AN IMPORTANT AND UNUSUAL CABINET, DECORATED IN THE CHINOISSERIE MANNER, FRENCH, SIGNED LINKE, 19TH CENTURY

the everted pediment decorated with fine gilt bronze mounts above two doors, highly decorative with oriental inspired scenes, supported on four shaped feet



signed to the top right hand side

good condition, some small areas of loss and fading to the decorative panels, slight discoloration to metal mounts
"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. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Francois Linke was undoubtedly the most important Parisian  ebeniste of his time. Having served an apprenticeship in his home town of Panfras, Bohemia, Linke arrived in Paris in 1875 and set up an independent workshops at 170, Rue du Faubourg Saint-Antoine in 1881 and later also at 26 Place Vendome. By 1900 the Paris Exposition Universelle was taking place. Linke's world wide reputation as a master of high individualism and inventiveness was already well established and unmatched by his contemporaries. His success at the  1900 exhibition afforded  Linke a high degree of financial stability and allowed him to pursue new markets by exhibiting at other international fairs. Like the inventories of contemporaries such as Beurdeley and Dasson, Linke's oeuvre included copies and adaptations of the distinct styles of 18th century important and royal French furniture.  However the most extravagant exhibition pieces combined the Louis XV style and the new Art Nouveau style.  Linke's frequent collaborator for his designs was celebrated sculptor Leon Message.  In 1904 he was made Officier de L'Instruction Publique, and in 1905 he was called to be a member of the Jury of the Liege exhjbition.  Following his stands in the St. Louise (U.S.A.) exhibition in 1904 and the Liege exhibition in 1905, Linke was decorated with the highest distinction of France, the Croix de la Legion d'Honneur, on October 11, 1906.

Reference: For a similar example, refer Francois Linke, The Belle Epoque of French Furniture, by Christopher Payne. pp 198 pl. 214. Published 2003