Homo Faber

PRESS EN Languages Account Follow us Newsletter
Subscribe to our newsletter
|
Presented by logo Homo Faber by Michelangelo Foundation
Explore Artisans Museums & Galleries Experience Itineraries About
© All rights reserved
© All rights reserved
© All rights reserved
© All rights reserved
© All rights reserved

Tabea Vietzke

  • Straw marquetry maker
  • Berlin, Germany
  • Rising Star
Tabea Vietzke Straw marquetry maker
Contact
German, English
Hours:
By appointment only
Phone:
+49 15730084328
© All rights reserved

Entranced by a traditional craft

  • • Straw marquetry dates back to the 17th century
  • • Tabea uses it for almost everything from furniture to jewellery
  • • This craft is now incredibly rare

The trigger for Tabea Vietzke’s passion for straw marquetry lies 300 years in the past. “It happened when I first saw the works of 18th century straw marquetry master CF Hering, which have not lost any of their brilliance. Their colours still shine like on the first day,” she says. Tabea was entranced by straw marquetry “with its silky golden shine” and felt she “had no choice but to devote myself to this technique”. It comes as no surprise that it was her profession as a restorer that led her to discover the traditional art of straw marquetry, since the craft is almost extinct today. However, it was the successful example of master artisan Lison de Caunes that gave her the confidence to pursue this path.

Read the full interview

Works

  • © Tabea Vietzke
  • © Tabea Vietzke
  • © Tabea Vietzke
  • © Valentin José Kammel
Photo: © Tabea Vietzke
Honeycombed box

The hexagonal shape of this box covered in dyed green straw is repeated in the honeycomb design of the marquetry. On close examination, it forms an optical illusion of cubes or stars. The interior has been lined with a floral-patterned paper.

Height 7 cm
Length 13 cm

Photo: © Tabea Vietzke
Round boxes

Set in a sun-ray pattern, the dyed straw that covers the lids of these round boxes captures the light, lending the material a gleaming iridescence. The interiors are lined with floral patterned paper, contrasting with the plain exteriors.

Photo: © Tabea Vietzke
Jewellery case

The exterior of this elegant jewellery case has been covered with undyed straw in fanlike patterns like the facets of gemstones. The cylindrical shape of the case and the green straw inlay on the drawers and interior produce an appealing contrast.

Height 20.5 cm
Diameter 15 cm

Photo: © Valentin José Kammel
Liquor box

The geometric patterns of the dyed straw marquetry repeat the hexagonal shape of the box itself, which is crafted from medium-density fibreboard. The contrasting orange and blue shapes cover the entire box, with the straw reflecting the light and creating a sense of motion. Four whisky tumblers and a diamond-shaped carafe fit inside the box; they are set on a background of black straw marquetry in a cubic pattern and held in place by blue and orange pillars.

Height 39 cm
Length 30 cm
Width 26 cm

Find Tabea Vietzke in the itinerary

Berlin: celebrating women's craft power in the capital
12 locations
Celebrating craftswomen in Berlin, this itinerary will lead you around the German capital to discover a variety of different crafts and techniques through our 10 recommendations of artisans, galleries and courses.
Tag
Tag
Tag

You may also like

Download the app

Find all the Homo Faber Guide content at hand, save, like and much more!