Toilet casket

French

Not on view

Known in French as a carré de toilette, this casket has canted corners and is richly decorated with boulle marquetry of tortoiseshell and brass (première partie). Named for André-Charles Boulle (1642–1732), cabinetmaker to Louis XIV, who excelled in this technique, the marquetry features strap- and scrollwork interspersed with animals, birds, and a few human figures reminiscent of designs by Jean Bérain (1640–1711). Similar caskets are depicted in Jean-Marc Nattier’s portrait Madame Marsollier and Her Daughter (1749).

Toilet casket, Wood veneered with marquetry of tortoiseshell and brass (première partie Boulle work), rosewood; gilt bronze, steel, French

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Toilet casket, Wood veneered with marquetry of tortoiseshell and brass (première partie Boulle work), rosewood; gilt bronze, steel, French
Toilet casket, Wood veneered with marquetry of tortoiseshell and brass (première partie Boulle work), rosewood; gilt bronze, steel, French
Toilet casket, Wood veneered with marquetry of tortoiseshell and brass (première partie Boulle work), rosewood; gilt bronze, steel, French

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