Veneer Effects in Marquetry

Below is a list of many of the most common veneers used in marquetry, an example of their color, and ideas for the types of things they can represent.

It's important to remember, however, that not all pieces of a specific kind of veneer will look the same in regard to color and pattern. While the below list is a helpful resource, don't be afraid to try using different types of veneers you prefer to achieve the effect you are looking for.

Aspen: Cream to Pink
costume, drapery, sky, window waster
Avodire: Yellow to Gold
distant fields, floral subjects, sky
Beech: Cream to Pink
ocean beaches, mountains, stonework
Birch: White to Cream to Pink
floral, portraits, sky, water
Bubinga: Pink/Red Stripe
floral, foreground, mountains, roofs, wall
Cedar: Cream to Pink
costume, doors, roof, sky
Cherry: Pink to Biscuit
fences, roads, sky, stonework
Ebony: Dark Brown to Black
planks, rocks, shadows, tree trunks
Harewood: Silver Gray to Black
costume, mountains, snow scenes, water
Holly: White
floral, sails, snow scenes
Lacewood: Pink to Biscuit
foreground, rocks, stonework
Mahogany: Light to Dark Red
costume, distant fields, floral, portraits, shadows
Maple: Cream to Pink
fields, floral, mountains, portraits, rocks, sky
Oak - white: Biscuit to Light Tan
borders, fences, mid-distant fences, wall
Oak - red: Cream to Pink
drapery, floral, rocks, sky, snow, water
Paduak: Red to Dark Red
costume, floral, planks, portraits, roofs
Pearwood: Biscuit to Light Red
drapery, floral, portraits, shadows
Prima-vera: Yellow to Gold
beaches, costume, floral, sky effects
Purpleheart: Purple Brown
costume, hills, roofs, walls
Rosewood: Orange to Brown to Purple
drapery, foreground, mountains, roofs, tree trunk
Satinwood: Yellow to Gold
ocean beaches, corn fields, drapery, floral drapery
Sycamore: White to Cream to Light Brown
door, fences, foreground, portraits, sand, sky effects, snow scene
Teak: Gold to Light Brown
fences, fields, mountains, rocks, tree trunk
Walnut: Light/Medium Brown to Purple
distant hills, foregrounds, mountains, shadows, tree trunk, wooden subjects
Wenge: Dark Brown
fences, planks, tree trunks