Pattern: Marquetry

We focus a lot on “soft” patterns here in our weekly Pattern post. And though we confess to a certain “soft” spot for textile patterns, we recognize that’s not the only place patterns show up. Today we’re talking about marquetry, the kind of pattern that can be modern, traditional and everything in between.

Simply defined, marquetry is “decorative work in which elaborate patterns are formed by the insertion of pieces of material (as wood, shell, or ivory) into a wood veneer that is then applied to a surface (as of a piece of furniture).” We just think it’s so darn cool to see designs made out of wood placed in other wood. As evidenced by a few furniture and accessory pieces we spotted on 1stdibs.

• Swedish Mid-century occasional table
• A Fine Dutch Marquetry Inlaid Bombe Desk
• Beautiful Vintage Cherry Wood Side Board
• Italian Cabinet on Stand with Marquetry Doors
• Japanese Marquetry Box

Do you have any marquetry on a home item you own? What do you think about marquetry—it’s possible to be way cool or a little too dated for your tastes?