Boulle (pronounced "bool") refers to a type of decorative furniture that was popular in France during the 17th and 18th centuries. The term "boulle" is derived from the French cabinetmaker André-Charles Boulle, who perfected the technique and popularized the style in the late 17th century.

Boulle furniture is characterized by its intricate inlay work, which typically features designs made from brass or copper on a black lacquer background. The inlay designs can be quite elaborate and often depict intricate floral or architectural motifs. The technique involves inlaying thin sheets of metal, such as brass, into a wooden substrate such as ebony. Boulle furniture can range from desks, tables, cabinets, commodes and many other types of furniture.

The Boulle technique was used primarily for luxury items and was commissioned by the French Royalty, nobles, and wealthy individuals. Boulle furniture is highly prized for its skillful craftsmanship and intricate designs, and more...

24 items found:

These items have been sold, and the description, image and price are for reference purposes only.

A Napoleon III boulle chest of drawers, C.1870, ebony in veneer,…

A Napoleon III boulle chest of drawers, C.1870, ebony in veneer, over an oak carcass, inlaid with geometric brass fillets. Opulent, finely embossed, gilt bronze mounts in the sun King, motif. Escutcheons cast as small suns. Two keys. Rectangular body with…

An antique bureau de Dame in boulle manner, late 19th / early…

Boulle Style Antique Bureau de Dame with Gilt Mounts

An antique bureau de Dame in boulle manner, late 19th / early 20th century, of typical form, the gallery top above a sloping fall front enclosing a rosewood interior with leather lined writing surface, small drawers, and a well, raised on cabriole…

A Napoleon III low book case in boulle manner, third quarter…

Boulle-style Low Bookcase with Glazed Doors and Velvet Shelves

A Napoleon III low book case in boulle manner, third quarter 19th century, of bow front outline, the top and frieze above three glazed doors enclosing velvet lined shelves, on a plinth base, ebonized overall with reserves to the frieze, and pilasters of…

A French pedestal in the boulle manner, second half 19th…

19th Century French Boulle Style Pedestal with Brass Inlays

A French pedestal in the boulle manner, second half 19th century, of rectangular outline tapering towards the base, on a moulded foot, the frieze, front and foot with panels of inlaid cut brass on simulated tortoiseshell ground, gilt metal mounted…

French style boulle Escritoire chest, of tall serpentine form…

Serpentine Boulle Escritoire Chest with Brass Inlay

French style boulle Escritoire chest, of tall serpentine form with black Portoro marble top, featuring a fall front writing slope disguised as three drawers, set above four rectangular drawers, each decorated with intricate brass inlay work and acanthus…

A French boulle drop front Bureau*, late 19th/Early 20th…

French Boulle Drop Front Bureau with Ormolu Mounts

A French boulle drop front Bureau*, late 19th/Early 20th century, of typical design, the gallery edge top, above a drop-down bureau enclosing a fitted interior of three drawers and slide compartment, above an apron, supported on four serpentine legs with…

In the manner of, style of, Andre' Charles boulle tortoiseshell…

Boulle-style Tortoiseshell Commode

In the manner of, style of, Andre' Charles boulle tortoiseshell and finely cut inlaid brass marquetry ebony 5 drawer commode. Andre' Charles Boulle became the most famous French Cabinetmaker in the field of marquetry 1642-1732. 83 cm high, 118 cm wide, 64…

A Napoleon III Cut-Brass and boulle inlaid ebonized secretaire,…

Napoleon III Boulle Inlaid Ebonized Secretaire

A Napoleon III Cut-Brass and boulle inlaid ebonized secretaire, circa 1860, the modest- sized ladies secretaire, nicely inlaid with cut brass scrolls, with five drawers and a central drop down door revealing a magenta coloured velvet writing surface, and…

A Victorian ebonised, tortoiseshell and brass marquetry three…

Victorian Ebonised Three-Tier Marquetry Whatnot

A Victorian ebonised, tortoiseshell and brass marquetry three tier whatnot, English circa 1870 in the manner of A.C boulle, with contre-partie engraved brass marquetry and ormolu mounts throughout, with key, 44.5 cm wide, 33 cm deep, 78 cm high

A Louis XV style Boulle three door wardrobe, 19th century, 250…

19th Century Boulle Wardrobe in Louis XV Style

A Louis XV style Boulle three door wardrobe, 19th century, 250 cm high, 245 cm wide, 55 cm deep

A Louis XV style Boulle bureau a cylindre, 19th century, 151 cm…

19th Century Boulle Style Louis XV Cylinder Bureau

A Louis XV style Boulle bureau a cylindre, 19th century, 151 cm high, 88 cm wide, 48 cm deep

A Louis XV style Boulle chest of drawers, 19th century, 101 cm…

19th Century Boulle Chest of Drawers

A Louis XV style Boulle chest of drawers, 19th century, 101 cm high, 83 cm wide, 42 cm deep

A late 19th century rectangular Boulle jardiniere stand having…

Boulle jardiniere stand with ormolu mounts

A late 19th century rectangular Boulle jardiniere stand having ormolu mounts. 83 cm high, 59 cm wide, 41 cm deep.

A good boulle manner ormolu-mounted and brass-inlaid bureau de…

Ormolu-mounted Boulle Bureau de Dame

A good boulle manner ormolu-mounted and brass-inlaid bureau de Dame, late 19th century, the fall front enclosing a leather-lined writing surface and fitted interior above a frieze drawer, on cabriole legs, the top, front, and outside faces of all legs…

A boulle brass inlaid rectangular planter in Louis XIVth style.…

Louis XIVth Style Boulle Brass Inlaid Planter

A boulle brass inlaid rectangular planter in Louis XIVth style. 84 cm high, 85 cm wide, 50 cm deep.

Napoleon III ormolu mounted ebonised boulle Semainier, c. 1860…

Napoleon III Boulle Semainier with Ormolu Mounts

Napoleon III ormolu mounted ebonised boulle Semainier, c. 1860 white marble overlaid top above three mock drawers forming the fall front and four drawers, the whole inlaid with cut brass on a red tortoiseshell ground, with a shaped apron and bracket feet.…

A Victorian mother-of-pearl and gilt boulle bureau

Victorian Mother-of-Pearl Boulle Bureau with Gilt Accents

A Victorian mother-of-pearl and gilt boulle bureau

An ebonised Boulle pedestal, French, 19th century, with applied…

French Boulle Pedestal with Gilt Mask and Brass Pierced Work

An ebonised Boulle pedestal, French, 19th century, with applied classical gilt mask to the centre and brass pierced work to the facade, a compartment to the reverse, 77 cm high, 44 cm wide, 39 cm deep

A pair of Louis XVI style Boulle manner ebonised and cut brass…

Louis XVI Style Boulle Inlaid Commodes with Marble Tops

A pair of Louis XVI style Boulle manner ebonised and cut brass inlaid commodes each with a serpentine marble top, above three drawers, the whole inlaid with cut brass panels, brass hoof feet, one drawer missing a loop handle, 60 x 76 x 44 cm

A Louis XV style Boulle manner ebonised and cut brass inlaid…

Boulle Style Commode & Mirror Set

A Louis XV style Boulle manner ebonised and cut brass inlaid commode and matching wall mirror the commode with a serpentine marble top, above two short and three full-length drawers, the whole with ornate cut brass inlaid panels, brass hoof feet, 140 x 94…

A Louis XV style Boulle manner ebonised and cut brass inlaid…

Boulle Style Ebonised Bed with Cut Brass Inlay

A Louis XV style Boulle manner ebonised and cut brass inlaid bed the serpentine bed head with buttoned velvet upholstery, the whole ornately inlaid with cut brass panels, gilt metal mounts, 204 cm long, 80 cm wide

Antique boulle inlaid whatnot, held by ebonized turned supports,…

Boulle Inlaid Ebonized Whatnot Stand

Antique boulle inlaid whatnot, held by ebonized turned supports, approx 80.5 cm high, 45.5 cm wide, 35.5 cm depth

A gilt bronze, boulle and ebonised bureau de dame, French,…

French Boulle and Bronze Bureau de Dame, 1880

A gilt bronze, boulle and ebonised bureau de dame, French, circa 1880 140 cm high, 82 cm wide, 42 cm deep

A pair of scarlet faux boulle and gilt metal mounted sculpture…

Scarlet Faux Boulle Pedestals with Gilt Metal Mounts

A pair of scarlet faux boulle and gilt metal mounted sculpture pedestals 110 cm high, 35 cm wide, 23 cm deep