Two-Tier Dahlia Rosette Onlay

A full bloom, frozen in high relief. This decorative rosette is built in two clear tiers. An outer ring of broad, rounded, petal-shaped lobes fans out like a wide-open dahlia or water lily, each petal scooped into a soft concave cup. Set over it, a second layer of slim pointed petals radiates in a tight starburst, and at the very heart sits a smooth domed button, like the seed cushion of a real flower. The layering gives genuine depth and shadow, so the piece catches light from any angle rather than reading flat. It is a classic ornamental onlay: glue it to cabinet doors and drawer fronts, use it to dress a mirror or picture frame, cap the corners of a headboard, or set it as a ceiling-rose accent. The oval outline lets it sit neatly on tall, narrow panels as well as square fields. Carving and print notes: • Designed as an applied relief (onlay), so carve or print the flat back solid for easy gluing. • On a CNC, rough the tiers with a flat bit, then run a ball-nose finishing pass to round every petal and blend the domed centre. • In basswood, oak or maple it takes stain and gilding cleanly; sand the raised petal edges lightly to catch highlights. • If 3D printing, lay it face-up and add a couple of light supports only under the deepest inner petals.