François Linke 1855 - 1946 A GILT BRONZE MOUNTED KINGWOOD, CUBE PARQUETRY AND GLASS TWO-TIERED TABLE À THÉ Paris, late 19th/early 20th century, index number 610

several mounts have been removed to reveal the stamp FL from the bronze master models.

Overall in good condition. The veneers with scattered nicks and scratches consistent with age. The removeable glass top with some light scratches. The gilt bronze with usual scratches, nicks and areas of tarnishing.
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:  table à thé Louis XV- plateau glace mobile

As with the rest of Linke’s varied and imaginative production of small tables, the present lot, the “table à thé Louis XV- plateau glace mobile” was a very popular model at the Paris Exposition Universelle in 1900 and there were many subsequent variations, generally produced in bois de violette and satiné.  From the provisional list in the blue daybook, it would seem that Linke intended to exhibit model number 555 and that for some reason 610 was substituted.  This model appears to have been first shown, in its’ most elaborate version, on Linke’s Gold Medal winning stand that drew great acclaim from the French press. Extraordinarily, the Linke records are in many instances so complete that we know that model  610 was only delivered to the 1900 stand in late September 1900, as it was only gilded on September 13^th 1900, indicating that it had less than two months on the exhibition stand.

This model always appears to have the same gilt-bronze and glass removable tray top and a similar carcass, sometimes with a hipped ‘X’ stretcher.  As usual Linke varied his wide repertoire of bronze mounts designed by Léon Messagé and in the present lot he has used his ubiquitous ‘Crab-like acanthus’ mount, first identified as a Linke ‘hallmark’ in Nineteenth Century European Furniture, 1981.  However, in Francois Linke 1855-1946: The Belle Epoque of French Furniture,  the argument is made that this mount was originally designed in the 1880s by Messagé, probably for the celebrated but little-known Paris furniture maker, Roux et Brunet.   The prices of the exhibition variation were recorded as the following:  cost of production - 731 francs; retail price at 1900 exhibition - 1,350 francs.

Catalogue note courtesy of Christopher Payne.