BOULLE METHOD


In this method, used by André-Charles Boulle (1642-1732), a Louis XIV , cabinet-maker, only two tre-species are surimposed and cut out at the same time.

It's thus possible to make geometric patterns by gathering opposite-coloured materials, one of which may not be wood but brass, copper, tin or turttle scale.



Metal could sometimes be engraved with a chisel in order to add details.

For example, the metal/ebony or metal/scale combination enables to make two works at the same time :
- one work made up of metal on an ebony background, called "partye",
- the othe one, the opposite, called "contrepartye", is more fragile because of the metal expansion.



The main drawback of this method is due to the difficulty in sawing, which has to be as thin as possible, tolerates neither swerves, not too sharp angles and compels discreet piercing in order to enable the blade's crossing.


Extrait de Flamand rose
Using BOULLE Technique and details made with cutter in Example of Boulle marquetry, and my appling of this technique with 4 tree species : Sycamore, Ash-olive wood, Burr Elm and Burr Vavona.    ---->


   <----    Example of BOULLE marquetry and details with cutter in "the two birds". In this example, 3 pictures were cutted simultaneously, and the 3 woods of the leaves inverted in each picture.

 
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