The Art of Marquetry Inlay - Luxury Jewelry Boxes Handmade

The importance of Italian handicrafts

The art of marquetry inlay is an ancient and noble art handed down from generation to generation according to the tradition of craft constantly renewing its studies and experiments. Inlay is a decorative composition brought forth by cutting, picking and settling different kinds of wood. Different wood sheets are laid upon each other and the drawing to be inlaid is placed on. Pieces are cut with a fretsaw following the drawing.

Preparing the woods

Given the product, different liners of wood are placed on top of each other. They are stick toghether in a “pack” ready to be cut.

After the approving of the order on the part of the customer, the history of every product named Ercolano, begins from the work of the craftsman, who occupies himself with the choice of wood to utilize. Depending on the result which one wants to obtain, will natural woods be used – maple-tree, walnut, dark mahogany, madrona, ash, radical walnut, pero, bobinga, rovere or common oak – natural tinted woods, available in 12 colours and 5 types of pre-compounded woods.

Cutting

Cut drilling is done by hand, following the predefined drawing.

It is always the craftsman who traces the motifs to be cut, the design that is to be applied to the object. A work that must also take into account the natural veining of the wood.

With the help of fine saws or, more recently, sawing machines, used since the beginning of the 1960 s, the artisans, supported by a printed file with the design, obtains pieces from the “pack” of wood, the so-called weave, that are needed for the construction of the figures.

Sandblasting

In order to blacken the borders and create chromium-plated shades, small pieces of wood are put in a case with warm sand.

Sandblasting can be employed to create textural contrasts within the design. By selectively masking certain areas, Ercolano’s artisan can add varying depths and textures, adding a tactile dimension to the visual intricacy of the marquetry inlay. This method allows for greater creativity and precision, enabling the creation of more complex and detailed patterns.

Assembly

Small pieces of wood are combined together
by choosing the ones that according to their
shades of colours better match to the original
drawing.

The marquetry inlay’s technique often involves adjusting the pieces to ensure they fit snugly without gaps, which is crucial for maintaining the design’s continuity and visual appeal.

The pieces are adhered to the base material using appropriate adhesives. The choice of adhesive depends on the materials involved and the type of lacquer used for the final product.

Crafting the box

The inlaid is then pressed and after few hours glued to the box.

The marquetry inlay is now completed. the finished inlaid is applyed by our carpenters to the raw box. Then the box undergoes finishing touches. This may involve applying a protective lacquer or polish to enhance the wood’s natural beauty and to preserve the inlay work.

The result is a functional yet decorative object, reflecting both the technical skill and creative artistry of its maker. This intricate phase underscores the high level of craftsmanship required to produce a beautifully inlaid box.

Inlaying woodwork is, before a decoration technique, an art

In Sorrento it is handed down from generation to generation, following the craft tradition and renewing itself thanks to the constant study and experimenting. To make an inlaid wood object means to lock pieces of thin wood of different colours and qualities together, in order to obtain a colour sense contrast from which the images come out.

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