVI-inspired neoclassical desk in mahogany and pastel-tinted wood quartefeuille marquetry dates from the early 1970s, in the spirit of the neoclassical style of the Jansen firm of the 1960s and 1970s. /wp:image wp:paragraph Among the contemporary designers with a penchant for marquetry is Jean-Claude Mahey, who founded his own contemporary furniture company in 1976, specialising in furniture using precious metals and rich woods. Abroad, the Swiss interior architect and designer Dieter Waeckerlin (1930-2013) designed furniture renowned for its high quality craftsmanship, which attracted both local and international customers. In Germany, Heinz Lilienthal (1927-2006), one of the pioneers of German glass painting and a specialist in metal, wood and concrete wall decorations, makes marquetry tableware. Jean-Claude Mahey, a designer who founded his own contemporary furniture company in 1976, specialises in furniture using precious metals and rich woods. Abroad, the Swiss interior architect and designer Dieter Waeckerlin (1930-2013) designed furniture renowned for its high quality craftsmanship, which attracted both local and international customers. In Germany, Heinz Lilienthal (1927-2006), one of the pioneers of German glass painting and a specialist in metal, wood and concrete wall decorations, produces inlaid table furniture. /wp:paragraph wp:image {"id":16702, "sizeSlug": "large", "linkDestination": "none"} Photo credit: Design Market Large executive desk, design: Jean Claude Mahey, 1970s. Lacquered wood and brass finish. The top is decorated with brass marquetry and the handles are also in brass. Large executive desk, design: Jean Claude Mahey, 1970s. Lacquered wood and brass finish. The top is decorated with brass marquetry and the handles are also in brass. /wp:image wp:image {"id":16711, "sizeSlug": "large", "linkDestination": "none"} Photo credit: Ebay @laparenthese83 Lamp in burr marquetry, design: Jean-Claude Mahey, 1970. Lamp in burr marquetry, design Jean-Claude Mahey, 1970. /wp:image wp:image {"id":16715, "sizeSlug": "large", "linkDestination": "none"} Photo credit: Design Market Swiss coffee table, design: Dieter Waeckerlin, 1960s. Palm tree inlay and black metal base. Swiss coffee table, design: Dieter Waeckerlin, 1960s. Palm inlay and black metal base. /wp:image wp:image {"id":16714, "sizeSlug": "large", "linkDestination": "none"} Photo credit: Design Market Swiss coffee table, detail of inlay work, design: Dieter Waeckerlin, 1960s. Palm tree marquetry and black metal base. Swiss coffee table, detail of the marquetry work, design: Dieter Waeckerlin, 1960s. Palm inlay and black metal base. /wp:image wp:image {"id":16708, "sizeSlug": "large", "linkDestination": "none"} Photo credit: Kisth design Large sideboard "B 40" with 3 doors and 3 drawers covered in teak inlay, design: Dieter Waeckerlin for Idealheim, 1958. Large "B 40" sideboard with 3 doors and 3 drawers covered in teak marquetry, design: Dieter Waeckerlin for Idealheim, 1958. /wp:image wp:image {"id":16717, "sizeSlug": "large", "linkDestination": "none"} Photo credit: Design Market Vintage coffee table in fossil marquetry, design: Heinz Lilienthal, 1970. Vintage coffee table in fossil marquetry, design: Heinz Lilienthal, 1970. /wp:image wp:image {"id":16716, "sizeSlug": "large", "linkDestination": "none"} Photo credit: Design Market Vintage coffee table in fossil marquetry, detail of the marquetry work, design: Heinz Lilienthal, 1970. Vintage coffee table in fossil marquetry, detail of marquetry work, design: Heinz Lilienthal, 1970 /wp:image wp:paragraph Marquetry is still very popular in Italy. The town of Sorrento in the Bay of Naples has a centuries-old tradition of marquetry in precious woods. Some "historic" houses, such as Basile, founded in 1930, still make furniture in precious wood by specialist marquetry craftsmen (under the Studio Hebanon brand). The great Italian architect and designer Alessandro Mendini (1931-2019) tried his hand at marquetry for the publisher Zanotta in the mid-1980s. Marquetry is still very popular in Italy. The town of Sorrento in the Bay of Naples has a centuries-old tradition of marquetry in precious woods. Some "historic" houses, such as Basile, founded in 1930, continue to manufacture furniture in precious woods made by specialist marquetry craftsmen (under the Studio Hebanon brand). The great Italian architect and designer Alessandro Mendini (1931-2019) gave marquetry a try for the publisher Zanotta in the mid-1980s. /wp:paragraph wp:image {"id":16706, "sizeSlug": "large", "linkDestination": "none"} Photo credit: Design Market Vintage Italian drinks trolley in Sorrento marquetry, 1950s. A baroque style piece, high gloss ribbon mahogany veneer inlaid with a pretty floral decoration in blond wood marquetry. Italian vintage drinks trolley in Sorrento marquetry, 1950s. A baroque style piece, high gloss ribbon mahogany veneer inlaid with a pretty floral decoration in blond wood marquetry. /wp:image wp:image {"id":16710, "sizeSlug": "large", "linkDestination": "none"} Photo credit: Design Market Vintage marquetry bar cabinet by Vittorio Dassi (1893-1973), 1950. Dassi, an Italian furniture designer, produced furniture in the 40s and 50s made from noble woods such as rosewood, cherry, ash and walnut, often decorated with inlaid panels and crystal signed by eminent master glassmakers. Vintage marquetry bar cabinet by Vittorio Dassi (1893-1973), 1950. Dassi, an Italian furniture designer, produced furniture in the 40s and 50s made from noble woods such as rosewood, cherry, ash and walnut, often decorated with inlaid panels and crystal signed by eminent master glassmakers. /wp:image wp:image {"id":16707, "sizeSlug": "large", "linkDestination": "none"} Photo credit: Design Market Calamobio chest of drawers, designed by Alessandro Mendini for Zanotta, 1985/1988. Wooden structure and legs, polychrome marquetry. Calamobio chest of drawers, designed by Alessandro Mendini for Zanotta, 1985/1988. Wooden frame and legs, polychrome marquetry. /wp:image wp:paragraph Modern marquetry continues to appeal: it often combines several woods, includes leather and metal inserts, and plays with colours. Some designers like to revisit it to test their creativity. Modern marquetry continues to be popular: it often combines a combination of several woods, includes leather and metal inserts, and plays with colour. Some designers like to revisit it to test their creativity. /wp:paragraph wp:image {"id":16705, "sizeSlug": "large", "linkDestination": "none"} Photo credit: Divisare Rosewood sideboard with magnificent marquetry work, design: Massimo Morozzi for Edra, 2016. Rosewood sideboard with magnificent marquetry work, design: Massimo Morozzi for Edra, 2016. /wp:image wp:image {"id":16701, "sizeSlug": "large", "linkDestination": "none"} Photo credit: Bethan Laura Wood "Hot rock" wardrobe series, design: Bethan Laura Wood, when marquetry is brought up to date... Here laminated marquetry, coloured MDF, powdered steel, satin brass. Hot rock" wardrobe series, design: Bethan Laura Wood, when marquetry comes back into fashion... Here laminated marquetry, coloured MDF, powder-coated steel, satin-finish brass. Limited edition. /wp:image wp:paragraph {"align": "right"} François Boutard François Boutard /wp:paragraph

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