A 19th century French boulle desk set, with a well for pens,…
click the photo to enlarge
A 19th century French Boulle desk set, with a well for pens, two lidded inkwells and lidded stamp box, in traditional tortoiseshell and inlaid brass decoration. 30 cm x 21 cm

You must be a subscriber, and be logged in to view price and dealer details.

Subscribe Now to view actual auction price for this item

When you subscribe, you have the option of setting the currency in which to display prices to $Au, $US, $NZ or Stg.

This item has been sold, and the description, image and price are for reference purposes only.
  • Boulle - Boulle work is the name given to tortoiseshell and metal inlay using brass and sometimes silver, found on furniture and smaller wooden objects. It originated in Italy but was developed by Frenchman Andre Charles Boulle (1642 - 1732) under Louis XIV.

    Boulle was appointed Royal Cainet Maker to Louis XIV and designed furniture and clockcases for the monarch.

    In preparation, the tortoiseshell and metal were cut together following a design, using a fine fret saw.

    In the application of the Boulle, the carcase of piece of furniture was covered with the tortoiseshell which in turn was inlaid with the matched designs in metal, which in turn was elaborately engraved.

    The use of Boulle work furniture continued mainly in France until the 19th century.
  • Tortoiseshell - Tortoiseshell is a translucent material that comes from the horny carapace of a certain types of turtles, including the hawksbill turtle. It is often therefore mounted on a colour underground - often red - or inlaid with gold or silver thread, as seen in Boulle furniture.

    The texture and colour nuances of the material are extremely important. Heated tortoiseshell can easily be formed into various shapes. Like other natural materials, tortoiseshell becomes more beautiful with use. In a time before plastic, tortoiseshell was widely used for small objects such as combs and powder compacts.

    In 1973, the trade of tortoiseshell worldwide was banned under CITES (The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species). Prior to importing or exporting items containing tortoiseshell a CITES permit must be obtained. Tortoiseshell items cannot be traded on Ebay.

    "Faux tortoiseshell", another case of man initiating nature, is made from old-style plastics such as celluloid and cellulos and is coloured with red, yellow and brown spots to imitate the genuine article. It is commonly used in glasses frames, musical instruments and costume jewellery.

This item has been included into following indexes:

Visually similar items

A French rosewood and marquetry deed box. 16 cm high, 34 cm wide, 21 cm deep.

Sold by in for
You can display prices in $Au, $US, $NZ or Stg.

'Sir Henry MacNash Ten' Indian 19th century box embroided raised gold embroidery on velvet, approx 11 cm high, 26 cm wide, 16 cm deep

Sold by in for
You can display prices in $Au, $US, $NZ or Stg.

A fine Victorian Tunbridgeware box, circa 1860s, the finely worked parquetry box, with a large diamond set within borders to the lid intricately decorated with a tapestry style floral mosaic in natural wood tones and soft colours against a darker ground, w

Sold by in for
You can display prices in $Au, $US, $NZ or Stg.

A silk Persian style carpet 182 x 123 cm

Sold by in for
You can display prices in $Au, $US, $NZ or Stg.