SÉLECTION D’ŒUVRES
Louis XV-style chest of drawers
On display in our Gallery,
stamped by Nicolas-Jean Marchand, Master Cabinetmaker before 1738.
Marquetry was originally created in Ancient Egypt. It was then taken up by the Italians and honed by French cabinetmakers like André-Charles Boulle. Marquetry adorned numerous 18th-century French furniture pieces.
Marquetry changed over time. From the early 17th century onwards, the favourable economic context helped promote its development.
Under the reign of Louis XIV, it was influenced by the arrival of new, exotic wood essences in Europe.
In the Louis-XV era, rosewood, violet and amaranth marquetry were particularly sought after. They were used to create contrasting, flowery marquetry pieces.
Under the reign of Louis XVI, artists would rely on mahogany to create marquetry pieces, because of the flame-like patterns that appear on its surface when it reflects light.
