Description
- Paris, late 19th century
- elegantly curved hardwood frame
- rosewood veneered, inlaid with various precious woods in the form of cubes and leaves
- polished in traditional craftsmanship
- one drawer, finely chiselled gilt bronze mounts
- marked FL on the back and signed F. Linke on a corner bronze
- panelled surround
- Dimension: 75.5 x 110 x 66 cm
- beautifully restored condition
Francois Linke (1855-1946), probably the most important ebenist of the Parisian “Belle Epoque”, came from Pankraz (Bohemia / Austria-Hungary). After learning furniture making in Vienna for 2 years, he first went to Germany and then to France in 1875, where he worked as a journeyman at the France, where he worked as a journeyman for the well-known cabinetmaker Antoine Krieger and studied drawing. After a short stay in Vienna in 1879, he returned to Paris to set up his own studio in 1881. In the beginning, he mainly produced as a subcontractor for his former employer A. Krieger. However, thanks to his outstanding quality, he quickly built up his own customer base. His collaboration with the sculptor Leon Message (1842 – 1901), who was responsible for the design of the bronzes, was decisive for his future style and stellar career. They put together a collection for the Paris World Exhibition in 1900 that made Linke world-famous, as he succeeded in creatively combining the classic Louis XV style with Art Nouveau. His clientele ranged from royal houses to the world’s highest moneyed aristocracy. Works by Francois Linke are represented in all the world’s major museums and are highly sought-after on the art market.
