A LOUIS XV STYLE GILT-BRONZE MOUNTED BOIS SATINÉ BUREAU PLAT, BY VEUVE SORMANI & FILS, AFTER THE MODEL BY CHARLES CRESSENT, CIRCA 1880

Adrian Alan, Catalogue IX, pp.12-13, no.4.

This magnificent writing desk executed by Sormani's workshop pays homage to the 18th century ébéniste Charles Cressent and exemplifies the high standards of quality reached by cabinetmakers in the 19th century. The desk also called bureau plats à espagnolettes coiffées d'aigrettes follows a design created by Cresssent circa 1725-30, one of these bureaux is today at the Château de Versailles (inv. no. VMB 14254). While the design of the present lot is clearly inspired by Cressent, it is important to note this is not a 19th century copy: Sormani's personal imagination and 'touch' is evident. For example, the gilt-bronze frames around the short drawers are richly cast with stylised foliage and the design for the handles are not features found in Cressent's work.

Paul Sormani and V^VE P. Sormani & Fils 

Paul Sormani (1817-1866) was a successful cabinetmaker originating from Italy who was established from 1847 at 7, cimetière Saint-Nicolas and from 1867 at 10, rue Charlot. The Sormani firm exhibited at all the major exhibitions with 'petits meubles de fantaisie', as well as superb quality reproductions of 18th century furniture. The firm won a bronze medal in 1849 and a gold medal 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,' C. Payne, Paris Furniture, the luxury market of the 19th century, 2018, p. 518). 

When Sormani died in 1877, 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.