Shell Inlay

This wooden plaque is inlaid with a plant made of mother of pearl. The art of inlaying wood or lacquer surfaces with decorations carved out of maritime matter has a long tradition in Asian craftsmanship.[Cf] Techniques and motifs vary (see video).

In south China, inlay techniques played an important role in the carpenter workshops of Guangzhou where large quantities of wooden boxes and pieces of furniture were made for local customers and to supply export markets.[Cf]