A French gilt-bronze-mounted kingwood, ebony and coromandel lacquer cabinet by Paul Sormani Napoleon III, third quarter 19th century

the raised top with a concave frieze with acanthus clasps above a panelled door decorated with a chinoiseries scene with pierced scrolled mounts at the angles flanked by two glazed doors enclosing three shelves, the apron centred by a rosette, with quarter-veneered sides inlaid with a rectangle with concave corners applied with a rosette, on spirally turned feet, the lockplate signed P. Sormani, 10 Rue Charlot, Paris

In overall very good condition. Most attractive model and good size. The mounts are slightly dirty in places and would benefit from a light clean according to taste and are more golden and less greenish than in the catalogue photograph. The carcass is of oak and the interior is veneered walnut. There is some very minor craquleur and chips to the lacquer panel which is most attractive. There are some old very minor marks chips and scratches generally. There is a minor break in the moulding in the bottom of the inside left door. There are some very minor minor chips and scuffing to the ebonised feet as visible from the catalogue photograph. The shelves are present but brackets missing so they can not be installed at present.
"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."

Comparative Literature:
Denise Ledoux-Lebard, Le Mobilier Français du XIX e siècle, 1795-1889, Paris,1989,  p. 587, for a Transitional bibliothèque with a panel of Coromandel laquer by Sormani.

Paul Sormani (1817-1866)  and Paul Charles (b. February 5th 1848):
Paul Sormani established the firm in 1847 at 7, Cimetière Saint-Nicholas, Rue Charlot. The Sormani firm exhibited at all the major exhibitions with petits meubles de fantaisie, as well as superlative quality reproductions of furniture from the Garde Meuble National. The firm won a bronze medal in 1849 and une médaille de première classe in 1855. His work was described in the 1867 Exposition Universelle,`toute sa production révèle une qualité d'exécution de tout premier ordre' (`the whole of his production exhibits craftsmanship of the highest quality'). When Sormani died, his son, Paul-Charles took over his father's business together with his mother, Ursule-Marie Philippine and the company's name changed to Sormani Veuve Paul et Fils. In 1914, Paul Charles Sormani went into partnership with Thiebault Frères and the firm moved to Boulevard Haussmann, where it remained until its closure in 1934. The furniture was executed to the highest standards in the Louis XV and XVI style.