1. decorative work in which elaborate patterns are formed by the insertion of pieces of material (such as wood, shell, or ivory) into a wood veneer that is then applied to a surface (as of a piece of furniture)
Usage: crafts; woodworking

Examples

• The antique table featured beautiful marquetry with intricate floral designs.
• She learned the art of marquetry from her grandfather, a master craftsman.
• The cabinet’s marquetry panels depicted scenes from nature using different colored woods.
• French furniture makers of the 18th century were renowned for their marquetry work.
• The restoration required matching the original marquetry patterns exactly.
• His marquetry workshop contained dozens of exotic wood veneers.
• The museum’s collection includes several pieces with exceptional marquetry detail.