intarsia

American  

[in-tahr-see-uh] / ɪnˈtɑr si ə /

noun

1. an art or technique of decorating a surface with inlaid patterns, especially of wood mosaic, developed during the Renaissance.

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intarsia British  

/ ɪnˈtɑːsɪə /

noun

1. a decorative or pictorial mosaic of inlaid wood or sometimes ivory of a style developed in the Italian Renaissance and used esp on wooden wall panels

2. the art or practice of making such mosaics

3. (in knitting) an individually worked motif

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• intarsiate
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of intarsia

1860–65; alteration (influenced by Italian tarsia ) of Italian intarsio, derivative of intarsiare to inlay, equivalent to in- in- ² + tarsiare < Arabic tarṣīʿ an inlay, incrustation; see tarsia

Example Sentences

The swirling patterns of Earth showed up on jacquard coats and intarsia knitwear and fur, and on a pair of ample coveralls.

From Seattle Times • Jun. 18, 2022

For accessories, Venturini Fendi marked 25 years of the brand's Baguette's bag by bringing back editions in cashmere, shearling-lined leather and intarsia mink.

From Reuters • Feb. 23, 2022

Isabel Marant, Hermès and Jil Sander all received the comfy-core memo, with roomy knitwear crafted with graphic intarsia and abstract patterns in contrasting colours.

From The Guardian • Jan. 28, 2021

The show covered 100 looks over 30 minutes, including full-length intarsia furs featuring images of the New York skyline and the American flag.

From Washington Post • May 22, 2018

These North Italian cabinets were often covered with intarsia or marquetry, which by its subdued gaiety retrieved somewhat their heavy stateliness of form.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 4, Part 4 "Bulgaria" to "Calgary" by Various