Lot Essay
François Linke (d. 1946) was one of the most celebrated ébénistes of his time. Born in Pankraz, Bohemia, Linke moved to Paris in 1875 and six years later established independent ateliers at 170, rue du Faubourg St. Antoine. As was the practice among his contemporaries and noteworthy predecessors, such as Alfred Beurdeley and Henry Dasson, Linke initially produced furniture derived from styles popular during the 18th century ancien régime. By 1900, his worldwide reputation as an individualistic master of high quality furniture was already established. However, with a huge display, placing his extravagant pieces in room settings and winning the Médaille d'Or for his Grand Bureau, Linke's participation in 1900 prompted critics, such as Charles Dambreuse, to comment: "L'Exposition de la maison Linke est le gros événement de l'histoire du meuble d'art en l'an de grâce 1900" (see C. Dambreuse, L'Art Industriel à l'Exposition de Meuble de Style - M. F. Linke, in Revue Artistique & Industrielle, Paris, July-August, 1900). Linke's international acclaim following the 1900 exhibition afforded him a high degree of financial stability, not only allowing him to establish a large showroom on the fashionable place Vendôme, but also to pursue new and further distant markets by exhibiting at other international shows. These included the St. Louis World's Fair in 1904, where he was again awarded a gold medal, Liège in 1905 and the Franco-British exhibition in London in 1908
This giltwood suite, Linke registre number 1350, formed part of the private collection of François Linke at his apartment on the quai Henri IV, Paris. Two of the armchairs can be seen in a contemporary photograph of the main salon (see facing page). Linke only made this model twice and the present suite was made in his workshops between March and April 1911 at a cost price in the white’books of 6,444 francs 40 centimes.
The second suite was made for the King of Egypt between November 1932 and January 1933, possibly including a second canapé. Much of the Linke furniture supplied to the King of Egypt has been dispersed since, although a similar pair of armchairs can still be seen today in the Salon Vert at the Abdeen Palace, Cairo.
A similar Linke five piece giltwood and Aubusson tapestry salon suite from the Meyer Mansion’s drawing room in Grosvenor Square, Circa 1909, sold in these rooms, 21 March 2002, lot 293.
This giltwood suite, Linke registre number 1350, formed part of the private collection of François Linke at his apartment on the quai Henri IV, Paris. Two of the armchairs can be seen in a contemporary photograph of the main salon (see facing page). Linke only made this model twice and the present suite was made in his workshops between March and April 1911 at a cost price in the white’books of 6,444 francs 40 centimes.
The second suite was made for the King of Egypt between November 1932 and January 1933, possibly including a second canapé. Much of the Linke furniture supplied to the King of Egypt has been dispersed since, although a similar pair of armchairs can still be seen today in the Salon Vert at the Abdeen Palace, Cairo.
A similar Linke five piece giltwood and Aubusson tapestry salon suite from the Meyer Mansion’s drawing room in Grosvenor Square, Circa 1909, sold in these rooms, 21 March 2002, lot 293.