Definitions

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.

  • noun A decorative inlaid pattern in a surface, especially a mosaic worked in wood.
  • noun A knitted design resembling a mosaic that is visible on both sides of a fabric.
  • noun The art or practice of making intarsias.

from The Century Dictionary.

  • noun A highly developed form of inlay or marquetry in wood practised in Italy during the Renaissance period.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • noun a decorative form of Italian wood inlaying
  • noun a knitted design resembling a mosaic

Etymologies

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 4th Edition

[German, from Italian intarsio, from intarsiare, to inlay : in-, in (from Latin; see in–) + tarsia, inlaid mosaic work (from Arabic tarṣī‘, inlaying, setting, infinitive of raṣṣa‘a, to inlay, derived stem of raṣi‘a, to adhere; see rṣע in Semitic roots).]

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Examples

  • "Most believe that the victim [of the prank] was Manetto di Jacopo Ammannatini (d. 1450) called Manetto of Florence, a worker in intarsia, since the details of his life closely match those of the story" (xvi).

    Architecture and Memory: The Renaissance Studioli of Federico da Montefeltro 2008

  • Innovative subtleties in intarsia work appear to have increased in direct proportion to trade competition.

    Architecture and Memory: The Renaissance Studioli of Federico da Montefeltro 2008

  • In turn, the portraits are arranged in two tiers of 14, and the intarsia is divided into three levels, with architectural niches and cabinets (two shelves each), benches set on a low platform, and the dado between.

    Architecture and Memory: The Renaissance Studioli of Federico da Montefeltro 2008

  • Alinari via Getty Images ANOTHER DIMENSION | Walls of the tiny Urbino studiolo are designed in a technique of intricate wood inlay known as intarsia.

    Sanctity in Perspective David Netto 2012

  • The intarsia was my favorite swatch followed by the white perfect pocket.

    Major Knitter 2009

  • For Fair Isle, try Paul Smith's neon patterned wool sweater (£138) or Stella McCartney's "Polar Bear" intarsia wool-and-alpaca-blend sweater (£670).

    The Woolly Logic of Winter Wear Tina Gaudoin 2011

  • Composed of intarsia, an illusionistic, two-dimensional woodwork technique developed in Florence, the studiolo is equal parts exploration of the newfound discipline of linear perspective and narrative on the life and humanistic values of its owner.

    Sanctity in Perspective David Netto 2012

  • Although only a handful of intarsia rooms were ever constructed, there is another superb example that was built in the 1980s for one of the merchant princes of New York.

    Sanctity in Perspective David Netto 2012

  • Brightly colored intarsia fishing sweaters from Jonathan Saunders (cherry-red "Fair Isle" snowflake, £315) and Jil Sander (lime green and navy chunky-knit cashmere, £1,320) are worth the outlay.

    The Woolly Logic of Winter Wear Tina Gaudoin 2011

  • Net-a-Porter Brightly colored intarsia fishing sweaters like this Fair Isle knitted cotton one from Jonathan Saunders £315 are worth the outlay.

    Winter Wonderland 2011

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