Inlays and Boulle

Hexagonal Dutch inlay occasional table Ebony and ivory inlay parquetry occasional table

abinets were first recorded in England in to play in the resulting evolution of intellectual the 16th century. In 1578 a German curiosity that led to scientific discoveries. Every traveller visiting the court of Queen possible technique and innovation was used to C Boulle and ebony two door cabinet with marble top and ormolu mounts Elizabeth I at Whitehall Palace noted her ‘two further embellish the cabinet. Those who engaged little cabinets of exquisite work’. Her cabinets in such innovations gained status and the were for the storage of papers and no doubt were furniture makers were given new titles primarily her writing boxes. throughout Europe: cabinetmaker, ébéniste, woods, ivory, mother-of-pearl and other economical and correct to restore using the In the 16th century, ornate ebony cabinets ebanista, and tischler. Many different crafts were materials. It was first practised in Italy, Germany original pieces. Missing pieces can be replicated were referred to as schreibtisch by the German involved in the adornment of cabinets: the gold and the Netherlands and was introduced to and successfully blended in with the original cabinetmakers. They were decorated with gold, and silver smith; the lapidary cutter of cameos; France in the early 17th century and to England components, if required. silver, semi-precious stones, ivory, coral and intaglios (incised carving); pietra dura (semi in the latter part of the century via Holland where a characteristic burr and floral form developed. INLAYS AND BOULLE PIECES THAT amber. This term held even after the cabinet precious stone inlay); amber and coral; the ivory WE HAVE RESTORED evolved into the form of kunstschrank and engraver; the sculptor; painter; bronze worker and Boulle work is a type of marquetry consisting of tortoiseshell, brass and pewter, was The hexagonal Dutch inlay table features became as precious as the contents it held. lastly the embroiderer. floral inlays of various fruitwoods. It was badly In Italy, curiosity cabinets, or studiolo as they Marquetry is a technique of applying a perfected in France by André Charles Boulle (1642-1732), although it was already used in restored in the past by someone who had used were originally known, grew in complexity and decorative pattern to the surface of a wooden filler to replace the missing flowers, and had richness of decoration. They had a significant role carcass using veneers of differently coloured both Italy and Flanders. Boulle work consists of cutting out a design from a sheet of tortoiseshell completely over-sanded the feature veneers of and gluing it to a sheet of brass. This creates a the background in several places. recto or premiére partie, with a brass pattern set Ivory and ebony feature in the round in the tortoiseshell background and a verso or parquetry (geometrical inlay) occasional table. contrepartie, in which the tortoiseshell pattern is This table was in reasonably good original set in the brass background. condition, but over the years, small pieces had Tortoiseshell, first used as a furniture veneer come out and needed replacing. New pieces in antiquity, is a hard, translucent material. were inserted in a way that let them blend in Derived from the carapace, or shell of the small with the original work. The whole piece was tropical hawksbill turtle, it is a mottled yellow resealed for protection against the atmosphere. and brown colour. It is cut into thin plates and The atmosphere has a negative effect on the when heated it can be moulded to a desired glue which holds the various inlay pieces. The shape. The veneer is frequently backed with foil resealing process prevents more pieces lifting. or coloured pigments to enhance the richness of The boulle desk was mostly in its original colour. Pewter, mother-of-pearl or stained bone state. However, large sections of the were also used. background brass were becoming loose and Boulle work went into decline in France at some bad previous restorations had to be the beginning of the 18th century with the redone. These raised sections were loosened advent of the Rococo style. Rococo, or rocaille from the background again and fitted correctly as it was known in France, is a decorative style to blend and sit flush with the original work. characterised by the use of curves and of The 22-ct gold embossed leather insert was asymmetrical forms found in nature, such as replaced with tooling as close to the original as rocks, shells, flowers which developed in France possible. The whole piece was cleaned and re- in the early 18th century and spread throughout polished in shellac. Europe. It features C scrolls and double C The two-door boulle cabinet needed major scrolls, tortuous serpentine lines combined with renovation to replace loose and missing brass elegance, charm and fantasy. It contrasted with sections and tortoiseshell sections. It needed a the grandiose solemnity of the Baroque style general clean up as well to bring it back to its original condition. We always strive for an ‘old, Boulle and ebony twin pedestal desk with 22 ct gold embossed leather insert that preceded it. However, Boulle returned to favour in yet in good condition’ appearance. France during the 1770s as well as in the rest of A 1770 French ebony and brass mantel clock Europe and was again produced widely well was in poor condition with half of the brass into the 19th century. having fallen off the clock. About 20 percent of André-Charles Boulle was the first great the brass was completely missing. The making French ébéniste (cabinetmaker/furniture maker). of the brass pieces and the antiquing of the brass G.N. Olsson Originally, André entered the Académie de pieces to match them with the originals took the Saint-Luc as a painter but by 1664 was most time. Full restoration was required and Mastercraftsmen ~ Furniture Makers established as a marqueteur as well as a painter. then it was re-polished using traditional He was befriended by Bernini who advised him authentic polishing methods. Authentic on designs. Our respect for the original craftsmen is renewed whenever we work on such pieces. Antique Restorations and Reproductions In 1672 Boulle was appointed Ebéniste du Roi, but was also referred to as a painter, The painstaking, intricate processes and the Investments architect, mosaicist and bronzeworker. He was astounding beauty of each piece are a strong Custom Manufacture of Corporate Executive Furniture granted a lodging in the Louvre previously reminder of the expertise and artistry of these Heirlooms occupied by the French cabinetmaker Jean early master cabinetmakers. Inlay and boulle Classic Fine Furniture Macé. Jean Macé’s style is characterised by restorations are not easy, but the reward is extensive use of ebony veneers, carved or seeing them resplendent in their original engraved on large Flemish cabinet-on-stands. condition, ready for the next 100 years of Queries & 393 Narangba Rd, Brisbane Although time consuming, restoration of good service ■ Appointments Fax: 07 3888 5330 inlays and boulle work is done on a regular basis Email: [email protected] at our establishment. As a general rule, it is wise GARY OLSSON 07 3888 1549 to attend to the restoration sooner rather than GN Olsson - Antique Restoration www.workin4u.com.au/gnolsson later. The small pieces which inevitably lift off and Conservation the piece can become lost. It is always more (07) 3888 1549 ANTIQUES & ART IN QUEENSLAND 45