French Louis XV Style Ormolu and Vernis Martin Vitrine Attributed to F. Linke
By François Linke
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A very fine French 19th century Louis XV style ormolu mounted plum pudding mahogany veneer, mahogany and Vernis Martin decorated vitrine à Deux Corps, probably by François Linke (1855-1946). The lower structure fitted with finely chased gilt-bronze mounts with female masks, musical instruments, floral drapes, bows and acanthus, centred with a frieze drawer and a cupboard door with three painted panels. The centre front painted panel with a Romantic courting park setting scene amongst sheep and a sculpture fountain of Putti; the side panels both with parks scenes of a resting lion sculpture and fountain flanked by grassing sheep. The lower cabinet interior with three drawers, the upper vitrine case with two glass shelves, a bowed beveled front door and sides, crowned with a fine gilt-bronze wreath mount with ribbons, all raised on four cabriolet legs with cast lion paw mounts. Unsigned, Paris, circa 1890-1900.
The style of this cabinet is closely related to those produced in the Paris furniture making trade in the Faubourg Saint-Antoine in the 1880s and as such, without a signature or identifying mark, is unattributable. However, there are similarities with the firm Raoux et Brunet, some of whose mounts were designed by Léon Messagé and later used by François Linke. Indeed many of the mounts on this cabinet, whilst not exclusive to him, are very similar to the work produced in his early years in Paris in the 1880s. At this time Linke was making furniture to order...
Category
Late 19th Century French Louis XV Antique Beveled Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
