François Linke 1855 - 1946 A gilt-bronze mounted kingwood and satiné bureau plat Paris, early 20th century, index number 132

the frieze fitted with three drawers, the proper left hand side one with small desk compartment and a safe, all locks signed CT. LINKE SERRURERIE PARIS

Christopher Payne, François Linke: The Belle Époque of French Furniture, Woodbridge, 2003, p. 84, for the illustration of this model

Overall in good and fair condition with the usual minor scratches, dents and nicks to veneers and carcass consistent with age and use. The bronze mounts have retained their original gilding, but as consistent with age, use and environmental and atmospheric conditions, one can see light wear to high reliefs and light dirt to crevices in places. Leather top replaced with a visible tear of 1 inch long.
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.

Another example of this model was sold Sotheby's, New York, 26 October 2010, lot 134, for $86,500

This attractive writing desk is a seminal piece from the Linke workshop first made in circa 1890 and one of the first to incorporate the fluid genius of his sculptor Léon Messagé. The seeds of this innovative interpretation of the rococo style can be seen in a drawing by Messagé, illustrated C. Payne, Linke, pl. 89. Here Linke has photographed the more elaborate and larger version of the desk index number 132.

Although listed by Linke in his daybooks as a 'large' grand desk, he made another version ten centimetres wider with the Messagé winged handles on the two drawers at the sides, but also the boxwood- lined bandings outlining the frieze on all four sides were delicately inlaid with leaves and sprays of flowers. Surprisingly this larger and more elaborate version only cost 500 francs more than the present lot to produce. The present lot at 155 centimetres wide is not recorded in the Linke price lists. Also the lock, although stamped by Linke's brother Clément within the familiar oval cachet, does not show the index number that many of the pieces have. This system of index numbers were a consistent features of Linke's meticulous work and record keeping from the latter part of the 1890s. However the high quality of his records also pose a dilemma in that a small proportion of genuine Linke items such as the present lot slip through the net and we can not today explain or articulate as to why there is an apparent lack of consistency. It has to be asked if the present lot, slightly smaller than the norm, was a special order and if so possibly the index numbering system failed or was not communicated to Linke's brother who made most of his locks and hinges. Another possibility is that the keys were lost and Clément Linke was asked to replace it, Clément's son who bore the same name, was active until the 1940 Occupation of Paris and may have inserted a standard replacement lock without going to the expense of engraving the index number.

Footnote courtesy of Christopher Payne