Investigation of Cheb relief intarsia and the study of the technological process of its production by micro computed tomography

Cheb relief intarsia is one of the most significant artistic techniques used in the early and middle baroque furniture manufacturing. The origin of this exceptional technique is closely tied to the city of Cheb and in a wider perspective, similarly to rondocubism or cubism applied in architecture; it is a branch of decorative arts distinctive just only for Czech lands. Here we report on the findings made on the basis of non-destructive X-ray micro computed tomography (μCT) analysis for determination of the condition and characteristics of the inner structures of an original plate of Cheb relief intarsia. The results of this analysis not only helped to clarify the manufacturing process itself, but also contributed to aim the future actions of the effective intarsia conservation in regard to the spreading internal cracks and defects in the plate discovered by μCT analysis.