Rare Apprentice Miniature Dutch Marquetry Cabinet Piece c.1800

Rare miniature Dutch bombe marquetry cabinet in walnut with key c1800. This piece usually classified as an 'Apprentice Piece' or cabinet makers sample. An apprentice piece of furniture is a miniature, scaled-down version of a full-sized piece of furniture, typically created in 18th or 19th century to demonstrate and to show their carpentry and joinery skills. These pieces, which could range from chests of drawers to chairs and tables, were used to prove their abilities to a master craftsman for either guild admission or job prospects. This piece is currently in store in Haywards Heath, These pieces are highly collectible due to their rarity and the incredible detail they showcase, sometimes making them even more valuable than the full-sized equivalent. Marquetry is derived from the French word marquetery, translating as ‘to variegate’. It is connected with the appearance of something enhanced by the use of different shades to create a contrast effect. Marquetry involves the use of a variety of different woods to create this contrast, will also play a role as the nature and value of the piece dictates. A range of techniques are used in the creation of marquetry. The marqueteur first chooses the woods to be used. These will be extremely thing wood veneers, almost like paper. These are ten arranged to create the desired contrast effect. The design is traced out or stuck onto the different pieces of wood veneer, then cut. It is a very delicate process as with such thin veneers, a great deal of care must be taken. Marquetry compositions are incredibly fragile, so they are attached to a wooden panel or a piece of furniture for stability. The composition is then varnished to protect it and also to accentuate the individual colours and really bring them out against each other.