Boulle Marquetry refers to the inlay techniques developed by the French craftsman Andre Charle Boulle in the 17th century. The technique involved gluing one or more slender layers of tortoiseshell onto a similar number of brass layers. Boulle was employed by the crown and most of his creations comprise the celebrated Boulle furniture which was all the rage during the reign of Louis XIV

Boulle Marquetry involves an exacting process. Firstly, the craftsman outlines the design on paper which he then pastes onto the surface. Next he separates layers of brass and tortoiseshell to form two distinct marquetries. He does this by combining them in opposite ways. These ways are called premiere partie in which the brass in put on the tortoiseshell, and contre-partie in which he shell is on the brass. He can then glue these inlays as a veneer onto the object he wishes to decorate. The craftsman will very often incorporate both types into the same design which results in a pleasing contrast effect.

In premiere partie marquetery, the craftsman often used brass blended with other materials including copper, pewter or stained horn depending on the effect of contrast he wished to achieve. In addition, the brass was often engraved.

The craftsman usually chose oak or deal for the parts he marqueted, and he often veneered the other parts with ebony, coromandel wood, or purplewood. As a finishing touch, he mounted Boulle furniture with ormolu to protect the corners and other vulnerable parts of the inlay.