History

The word “Tarsia” (better known as intarsio) comes from Arabic “Tarsì” (a precious decoration). Its origin dates back to the Carthusian Monks, when their works were inspired by the Arabic marble works. The craft of Inlaid wood made with this technique fascinates people for its brightness and liveliness. The “intarsio” is a “technique” based on outlining a drawing that is superimposed upon more strata of precious wood’s veeners. All these strata are cut with a thin reciprocating saw, then all the hundreds of slunder pieces of precious wood are assembled together on the hand-made frame. The different types of wood are obtained by using hot sand and then, if necessary, the drawing will be finished off, using indian ink. The precious wood used (walnut, ebony, mahogany, bais or rose) are carefully selected to obtain the different shades. The piece made with this technique is later polished ending with a varnish finish (matt or glossy) used in order to preserve the marquetry. This traditional technique has become so popular that it is also used for furniture, religious panels, wall plaques etc.. The craftmen of Sorrento have become the most talented and famous masters and well known all over the world, (America including). With time craftmen have become famous for their patient and delicate work. A good idea has been to add a “carillon” to create music-boxes. They are able to create, almost by magie an elegant embroidery from a slender piece of wood.