BOULLE, André-Charles
(b. 1642, Paris, d. 1732, Paris)

Decorative panel

1695-1700
Veneered on oak with Boulle marquetry
Wallace Collection, London

The picture shows one of the decorative panels on two doors, showing Apollo and Daphne. The panel is veneered on oak with Boulle marquetry of engraved brass on tortoise-shell.

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 coloured wood. Many of his designs are illustrated in a book of engravings published around 1720.




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