Antique French decanter. Boulle marquetry. Complete. France, 1870

Superb antique French boulle liquor tantalus, made in France in the 19th century. This lovely old-time piece of furniture shows off an uncommon artisanal work that, together with the wonderful complete glassware it contains, turns it into a piece worthy of a museum. The liquor cabinet is made of solid wood, outside covered by Boulle marquetry work made of brass. The covering is in perfect condition: the golden metal makes a gorgeous contrast with the black and red shades of the background, creating floral shapes and symmetrical volutes full of movement. At the front, the lid mounts a lock (in working order and with the original key) which makes it possible to open the cabinet in order to display its great interior. Inside the cabinet bears a lovely lacquered finish in dark red and black colors, imitating the look of French-polished mahogany and ebonished woods. Both finishes are perfectly preserved. But surely, when we open the liquor cabinet the most remarkable feature is the spectacular complete glassware it contains. The set is composed of four bottles and sixteen cups, as delicate as beautiful. They profusely hand-carved creating lovely floral motifs. The bottles and the cups are intact, an amazing feature considering their fragile quality and ancient age. The glassware is disposed in a lacquered-wooden stand with three trays; the trays have grooves which hold the cups in place so they do not move when carried. It mounts a central brass handle designed to lift the set and take it out of the liquor cabinet in one go. This antique French liquor cabinet with Boulle marquetry and complete glassware is bound to shine in the stateliest dining room. Measurements: Width: 13.6 in / 34 cm. Height: 13.6 in / 28 cm. Depth: 10 in / 25 cm.History of André-Charles Boulle André-Charles Boulle (11 November 1642 28 February 1732) was a French cabinetmaker generally considered to be the most preeminent artist in the field of marquetry. Christened by his contemporaries as "the most skillful artisan in Paris," André-Charles Boulle's name is synonymous with the practice of veneering furniture with marquetry of tortoiseshell, pewter, and brass. Although he did not invent the technique, Boulle was its greatest practitioner and lent his name to its common name: boulle work. Boulle also specialized in floral marquetry in both stained and naturally colored wood. Many of his designs are illustrated in a published around 1720: Nouveaux dessins de meubles et ouvrages de bronze et de marqueterie. Before 1666 Boulle was awarded the title of Master Cabinetmaker; in 1672 the king granted him the royal privilege of lodging in the Palais du Louvre. In the same year, he achieved the title of Cabinetmaker and Sculptor to Louis XIV, king of France. This new title allowed him to produce furniture as well as works in gilt bronze such as chandeliers, wall lights, and mounts. Boulles works can be found in the Palace of Versailles, the Chantilly Castle, the Cheverny Castle, the Louvre Museum, the Wallace Collection and the Royal Collection in London and the Getty Center in Los Angeles.