Artesanía V. Molero, S.A. is a firm that works in a wholly traditional way and has operated continuously since 1888. It is currently run by Jesús Molero Sabador, great-grandson of the founder, who keeps the family legacy alive.

They do woodwork and cabinetry, specialising in restoring… 16th to 18th-century bargueño cabinets. They work with the inlay technique, involving the manual insertion of certain materials inside others, using wood as the basic material, whether in Arabic-style geometric arrangements or in Carthusian marquetry.

For Arabic or Granadan inlay work, the panel to be overlaid needs first to be marked out with the design. Highly precise geometric lines must be traced, not straying by one millimetre, as otherwise the pieces will not fit snugly. The process involves simultaneously cutting and sticking with hot glue. Using a thin chisel, the inlay work starts with geometric patterns being formed with tiny cut pieces of metal, bone and other materials which at the same time are stuck with hot animal glue. Once the surface is complete and bordered with cordoncillo (the characteristic white or black cord in Granadan inlay work), the task of sanding and varnishing begins.

Their practice involves the use of hardwoods, such as ebony, rosewood, mahogany or walnut, i.e. the varieties used traditionally, along with other materials such as bone. They mainly use tools such as chisels and hammers together with glue, and engrave designs by hand with a burin (a pencil with an iron tip), using traditional techniques and designs.