The city of Méru, in the Oise Department, is the birthplace of French marquetry. At the start of the 20th century, the industrialisation of this technique led to Méru being known as the “World mother-of-pearl capital”. Natural materials such as mother-of-pearl, bone, ivory, shells and ebony are used to produce luxury items such as fans and dance cards, as well as more utilitarian objects like buttons and dominoes…
In 1999, the city renewed its links with its history and paid tribute to its heritage by opening a museum devoted to mother-of-pearl and marquetry in the former Dégremont factory.