Inlay covers a range of techniques insculpture and thedecorative arts for inserting pieces of contrasting, often colored materials into depressions in a base object to formornament or pictures that normally are flush with the matrix.[1] A great range of materials have been used both for the base or matrix and for the inlays inserted into it. Inlay is commonly used in the production of decorative furniture, where pieces of colored wood, precious metals or even diamonds are inserted into the surface of the carcass using various matrices including clear coats and varnishes.Lutherie inlays are frequently used as decoration and marking onmusical instruments, particularly the smallerstrings.
Perhaps the most famous example of furniture inlay is that ofAndré-Charles Boulle (1642–1732) which is known asBoulle work and evolved in part from inlay produced in Italy during the late 15th century at thestudiolo forFederico da Montefeltro in hisDucal Palace at Urbino, in whichtrompe-l'œil shelving seems to carry books, papers, curios and mathematical instruments, in eye-deceiving perspective. The similar private study made for him atGubbio is now in theMetropolitan Museum of Art.
In a wood matrix, inlays commonly usewood veneers, but other materials likeshells,mother-of-pearl,horn orivory may also be used.Pietre dure, or coloured stones inlaid in white or black marbles, and inlays of precious metals in a base metal matrix, are other forms of inlay. Master craftspeople who make custom knives continue a tradition of ancient techniques of inlaying precious metals; additionally, many new techniques which use contemporary tools have also been developed and utilized as well by artisans.
Intarsia inlay in wood furniture differs frommarquetry, a similar technique that largely replaced it in high-style European furniture during the 17th century,[2] in that marquetry is an assembly of veneers applied over the entire surface of an object, whereas inlay consists of small pieces inserted on the bed of cut spaces in the base material, of which most remains visible.
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The history of inlay is very old but it is still evolving alongside new technologies and new materials being discovered today. The technique of metal in metal inlay was sophisticated and accomplished in ancient China as shown in examples of vessels decorated with precious metals, including this ding vessel (pictured) with gold and silver inlay from theWarring States period (403-221 BC).
The French cabinet makerAndré-Charles Boulle (1642-1732) specialized in furniture using inlays or metal and either wood ortortoiseshell together, the latter acting as the background. This type of inlay is known as "Boulle work".
After learning the skill ofsmithing from theNavaho in 1872, theZuni silversmiths cut small chips from crystals and gemstones, pearl shell and coral, to make inlay designs in a base of silver.
In 1990,Vivienne Westwood was inspired by Boulle work, the inlay of precious metals into or onto wood to create a collection with inlay in the manner of Boulle.[citation needed]
In 2016, a subsidiary company ofJean-Raymond Boulle discovered and has filed a patent[8] for a new type of diamond inlay in keeping with Boulle work, subsequently produced byAkzoNobel for application on cars,[9][10] planes[11][12] and yachts.[13]
The natives ofKerma (c. 2500 BCE – c. 1500 BCE) developed techniques for architectural inlays and glazed quartzite.[14][15]Pietra dura is the usual term in Europe for detailed inlays in contrasting colours of stones, including many semi-precious types;parchin kari is an Indian term. Pietra dura developed from the Romanopus sectile, which was typically used on a larger scale, especially in floors.Cosmatesque work on walls and floors, and smaller objects, was a medieval intermediate stage, continuing ancient opus alexandrinum.
Inlaid artifacts have come down to us from theAncient Mayan civilization, among them, jade, mother of pearl and onyx inlaid into stone during the era that arts reached a peak during the seven centuries from 200 to 900 AD.
Angie Reano Owen, aKewa Pueblo artist from New Mexico revived prehistoricHohokam andAnasazi traditional designs in the 1970s with a new technique to inlay stone and shell mosaic jewelry. Her work has been collected by the Museum of Fine Arts Boston, the National Museum of the American Indian and the American Museum of Natural History.[16]
Vivienne Westwood created her Portrait Collection based on the furniture of André-Charles Boulle.[17]
Kaloust Guedel introduced the inlay technique into contemporary painting, articulating it as a philosophical construct through which material, form, and meaning are interrogated.[18][19]
roositud is an inlay technique found in Estonian knitting.[20]
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The proprietary Sun King® coating uses a patent pending process developed by Jean Boulle Luxury, a group that has a long heritage in all facets of the diamond industry. Boulle is working exclusively with partners AkzoNobel to tailor the diamond coating for automobiles, airplanes and yachts.
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