François Linke 1855-1946 an important louis xvi style center table, index number 616 paris, circa 1907

gilt-bronze, amaranth and sycamore veneers within fruitwood stringing, the inset marble top with radiating specimen marble inlay, the frieze centered with reliefs depicting putti emblematic of the arts, signed to the top of the gilt-bronze molded border F. Linke.

Illustrated C. Payne, François Linke 1855-1946 The Belle Epoque of French Furniture, p. 495, pl. 616 and see p. 490, pl. 251 of a black and white cliché Linke index number 251.

Overall in good condition with the usual minor scratches, dents and nicks consistent with age and use. Slight tarnishing to gilt-bronze in places. The marble top with traces of repair now showing black filler in places.
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Linke title: Grand guéridon Louis XVI, pietment de la table Muse, dessus marbre assemblés, bronzes dorés mats

As Linke states in his title, this table is a creation by Linke based on the celebrated Table des Muses commissioned by Pierre-Elisabeth de Fontanieu for his use in the Hotel du Garde-meuble in 1771 and made by Jean-Henri Riesener (1734-1806). Linke also made an exact copy of this table, Index Number 251, sold by Sotheby's New York, A Private Collection Part I, October 26^th 2006,  lot 201.

There is only a scant entry in the Blue Daybooks for this table, however it is clearly marked as being made for a client Mr. Mouton. A client with the same name ordered a Louis XV style commode Index Number 1810 from Linke. This commode had the unique distinction of having been sent from France across Russia on the Trans-Siberian Express to Japan for lacquering. If indeed the same Mr. Mouton, it shows that he was a man of discerning taste who wanted unusual, unique items making for his collection. The entry notes that there are 64 pieces of ormolu to be chased, work which Linke critized as being too expensive in the 1907 version. It seems that after the Mouton original, although the information is unclear, only two more were made with pietre dure similar to the present lot, with one further version in brêche orientale marble.

Footnote courtesy of Christopher Payne.