Intarsia is a form of wood inlaying that is similar to marquetry. The term is also used for a similar technique used with small, highly polished stones set in a marble matrix. In other ways Wood Intarsia is a mosaic of wood fitted and glued into a wooden support popular in 15th century Italy for decoration. Intarsia is a beautiful three dimensional mosaic wall hanging, which was an ancient woodcraft basis for Wood Art, Marquetry and Wood-inlay craftwork of years ago.

Intarsia is a woodworking technique that uses varied shapes, sizes, and species of wood fitted together to create a mosaic-like picture with an illusion of depth. Intarsia is created through the selection of different types of wood, using their natural grain pattern and color (but can involve the use of stains and dyes) to create variations in the pattern. After selecting the specific woods to be used within the pattern, each piece is then individually cut, shaped, and finished. Sometimes areas of the pattern are raised to create more depth. Once the individual pieces are complete, they are fitted together like a jig-saw puzzle and glued to wood backing which is sometimes cut to the outline shape of the image.

The technique of intarsia inlays sections of wood (at times with contrasting ivory or bone, or mother-of-pearl) within the solid stone matrix of floors and walls or of table tops and other furniture; by contrast marquetry assembles a pattern out of veneers glued upon the carcase. It is thought that the word 'intarsia' is derived from the Latin word 'interserere' which means "to insert".

In India, though marble Intarsia was exceptionally popular during Mughal and other dynasty period, wooden Intarsia is not atall popular and not many of the craftsman following this Art form now a day or at any point of time. We found on artisan in a remote town of Tamilnadu practicing this artform and have been working with him for many years. We have been developing many new designs with him, exploring market and additional revenue for him.