Description:
A Very Fine French Late 19th/Early 20th Century Louis XV Style Ormolu Mounted Kingwood, Bois Satine, Mahogany, Marquetry and Parquetry Gueridon (Round End-Table), Attributed to François Linke (1855-1946). The circular marquetry top with trellis inlay encompass by a ribbon-tied floral and ribbon entwining inlaid surround, above a frieze interspersed with four abundant floral, foliate and entwined opposing cornucopia mounts each centered by a bacchanal mask, with one frieze drawer, on slender cabriolet legs with an up swept X-stretcher surmounted by a circular under-tier with a basket weave mounted gallery. Bearing the fine quality furnishings retailer's plaque which reads: 'S. & H. Jewell, 131 & 132, High Holborn, London, W.C'. Circa: Paris, 1900.
Height: 29 1/2 inches (75 cm)
Width: 29 1/2 inches (75 cm)
Depth: 29 1/2 inches (75 cm)
Ref.: A2613 - Lot 11411
François Linke (1855-1946) born in Pankraz, Bohemia, is considered by many as the greatest Parisian cabinetmaker of his day, at a time when the worldwide influence of French fashion was at its height. The ancien régime has always been the greatest source of inspiration for artistic design in France and, influenced amongst others by the de Goncourt brothers, the Louis XV and Louis XVI styles were revived to wide popular appeal. During the Second Empire these styles were so eclectic that they became debased. Linke wanted to create a fresh new style and his association with the enigmatic sculptor Léon Messagé resulted in a highly original series of designs, based on the rococo style fused with the latest fashion in Paris, l’art nouveau. This style, known as le style Linke, was received with critical acclaim at the 1900 exhibition and remains popular today amongst the worldwide clientele for Linke’s exquisitely made furniture.
The book, with 140,000 words of text and over 700 photographs, many previously unpublished and drawn from Linke’s own archive and private collections, has ten chapters showing the development of this exacting and prolific man’s life work. It traces his early life and apprenticeship and his comfortable family life in Paris, culminating with the award of the Légion d’honneur. Appendices on Metalwork and Wood add to the technical expertise of this book, giving a unique insight into the workings of any cabinetmakers recorded to date.
Jan's & Co. Fine French Antiques, Inc. wishes to thank Mr. Christopher Payne for allowing us to publish his biography as well as all the above information about François Linke.
S & H Jewell are first recorded in 1830 as fine quality retailers, restorers and cabinet makers. They were a family business who worked from their premises at 29-31 Little Queen Street, Holborn, in London and then later to 26 Parker Street and then at 131 - 131, High Holborn, both in London W.C. They are recorded to have sold furniture to the Arts and Crafts home, Standen House, East Grinstead, Sussex and stated on the receipt dated 1st May 1894. The present table was probably one amongst many other high quality retail lots by François Linke, Paul Sormani, Henry Dasson, Alfred Emmanuel Louis Beurdeley and many other Parisian cabinet makers that were retailed by S & H Jewell in London. The image below is of an 'S. and H. Jewell' advertisement at 'The Connoissevr - A Magazine for Collectors' from January, 1912.
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