View source for Fretwork

{{Short description|Interlaced decorative design}}
{{About|design|the viol consort|Fretwork (music group)|the stringed instrument manufacturing|Luthier}}
{{Refimprove|date=April 2010}}

'''Fretwork''' is an interlaced decorative design that is either carved in low relief on a solid background, or cut out with a [[fretsaw]], [[coping saw]], [[jigsaw (power tool)|jigsaw]] or [[scroll saw]]. Most fretwork patterns are geometric in design. The materials most commonly used are [[wood]] and [[metal]].<ref>{{Citation | last = Olver | first = Elizabeth | title = Jewelry Making Techniques Book | page = 26 | publisher = North Light Books | year = 2001 | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=tqruTvemolwC&pg=PT8 | isbn = 978-1-58180-210-8 | postscript =.}}</ref> Fretwork is used to adorn [[furniture]] and [[musical instrument]]s. The term is also used for [[tracery]] on glazed windows and doors. Fretwork is also used to adorn/decorate architecture, where specific elements of decor are named according to their use such as eave [[Bracket (architecture)|bracket]], gable fretwork or baluster fretwork, which may be of metal, especially [[cast iron]] or [[aluminum]]. Installing elaborate wooden fretworks on residential buildings, known as [[Gingerbread (architecture)|gingerbread trims]], became popular in [[North America]] in the late 19th century.<ref>{{cite web |title=Gingerbread Trim |date=2 February 2007 |url=https://www.thisoldhouse.com/21017636/gingerbread-trim |publisher=This Old House |access-date=23 February 2021}}</ref>

Fretwork patterns originally were ornamental designs used to decorate objects with a grid or a lattice. Designs have developed from the rectangular wave Greek fret to intricate intertwined patterns. A common misconception is that fretwork must be done with a fretsaw.  However, a fretwork pattern is considered a fretwork regardless of whether it was cut out with a fretsaw.

[[Computer numerical control]] (CNC) has brought about change in the method of timber fretwork manufacture. Lasers or router/milling cutting implements can now fashion timber and various other materials into flat and even 3D decorative items.

Fretwork is often used in [[Squeezebox]] type instruments to allow air to pass in and out of the instrument while shielding the action board.

== Gallery ==
<Gallery mode=packed>
Image:Samuel Sharpe Rebellion.jpg|Gable end fretwork
Image:Hfr-007.jpg|Timber fretwork
Image:Ventilation-grille.jpg|Fretwork for a ventilation or light grill
Image:Westgate fretwork.jpg|Gable end Fretwork
Image:Concertina fretwork.jpg|Fretwork of an anglo concertina.
</Gallery>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==See also==
*{{Annotated link|Openwork}}
**{{Annotated link|Latticework}}
*{{Annotated link|Sukashibori}}

==External links==


{{Commons category|Fretwork}}
{{Decorative arts}}
{{Woodworking}}


[[Category:Jewellery making]]
[[Category:Woodworking]]
[[Category:Fabrication (metal)]]