A Louis XV style rosewood bureau-plat by Julius Zwiener, Berlin late 19th century

the serpentine rectangular top inset with a gilt-tooled leather writing surface, above three frieze drawers to the front and three simulated drawers to the back, on cabriole legs headed by ram's head chutes; stamped twice J. Zwiener to the underside

Formerly at Schloss Ried, Herrsching, Bavaria

This elegant bureau plat is in good original condition. The contemporary leather writing surface is in stable but distressed condition, as expected, with marks, scratches, wear and stains throughout. There are minor losses to the veneer, most notably in the areas surrounding the drawers and on the legs. There are faint traces of shrinking cracks on the veneer which is however in good condition, with only occasional stains and would benefit from re-polishing. The gilt-bronzes, of lovely quality, have never been re-gilt and are tarnished; they would greatly benefit from a light clean according to taste.
"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."

Related literature:

D. Ledoux-Lebard, Le Mobilier Français du XIX Siècle, Paris, 2000, pp. 373 and 645

J. Meiner, Berliner Belle Époque. Der Ebenist Julius Zwiener und die Kunstmöbel für den Hof Kaiser Wilhelms II. (1888-1918), Petersberg, 2014, pp. 68-71

The mysterious Julius Zwiener, the favourite cabinet-maker of Kaiser Wilhelm II, is in all likelihood identifiable with the brother of Joseph Emmanuel Zwiener (b. 1849), a German ébéniste active in Paris between 1880-1895, where he soon established himself as one of the finest cabinet-makers of the day, producing his own interpretations of the fashionable Louis XV style. In 1889, Zwiener was awarded a gold metal at the Paris Exposition Universelle. It is probable that the young François Linke first worked for the former's workshop, and they certainly shared the same brilliant bronzier, Léon Messagé.

In 1895 Julius Zwiener is documented as being active in Berlin, where he worked almost exclusively for the Kaiser. Part of this royal furniture was exhibited at the German pavillon at the 1900 Exposition Universelle, in Paris. In 1918, most of the pieces commissioned for the Prussian Royal Palaces were transported to Wilhelm II's residence in exile at Huis Doorn, Utrecht.

The present bureau-plat is a variant of the Imperial toilet table made in 1897 and reproduced by Meiner, op. cit., ill. 75. This, in turn, was inspired by a table made by Joseph Emmanuel Zweiner a few years earlier (idem, ill. 76).

One related bureau-plat sold Sotheby's Paris, 7 November 2013, lot 398 (43,500EUR); another one sold Christie's New York, 26 November 2013, lot 404 (£32,500).

See full catalogue note online at sothebys.com