Boulle (Noun)
Meaning
An inlaid furniture decoration; tortoiseshell and yellow and white metal form scrolls in cabinetwork.
Classification
Nouns denoting man-made objects.
Examples
- The intricately designed cabinet featured a beautiful boulle of tortoiseshell and metalwork, showcasing the skill of the French cabinetmaker.
- In the opulent dining room, the walnut table's boulle decoration of interlocking scrolls and flowers added a touch of luxury.
- The boulle on the antique chest was exquisite, with delicate tortoiseshell and metal threads woven together to form a beautiful pattern.
- During the 18th century, boulle was a hallmark of fine French furniture, particularly in the works of renowned cabinetmakers like Jean Bérain.
- Restorers painstakingly repaired the damaged boulle on the 18th-century cabinet, using traditional techniques to match the original metalwork and tortoiseshell.