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From Wikipedia: Intarsia is a form of wood inlaying that is similar to marquetry. The term is also used for a similar technique used with small, highly polished stones, called pietre dure. The technique of intarsia inlays sections of wood (at times with contrasting ivory or bone) within the solid matrix; by contrast marquetry assembles a pattern out of veneers upon the body. The technique of intarsia is believed to have developed in the Islamic world; introduced into Europe through Sicily, the art was perfected in Siena and in northern Italy in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries, spreading to German centers and introduced into London by Flemish craftsmen in the later sixteenth century. After about 1620, marquetry tended to supplant intarsia in refined work.
Intarsia is the craft of using varied shapes, sizes and species of wood fitted together to create an inlaid, mosaic-like picture. It is thought that the word 'intarsia' is derived from the Latin word 'interserere' which means "to insert" and that it was originally developed in Siena, Italy in the 13th century by crafters using inlays of ivory inserted in wood as well as inlays of wood inserted into wall murals, table tops and other furniture.
Today, intarsia is created by selecting different types of wood, using its natural grain patterns and colors (rather than dyes and stains) to create the different colors in the pattern. Each piece of wood is then individually cut, shaped, and sanded before fitting them together, giving a three dimensional appearance, rather than a flat surface. The individual pieces are put together like a jig-saw puzzle and then glued to a piece of 1/4 inch plywood backing cut to the shape of the final product. Sometimes, additional pieces of plywood are used to raise areas of the pattern to create more depth. Once together, a final layer or two of finish is applied and the project is complete.
Many, many thanks to the efforts of people like Judy Gale Roberts who started creating "wood murals" with her father in the 1970's and Kathy Wise who has been creating intarsia patterns for the past 15 years. You can visit Judy's website at www.intarsia.com and Kathy's website at www.kathywise.com. The art of intarsia has certainly been revived and improved to the form we love and create today.
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