marquetry

noun

mar·​que·​try ˈmär-kə-trē How to pronounce marquetry (audio)
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

Illustration of marquetry
  • M marquetry

Examples of marquetry in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web This piece, one of the most elaborate, was inspired by the marquetry of the interwar furniture designer Jean-Michel Frank. Nathan Heller, Vogue, 29 Aug. 2023 The Leopard pocket watch is rendered in wood marquetry, hand-engraving, and champleve enamel. Carol Besler, Robb Report, 20 Apr. 2023 This ancient-meets-contemporary style continues throughout the intimate property, with hand-hewn marquetry floors; textiles by luxury Milanese fabric house, Dedar; and bathrooms clad in an exquisite array of marbles. Nicole Trilivas, Forbes, 19 May 2022 The details are exquisite, from the burgundy caning on a desk chair to the checkerboard marquetry on a coffee table. Diana Budds, Curbed, 28 Apr. 2023 Yellow gold leaves are folded together over the cuff in layers with mother-of-pearl marquetry and white gold pieces set with round and marquis-shaped diamonds. Carol Besler, Robb Report, 5 July 2023 Some have looked to its verdant side—with an emerald-hued box adorned in marquetry; a flash of fluorite in a scarab pendant; the stromanthe-like swirls of an acetate comb; and the atmospheric effects of light itself, captured in a balconette bra. Rosie Jarman, ELLE, 1 May 2023 Fussy designs, like a gleaming marquetry table Vanessa Bell received as a wedding gift, live with threadbare rugs and worn armchairs. WSJ, 11 Mar. 2022 The concept of aperiodic geometry has existed for at least 1,000 years from Islamic mosaics and tessellations to ancient marquetry designs and silk weavings. Adrienne Bernhard, Popular Mechanics, 15 June 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'marquetry.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

1563, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of marquetry was in 1563

Dictionary Entries Near marquetry

Cite this Entry

“Marquetry.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/marquetry. Accessed 28 Sep. 2023.

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