An art or technique of decorating a surface with inlaid patterns, especially of wood mosaic. An Intarsist is a person who creates in or practices intarsia.

Intarsia is thought to have been developed during the thirteenth century Renaissance period in Siena, Italy. The process was derived from the Middle Eastern inlays of ivory upon wood.

This art was widely practiced in Italy from c.1400 to c.1600. The fashion for intarsia declined thereafter, although some works in this medium were still produced.

Intarsia work was also practiced to a limited extent in eighteenth century Japan, Imperial Rome, Egypt, and Persia.

Intarsia is sometimes known as inlay. Inlay, however, is now more generally restricted to the true process as applied to objects of wood and as distinguished from parquetry and the veneered work of marquetry. Also mosaic, for stone and glass, and niello and damascening for metals.

In the photo to your right you can see an example of intarsia. The different colors of wood represent different wood types. The lightest color is aspen, where the darkest color is dark mahogany.