The Straw Marquetry Collection celebrates the meeting of two exceptional crafts: the musical excellence of Steinway & Sons and the centuries-old artistry of straw marquetry.
Each instrument transforms natural straw into a work of extraordinary beauty, where delicate hand-laid patterns capture and reflect light in a way no other natural material can. The result is a collection that is as captivating visually as it is musically.
Created for collectors, designers and music lovers alike, every piano is both a world-class musical instrument and a unique work of art. This draws on the collection’s aim of combining new natural materials with sophisticated design and exceptional marquetry craftsmanship.
Dating back to seventeenth-century Europe, straw marquetry is one of the most refined decorative arts. Celebrated for its distinctive golden sheen and remarkable ability to catch the light, it has long been used to embellish exceptional pieces of furniture and decorative objects.
Today, this rare craft continues through a small number of specialist artisans, preserving techniques that have been passed down through generations.
The Straw Marquetry Collection is created in collaboration with Paleis, one of Europe’s leading contemporary straw marquetry ateliers. Founded in 2016 by Manon Bouvier-Toth, recognised as one of Forbes’ 40 Women in 2024, the atelier combines centuries-old craftsmanship with contemporary design to create exceptional straw marquetry works by hand.
Each decorative panel is meticulously assembled by hand, honouring a centuries-old craft while reimagining it for today’s interiors and collectors. The presentation notes that the atelier works with luxury houses and specialises in unique straw marquetry creations.
Two distinctive marquetry compositions define the collection.
Radiating from a central point, the Sunburst design captures the movement of light across natural straw, creating a striking focal point.
Inspired by rhythm and flow, concentric forms create a sense of movement that echoes the musical performance itself.