Métiers d'Arts: Straw Marquetry & Engraving

Straw marquetry is an unusual and ancient craft.

- by Martin Green

It takes something rather common, rye straw, and turns it into something noble. It was practiced by the Sumerians from southern Mesopotamia, which flourished between 4500 and 1800 BC, and was also among the goods Marco Polo brought home from China. As it takes a lot of time, patience, and effort to master, it is not a surprise that straw marquetry in the Western world was first practiced in monasteries. The beauty of Bibles with straw marquetry decorating the cover soon captured the hearts of the nobility, turning it into a true artistic decoration technique, or as it is called in French, ‘métiers d’arts’.

The nobility not only liked their Bibles decorated with straw marquetry but often utilised it as well in their home décor. That is how it is used today, if you can find a craftsperson who still masters this art. It is increasingly difficult to find, mostly because it takes a lot of time and dedication to get the technique right. Even then, decorating an object with straw marquetry remains a tedious task that cannot be hurried. The reward is twofold: for the artisan to have completed yet another masterpiece and for the (future) owner to enjoy an ancient and nowadays rare craft.