The herringbone parquet was first adopted as an alternative to stone and marble inlay on the floors of French palaces. Using wood could be seen as a compromise, the acceptance of time shifting the material, which must be cared for and maintained.

As with many other objects woven through our social fabric, today’s parquet is an almost imperceptible touch of wealth. It is handcrafted luxury made affordable. It is the silent triumph of man standing upright, of his right to step on the surface of labor.

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(Image on top: Beny Wagner; Courtesy of the artist and The Future Gallery.)