CHEVALETKITS

During the golden age of Marquetry, one of the tools that evolved for making the masterpieces of the time was the carpenters wooden "donkey" or vise as pictured on the left. It was comprised of a bench with a foot operated vise to hold the marquetry "packet" as the marquetarian cut it with a small fret saw. It evolved over the years; with one of the latter improvements being the addition of a horizontal arm and sliding saw frame as shown on the right. Today we know this tool as the "Chevalet de Marqueterie" or "Easel for Marquetry". Although produced in quantity during the 17th & 18th centuries, the demand has steeply declined with industrialization and cultural changes. Consequently, these tools are no longer commercially produced. Today Marquetarians who wish to use the "traditional" marquetry saw have a limited supply of the original machines, and those that have survived can be in disrepair, or if in good condition can demand a premium. Other options are to either build one for..

Primary location: Lee's Summit United States