Classical Marquetry

Classical marquetry is easy to define in this age of modernism where everything that is created must be different and more novel than the previous one. Those that practice this sublime craft are as rare as resawn ivory. One such craftsman is Dusan Rakic from Yugoslavia. He goes by the name of prometheus065 and his blog can be found here. Several videos are available there. One of these shows his adept skill of knife-cutting. His subjects are taken from established art and their execution have a Wagnerian feel to them. My personal favorite is "St Jerome on his Knees before a Crucifix" by Gian Lorenzo Bernini. Below is the original and one of marquetry.

For those who like to avail themselves of more progressive marquetry, head over to woodworkessence.com. A handful of artists are profiled including Kevin Dunlop of Canada. He bills himself as "The Marquetry Man". The original Marquetry Man" of course lived a hundred years ago in America and was profiled on this blog in January, 2009.

Marquetry Maps

Making maps of marquetry is nothing new, but Dan Bredemeier over at woodenmaps.com has recently completed, what I think, is the largest marquetry mural of a map ever constructed. Commissioned by an architectural firm for a Saudi Prince, it measures 18 feet wide and weighs over 200 pounds. It took Dan about a year to bring this project to completion.

Dan began doing marquetry as a hobby well before he knew it had a name. In time, he realized he could make money from this specialized craft. I have worked a few Shows with Dan and his technique is as old as marquetry itself. He first lays the background which will cover the entire piece using a vacuum press (usually using 1/4 plywood). While this is drying he begins to knife-cut the individual foreground pieces. These are then positioned on the foreground when it is taken out of the press and used as a template for tracing the desired shape. After this the background-veneer is removed using a 1/4" chisel and the foreground piece glued into place. In addition to this he adds details like names and facts using ink in a Calligraphic style.

Over time Dan has refined his technique through trial and error. I do not think there is a glue, finish, dye or chemical he has not tried. Below is his map of the United States and a detail from one of Africa.