"Wearable Marquetry"

For London Craft Week 2026 our atelier explored a technique rarely associated with eyewear:marquetry.

As with all our frames, this piece was entirely designed and made in our Brussels atelier. It is carved from a single block of dark Indian water buffalo horn, a material we have been working with for more than ten years and which is valued for its warmth, lightness and comfort.

Here, the frame is no longer only a support for lenses; it becomes a surface for composition. The motif draws from the the vocabulary of cabinetmaking: small triangular elements assembled into lozenges, then organised into star-like patterns across the entire piece. Cuban mahogany, boxwood and mother-of-pearl were selected for their contrasts and the subtle variations they introduce into the material.

This project required a long period of experimentation within the atelier. Wood, mother-of-pearl and horn react differently to humidity, pressure and polishing. Finding the right balance between finesse, stability and durability required several weeks of testing, adjustment and refinement. In total,  more than 50 hourswere dedicated to this unique piece.

The veneers used also carry a singular history: they come from an old stock built up over generations by cabinetmakers. Originally intended for furniture, decorative objects or the restoration of antique pieces, they have here been adapted to a completely different scale.

This frame was presented during London Craft Week 2026 at Scabal on Savile Row, from 11 to 16 May. It continues a line of work developed over more than ten years within the atelier: a constant exploration of new techniques and materials, which has contributed to its recognition in Belgium and abroad.

The frame is currently available to discover in our Sablon boutique in Brussels.

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