A Louis XV style ormolu-mounted kingwood, mahogany and parquetry 'butterfly' lady's vanity table

BY FRANÇOIS LINKE, PARIS, INDEX NUMBER 673, EARLY 20TH CENTURY

Details

A Louis XV style ormolu-mounted kingwood, mahogany and parquetry 'butterfly' lady's vanity table
By François Linke, Paris, Index number 673, Early 20th Century
The kidney-shaped top with three sections decorated with sunburst parquetry and separated by meandering and flowering foliage, two hinged sections sliding open to reveal a retractable storage compartment with hinged drop front, the third section lifting to reveal a mirrored reverse, on chandelle-inset supports joined by a conforming galleried undertier, on cabriole legs with scrolled sabots, the moulding inscribed F. Linke, the lock reverse stamped CT LINKE/SERRURERIE/PARIS and numbered 673
29¾ in. (75.5 cm.) high; 24 in. (61 cm.) wide; 16 in. (40.6 cm.) deep

Lot Essay

Making its debut at the Salon des Industries du Mobilier in 1902, this innovative table combined function with the sinuous organic designs of Léon Messagé. An unusual form, it appears that Linke produced several different versions of the model, two examples of which are represented in this sale (for the other, see lot 414). While the models share the same combination of form and function, the obvious distinction between the two is the ommission of floral marquetry on the top of the present lot. Upon closer inspection of both examples, subtle differences are noticed when comparing the mounts on the frieze and hips. Examination of a contemporary photograph of the example at the 1902 exhibition would indicate that the version exhibited there is identical to the example offered here (see C. Payne, François Linke 1855-1946, The Belle Epoque of French Furniture, Woodbridge, 2003, p. 170, plate 184).

For a further note on Linke, please see lot 316.

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