Silas Kopf

Four thousand years ago Egyptian craftsmen decorated objects using a technique similar to marquetry. Precious materials were pieced together to make designs. Then these designs were glued to the basic wooden structure of furniture. We are fortunate that magnificent pieces of Egyptian royal furniture survived in Tutankahmen's tomb. The world can see just how skilled Egyptians were with this precursor of marquetry.

Modern marquetry has its roots in Italy in the fifteenth century. Craftsmen created intricate pictures with native woods to decorate choirstalls, walls, and furniture. During the sixteenth century there were two important developments in the craft of marquetry. Firstly, fretsaws were invented that could cut extremely delicate shapes. Secondly, exotic woods were being brought to Europe from all around the world. Cabinetmakers then had the tools and a palette of colorful wood to fully express themselves. The culmination of this work was the furniture of the French court. Boulle, Riesener, and Roentgen designed and built tremendous pieces using marquetry decoration. The tradition of marquetry stayed fresh and vital in France. There are some fabulous pieces of Art Nouveau and Art Deco furniture enhanced with marquetry.

My marquetry refers to these historic antecedents. I enjoy using artistic devices, as well as the materials and techniques, that have been handed down through the centuries. The challenge is to live up to this marvellous heritage.

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