Tarsie Turri: tradition and contemporary visions

Rita Turri, Master of Arts and Crafts 2024 in wood marquetry, inherited from her father Carlo, founder of the Tarsie Turri workshop in Anagni (in the province of Frosinone), the technique and sensitivity to find the harmony in which a few dozen or a thousand pieces, patiently composed in a refined geometric and chromatic balance, can coexist.

Let’s start with the inlay technique: how long does it take to create a medium-sized work, and what are the steps involved?

Of course, the time necessary to complete a piece depends on the complexity of the project and its specific nature. Net of the preparatory stages, a few days, weeks or even months may pass between the insertion of the first piece into the new inlay and the completion of the work.
The working technique consists of several stages. First, a decoration composed of defined contour lines is reproduced on a thin sheet of wood, called veneer. Then, by means of a knife, the individual parts are gradually engraved and replaced with other veneers, of a suitable shade and grain to give the decoration an ideal spatial and chromatic representation.
Once the workmanship is finished, the original veneer – now composed of dozens, hundreds or thousands of different inserts, depending on the size and complexity of the decoration – reproduces the design conceived with the so-called “al coltello” (with a knife) inlay technique. Each work is then subjected to a series of final processes-gluing, sanding and polishing, that preserve its form and charm over time.

And the inspiration, where does it come from?
Everywhere: in the colors and textures of the veneers, in the defects of the wood, in the clients’ requests. It takes very little to spark the imagination: a visit to a museum or, more simply, what happens around us on a daily basis.

How important is research and experimentation, even in a work based on the transmission of a craft tradition?
Research and experimentation undoubtedly help to contextualize in the present a centuries-old art such as wood marquetry. I constantly follow the evolution of the offering of the raw material (natural woods and natural dyes) and the materials to be used in the finishing stages of every work, and in the end this allows me to execute valuable inlays on any type of object: from boiserie, to large furniture such as cabinets and tables, to small jewelry (medallions, bracelets, etc.). These conditions pave the way for new projects, which I often make together with creative people and designers interested, as I am, in keeping alive a dialogue between tradition and modernity.

How do you combine tradition and modernity in an effective and original way, in a work of artistic craftsmanship?
There is a need for balance and sensitivity. Tradition provides the foundation: authentic materials and respect for history. A contemporary approach brings modern visions and adaptations that respond to the tastes and needs of the present. A good product of high craftsmanship combines the ability to tell the story of the past with the ability to project into the future.

What advice would you give to those who want to take this path?
There must of course be a strong motivation and a natural predisposition for creative and manual work. However, in the best tradition of high craftsmanship, a primary condition is to have expert guidance to help take the first steps in the field.

What was it like learning the trade alongside your father?
It was a unique and unrepeatable experience. He was a deep connoisseur of wood marquetry, a true master, always helpful and generous in transferring all his knowledge to me, with care and dedication. What I think made the real difference, however, was the passion he put into his work, which was absolutely contagious. That is how, after 40 years, I am still here making inlays.

Tarsie Turri
Via Vittorio Emanuele, 291
Anagni, FR
+39 0775 726978
info@tarsieturri.it
www.tarsieturri.it