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.
For example, the metal/ebony or metal/scale combination enables to make two works at the same time :
Metal could sometimes be engraved with a chisel in order to add details.
- 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.