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French Louis XIV Document Case with Boulle-technique



French Louis XIV Document Case with Boulle-technique

A rectangular document case with truncated corners. The outside is decorated with marquetry of tortoise and openwork brass. The sides are decorated with ribbons with stylized floral motives. The concave edge of the lid is decorated with hanging draperies and stylized tassels. The corners of the case, as well as the lid, are decorated with gilt bronze fittings adorned with stylized flowers and acanthus. The top of the lid has a gilt bronze edge that frames a field of parquetry, consisting of diamond shaped elements decorated with engraved flowers. The central field is bordered by ribbons of lush flowery branches and in the corners triangular cartouches decorated with flowers on a trellis. The delicate way in which both the tortoise-shell and brass sheet metal are engraved undeniably increases the pleasure with which this box, as an extraordinary example of craftsmanship, is admired.

The French designers of ornamentation of the 17th century strived after lightness and decorative vigor. This was mainly influenced by Berain, who managed to bring the ‘grotesque’ to the center of attention again. Berain’s decorations are defined by ribbons of ornamental elements alternated with C-volutes with acanthus decorations.

André Charles Boulle (1642-1732) was a French cabinetmaker (ébéniste) who paired a fabulous technique with an exceptional imagination. One of his greatest merits was that he let go of the strong influences of Italian and Flemish furniture makers and developed a proper French style as regards to design as well as to decoration. His talent was duly noted and from 1762 on he worked for the Court of Louis XIV, the Sun King.

Soon Boulle was appointed ‘Premier Ébéniste du Roi’. This meant that he was not bound to guild rules anymore and could combine all the different disciplines he mastered without the risk of being fined. He was designer, painter, mosaic artist, chaser, marquetry worker, and ‘inventeur de chiffres’.
His international acclaim was mainly due to his elaborate marquetry in which he combined tortoise and different sheet metals that is nowadays referred to as ‘Boulle-technique’.

Off course Boulle did not work on his own. He ran a large workshop with the best craftsmen in various disciplines to assemble his exceptional furniture and objects. Next to commissions of the French Royal Court and Nobility, he soon was asked to supply the Royal Courts of Spain and Bavaria. Boulle had four sons that all were initially apprentice and subsequently coworker in his business. After the demise of Boulle senior, two of his sons continued the workshop and the other two settled as independent furniture makers. Nevertheless, all of them continued to work in the style of their father’s workshop, using ebony, tortoise, brass, and tin.

French Louis XIV Document Case with Boulle-technique
Price on request
Period
ca. 1680-1700
Material
oak frame veneered with ebony, tortoise and brass, gilt bronze fittings
Dimensions
11 x 32.5 x 26 cm

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