• The ancient art of marquetry was practiced in the form of inlays of precious stones and ivory. It was used to decorate everyday objects and furniture. This art was exported to Europe during the Middle Ages in the form of black and white geometric patterns, obtained by inlays of bone, ivory or mother-of-pearl in medium to dark wood.

• The technique of interlocking shapes, the mother of tessellation, is of interest to mathematicians, who consider it to be a form of logic and an illustration of their science. These representations serve as creative inspiration for many artists and scientists. One of the most famous contemporary artists of artistic geometry is Maurits Cornelis Escher, whose overall work is on the borderline between art and science. This is the tribute that Vacheron Constantin wished to pay through the Métiers d’Art Les Univers Infinis collection, using the skills of engraving, enameling, gem-setting, guilloché and finally marquetry, a new technique mastered within the Manufacture.

• Here, the craftsman marqueteur fits two opposing materials: gold and mother-of-pearl. Each knight, having already been cut out of metal or mother-of-pearl, is meticulously assembled like a precious puzzle piece. Mother-of-pearl is an extremely delicate material to work with, calling for special attention from the craftsman. He must match thickness, color and shapes, combining curves and straight lines, to pair it perfectly with its gold counterpart. Finally, the engraver brings the knights and
horses to perfection by hollowing out the details of their outfits and their harnesses.