André-Charles Boulle

Timeline

1. 1642–1672Paris · Île-de-FranceBorn into a Parisian artisan family, he studied carving and marquetry from an early age, inherited his father's trade, and refined his tortoiseshell-and-brass inlay technique, gradually rising to prominence among Parisian craftsmen.
2. 1672–1715Louvre Palace · ParisAppointed cabinetmaker to Louis XIV, he established a large workshop in the Louvre, producing inlaid cabinets, writing desks, and mantel clocks for Versailles and the royal family, establishing the "Boulle style" marked by contrasting tortoiseshell-and-brass inlay.
3. 1715–1732Paris · Île-de-FranceAfter Louis XIV's death he continued to run the family workshop, passing his skills to his four sons; his works were highly sought after by European courts. Despite a fire that destroyed his workshop, he kept creating into his nineties, influencing the later Rococo furniture decorative tradition.