Scrolled Fleur-de-Lis Onlay

The heraldic lily, carved with deep volutes and a proud central plume. This is a textbook fleur-de-lis appliqué: a tall central petal rising to a sharp point, flanked by two side leaves, all cinched at the waist by a rounded band and finished below with a flared, downward-fanning skirt. The two big outer arms curl inward into fat spirals, and the whole relief is smoothly rounded so light rolls across it — classic French decorative vocabulary, equally at home on a monarchy-themed sign, a fireplace surround, or the crest rail of a chair. Cut it as an onlay to glue onto furniture, doors, mirror frames or panelling, or pocket it into a recess for a flush inlay. CNC notes: • Rough with an end mill, then finish with a tapered ball-nose to get those clean rounded flutes and tight scroll centres. • Straight-grained hardwoods (oak, maple, walnut) or dense MDF hold the crisp edges best; carving foam works for a paint-and-gild finish. • Leave a thin backing skin so the piece lifts off the spoilboard in one clean part, then sand the back flat for gluing. • The scroll eyes are the deepest points — check your bit's reach and step-down so they do not lose definition. Stain, paint or gold-leaf it; the smooth rounded surfaces take gilding beautifully.