Tortoiseshell is a highly prized material used for centuries in decorative arts and design. It comes from the hawksbill turtle’s shell and is known for its distinctive, rich, mottled appearance, usually featuring a mix of amber, brown, and yellow hues. This luxurious material was traditionally used for various items, including furniture inlays, jewellery, combs, and ornate boxes.
In decorative arts, tortoiseshell was often combined with other materials such as ivory, mother-of-pearl, silver, and gold to create elaborate designs, particularly in pieces from the 17th to 19th centuries. One famous example is its use in Boulle marquetry, a technique named after French cabinetmaker André-Charles Boulle, which inlaid tortoiseshell with brass and other materials to create intricate furniture patterns.
Due to the endangered status of the hawksbill turtle, the use of genuine tortoiseshells has mainly been banned internationally since the 1970s, and modern alternatives often include faux tortoiseshells made from plastics or other synthetic materials, which attempt to replicate its unique appearance without harming wildlife.
Its association with opulence, craftsmanship, and timeless design makes tortoiseshell a revered material in the history of the decorative arts.
Sources
OpenAI. (2024). ChatGPT [Large language model]. https://chatgpt.com
Discover more from Encyclopedia of Design
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.