Books and Galleries

There are a few marquetry galleries on the web and as can be expected some are better than others. Two things that set the ones worth visiting apart from the others is the quality of the marquetry and the frequency they are updated. My personal favorite, and one that many are not aware of, is the ATREMA website with the galleries located here. ATREMA is a French Marquetry Association. Many renown marquetarians are members of this fine organization. The marquetry is superb and the galleries never seem out of date.

Another marquetry book is due to be published this Summer. "The Fine Art of Marquetry: Creating Images in Wood Using Sawn Veneers" by Craig Vandall Stevens. Publication date is set for July 31, 2010. With 160 pages it will list for $39.99. Amazon discribes the book as "An illustrated guide to marquetry, a technique where different colors of wood veneers are carefully cut to fit precisely together, forming a single sheet of veneer. Explore your creative potential and learn the essential elements of marquetry: using a fret saw, sawing your own veneers out of solid wood planks, the tools and materials required for marquetry, choosing wood, design, shading with hot sand, and applying a shellac finish."



There are many books on marquetry that are available. Many, however, are complicated in their approach for the newbie or offer particular methods employed by the author. For beginners, I always recommend a copy of "Modern Marquetry Handbook" if one can be found. It is out of print, but a few are available on ebay and other outlets that sell used books. It provides step-by-step instruction that any novice can understand and covers the most common methods of cutting as well as finishing. The now disbanned Marquetry Society of American had it published as a manual for its members and those wanting to learn marquetry in 1978. Many learned the craft with the use of this book and swear to its pragmatic approach.

Toothing Planes

On more than one occasion have I demonstrated the toothing plane, an antique tool used in veneering and marquetry. What is a toothing plane? It is a specialty plane that has an iron with serrated teeth which is used in preparing groundwork for the reception of veneer. Brought into existence during the age of hide glue it is still used today, but only by those that believe in its usefulness. During the 1920‘s, the Forest Product Labratories tested blocks of wood that had been laminated with and without their surfaces scored before gluing. In the majority of the samples that had scoring - they also survived a shear test longer. Modern glues, however, have rendered it as an unnecessary tool.

Still, there are applications where it is essential in giving the glue a good bite on materials that are non-porous such as brass. In those cases both the groundwork and the material being laid are worked over. This is done by stroking the toothing plane perpendicular to the sides and diagonally until the surface is evenly scored. Another instance of its use is the removal of high spots or gnarl-wood on an otherwise flat board. It can remove a lot of material in a short period of time.

Below is my toothing plane made in England during the 19th-century. It is made of Beech and the iron is stamped Moulson Brothers. I bought it 15 years ago and today it is valued at twice that much. Old tools never die, they live on in another man’s hand.