12 Hour Classes
INSTRUCTOR:
Ursula Dyrbye-Skovsted, Artisan
COURSE:
Marquetry
PROJECT:
1900 Floral Marquetry Mirror Frame
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This Art Nouveau style of off-center frames was very popular at the dawn of the 20th Century and used in both mirrors and photo frames. The decorative and often very colorful marquetry followed the style and fashion of the period of natural organic décor such as flowers in soft flowing lines. Some flowers where more popular than others, especially the wild growing varieties, like morning glory, wild lilies, iris, and poppies.
This class is based on an example in a European antique catalog and is 11/8" W x 1½" H. The students will start with a pre-made walnut frame, veneer it with black veneer and prepare it for inlay and marquetry which is the main focus of this class. The flower parts will be free-handcut from natural and colored hard wood veneers with a jewelers saw, using old patterns from the period. The paper thin stems will be cut on a table saw with a special made fixture. All the parts will then be set in the frame using the old technique of inlaying creating the vivid patterns with stems, leaves, and flowers. Using an old master’s trick, the tiny details will be added to give the final touch. The finishing with French shellac polish will bring depth and shine to the wood and give the mirror the golden aged look. The marquetry techniques learned in this class can be used on furniture of all periods.
TIME:
12 hours. Completion is likely depending on the weather and amount of detail the student wishes to add.
POWER TOOLS:
table saw
SKILL LEVEL:
Intermediate and advanced. Hand tools, except for cutting the tiny stems on a table saw, will be used. Students need to be able to follow a line with an x-acto knife and be able to see and handle tiny wood parts.
MATERIALS FEE:
$80 to be collected at school