BUHL WORK, the process of inlaying different kinds of metal into tortoise-shell, or a composition which passes for tortoise-shell, or sometimes wood. The metal used is generally brass or silver, both of which lend themselves to engraving. The inventor of this process was Andre Boulle (q.v.), but "Buhl," named after him, came to be the English spelling of this particular kind of work. Although England and America never became greatly interested in the inlaying of metal, Sheraton and a few others of the i8th century designers made occasional use of it. In the inlaying of the metal, Salisbury glue mixed with plaster of Paris is often found necessary, while the finishing calls for emery cloth, files, oil and pumice powder. See MARQUETRY.