Bone inlaid furnishings. They are exotic, elegant and can be pricey {very labor intensive}. According to Wikipedia,
“Inlay is a decorative technique of inserting pieces of contrasting, often coloured materials into depressions in a base object to form patterns or pictures that normally are flush with the matrix. Inlay in wood furniture differs from marquetry, a similar technique that largely replaced it in high-style European furniture during the 17th century, in that marquetry is an assembly of veneers applied over the entire surface of an object, whereas inlay consists of small pieces inserted on the bed of cut spaces in the base material, of which most remains visible.”
Popular for centuries, intricate bone inlaid furniture and decor accents can been found in the world’s finest homes and museums. Today bone inlay items are being incorporated in a variety of interior settings. They look marvelous just about anywhere , but especially when mixed with period styles, contemporary or urban chic design elements.
Designer Windsor Smith, featured this dramatic, bone inlay buffet by Habité in the master bedroom in The Great House at the Greystone Estate {Veranda Magazine}. The opulent design seamlessly integrates Eastern, Indian and African elements.
Nathan Thomas, designer and Bravo TV’s Top Design Season 2 winner, placed striking black and bone inlay ram’s head chairs in both contemporary and traditional settings {images via ElleDecor}. Graham and Green carries a very similar chair.
Los Angeles-based interior designer, Ryan Brown of Brown Design uses a dramatic black and bone inlaid mirror in this eclectic foyer.
This traditional style stool is one of my favorites and would be perfect in a bath, living room or a pair at the foot of a bed. Handmade in India, this black and bone inlaid Regency Stool by Graham and Green features a sweet floral motif. The intricate bone pattern was achieved by individually carving pieces of reliably sourced camel bone and affixing them into a resin.
This elegant inlaid bone tray from Wisteria would be a beautiful accent on a console, ottoman or dining room table.
This magnificent handmade bone inlay two drawer chest by Niki Jones would make a design statement in any space. All the bone used in Niki Jones’ furniture is camel bone, procured from reliable sources and given a wildlife certificate from the Indian government prior to shipping.
This gorgeous Moorish bone inlaid and stained Savonarola Chair from the late 19th – early 20th century is available at Christie’s for $4,576. The decorative bone inlay on the back, seat and X-frame is exquisite.
Now I am kicking myself for passing up a vintage Egyptian bone inlaid game table that was for sale at a nearby consignment shop for $650!
What do you think? Would you incorporate bone inlaid furniture into your home’s interior design?
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