THE ANCIENT ART OF INTARSIA

Intarsia is the making of decorative pictures by laying pieces of various natural woods into a ground work of solid wood.

Through the centuries craftsmen have created beautiful works of art from wood. Intarsia is seen in the history of ancient Egypt, Persia, eighth-century Japan and Imperial Rome. However the Sienese of Italy are the most noted for their work with carvings dating back to the 13th century.

THE TRADITIONAL PROCESS

Intarsia takes many long and demanding hours of work, First you must import rare and exotic woods. Then the ground work must be carved, lowered and trenched. Next the imported woods are cut, sawed and sliced into tiles and these tiles are set one at a time, in a bed of glue. Finally the inlaid surface is sanded, rubbed down, and burnished, creating a lovely decorative piece.