History of Tarsia

Thanks to the ease with which you can find and work with wood has always been very used mainly from the pre-industrial levels companies, which it served to an endless of artifacts, many of which essential to human’s life. Between the activities that make an extensive use of wood, it is counted without doubt the cabinetry; it can tap into this versatile row material for the inlay decoration, combining essences of different colors.

In Italy, an important role in the production of wooden furniture decorated with marquetry should be recognized to the workshops of Rolo,where this art was already estabilished in the eighteenth century, as came to light from the documents of the archive.

To explain the factors of this bloom in a small rural town what was then the country of Rolo, we must remember above all the importance that covered in the farming world the knowledge of wood and the techniques to knead it. It can assume that locally the manifacture of inlaid furniture has been stimulated by the presence – for about three centuries, until 1776 – the noble family Sessi, potential buyer of precious furnishings.

“Rolesi” artisans have also benefited from the lack of corporations in their territory – in other places over time have obstructed the development of the trades that wanted to protect, from a fiscal policy of the count Sessi vexatious against those who practiced the arts and trade, as well as the geographical location of the town, located in the border area between Reggio, Modena e Mantova.

In the eighteenth century, when the artistic work of wood in Italy reached the highest levels of quality, in Rolo operated ten shops, expecially engaged in the construction of drawers, flaps, and tables of various use, all furniture with carvings, drawings and wood works details.

Visit the museum

Plan your visit to the Rolo Inlay Museum. We offer guided tours and activities for schools of all levels.

Monday and Thursday 8.00 / 13.00 – 14.30 / 17.00
Tuesday and Wednesday 8.00 / 13.00
Friday 8.00 / 13.00 – 14.30 / 18.30
Saturday 8.00 / 13.00 – 15.00 / 18.00
Sunday 10.00 / 18.00

Discover our bookshop

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