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French 19th Century Louis XV Style Ormolu-Mounted Bureau Plat Desk

$125,000
£94,781.46
€109,446.77
CA$175,382.63
A$195,402.29
CHF 103,055.83
MX$2,368,937.25
NOK 1,311,018.75
SEK 1,221,297
DKK 817,466.25

About the Item

A very fine and large French 19th century Louis XV style ormolu-mounted mahogany and kingwood three-drawer bureau plat attributed to Paul Sormani (French-Italian 1817-1877). The shaped rectangular top enclosing a gilt tooled brown leather writing surface within a molded border above a long central drawer enclosing a fine modeled mask of Hercules wearing the Nemean lion pelt centered by flat cast encadrements and rosewood veneered a quatre faces flanked by two short drawers with reticulated escutcheons of scantly clad frolicking putti and doves over gadrooned "C" scrolls, trellis patterned panels on a stylized shell within similarly framed encadrements raised on elegant cabriole legs surmounted by bearded satyr masks ending in acanthus case hairy paw feet beneath sides centering bacchic masks. Lock mechanism stamped W S M, 6068, a key (lacking skeleton key), and 148. Veuve Paul Sormani Et Fils was the widow of the highly esteemed furniture maker Paul Sormani (French-Italian 1817-1877). After his death around 1877 she and her son took over the management of the company continuing the tradition of producing fine French furniture of the highest calibre. An escutcheon and several mounts were examined on the reverse, and each was found to have the bronze master model initials "SJ:. Blue chalk inscription on underside Glle 117, Paris, circa 1880. Paul Sormani (1817-1877): Born in Venice, Paul Sormani set up in Paris in the middle of the 19th century. He specialized in creating furniture and works of art and was known for his high quality reproductions of Louis XV and XVI furniture with finely chased gilt-bronze mounts as well as Boulle style pieces. Sormani usually engraved the lock-plate of some of his pieces, the bronze castings bare the intials "SP" on the reverse. He exhibited at many Universal Exhibitions, like in Paris in 1855, where he was awarded a first class medal, in London in 1862 where he received another medal and yet again in Paris in 1867. Everyone agreed that his creations revealed the highest standards of quality; during the 1867 Universal Exhibition the catalog described his work as follows: « Toute sa production révèle une qualité d’exécution de tout première ordre ». In 1867, he moved to 10. rue Charlot, where he met a great success until his death in 1877. His wife and son took over the business and later moved it to 134, Boulevard Haussmaun. From this date onwards pieces are normally signed “Veuve Sormani et Fils” Measures: Height 31 7/8 inches (81 cm) Width 75 inches (190.5 cm) Depth 38 1/2 inches (97.8 cm).
  • Attributed to:
    Paul Sormani (Cabinetmaker)
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 31.88 in (80.98 cm)Width: 75 in (190.5 cm)Depth: 38.5 in (97.79 cm)
  • Style:
    Louis XV (In the Style Of)
  • Materials and Techniques:
  • Place of Origin:
  • Period:
  • Date of Manufacture:
    circa 1880
  • Condition:
    Refinished. Wear consistent with age and use. Minor losses. Minor fading. A truly beautiful and great quality desk. All gilt original and very finely chased. Overall condition is very good. The leather top has some wear and minor dents (See all images). Lacking keys. Includes an existing protective glass top.
  • Seller Location:
    Los Angeles, CA
  • Reference Number:
    Seller: Ref.: A16941stDibs: LU179628243803

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