Fabrication overview
Once the design phase is completed, phase two begins and the artisan starts on the stage of matching the mosaic inlays to the shape of the wooden skeleton. During this stage, artisans try to use mosaic inlays that they have in stock from previous projects, hence the name (matching of inlays) and in the local language (Talbiq Al Ta’teem).
The mould is a bundle of wood sticks that is 300 mm long. The ‘mould’ is sawn into thin layers of (1-2 mm) in thickness, thus, each mould can produce up to one hundred and sixty layers of Damascene Wood-Mosaic veneers. However, artisans fabricate several moulds as these can be used for later jobs. See Figure.
For gluing the mould, a double boiler glue pot is used. This pot is usually made of cast iron and is always kept warm for use. The used glue is animal glue also known as ‘Hide glue’ and known locally as ‘red glue’. This glue is mixed with room-temperature water and kept for 8 to 12 hours before usage. The volume mixing ratio is (3:1 to 4:1) (Water to glue volume). The assembled mould then gets dipped into the warm glue ensuring that all sides of the wooden sticks are covered fully in glue.
The assembled and glued mould is then tied from both ends and kept for (24-48) hours for the glue to dry depending on the surrounding temperature and humidity. See Figure.
The assembled and glued mould is then tied from both ends and kept for (24-48) hours for the glue to dry depending on the surrounding temperature and humidity. See Figure.
The assembled and glued mould is then tied from both ends and kept for (24-48) hours for the glue to dry depending on the surrounding temperature and humidity. See Figure.
The assembled and glued mould is then tied from both ends and kept for (24-48) hours for the glue to dry depending on the surrounding temperature and humidity. See Figure.
The assembled and glued mould is then tied from both ends and kept for (24-48) hours for the glue to dry depending on the surrounding temperature and humidity. See Figure.
The assembled and glued mould is then tied from both ends and kept for (24-48) hours for the glue to dry depending on the surrounding temperature and humidity. See Figure.
The assembled and glued mould is then tied from both ends and kept for (24-48) hours for the glue to dry depending on the surrounding temperature and humidity. See Figure.
The assembled and glued mould is then tied from both ends and kept for (24-48) hours for the glue to dry depending on the surrounding temperature and humidity. See Figure.
The assembled and glued mould is then tied from both ends and kept for (24-48) hours for the glue to dry depending on the surrounding temperature and humidity. See Figure.