Gold-Covered Table desk, copper alloy, Europe, Andre Charles Boulle

Andre-Charles Boulle was a French cabinet maker and artist who lived from 1642 to 1732. He is known for his exquisite furniture designs, particularly those made using the technique of marquetry, in which pieces of wood veneer are inlaid into a larger piece to create intricate designs. Boulle's work often featured elaborate designs incorporating brass, tortoiseshell and other materials, and his furniture was highly sought after by the French aristocracy. Today, his pieces are considered some of the finest examples of French Baroque furniture and are highly prized by collectors.