Information & expert advice
Twelve years of sharing our knowledge of Second Empire furniture: Boulle marquetry techniques, the great cabinetmakers, market prices, care and pitfalls to avoid.
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Market Prices
Observed price ranges, family by family, to buy at the right price.
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Cabinetmakers under Napoleon III
Befort, Diehl, Sormani… the great names of Second Empire cabinetmaking.
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Boulle marquetry explained
Understanding the technique of Boulle marquetry, tortoiseshell and brass.
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Caring for Napoleon III Boulle furniture
The right way to preserve marquetry, bronzes and varnish.
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Gilt bronzes in the 18th and 19th centuries: history, technique and the principal bronziers
History and technique of gilt bronzes in the 18th and 19th centuries.
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The materials used in marquetry
Tortoiseshell, brass, mother-of-pearl, precious woods: the materials of Boulle furniture.
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Easily recognizing a copy of Napoleon III furniture
The checkpoints for telling a period piece from a copy.
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The furniture of Mathieu BEFORT - Napoleon III period
The work of the Befort family, a dynasty of Second Empire cabinetmakers.
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André-Charles Boulle
Louis XIV’s master cabinetmaker, who gave his name to the marquetry.
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“à la Reine” marquetry
A refined variant of marquetry, known as “à la Reine”.
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A question not covered in these articles? The gallery is always happy to share its expertise in person.