marquetry

noun

mar·​que·​try ˈmär-kə-trē 

variants or less commonly marqueterie

: decorative work in which elaborate patterns are formed by the insertion of pieces of material (such as wood, shell, or ivory) into a wood veneer that is then applied to a surface (as of a piece of furniture)

Illustration of marquetry

• M marquetry

Examples of marquetry in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The designs will further incorporate such craft techniques as traditional leather marquetry and laser printing that transform Louis Vuitton’s iconic Capucines handbag into a wearable canvas. — Francesca Aton, ARTnews.com, 30 Sep. 2026

There’s a wool tea room by French artist Agnès Debizet, Harry Nuriev built a Japanese-denim mahjong lounge, and French straw-marquetry master Lison de Caunes entwined twisted leather and shearling with Art Deco panels. — Lily Templeton, Footwear News, 29 Sep. 2026

For Hollidge and Eshaghpour, straw marquetry felt like an intuitive extension of their practice. — Jill Singer, Curbed, 23 Sep. 2026

The rest of the cabin was designed to complement the marquetry. — Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 18 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle French marqueterie, from marqueter to checker, inlay, from marque mark

First Known Use

1563, in the meaning defined above