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About folk marquetry a popular American craft of the early 20th century Tramp-art.com
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Definition: Folk marquetry though not a common term, folk marquetry does serve as a "catch all" for a variety of folk art objects that share the use of contrasting woods (light & dark) for decoration. Marquetry and inlay are more familiar terms and have long histories, but we are interested in examples of the last 150 years, crafted in home workshops. Folk marquetry describes objects made as tools and exotic woods became accessible to everyone. These items are decorated with various shaped and arranged contrasting wooden pieces that often number in the hundreds or more. Synonyms; "shop art," "light & dark," & "folk parquetry" |
| Late 19th and early 20th century folk art crafters enjoyed the benefits of an industrialized society. Lumber from exotic trees, previously hard to find became widely available. Marquetry once practiced by specialist furniture makers became a popular home craft. The use of contrasting and different species woods by crafters is seen in picture frames, furniture and a variety of household objects. A common example is the game board. The term "folk marquetry" is increasingly used to describe these antique, homemade, folk art objects. Folk marquerty and folk parquetry describe folk art items that are covered by shaped and carefully fitted pieces of wood. |
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Inlay / inlaid describes a woodworker's technique where where small pieces of wood (or other materials) are fitted to fill cavities or shallow hollowed out areas forming decorations. This photograph (04-003) shows two inlaid furniture items made in around 1920 by a "Mr. Webb" possibly of York Beach, Maine. The table or stand is inlaid using 500 pieces of wood. |
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Among common objects crafted in folk marquetry / inlay style are sewing, jewelry or ditty boxes. Pictured in these circa 1910 cabinet photographs are two inlaid boxes made by D. H. McClelland possibly of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The lid of box on the left (07-002A) contains 1,428 inlaid pieces of wood. The Lid of the box on the right (07-002B) contains 636 inlaid pieces the inscription "Tillie" done in ebony. |
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An exception to the rule? At first glance the antique photograph (03-064) of a stand made by T. B. Hintgen of Delmont, South Dakota, looks very much like a fine example of folk marquetry. From a penciled inscription on the back of the photograph we learn the stand is constructed using 4,600 pieces of LEATHER. Folk marquetry is defined by the use of contrasting woods. The use of other contrasting materials, such as leather, presents a rarity which falls within this craft's traditions. |
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recommended collector reference
*1998 American Folk Marquetry, Masterpieces in Wood, by Richard Muhlberger, Museum of American Folk Art, New York |
| The Robert and Marjorie Hirschhorn
collection of folk marquetry furniture and decorative objects is
documented and celebrated by this book. Using this outstanding
collection the author interrupts the craft, the artists and the times.
An analogy to quilts and quilting is made to help define this craft-
"Male quilting, a phrase applied to the making of marquetry, is an apt expression on the most basic level. Quilts and marquetry use bits and pieces of material, sometimes discarded from other undertakings and sometimes purchased or saved for a special project. From a formal perspective, both folk art forms fill flat surfaces with repeated patterns, or use simplified pictures and symbols as design. The making of quilts and marquetry is similar in that they both depend on a patient, additive progression from detail to detail, until plain cloth or naked wood is embellished with multiple designs that are also cloth or wood."* |
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vintage photographs and postcards are from the Tramp-art.com Collection |
