View source for Inlay

{{Short description|Artistic technique}}
[[File:Example of boulle work.jpg|280px|thumb|Example of [[Boulle work]]  inlay using [[tortoiseshell]] in mottled red, [[brass]] and [[pewter]]]] 
[[File:Boulle work example showing depth given by tortoiseshell.jpg|280px|thumb|[[Boulle work]] showing the use of [[pewter]]  (center) and the 'depth' given by [[tortoiseshell]] in the background. Brass inlay is on the right and left.]]
'''Inlay''' covers a range of techniques in [[sculpture]] and the [[decorative arts]] for inserting pieces of contrasting, often colored materials into depressions in a base object to form [[Ornament (art)|ornament]] or pictures that normally are flush with the matrix.<ref>''Oxford Companion to the Decorative Arts'', 1975, ''s.v.'' "Inlay", "Wood-working (Special Techniques)".</ref>  A great range of materials have been used both for the base or matrix and for the inlays inserted into it. Inlay is commonly used in the production of decorative furniture, where pieces of colored wood, precious metals or even diamonds are inserted into the surface of the carcass using various matrices including clear coats and varnishes. [[Inlay (guitar)|Lutherie inlays]] are frequently used as decoration and marking on [[musical instrument]]s, particularly the smaller [[String instrument|strings]].

Perhaps the most famous example of furniture inlay is that of [[André-Charles Boulle]] (1642–1732)  which is known as [[Boulle work]] and evolved in part from inlay produced in Italy during the late 15th century at the ''[[studiolo]]'' for [[Federico da Montefeltro]] in his [[Urbino|Ducal Palace at Urbino]], in which ''[[trompe-l'œil]]'' shelving seems to carry books, papers, curios and mathematical instruments, in eye-deceiving perspective. The similar private study made for him at [[Gubbio]] is now in the [[Metropolitan Museum of Art]].

==Inlay in wood==

[[File:Nacre inlaid into burly walnut wood in Fender Stratocaster guitar.jpg|thumb|alt=a tiny inlaid 'stratocaster' on a customised Fender guitar. the letters are mother of pearl and the wood is walnut burr|Mother of pearl inlay into walnut burl on a customised [[Fender Stratocaster]].]]

[[File:Inlay on side of eastern casket.jpg|thumb|left| Inlay ([[ivory]], red sandalwood, [[copper]]) on wooden casket]]

In a wood matrix, inlays commonly use [[wood veneer]]s, but other materials like [[Exoskeleton|shells]], [[mother-of-pearl]], [[Horn (anatomy)|horn]] or [[ivory]] may also be used. {{lang|it|[[Pietre dure]]}}, or coloured stones inlaid in white or black marbles, and inlays of precious metals in a base metal matrix, are other forms of inlay.  Master craftspeople who make custom knives continue a tradition of ancient techniques of inlaying precious metals; additionally, many new techniques which use contemporary tools have also been developed and utilized as well by artisans.

[[Intarsia]] inlay in wood furniture differs from [[marquetry]], a similar technique that largely replaced it in high-style European furniture during the 17th century,<ref>John Fleming and Hugh Honour, ''The Penguin Dictionary of Decorative Arts'' (1977) ''s.v.'' "Inlay".</ref> in that marquetry is an assembly of veneers applied over the entire surface of an object, whereas inlay consists of small pieces inserted on the bed of cut spaces in the base material, of which most remains visible.

==Inlay on metals==
[[File:Wine flask (bianhu) with geometric decoration.jpg|thumb|left|Bronze inlaid with silver: ceremonial flask, China, [[Warring States period]], 3rd century BC.]]
[[File:Arzhan-2 arrowhead design.jpg|thumb|Arrowhead with gold inlays, [[Arzhan-2]], 7th century BCE.]]
The history of inlay is very old but it is still evolving alongside new technologies and new materials being discovered today. The technique of metal in metal inlay was sophisticated and accomplished in ancient China as shown in examples of vessels decorated with precious metals, including this ding vessel (pictured) with gold and silver inlay from the [[Warring States period]] (403-221 BC).

The French cabinet maker [[André-Charles Boulle]] (1642-1732) specialized in furniture using inlays or metal and either wood or [[tortoiseshell]] together, the latter acting as the background. This type of inlay is known as "[[Boulle work]]".

After learning the skill of [[Silversmith|smithing]] from the [[Navajo people|Navaho]] in 1872, the [[Zuni people#Carving and silversmithing|Zuni silversmiths]] cut small chips from crystals and gemstones, pearl shell and coral, to make inlay designs in a base of silver.

In 1990, [[Vivienne Westwood]] was inspired by Boulle work, the inlay of precious metals into or onto wood to create a collection with inlay in the manner of Boulle.{{citation needed|date=April 2019}}
[[File:Sun King Diamond Coating on a Bentley Azure - detail.jpg|thumb|Sun King Diamond Coating by Jean Boulle Luxury on a [[Bentley Azure]] in Monaco<ref>{{cite web |title=Monaco: So bling it's blinding! Can your eyes handle the 2 MILLION DIAMONDS lining this Bentley? |url=https://eblnews.com/video/monaco-so-bling-its-blinding-can-your-eyes-handle-2-million-diamonds-lining-bentley-83101 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190309115908/https://eblnews.com/video/monaco-so-bling-its-blinding-can-your-eyes-handle-2-million-diamonds-lining-bentley-83101 |archive-date=Mar 9, 2019 |access-date=20 April 2017 |url-status=usurped |publisher=EBL News}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=March 21, 2017 |title=Jean Boulle Luxury Group announces a world first at the 14th Edition of Top Marques Monaco |url=http://www.jeanboulleluxury.com/content-files/uploads/2017/05/Top-Marques-Monaco-21st-March-2017.pdf |access-date=Dec 12, 2017 |publisher=Jean Boulle Luxury}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=24 April 2017 |title=Supercars and flying vehicles on show at Top Marques Monaco |url=https://sg.news.yahoo.com/supercars-flying-vehicles-show-top-marques-monaco-134205259.html |publisher=Yahoo News Singapore}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Boulle Luxury |url=http://www.topmarquesmonaco.com/en/top-marques-monaco-2017/exhibitors/boulle-luxury.html,01560 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170630105836/http://www.topmarquesmonaco.com/en/top-marques-monaco-2017/exhibitors/boulle-luxury.html,01560 |archive-date=Jun 30, 2017 |access-date=19 March 2017 |publisher=Top Marques, Monaco}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Jean Boulle Luxury Group's Proprietary Natural Gem Diamond Finish Technology Exhibited #Boulleluxury |url=http://investorsafrica.com/p/4076312671/2017/03/10/jean-boulle-luxury-group-s-proprietary-natural-gem-diamond-finish-technology-exhibited-boulleluxury |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171212031850/http://investorsafrica.com/p/4076312671/2017/03/10/jean-boulle-luxury-group-s-proprietary-natural-gem-diamond-finish-technology-exhibited-boulleluxury |archive-date=Dec 12, 2017 |access-date=23 March 2017 |publisher=Investors Africa}}</ref>]]

In 2016, a subsidiary company of [[Jean-Raymond Boulle]] discovered and has filed a patent<ref>{{cite web |title=Oceanco's project Lumen shines with revolutionary Sun King® coating made from diamonds |url=https://www.oceancoyacht.com/en/press/press-releases/333-oceanco-s-project-lumen-shines-with-revolutionary-sun-king-coating-made-from-diamonds |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171212050811/https://www.oceancoyacht.com/en/press/press-releases/333-oceanco-s-project-lumen-shines-with-revolutionary-sun-king-coating-made-from-diamonds |archive-date=Dec 12, 2017 |publisher=Oceanco |quote=The proprietary Sun King® coating uses a patent pending process developed by Jean Boulle Luxury, a group that has a long heritage in all facets of the diamond industry. Boulle is working exclusively with partners AkzoNobel to tailor the diamond coating for automobiles, airplanes and yachts.}}</ref> for a new type of diamond inlay in keeping with Boulle work, subsequently produced by [[AkzoNobel]] for application on cars,<ref>{{cite web |date=25 April 2017 |title=Spectacular World Premieres at Top Marques Monaco Luxury Car Show |url=http://www.news18.com/news/auto/spectacular-world-premieres-at-top-marques-monaco-luxury-car-show-1383317.html |publisher=News 18}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Nargess |first=Banks |date=Mar 20, 2017 |title=Meet The World's First Diamond Car, The Rolls-Royce Ghost Elegance |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/nargessbanks/2017/03/20/rolls-royce-design-director-exploring-luxury/#7a305f1e4d93 |url-access=subscription |work=[[Forbes]]}}</ref> planes<ref>{{cite web |date=22 May 2017 |title=Jean Boulle Luxury Launches the World's First Aircraft Finished with the Sun King™ Natural Gem Diamond Coating at EBACE 2017 |url=http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170522005828/en/Jean-Boulle-Luxury-Launches-World%E2%80%99s-Aircraft-Finished |publisher=[[Business Wire]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=November 11, 2017 |title=Jean Boulle: Diamond Luxury at Greater Heights |url=http://aviationweek.com/dubai-air-show-2017/jean-boulle-diamond-luxury-greater-heights |url-access=subscription |publisher=Aviation Week Network}}</ref> and yachts.<ref>{{cite web |last=Verdon |first=Michael |date=7 November 2017 |title=Bedazzled Oceanco Lumen |url=http://robbreport.com/motors/marine/oceanco-lumen-superyacht-concept-2758043/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171108021209/http://robbreport.com/motors/marine/oceanco-lumen-superyacht-concept-2758043/ |archive-date=Nov 8, 2017 |publisher=Robb Report}}</ref>

==Inlay in stone==

[[File:Cathedral Virgin Mary-7.jpg|left|thumb| Cathedral Virgin Mary: inlays in contrasting colours of stones in [[pietra dura]]]]
The natives of [[Kerma culture|Kerma]] ({{Circa|2500 BCE|1500 BCE}}) developed techniques for architectural inlays and glazed quartzite.<ref>W SS, 'Glazed Faience Tiles found at Kerma in the Sudan,' Museum of the Fine Arts, Vol.LX:322, Boston 1962, p. 136</ref><ref>Peter Lacovara, 'Nubian Faience', in ed. Florence D Friendman, Gifts of the Nile – Ancient Egyptian Faience, London: Thames & Hudson, 1998, 46–49)</ref>
[[Pietra dura]] is the usual term in Europe for detailed inlays in contrasting colours of stones, including many semi-precious types; ''parchin kari'' is an Indian term.  Pietra dura developed from the Roman [[opus sectile]], which was typically used on a larger scale, especially in floors.  [[Cosmatesque]] work on walls and floors, and smaller objects, was a medieval intermediate stage, continuing ancient opus alexandrinum.

Inlaid artifacts have come down to us from the [[Ancient Maya art|Ancient Mayan]] civilization, among them, jade, mother of pearl and onyx inlaid into stone during the era that arts reached a peak during the seven centuries from 200 to 900 AD.

[[Angie Reano Owen]], a [[Santo Domingo Pueblo, New Mexico|Kewa Pueblo]] artist from New Mexico revived prehistoric [[Hohokam]] and [[Anasazi]] traditional designs in the 1970s with a new technique to inlay stone and shell mosaic jewelry. Her work has been collected by the Museum of Fine Arts Boston, the National Museum of the American Indian and the American Museum of Natural History.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Angie Reano Owen – Artists – Indian Arts Research Center |url=https://emuseum.sarsf.org/people/390/angie-reano-owen |access-date=2025-01-21 |website=emuseum.sarsf.org |language=en}}</ref>

==Inlay on fabrics==

[[Vivienne Westwood]] created her Portrait Collection based on the furniture of André-Charles Boulle.<ref>{{cite web |date=23 March 2009 |title=Vivienne Westwood 1990 A/W Collection : Portrait |url=http://08245498d.blogspot.com/2009/03/blog-post_30.html |access-date=23 March 2009 |website=08245498d |publisher=[[Blogger (service)|Blogger]]}}</ref>
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==Inlay in painting==

[[Kaloust Guedel]] Introduced the inlay technique into contemporary painting as a philosophical concept.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://markets.financialcontent.com/bostonherald/article/getnews-2022-9-8-how-a-los-angeles-artist-transforms-an-ancient-chinese-technique-into-contemporary-painting|title=How A Los Angeles Artist Transforms An Ancient Chinese Technique Into Contemporary Painting, September 08, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.indiaartndesign.com/old-inlay-technique-in-contemporary-art/?fbclid=IwAR1d0IQvknBdbl6KDx-58v1DJQQoSZvFSx1vKMZ9Al-EOekDkm9HGFs6Qj0|title=Old Inlay Technique in Contemporary Art!, September 27, 2022|date=12 October 2022 }}</ref> In knitting, [[roositud]] is an inlay technique found in Estonian knitting.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cubley |first=Kathleen |date=2024-03-15 |title=How to Work Roositud Inlay for Knitting |url=https://www.interweave.com/article/knitting/learn-something-new-roositud-inlay/# |access-date=2025-02-15 |website=Interweave |language=en-US}}</ref>

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==Gallery==

<gallery class="center" widths="200" heights="150">
File:Naqada I bone figure.jpg|Pre-Dynastic Egyptian bone figure with eyes inlaid in [[lapis lazuli]]; inlaid eyes are found in sculptures from many periods
File:Inlay work.jpg|Decaying wood inlay on a chest in a Greek monastery.
File:Warring States bronze ding with gold and silver inlay.JPG|[[Ding porcelain|Ding]] bronze vessel with gold and silver inlay ([[damascening]]) from the [[Warring States period]] (403–221 BC) of ancient China ({{Circa|300 BC}})
File:Egyptian - Putto - Walters 7125.jpg|Egyptian bone plaque of a [[putto]], with wax inlay, 4th century
File:San Domenico55.jpg|Geometric figure (1537) in wood [[intarsia]] by [[Fra Damiano da Bergamo]], [[Bologna, Italy]]
File:Artwork done on the Taj inlaid with semi precious stones.JPG|''Parchin kara'' (pietra dura) in stone on the [[Taj Mahal]]
File:Front panel of decorated wooden box, wood with ivory inlay, Gebel Adda, 300-400 AD - Royal Ontario Museum - DSC09790.JPG|[[Nubia]]n wooden box with inlaid ivory, [[Royal Ontario Museum]], [[Toronto]]
File:Marquetry casket, Ottoman Empire (Istanbul or North Africa), 17th-18th century, wood, tortoise shell, bone, ivory inlay - Royal Ontario Museum - DSC04772.JPG|[[Marquetry]] casket, [[Ottoman Empire]] (Istanbul or North Africa), 17th–18th century, wood, tortoise shell, bone, ivory inlay.
File:Getty Museum Wall Clock André-Charles Boulle.jpg|[[J. Paul Getty Museum]]: [[André-Charles Boulle]], 1710, [[Boulle work]] inlay
File:A cabinet-on-stand attributed to André-Charles Boulle at the Getty Museum.jpg|The [[J. Paul Getty Museum]]. [[André-Charles Boulle]], 1675–1680; [[Boulle work]] inlay, Paris, France.
File:Getty Museum Attributed to André-Charles Boulle 1642 - 1732.jpg|[[J. Paul Getty Museum]], [[André-Charles Boulle]], [[Boulle work]] inlay
File:André-Charles Boulle, Movement maker Paul Gudin.jpg|alt=J. Paul Getty Museum : André-Charles Boulle, Boulle work inlay tortoiseshell, brass, ebony;|[[J. Paul Getty Museum]] : [[André-Charles Boulle]], [[Boulle work]] inlay [[tortoiseshell]], [[brass]], [[ebony]]
File:Commode MET DT8915.jpg|Commode [[André-Charles Boulle]], son of Jean Boulle ({{Circa|1710–20}}). [[Boulle work]] [[brass]], [[tortoiseshell]] inlay.
File:Bidriware cup and lid, ca 1850 V&A Museum.jpg|[[Bidriware]] cup and lid, {{Circa|1850}}. [[V&A Museum]].
File:Miyasaka Hakuryu II - Tigress with Two Cubs - Walters 71909.jpg|Japanese [[netsuke]] in ivory with ink; the eyes are inlaid in shell. 19th century
File:Egyptian - Basin - Walters 54526 (2).jpg|Egyptian basin with silver inlay ([[Walters Art Museum]])
File:Japanese Photograph Album Cover with ivory inlay LACMA M.91.377.1.jpg|[[Japanese lacquerware]] Photograph Album Cover with ivory inlay, 1865
File:Chrysanthemums and Butterfly LACMA M.87.263.36.jpg|Japanese: late 19th century, wood with ivory, tortoiseshell, mother-of-pearl inlays; manjū type
File:Ornamented Sword from Gyerim-ro, Gyeongju.jpg|alt=Ornamental golden dagger and sheath with glass and garnet inlays, probably originating from the Black Sea region, discovered in South Korea|[[Gyerim-ro dagger and sheath]], probably originating from the Black Sea region and discovered in a tomb from [[Silla]] Kingdom ({{Circa|57 BCE}} – 935 CE), South Korea. [[Gyeongju National Museum]], [[Gyeongju]].
File:Bộ bàn ghế khảm xà cừ.jpg|Mother of pearls inlaid furniture set in An Giang Museum, Vietnam.
File:Елемент фазанника.jpg|An element of a pheasant house inlaid with bark in the [[Sofiyivka Park]]
</gallery>

==See also==
*[[Damascening]]
*[[Intarsia]]
*[[Marquetry]]
*[[Mosaic]]
*[[Niello]]
*[[Parquetry]]

== Notes==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Inlay (art)}} 

{{Woodworking}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Decorative arts]]
[[Category:Surface decorative techniques in woodworking]]
[[Category:Woodworking]]
[[Category:Metalworking]]