Cabinet 1695 - 1705

This cabinet was created by André Charles Boulle in France during the late 17th and early 18th centuries. Boulle was the cabinetmaker to Louis XIV, and his name became synonymous with a particular style of marquetry, where tortoiseshell, brass, and other precious materials are inlaid into wood. Such furniture speaks volumes about the social and economic structures of the time. It reflects the opulence and grandeur of the French court, where display and status were paramount. The very materials used—exotic tortoiseshell, shimmering brass, and fine wood—signal wealth and access to global trade networks. The cabinet served not just a functional purpose but was also intended to impress, demonstrating the owner's taste, refinement, and power. To truly understand this work, one must delve into the history of the French monarchy, the rise of luxury trades, and the culture of courtly life. Researching archival inventories and historical accounts can shed light on the original setting and function of such pieces, revealing their place in the theater of aristocratic life.