Sometimes richness of effect is no further attempted than is obtained by the natural beauty of the wood which is employed; and when this natural beauty is considerable, this simple kind of furniture is most highly valued.

But wood, so fine in color and figure, as alone to give richness of effect to furniture, is very rare, and still more frequently defective; hence, the more usual mode of combining different colored woods, or of metals and shells with woods, require some degree of attention. The prevailing combinations are formed by colored bands, lines, and ornaments of wood, or by lines, beads, or ornaments of brass; the brass being in many instances cut into beautiful forms and further embellished by engraved lines on its surface.

The circumstances to be attended to in forming these combinations are harmony of color, due proportion of the colored parts to one another, and relief by contrast Much depends on the color of the principal mass of the piece of work, which we call the predominating color. If this color be rich, very little variety of other colors should be added. On the contrary, if the predominating color be light and delicate, it will bear to be enlivened and supported by contrast with fine lines or borders of an opposing color : taking care that the mass of opposing colors be so small as not to produce opposition instead of contrast; for contrast skilfully managed, gives force and lustre to the ground, while opposition destroys even its natural beauty.