attributed to André-Charles Boulle Cabinet on Stand ca. 1675-80 oak veneered with exotic materials, supporting figures of painted and gilded oak Getty Museum, Los Angeles |
attributed to André-Charles Boulle Writing Table ca. 1690 oak veneered with ebony, marquetry of tortoiseshell, engraved brass, pewter, gilt-bronze mounts Royal Collection, Great Britain |
attributed to André-Charles Boulle Writing Table (detail) ca. 1690 oak veneered with ebony, marquetry of tortoiseshell, engraved brass, pewter, gilt-bronze mounts Royal Collection, Great Britain |
attributed to André-Charles Boulle Writing Table (detail) ca. 1690 oak veneered with ebony, marquetry of tortoiseshell, engraved brass, pewter, gilt-bronze mounts Royal Collection, Great Britain |
attributed to André-Charles Boulle Clock with Pedestal ca. 1690 oak with marquetry of tortoiseshell, engraved brass, pewter, gilt-bronze mounts Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York |
attributed to André-Charles Boulle Clock with Pedestal (detail) ca. 1690 oak with marquetry of tortoiseshell, engraved brass, pewter, gilt-bronze mounts Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York |
attributed to André-Charles Boulle Clock with Pedestal (detail) ca. 1690 oak with marquetry of tortoiseshell, engraved brass, pewter, gilt-bronze mounts Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York |
attributed to André-Charles Boulle Clock with Pedestal (detail) ca. 1690 oak with marquetry of tortoiseshell, engraved brass, pewter, gilt-bronze mounts Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York |
attributed to André-Charles Boulle Coffer ca. 1700-1720 oak veneered with marquetry panels, gilt-bronze mounts Art Institute of Chicago |
attributed to André-Charles Boulle Cabinet ca. 1710 oak veneered with ebony, marquetery of tortoiseshell and brass, gilt-bronze mounts Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York |
attributed to André-Charles Boulle Eight-Light Chandelier ca. 1710 gilt bronze Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York |
attributed to André-Charles Boulle Eight-Light Chandelier (detail) ca. 1710 gilt bronze Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York |
attributed to André-Charles Boulle Eight-Light Chandelier (detail) ca. 1710 gilt bronze Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York |
André-Charles Boulle Commode ca. 1710-20 walnut veneered with ebony, marquetry of engraved brass and tortoiseshell, verd-antique marble top, gilt-bronze mounts Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York |
André-Charles Boulle Commode (detail) ca. 1710-20 walnut veneered with ebony, marquetry of engraved brass and tortoiseshell, verd-antique marble top, gilt-bronze mounts Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York |
"Christened by his contemporaries as "the most skillful artisan in Paris," André-Charles Boulle's name is synonymous with the practice of veneering furniture with marquetry of tortoiseshell, pewter, and brass. Although he did not invent the technique, Boulle was its greatest practitioner and lent his name to its common name: boulle work. Boulle also specialized in floral marquetry in both stained and naturally colored wood. Before 1666 Boulle was awarded the title of master cabinetmaker; in 1672 the king granted him the royal privilege of lodging in the Palais du Louvre. In the same year, he achieved the title of cabinetmaker and sculptor to Louis XIV, king of France. This new title allowed him to produce furniture as well as works in gilt bronze such as chandeliers, wall lights, and mounts. Although strict guild rules usually prevented craftsmen from practicing two professions simultaneously, Boulle's favored position allowed him protected status and exempted him from these statutes."
– from curator's notes at the Getty Museum