Boulle is the application of what is called “Tortoise shell” (though is actually turtle shell) with brass foliate and figural marquetry. It was made fashionable in France by Andre-Charles Boulle (1642-1732). The term Première–partie is used when the ground is brass, and Contra–partie when it is turtle–shell.
This caddy was heavily stained by cigarette smoke and had a number of pieces of tortoiseshell missing. It was cleaned, consolidated and missing pieces were replaced before the whole caddy was polished.
