François Linke 1855 - 1946 A Wedgwood porcelain and gilt-bronze mounted mahogany commode Paris, index number 904, made circa 1905

surmounted by its original fleur de pêcher marble top, fitted with three frieze drawers, the vantaux opening to one shelf, all locks have been removed to reveal the index number 904 and the Clément Linke stamp, the ceramic plaques with impressed marks WEDGWOOD  to the reverse, the commode signed F. LINKE to the right end side corner. Two original Linke keys also numbered 904.



 

Overall in good condition with the usual minor scratches, dents and nicks to veneers and carcass consistent with age and use. Slight tarnishing to gilt-bronze in places. The marble with the usual minor chips to edges, scratches to surface consistent with age and use. No breaks, losses or repair. Original untouched condition.
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.

Linke title: Commode Louis XVI, reduction de commode Marie-Antoinette N203

This model of a celebrated French Royal commission is an innovative updating of the original commode, slightly reduced in size. Linke was clearly adapting to the modern trend for smaller rooms but for a public who still enjoyed copies of French Royal furniture in their own homes. The marble top of the present lot is the original fleur de pêcher that Linke specified for this commode, a fine quality marble 4 centimeters thick. Linke retailed this smaller model at 5,500 French francs, whilst the larger model, 29 centimeters wider, was sold at 7,000 francs. The present lot has two original keys, each marked in the specific manner which seems to be consistently unique to François Linke, with the index or registre number, in this instance 904.  Linke clearly had a meticulous eye and his fastidious attention to detail meant that the locks and keys, usually made by Linke's brother Clement, had the number stamped on them, on the flag of the keys and on the inside of the locks. These numbers were cross-referenced with the details of costs and the individual craftsmen in the Linke 'Daybooks'. The late 18^th century commode as altered by Benneman had Sevres plaques in imitation of Wedgwood. In the present lot, Linke has used genuine Wedgwood plaques from England.

The original model was conceived by Stockel but altered at the command of the Garde-Meuble by German-born Guillaume Benneman, master cabinet maker in 1785, died 1811. He worked as a cabinet maker to the Crown between 1786 and 1792. Alexandre Pradère in French Furniture Makers, Sotheby's Publications 1989, records him as a relatively unknown maker, employed by the Garde-Meuble Royale as an alternative to J-H Riesener who had become too expensive in the difficult economic climate and Benneman was seen as a refreshing change to the old guard of Royal maker. Due to almost contemporary alterations, the history of the two commodes now on display at the Salon des Jeux at Fontainebleau, is somewhat complex, one had to be enlarged for its new destination and a second made to take the elaborate scrolling foliate gilt-bronze mounts from the first.

Two other models of Royal commodes of similar scale, altered by Benneman at the command of the Garde-Meuble were also made by Linke, index number 776 and 777 both in the Louvre Museum, Paris. The intricate details of the latter model, made for the King of Egypt,  are illustrated in Payne, Linke, p. 351, pl. 383.

Footnote courtesy of Christopher Payne