The Craft

Why Marquetry Takes Weeks, Not Hours

Every VaCa Marquetry piece is built from natural wood veneer, hand-selected and hand-cut, piece by piece — no laser templates, no shortcuts.

Sasun Sargsyan cutting veneer by hand — the VaCa Marquetry craft process
The Process

From Concept to Finished Piece

01

Photo & Concept

Every piece begins with a reference image and a composition plan.

02

Wood Selection

Veneers are chosen for grain, tone, and color to match the composition's needs.

03

Hand-Cutting Each Piece

Every individual piece is cut by hand — a single portrait may require 400 to 900+ pieces.

04

Fitting & Assembly

Each piece is fitted into place, building the image piece by piece like a mosaic.

05

Sanding & Finishing

The surface is sanded smooth and finished with a protective coat for long-lasting durability.

06

Framing

The completed work is framed and prepared for photography, certification, and shipping.

Materials

Wood Species Glossary

Walnut

Rich, dark tones used for depth and contrast.

Oak

Strong visible grain, often used for texture and structure.

Maple

Pale, fine grain — used for highlights and light tones.

Wenge & Mahogany

Deep, warm tones for shadow and dramatic contrast.

Inside the Studio

The Process in Photographs

Sasun Sargsyan cutting marquetry veneer by hand
Hand-cutting wood veneer pieces for a marquetry portrait
Fitting veneer pieces into the marquetry composition
Assembling hundreds of hand-cut veneer pieces
Detail work on a marquetry portrait in progress
Hand tools used in the VaCa Marquetry craft process
Commission

Commission an Original Work

Each commission begins with a conversation. A free preview is provided within 24 hours, no commitment required.

Begin a Custom Portrait