Spain · Wood craft; Inlay craft; Andalusian / Nasrid heritage
Taracea Granadina
The making of taracea — geometric marquetry inlay using contrasting woods (and historically bone; mother-of-pearl; and metals) arranged in the interlocking star polygon and arabesques patterns of the Nasrid art tradition. Granada taracea is the direct descendant of the decorative inlay work of the Alhambra palace and is the most geometrically sophisticated marquetry tradition in the Spain archive, distinct from both Faubourg Saint-Antoine marquetry (CRAFT-0996 — pictorial) and Toledo damasquinado (CRAFT-1011 — metalwork) in its pure geometric abstraction.
Risk level: Vulnerable · Not listed; the Alhambra is UNESCO World Heritage (1984) — taracea is part of its living craft heritage
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