Würfelmarketerie

We call cube marquetry a geometric image consisting of individual pieces of veneer, which appears three-dimensional due to the arrangement of grain patterns and wood colour.

These cubes can consist of only one or, as shown in the first photo, of different woods. In the case shown here, the two visible sides of the cube are made of light maple wood, while the top side is made of darker walnut. The three-dimensionality is thus optically achieved by a kind of shadow effect.

This technique was particularly popular in the Louis XVI period, when cube marquetry was used in the design of secretaries, cabinets and chests of drawers.