attributed to françois linke A fine pair of Louis XV style carved giltwood and Aubusson fauteuils à la reine Paris, circa 1900-10

the shaped carved backrail centered by a scrolling cartouche and flowering branches, issuing padded armrests above a serpentine shaped seat similarly decorated, raised on cabriole legs terminating on scrolled feet.

Although the carving is very crisp, there is extensive chips and scratches to giltwood showing wood and gesso throughout. Extensive tears to tapestry with some areas of reweaving especially to seat. Each padded armrest is a later replacement. The chairs are strong and steady.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

This pair of chairs is of the exceptional quality upheld by François Linke in his extensive repertoire of seat furniture. Although the Linke Archives have over 2,500 glass negatives (or clichés), they are not complete and no identical model can be found for the present lot. The model is closely related to numbers 506 and 1360, which would have been produced in the period circa 1900-1910. Despite the extent of the archives and daybooks for Linke's work, records of his seat furniture are more complex.  It appears that in many cases the frames were made by independent makers who were allowed to use a bench in the Linke atelier at 170 rue du Faubourg Saint-Antoine and it is probable that Linke was not able to control the photographic records as precisely as he did for case furniture.

Compare with a set of seat furnitures from the Private Collection of Madame D., sold Maison Digard, Paris, June 3, 2005, lot 133.