Spectacular Antique Lacquered Wood and Boulle Marquetry Chest. France, 1870s

Awesome antique and artisanal chest, made of solid wood and with a fine black finish. This piece was made in France in 1870 and is more than one hundred and ten years old, so it could probably tell us a lot of fascinating histories. It is in very good condition and boasts a wonderful design: the cover is decorated with an amazing Boulle-style marquetry motive, made of tortoiseshell and golden brass. This detail turns the chest into a state-of-art piece. It can be used as a jewel box or as a place to treasure memoires, letters, photographs, etc.; so, it is the perfect piece to decorate a romantic vanity or a stately sideboard. The box is made of black-lacquered wood and the cover mixes this finish with the stated marquetry decoration. The chest preserves the original lock and key in perfect working order. The intricate marquetry decoration of the cover can also be seen in the motive that frames the lock: it is composed of a striking symmetrical decorative detail, full of filigree forms and volutes. The brass pieces, hand-engraved and hand-cut, stand out on the shiny tortoiseshell background. This material is quite remarkable for its lovely shades of red and shines with an outstanding intensity. Inside the chest is covered by orange padded moiré in fine condition. This gorgeous chest with Boulle-style marquetry is bound to stand out in a charming and stylish room. Measurements: Width: 10.6 in / 27 cm. Height: 3.7 in / 9.5 cm. Depth: 7.4 in / 19 cm.History of André-Charles Boulle André-Charles Boulle (11 November 1642 28 February 1732) was a French cabinetmaker generally considered to be the most preeminent artist in the field of marquetry. 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. Many of his designs are illustrated in a published around 1720: Nouveaux dessins de meubles et ouvrages de bronze et de marqueterie. 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. Boulles works can be found in the Palace of Versailles, the Chantilly Castle, the Cheverny Castle, the Louvre Museum, the Wallace Collection and the Royal Collection in London and the Getty Center in Los Angeles.