Oyster Veneer

Oystering or oyster veneer is a form of parquetry that uses thin slices of wood branches cut on the cross-sections which are used as veneer to form patterns on furniture. It is known as ‘oystering’ due to the circular pattern resembling an oyster shell.

The technique was developed by English cabinet makers in the 1660s during the Restoration period and was first used on items such as the cocus wood cabinet on stand made for Queen Henrietta Maria between 1661 and 1665 which can now be found in Windsor Castle.

The wood used was from small branches of kingwood and sometimes yew, cocus and laburnum. By the early 1670s cheaper and softer woods such as walnut and olive started to be used as demand increased. The technique fell out of fashion from about 1710.