Marquetry is the art of creating intricate pictures and elaborate designs on furniture by skillfully cutting and fitting together thin pieces of domestic and exotic woods, horn, ivory, metal, shell, and other precious materials. While this highly specialized art has roots in ancient times, it was brought to a high level of refinement in the 17th and 18th centuries in France.

Additional Tags

decorative arts, european decorative arts, khan academy, masters of marquetry in the 17th century: boulle, furniture designer, furniture maker

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Classroom Considerations

• Knovation Readability Score: 3 (1 low difficulty, 5 high difficulty)