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Robin Moulson

As I said in a previous update, us poor Independents don't have the benefit of a group to advise and guide us on a one to one basis, we have to conduct our own marquetry trials and tribulations with guidance from afar. However, some in our Independent ranks are established award winners and have a great deal of expertise. Tony Reindorp is most certainly a marquetarian of exceptional ability and has gained many awards over the years, so any guidance or information from Tony is going to be invaluable to us. Happily for we Independents Tony has written us an article which I think you will find most interesting. Over to you Tony:

Clive





Marquetry uses of an ancient door design
by Tony Reindorp   


Hello, I am Tony Reindorp, an independent member of the society. I have entered work at the annual Exhibition occasionally over the years

Side Table
A glorious Marquetry decorated Table

After creating many pictorial works I decided I had enough veneer pictures.

So, I concentrated on useful marquetry veneered and inlayed 'things' for use around the house or for gifts.

One of the useful sources of designs for my pieces has been the 'table top' design based on a door panel from Sala del Cambio, Perugia (issued with no.119 of The Marquetarian, I think).

On display on this page are some of the pieces I've made which use all or part of this Sala del Cambio door panel design.

I designed and made a coffee table and incorporated the complete door panel design into the top.

The cutting of this panel was carried out over many months as a 'side project'.

Design on table top
The Marquetry design on the table top

Fruit Bowl


A Marquetry adorned Fruit Bowl


Tea Caddy
Marquetry decorated Tea Caddy

It is a rather tedious cutting exercise as the design repeats four times, and once the veneers are chosen it is a straight forward cutting exercise.

I used birdseye maple as the base veneer which gave the overall light colour when put together with the ash of the table.

As I started cutting I realised that parts of this design could be used to decorate small items.

So, as the table project progressed, I made a tea caddy, a letter rack, a fruit bowl and various boxes and containers etc.

Several pieces have the marquetry panel inlayed into the base oak of the item.

Letter Rack
Marquetry decorated Letter Rack
Fruit Bowl
A smaller Marquetry themed Fruit Bowl
Toast Rack
Toast Rack with a Marquetry theme

All the items shown are in everyday use, the well seasoned oak base wood and the many coats of  polyurethane satin varnish used, has stood up to the knocks of everyday use very well.

One day I will re-finish the tea caddy, which is the most worn, and it will be as good as new again.

I have found that the individual parts of the original panel design can be intermingled differently to create your own panel designs.

Often adding some fine lining will add depth and interest. I think a little scorching could look good but I have not tried this.

The individual leaf and flower shapes can be inlayed into the solid wood to great effect.

Trinket Box
Marquetry decorated Trinket Box

I have used the centre of this design many times. This is the most difficult part to cut and some experimenting was needed to find the right veneer for the fine spindly dark bits.

There are many of these marquetry panels in existence.

Looked at overall they appear very complex but on closer study I have found that they are very simple shapes and a useful source of ideas for applied marquetry.

Do have a go yourself, I'm sure you will thoroughly enjoy making these lovely Marquetry pieces.

Tony Reindorp

Collection of marquetry pieces
The Marquetry decorated pieces seen as a group



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