The 19th-century German cabinetmaker Joseph-Emmanuel Zwiener rose to prominence for his beautiful reproductions of Louis XV furniture in the Rococo style. The influence of the Art Nouveau movement can be seen in Zwiener's work as well, and his ornate cabinets, gilded writing desks and exquisitely detailed chests of drawers are just some of the many examples of his mastery of furniture design.
Zwiener was born in Herdon, Germany, around 1848. By 1880, he had moved to Paris and established a workshop on the Rue de la Roquette. Zwiener was quick to earn esteem among the European nobility as a producer of fine furniture. In 1884, he created a replica of the famous Bureau du Roi roll-top desk for King Ludwig II of Bavaria. He also partnered with famed French sculptor Léon Messagé, whose gorgeous designs are credited with helping Zwiener win the gold medal at the 1889 Paris Exposition Universelle.
In 1895, Zwiener returned to Berlin after securing a commission from Wilhelm II. His workshop was taken over by cabinetmaker François Linke. Linke's style was similar to Zwiener's. Linke also continued to work with Messagé, preserving the workshop's tradition of exceptional craftsmanship.
In Germany, Wilhelm II was eager to showcase the talents of German furniture makers to the world. He tasked Zwiener with producing an extensive suite of furniture for his royal palaces. The furniture was exhibited at the German Pavilion during the 1900 Paris Exposition Universelle. Later, many of the pieces followed Wilhelm II to his manor house, Huis Doorn, in the Netherlands, where he lived in exile.
Over his career, Zwiener also produced furniture for elite international clients like New York art collector Charles Tyson Yerkes and French author Baroness Hélène van Zuylen of the Rothschild banking family.
On 1stDibs, find antique Joseph-Emmanuel Zwiener case pieces, tables, wall decorations and more.
Rare Matched Pair of Louis XVI Style Wall Vitrines by Zwiener, circa 1890
By Joseph-Emmanuel Zwiener
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
A rare and unusual matched pair of Louis XVI style gilt bronze-mounted wall vitrines by Joseph-Emmanuel Zwiener. French, circa 1890. Signed ‘E. Zwiener’ to the base of the bro...
Bronze
Pair of 19th Century Marquetry Italian Wall Vitrines
Located in Houston, TX
Handsome pair of 19th century Italian wall vitrines. Each petite cabinet features beautiful marquetry, bronze ormolu, glass door and single shelf.
Wood
$9,950 / set
H 94.75 in W 62 in D 24.5 in
Extremely Rare Pair of Carved Oak Louis XIV Style French Oak Vitrines C1890
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
An exceptionally rare and imposing pair of French carved oak display cabinets, executed in the grand Louis XIV taste and dating to the late nineteenth century or, at the latest, the very beginning of the twentieth century. Monumental in scale and extraordinarily decorative, these cabinets are particularly remarkable for having survived as a true matching pair. Individual examples of this type occasionally appear on the market; finding two corresponding cabinets—the “twins”—together is exceedingly unusual and transforms the ensemble from impressive furniture into a genuinely exceptional decorative statement. Each cabinet is conceived architecturally in two sections. The substantial lower body incorporates a pair of paneled doors beneath drawers, while the upper display cabinet is fitted with three glazed doors and flanking glazed panels. The glass-fronted upper sections provide generous space for displaying porcelain, silver, crystal, books, or collections of objets d’art while preserving the imposing character of the cabinetry itself. The oak has developed a handsome, warm honey-brown coloration, with the natural grain remaining visible beneath an abundance of deeply modeled carving. The façades are animated by scrolling foliage, flowers, shells, cartouches and vigorous acanthus ornament. Particularly striking are the carved crests crowning the broken, undulating cornices. These sculptural compositions give each cabinet a commanding silhouette and establish the strong vertical emphasis characteristic of French Baroque furniture...
Oak
$4,091
H 75.4 in W 73.63 in D 17.33 in
French Louis XVI Style Oak & Walnut Three Doors Vitrine Bookcase circa 1900
Located in Labrit, Landes
A grand Louis XVI-style bookcase crafted around 1900 from solid oak and walnut veneer. This elegant piece stands out for its balanced design featuring three glass-paned doors, offeri...
Glass, Oak, Walnut
Antique Louis XV Style French Vitrine, Glass & Mirror, Circa 1890
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Antique French vitrine with glass on four sides. Interior has mirrored bottom shelf and one glass shelf in middle. Four corner mountings on top with ram's heads.
Majolica, Mahogany
20th Century Louis XVI Style French Vitrine
Located in Berlin, DE
Exclusive French vitrine in Louis XVI style. Finely engraved and moulded Bronze. Solid beechwood. Three sided glassed, one- drawered body on conical legs. Profile- framed flecked Ma...
Bronze
$3,840Sale Price|20% Off
H 51 in W 21 in D 12.5 in
Louis XVI Style Ormolu Mounted Kingwood Vitrine, Paris, circa 1900
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Louis XVI style Ormolu mounted kingwood Vitrine, Paris, circa 1900, Beautiful quality, with lift top beveled glass top, the case fitted with fo...
Ormolu
French Louis XVI Style Display Cabinet, circa 1890
By François Linke
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very good quality French marble topped Louis XVI style bow fronted vitrine, having fine quality classical gilded ormolu mounts, a single glazed door opening to reveal glass shelves...
Mahogany
$81,846Sale Price|20% Off
H 96.86 in W 53.94 in D 24.81 in
Large Imposing Louis XVI Style Vitrine, circa 1880
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very good quality large and imposing 19th century French vitrine, in the style of Louis XVI. Having wonderful gilded ormolu plume and foliate mounts, serpentine glazed doors to the...
Ormolu
$7,704Sale Price|23% Off
H 45.67 in W 32.29 in D 15.75 in
Louis XVI-Style Demilune Display Vitrine with Marquetry and Brass, circa 1890
Located in Darmstadt, DE
This exceptional Louis XVI-style demilune display vitrine was crafted around 1890 with remarkable refinement and attention to proportion. The elegant half-moon form rests on slender,...
Bronze
French Louis XVI Style Mahogany Vitrine
Located in Stockbridge, GA
This Charming Louis XVI Style Vitrine is made of blond mahogany and has its original glasses. The shelves are adjustable.
Mahogany
20th Century Louis XVI Style French Vitrine
Located in Berlin, DE
Exclusive French vitrine in Louis XVI style. Finely engraved and moulded bronze. Solid beechwood. Three sided glassed, one drawered body on conical legs. Profile- framed flecked Mar...
Marble, Bronze
Victorian Carved Oak Wall Hanging Display Cabinet, Gothic Style, 1860
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Victorian carved oak wall hanging display cabinet This is a very large piece, it has 2 individual cupboards in the one piece. The c...
Oak