marquetry

noun mar·que·try \ ˈmär-kə-trē \

variants: or less commonly marqueterie

Updated on: 1 Apr 2018

Definition of marquetry

: 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)

Recent Examples of marquetry from the Web

Straw marquetry covered the walls, wood fretwork was painted to look like white enamel, and the air was filled with the aroma of sandalwood incense.

— moira hodgson, WSJ, "‘Diving for Starfish’ Review: The Affair L’Étoile de Mer," 22 Mar. 2018
The family room, which has straw marquetry dragonflies on the walls, can also be used as a fourth bedroom.

— lauren ro, Curbed, "Designer’s dazzling ‘clock house’ wants $3.6M outside NYC," 20 Mar. 2018
Iran, to her, is mirror-work, marquetry, turquoise, faded glory.

— jane mayer, The New Yorker, "India Mahdavi, Virtuoso of Color," 20 Dec. 2017
But with adult patients Deschamps-Braly aimed for something closer to marquetry.

— jane mayer, The New Yorker, "The Story of a Trans Woman’s Face," 12 Mar. 2018
Walnut and oak beds and bureaus used inlaid marquetry for their quality workmanship and decoration.

— ann norman, cleveland.com, "Exhibitions highlighted Victorian influences on American design: Yenke Peddler antiques," 8 Mar. 2018
The ninth annual exhibition of works by Southern California woodworkers features contemporary, art, marquetry and traditional furniture designs.

— linda mcintosh, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Fundraiser set for teen fighting cancer ...plus more in the community," 17 Jan. 2018
In another room, Ms. Taylor — whose work updates the age-old decorative inlay technique called marquetry — has imagined what Roosevelt Island might have looked like in the 19th century.

— hilarie m. sheets, New York Times, "At Cornell Tech, Art Engineered for the Imagination," 13 Sep. 2017
The walls are sheathed in inlaid straw marquetry from Paris and the alpaca rug is by Sacco Carpet.

— celia barbour, ELLE Decor, "House Tour: A Vibrant, Art-Filled Ranch House in Upstate New York," 23 May 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'marquetry.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.