Things You should Know about Inlay Decoration

Carving was the earliest ways of decorating the woods. This carving was done almost in all types of woods. It gave a new looks and a generated a new interest for furniture. And then you have inlay type of decoration, an alternative of carving.

At the same time as carving came into use, there was introduced an alternative type of decoration: inlay. This took many different forms over the years, varying from simple straight lines in wood of contrasting colour to the ground (called 'stringing'), to the elaboration of marquetry in which the inlay often covers a greater proportion of the surface than the ground.

This latter was in great demand shortly before 1700, when the form known as 'seaweed marquetry*, so complicated in pattern that the walnut ground could scarcely be seen at all, came into prominence. This fashion did not last for long after the start of the new century, but there was a revival of it in a weak: manner in about 1860. Many different woods were used in marquetry; some were dyed in bright colors and others darkened by scorching to enhance the effect. Pieces of bone, tortoiseshell and mother-of-pearl were also used sometimes.

A popular inlay on walnut furniture is known as 'herringbone', and consists of a band of two narrow strips of the same wood placed together with their grain meeting diagonally. The effect accounts for the name, which is alternatively 'feather-banding'. A further type of inlay is known as 'cross-banding'. It consists of a band of inlaid wood, often to be found at the edges of a table-top, in which the grain of the wood runs outwards.

Inlaying with a narrow strip of brass was done occasionally in the eighteenth century, but mostly in Regency times when more ambitious shapes, such as stars, were attempted also. It was very popular, and is looked on now as a feature of the period.

Moldings
Moldings varied in shape with each period, and their study will help to identify the date of a piece of furniture. The narrow half-round molding found on the edges of many eighteenth-century drawers is known as cock beading'.

Lacquer
Lacquering was practiced in the Far East for many centuries before it was introduced into Europe. Chinese and Japanese craftsmen decorated furniture by painting it carefully with many coatings of the sap of a locally grown tree, then after it had been well smoothed it was painted with designs in gold and colors. Some of this work was brought to England at the end of the seventeenth century, and became popular enough to be imitated as closely as possible by both professional and amateur artists, and much furniture made in England in the early 1700's was ornamented with this pseudo-oriental lacquer. In addition, pieces of English furniture were sent out to the East to be embellished in the authentic manner by local craftsmen, and quantities of cabinets and other furnishings of Far Eastern manufacture were sent to all countries of Europe.

In addition to the lacquer just described, in which the smoothed surface was painted upon, often with small areas raised to emphasize details of the pattern, there was another type in which the designs were cut and then colored. The finished article showed a smooth black panel into which were incised colored designs about one eighth of an inch deep. This was called 'Bantam' or 'Coromahdel lacquer, and was made often in the form of large folding screens. Some of them were of as many as twelve leaves, each about two feet wide and eight feet high. Occasionally, on arrival in Europe they were cut up regardless of their pattern to make cabinets or other pieces of furniture.

We have seen the various types of decorations that a wood can be give. The carving, inlay, moldings, and lacquer are the most common forms of wood decoration. These forms of woods decorations generated a lot of interest among the English in the eighteenth century. And many imitations of these kinds were produced to meet the demands.

Mitch Johnson is a regular writer for www.kitchen-plans-n-designs.com/ , www.hubforcollectables.info/ , www.bathroomaccessoriesmadeeasy.info/

Hot Topics In Home Furniture

    Choosing The Most Suitable Garden Furniture

    When summer comes around, you probably start to think about getting some garden furniture. After all, your backyard is an area designed with relaxation in mind. It's your own personal resort, and you ...

    Bunk Beds Add More Than Space To Childrens' Rooms

    Many children like the idea of having a bunk bed in their room - metal frame, designer, wood - it doesn't matter. The appeal comes for a number of reasons and these beds can even be ideal for youngste...

    Decorating Your Bedroom With Ready To Assemble Furniture

    Even something as simple as a small side table or bookshelf can give your bedroom added interest and these days you can get stylish items for every room without spending a lot. Now a days ready-to-ass...

    The Advantages of Using Wood Bar Stools in Your Home or Business

    Wood bar stools are one of the most popular types of stools on the furniture market. You'll find them all over the place in people's homes, businesses, restaurants, inside and outside. The versatility...

    Seven Simple Steps To Make Your Furniture Last Long Enough To Become Heirlooms

    People love furniture, furniture is simply wood and glue but still it is a really personal thing. Somehow, a little bit of the different people who have owned it and the craftsmen who throughout the y...

    Quick Tips for Carpet and Rugs - Softness Under Foot

    Copyright 2006 Melissa Galt

    Carpet

    The lowest maintenance and most durable carpet is level loop (often called berber?. The loop construction provides 4x the surface of wear, hence its?durabili...

    Your Living Room Starts With Your Sofa

    Your living room is probably the most important room in your home. It's where you unwind, where you entertain your friends, and where you spend lazy days relaxing in front of your fireplace. The way y...

    Trends and Styles of Patio Furniture

    The sales of patio furniture draw a significant change in the market today. Current designer trends move from inside and out. Creative designs of patio furniture give you an opportunity to get a breat...

    Home Bars for Entertaining

    Throwing a memorable party in a home can be a challenging project. If you like to entertain and are not satisfied with your current set up, it is time to update your kitchen furniture. The new kitchen...

    Things You should Know about Inlay Decoration

    Carving was the earliest ways of decorating the woods. This carving was done almost in all types of woods. It gave a new looks and a generated a new interest for furniture. And then you have inlay typ...

    Home Office Furniture At A Glance

    Working at home is no longer the stranger that it was years ago. Many individuals are choosing to avoid the commute for many reasons and, thanks to advanced technology, a work at home career is just a...

Most Recent Home Furniture Supplements

Newly Popular Home Living Articles

    Losing Post-Pregnancy Weight

    Having a baby means indescribable joy, but for some women, it's also a battle to achieve that super slim, pre-pregnancy figure. It doesn't have to be hard to get into your old jeans!

    The powde...

    Sleeping Tips For Pregnant Women

    The anticipation of giving birth to a child may literally cause expectant mothers sleepless nights.

    Most pregnant women may feel more exhausted than usual and would eventually sleep more. Duri...

    Glutathione for a Healthier Pregnancy

    All parents-to-be nurture the dream of a healthy pregnancy and baby.

    But the modern environment and diet is deficient in many factors essential for the health of mother and fetus. One of those...

    How to Enhance and Enrich Your Marriage

    Any marriage counselor will tell you that one of the most common problems observed when couples come for help is poor communication skills. People get into trouble in their marriages because they have...

    Work at Home Online with your Silent Money Making Machine

    Some people claim that it is almost impossible these days to make lots of money when you work at home. They say that there are all sorts of scams online, but no decent job to actually make a bit of ex...

    Explanations For Unexplained Infertility

    It is strange how with all the advanced technologies associated with the diagnosis of infertility, some cases are still labeled with unknown causes. This condition is medically known as unexplained in...

    Work At Home Online Instead Of At Work

    The information super highway is quickly becoming the revenue super highway. Online, work-at-home opportunities are as common as pigeons in New York. Thousands of people are quitting their jobs, worki...

    Money Saving Tips. Maximize Savings on Everyday Items!

    Frugal living is more than a lifestyle. It's a passion. Call Me Crazy! I love It!

    Why, who wouldn't love getting paid to buy products that they use everyday?

    Here's how I do it.

    <...

    Alarm Controls are the Brain of your Security System, Use Yours When Choosing One

    The alarm control is the brain of your security system. It is typically placed in an area that is out of the way like a basement, attic, closet or office. The motherboard and additional components suc...

    Car Scratch and Dent Repair

    Auto body professionals can take a large chunk of your budget to repair even the most minor car dents and scratches. Hailstorms, other motorists doors, and minor accidents can cause frustration, espe...

Interesting Today:

Most Recent Home Living Blogs:

Releated to Home Living:

Home Furniture Links: