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Toilet casket

1700–1715
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).

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Toilet casket
  • Date: 1700–1715
  • Culture: French
  • Medium: Wood veneered with marquetry of tortoiseshell and brass (première partie Boulle work), rosewood; gilt bronze, steel
  • Dimensions: Overall (confirmed): 5 1/16 x 13 5/8 x 10 1/4 in. (12.9 x 34.6 x 26 cm)
  • Classification: Woodwork
  • Credit Line: Purchase, Mr. and Mrs. Sid R. Bass Gift, in honor of Mrs. Charles Wrightsman, 2011
  • Object Number: 2011.12
  • Curatorial Department: European Sculpture and Decorative Arts

More Artwork

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Small desk with folding top (bureau brisé), Alexandre-Jean Oppenordt Dutch, Oak, pine, walnut veneered with ebony, rosewood, and marquetry of tortoiseshell and engraved brass; gilt bronze and steel, French, Paris
Small desk with folding top (bureau brisé)
Alexandre-Jean Oppenordt
Jean Berain
ca. 1685
Commode, André Charles Boulle French, Walnut veneered with ebony, marquetry of engraved brass and tortoiseshell, gilt-bronze mounts, verd antique marble, French
Commode
André Charles Boulle
ca. 1710–20
Longcase astronomical regulator, Ferdinand Berthoud French, Case: oak veneered with ebony and brass, with gilt-bronze mounts; Dial: white enamel; Movement: gilded brass and steel, French, Paris
Longcase astronomical regulator
Multiple artists/makers
ca. 1768–70
Wall clock (pendule en cartel), Jean Godde l'aîné French, Case: gilded bronze, oak, and tortoiseshell on brass marquetry on oak; Dial: white enamel and gilded brass with blued-steel hands; Movement: brass and steel, French, Paris
Wall clock (pendule en cartel)
Jean Godde l'aîné
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ca. 1740–45
Mechanical table (Table mécanique), Jean Henri Riesener French, Oak veneered with marquetry of bois satiné, holly, amaranth, barberry, stained sycamore, and green-lacquered wood; gilt-bronze mounts; steel, iron and brass fittings; mirror glass; velvet (not original), French, Paris
Mechanical table (Table mécanique)
Jean Henri Riesener
Jean-Gotfritt Mercklein
1778

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