Lot 95
  • 95

FRANÇOIS LINKE (1855 - 1946)A PAIR OF GILT-BRONZE MOUNTED KINGWOOD AND AMARANTH FLOWERHEAD TRELLIS MARQUERY ON SATINÉ VENEERS ENCOIGNURES, PARIS, CIRCA 1890 |

Estimate
20,000 - 30,000 EUR
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Description

  • Haut. 91 cm, larg. 78,7 cm, prof. 58 cm ; height 35 3/4  in., width 30 3/4  in., depth 22 3/4  in.
one signed 'F. Linke' to the right-hand chute, the other signed 'F. Linke' to the left-hand chute, each with a marble top

Provenance

A Private Collection, vol. 1, Sotheby's, New York, 26 October 2006, lot 173 (sold 60 000$)

Literature

C. Payne, François Linke, illustrated p. 67, plate 59-60

Condition

The image is accurate.Very good condition overall, despite some scratches all throughout the veneer and marble surfaces, consistent with age and use. Ready to display.
"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."

Catalogue Note

Linke title: Encoynur Baquier [sic]. According to the Daybook entry only two examples of this unusual corner étagère were made. Clearly, Archive number 14 is a very early index number in Linke's repertoire. The pencil sketch is shown in Daybook number 4 on page 139. The title is almost illegible and misspelled as 'Encoynur Baquier' [sic], with the B written in Sütterlin script. It has to be assumed that Baquier is the surname of the original commissioning client for this pair of corner étagères. A further suggestion that this pair is unique is that there is no entry in the circa 1901 price list for number 14, and the price list in circa 1921 has a substitute, with a new model for a 'coiffeuse.'  The mounts on the present lot are clearly influenced by Messagé but there is no record of his involvement. The two pieces appear to have been made simultaneously, one costing 190 francs, the other 197, Linke hoping to sell them for 350 francs each and then seemingly only selling them for 550 for the pair. Linke has written that the cost of mounting the second example of 24 francs was 'trop cher' the first costing 15 francs. The 'monteur' appears to have taken 30 hours to finish the second example, showing that he was paid 80 centimes per hour, whereas the cabinetmakers for the same piece were paid 70 centimes per hour.