Masterpieces of Marquetry: Volume I: From the Beginnings to Louis XIV, Volume II: From the Régence to the Present Day, Volume III: Outstanding Marqueters

by Pierre Ramond, Brian Considine (Translator)

Marquetry, also called intarsia or inlay, is the art of creating intricate pictures and designs on furniture by skillfully cutting and fitting together thin pieces of colored wood, horn, metal, shell, and other precious materials. While this highly specialized art has its roots in ancient
times, it was popularized in the eighteenth century in France and today remains centered in Paris. This three-volume set-originally published in French and now available for the first time in English-is the most comprehensive examination to date of the techniques used by expert marqueters in
creating their exquisite masterpieces.
Masterpieces of Marquetry offers a detailed history of the medium from antiquity to the present day, illustrated with examples from the collections of museums around the world, and includes the masterpieces of some of the greatest cabinetmakers and marqueters in history. Methodically organized and
lavishly illustrated, this set is an invaluable resource for art historians, antique collectors, and dealers, as well as contemporary fine furniture makers.

506 pages, Hardcover

First published December 31, 2000

About the author

Pierre Ramond was born in 1935 in the southern French town of Sorèze, near Toulouse. He studied cabinetmaking first at the Technical School in Revel, which is an important centre for this trade, and then at the Metge workshop. After his military service, he moved to the heart of France's cabinetmaking industry, the Faubourg Saint Antoine in Paris, where he headed the marquetry studio of Pierre Rosenau. At the close of this old and highly respected studio, he set up his own studio at his home in suburban Paris. During the 14 years that he operated his own business, he began teaching marquetry at L'Ecole Boulle, the prestigious craft school in Paris. He was named Full Professor in 1978. He is now President of the Jury of Marqueters for the contest of the "Meilleurs Ouvriers de France," a highly regarded competition that takes place every three years. In 1979 he received highest honours at the Sorbonne for his doctoral thesis on the history and technique of marquetry.