Short answer: a Damascene mother-of-pearl piece takes two to four months to make. The wood is first carved, cut and shaped, then left to dry so it stays stable and will not bend. Once it has hardened, the channels for the pattern are cut using precise machine work. Finally, artists set the mother-of-pearl into the wood piece by piece, by hand. A large dining table holds more than 2,000 of these pieces.
What "Damascene" inlay means
Damascene inlay is a style of decorative woodwork named after the old city of Damascus, where workshops have produced inlaid furniture for generations. Travellers in the late 19th century already described inlay workshops lining the old city's main market street. The style is recognisable by its geometric stars, pointed arches, latticework and calligraphy, outlined in shimmering shell against warm, dark wood. Read more in the complete guide to Damascene furniture.
Our own story began in that tradition more than a century ago. Today, every ZW piece is made by master artisans from Damascus and delivered to homes, villas and hotels across the UAE and the Gulf.
The four stages, step by step
1. Carving, cutting and shaping the wood
Every piece starts as solid wood, mainly pitch pine, chosen for its strength and rich grain. The craftsmen cut the main parts and carve the overall form: the legs and arches of a chair, the frame and crown of a mirror, the top and base of a table.
2. Letting the wood dry and settle
This is the step most people never see, and one of the most important. Freshly worked wood still moves as it loses moisture. If it were inlaid straight away, it could bend or crack later and push the shell out of place. So the shaped parts are left to dry until the wood is stable and hard enough for fine work. This waiting time is a large part of why a piece takes months rather than weeks, and it is what lets the furniture cope with air-conditioned interiors for years.
3. Precision cutting
Once the wood has hardened, the pattern is cut into it: the shallow channels and pockets that will hold each piece of shell. We use precise machine work for this stage so that thousands of channels line up perfectly across a large surface. Accurate channels are what make the finished inlay sit flat and tight, with no gaps.
4. Hand-setting the mother-of-pearl
This is where the artistry is. Our artists fit each piece of mother-of-pearl into its place by hand, choosing pieces so the colour and shimmer flow naturally across the pattern. Because natural shell varies, no two pieces come out exactly alike. That variation is the signature of genuine work, as we explain in our guide to spotting real mother-of-pearl furniture.
How many pieces go into each design
The number of hand-set pieces is a good measure of the work in each design:
| Piece | Hand-set mother-of-pearl pieces |
|---|---|
| Tamra arched mirror | 23 |
| Rimmon crown mirror | 59 |
| Dimash dining chairs (pair) | 286 |
| Dimash side table | 792 |
| Qanadil dining table, 160 cm | 1,061 |
| Qanadil dining table, 200 cm | 1,250 |
| Qanadil dining table, 300 cm | 1,821 |
| Qanadil dining table, 420 cm | 2,051 |
The complete Qanadil dining set for 16, with its table and sixteen chairs, carries more than 13,000 pieces in total.
Why it takes two to four months
- The wood needs time. Drying cannot be rushed without risking warping later.
- Precision takes time. Every channel must match its shell piece exactly.
- The inlay is done by hand. Hundreds or thousands of pieces are fitted one at a time.
Many of our designs are kept in ready stock in the UAE, so you do not always have to wait the full making time. Larger sets are made in limited batches; the product page shows the expected delivery time. For projects, see when to order furniture for a project.
From the workshop to your home
The same craft runs through the whole collection, from dining tables and sets and carved crown mirrors to room dividers and backgammon sets and mosaic boxes. If you are planning a room, our majlis and dining room size guide will help you choose the right sizes.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to make a mother-of-pearl inlaid table?
Two to four months from raw wood to finished piece, mostly because the wood must dry before the precision cutting and hand inlay can begin.
Is Damascene furniture handmade or machine-made?
Both, in different stages. The wood is carved and shaped by craftsmen, precise machine work cuts the channels for the pattern, and every piece of mother-of-pearl is set by hand by our artists.
Why does the wood need to dry before inlaying?
Wood moves as it loses moisture. Drying it first keeps the piece from bending or cracking later, which would loosen the inlay.
What wood is used?
Mainly solid pitch pine, valued for its strength and warm grain.
Can I order a custom size or design?
Yes, for many designs. See how custom-made furniture works or contact us with your measurements and we will advise on options and timing.
