Which woods appear most often in antique marquetry?

Woods used in antique marquetry changed across periods, countries, and trade routes. Walnut ranked among the top choices during the Renaissance. Mahogany gained favour during the 1700s after imports from the Caribbean increased. Satinwood became prized for its pale golden colour and tulipwood, kingwood, rosewood, ebony, sycamore, holly, boxwood, and purpleheart appeared in many luxury pieces. Cabinetmakers selected woods for colour contrast rather than strength alone and some marquetry scenes used more than 20 wood species inside one panel.

French workshops during the Louis XV era stained veneers with natural dyes from plants, berries, and minerals. Dutch marquetry from the late 1600s often featured exotic woods imported through the Dutch East India Company. Britain imported huge timber volumes during the Georgian age, customs records from London ports mention mahogany shipments reaching thousands of tons per year by the late 18th century. Antique restorers still study grain direction, ageing, and colour fade in old veneers. Wood choice can help experts date a cabinet within a narrow period.