A FRENCH ORMOLU-MOUNTED BOIS SATINE, KINGWOOD AND BURR-AMBOYNA PARQUETRY CASKET

Specified lots (sold and unsold) marked with a fil… Read more

PROPERTY FROM THE COLLECTION OF OTTO VON MITZLAFF (LOTS 114-126 & 542-545) Otto von Mitzlaff, the distinguished furniture specialist from Wächtersbach, near Frankfurt, is best known to collectors for his elegant stands at the annual TEFAF Art Fair in Maastricht. Reflecting his personal taste and good eye, his stands always feature exquisite neo-classical furniture and in particular highlights from the Neuwied workshops of the celebrated ébénistes Abraham and David Roentgen. Von Mitzlaff’s passion for Germany’s most successful cabinet-makers goes back many decades and resulted in him moving his family into the beautiful Prinzessinnenhaus situated vis à vis of Schloss Wächtersbach. This charming little palais still retains many original features, including its magnificent carved front doors, which were supplied in 1745 from the workshops of Abraham Roentgen. The von Mitzlaff family still resides at the Prinzessinnenhaus and it is from here that the following items have been consigned for sale.

A FRENCH ORMOLU-MOUNTED BOIS SATINE, KINGWOOD AND BURR-AMBOYNA PARQUETRY CASKET

BY PAUL SORMANI, PARIS, LAST QUARTER 19TH CENTURY

Details

A FRENCH ORMOLU-MOUNTED BOIS SATINE, KINGWOOD AND BURR-AMBOYNA PARQUETRY CASKET
BY PAUL SORMANI, PARIS, LAST QUARTER 19TH CENTURY
The lid centred by a marquetry crowned cypher 'WSB', with a hinged front, the lock signed 'P Sormani 10 Rue Charlot A Paris'
10 ¼ in. (16 cm.) high; 25 ½ in. (65 cm.) wide; 17 ½ in. (45 cm.) deep

Special notice

Specified lots (sold and unsold) marked with a filled square not collected from Christie’s by 5.00 pm on the day of the sale will, at our option, be removed to Cadogan Tate. Christie’s will inform you if the lot has been sent offsite. Our removal and storage of the lot is subject to the terms and conditions of storage which can be found at Christies.com/storage. Please call Christie’s Client Service 24 hours in advance to book a collection time at Cadogan Tate Ltd. All collections will be by pre-booked appointment only. Tel: +44 (0)20 7839 9060 Email: cscollectionsuk@christies.com. If the lot remains at Christie’s it will be available for collection on any working day 9.00 am to 5.00 pm. Lots are not available for collection at weekends.

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Lot Essay

Born in the Kingdom of Lombardy, Venice, in 1817, Paul Sormani produced standard and fantasy furniture, described by himself as meubles de luxe. Operating from large premises at 114, rue du Temple and, from 1867, at 10, rue Charlot, he specialised in reproducing styles of the Louis XV and XVI eras and his work was thought to reveal 'une qualité d'exécution de tout premier ordre'. His creations were frequently exhibited and rewarded at the major international exhibitions of the 1860s and 70s. On his death in 1877, the firm was taken over by his widow, Ursule-Marie-Philippine Bouvaist, who was known as 'Veuve Sormani' and was joined and later succeeded by her son.

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