October 10, 2014 · 0 Comments
By Bill Rea
Marquetry is an art and craft that involves applying pieces of veneer to a structure to form decorative patterns, designs or pictures.
Bolton resident Ken Perch is starting to teach a course in this interesting and creative activity.
Most people have probably never heard of this craft.
But marquetry is a fun, but inexpensive activity.
“It’s one of the most inexpensive hobbies that I’m aware of,” Perch said.
He explained that pieces of veneer are glued onto a backing surface, fitting together much like a jigsaw puzzle. The pieces are easy to cut, either with an exacto knife or a fret saw.
“It’s just infinite, the patterns you can use,” he said.
The history of marquetry goes back more than 3,000 years. Perch said examples have been found in the pyramids, and there are records of it being practised in Italy in the 14th and 15th centuries. The art eventually spread across Europe, to France and England, and eventually crossed the seas to North America and Australia.
The course, entitled Introduction to Marquetry, begins today (Oct. 9) from 1 to 4 p.m. at Rotary Place, 7 Rotary Way in Bolton. Perch stressed, however, that it’s not essential to be there right for the first session. Latecomers can be accommodated.
The course will be a hands-on experience, and each person taking it will work on their own chess board.
“You can make it as ornate as you want,” he said. “Once you learn the basic technique, the sky’s the limit.”
“This is one of my main passions,” Perch said, and he has a number of creations to prove it. He said he created seven chess board for the Caledon Public Library (one for each branch). He works also include landscape scenes, a representation of the famous Second World War scene on Iwo Jima of marines raising the American flag. Another of his creations is a copy of the Caledon Golden Hawks logo.
The course will run every Thursday for eight weeks, starting at 1 p.m.
For more information or to register, call 905-951-6114, or drop in at Rotary Place.
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