Even during his lifetime, contemporaries saw him as an artist on the same level as painters, sculptors and architects. In 1672, when he was just 30 years old, Boulle was appointed as a court artist to Louis XIV of France. He was given a workshop in the Galeries du Louvre, where the king accommodated his favoured artists. The cabinetmaker worked for many years on the furnishings for the Palace of Versailles. Boulle perfected naturalistic floral marquetry (inlay work) .He further specialised in another marquetry technique utilising tortoiseshell, brass and pewter.– In the early 19th century this was known as ‘Boulle marquetry’. His exceptionally popular designs were still being copied in to the 19th century.
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