From huchier, to carpenter, then carpenter and finally cabinetmaker. Originally, the latter, a specialist in ebony work, was used as early as the 15th century in the manufacture of furniture. In fact, the term « cabinetmaker » only dates from the 18th century, to designate the carpenter who most commonly practises veneer and marquetry, hence the older term « ebony carpenter ».
Strong of his knowledge of the styles of furniture accompanying the various periods, and showing a real artistic sense, the cabinetmaker of art plays with the materials (wood, tortoise shell, brass, pewter, mother-of-pearl, bone, horn, ivory, parchment, stingray, precious stones…). Minutious and careful, he combines manual skill and sense of aesthetics to compose different geometries of veneer, wood or metal marquetry… Mastery of drawing and geometry in space is a prerequisite for reading and drawing plans or shaping a Louis XV foot. Finally, he has a solid knowledge of assemblages, wood species, different glues, and masters traditional finishes,
The cabinetmaker works in close collaboration with sculptors, gilders, upholsterers, bronziers…
