MARCHETARIA DO ACRE
By Maqueson Pereira da Silva
Born in Porto Walter, based in Cruzeiro do Sul, state of Acre
Raised among rubber plantations, where his grandfather lost his sight to the toxic smoke of rubber processing, Maqueson Silva founded Marchetaria do Acre in 1994. Today, he is a leading figure in the centuries-old art of marquetry, rooted in Florentine tradition and reinvented through an Amazonian lens.
His work combines exceptional craftsmanship with social purpose. Pieces are mostly handcrafted from repurposed wood offcuts, and his atelier trains and supports underprivileged youth from the local community. Each object is meticulously made by inlaying small, colour-matched pieces of wood veneers – cut, glued, sanded, and pressed onto a wooden base following bespoke designs. The final composition captures the scents, colours and stories of the Amazon’s people, animals, and landscapes, reflecting his own personal journey.
Bromelia handbag
By Marchetaria do Acre and Flavia Aranha
Teia Collection, 2024
Wood offcuts, sanded natural açaí seeds, cotton thread, natural carnauba and beeswax, organic cotton lining
Commissioned by designer Flavia Aranha, this handbag pays homage to the bromelia plant, native to the Atlantic Forest (Mata Atlântica), known for its resilient, sustainable fibres. The wooden structure features natural offcuts in tonal variations, while the removable handles, crafted by artisan Marcia in Rio Branco (Acre), are made from hand-sanded açaí seeds, lending a smooth ivory-like finish. The piece exemplifies Flavia Aranha’s long-standing collaboration with Maqueson Silva and his atelier, combining conscious design with deep-rooted regional expertise.
Courtesy of the brand
Tortoiseshell and Leopard print clutches
By Marchetaria do Acre and Nannacay
Summer 2025
Wood offcuts
For Nannacay, Maqueson Silva crafted two marquetry patterns inspired by Amazonian animals. The Leopard clutch evokes the reddish hues of the jaguar (Panthera onca), built on
a eucalyptus root base with jacareúba, black laurel (louro-preto) and muiracatiara wood. The Tortoiseshell version uses an ivory wood base inlaid with alternating black laurel wood,
recalling the texture of the freshwater turtle’s shell.
Nannacay is a purpose-driven fashion brand founded in 2014 by Marcia Kemp, a former IBM sales executive. Its name, derived from Quechua Aymara, means ‘sisterhood of women’.
Recognised both in Brazil and internationally, the brand received the Eco-Age Brandmark (2019) and was acknowledged by the CNMI Sustainable Fashion Award (2023) for its commitment to ethical and sustainable practices. Combining citizenship and entrepreneurial spirit, it works with 30 communities in 12 Brazilian states.
Courtesy of the brand
