françois linke A unique gilt-bronze mounted satiné and mahogany circular bureau, Paris, 1908, Index number 1807, order number 1134

the frieze fitted with two facing writing slides and two drawers one of which is fitted with two secured coffre-fort, all four locks have been removed to reveal the Ct. Linke stamp and the number 1807, the molded brass edge signed F. Linke.

Bought directly from F. Linke salesroom in 1908

Thence by descent

See Payne, Christopher, François Linke 1855-1946 The Belle Epoque of French Furniture, p. 241,pl. 257 for the illustration of index number 1103.

Overall in good condition with the usual minor scratches, dents and nicks consistent with age and use. Slight tarnishing to gilt-bronze in places. Scratches to leather top consistent with use with traces of circular stains and heat damage. Some losses to veneer in places but mostly to top edges beneath the top.
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.

Linke title: Guéridon régence genre 1103, acajou de 0.95 cm, dessus cuir, 2 tabl. tirantes garnis de cuir, 2 tiroirs à sérrure, dont un à caisse, entrejambe, bronzes cislée et dorés, Buckner

According to Linke's green registre this table, a specific order by a Mr. Buckner from Linke in 1908 was one of only two made, one for the commissioning client and one for stock. The details in the register are clear and it can be seen that all the work was carried out in 1908 thus there is no ambiguity with the dating of this piece. The gilding was carried out in June by Maury; the leather was fitted by Duclos the same month '1 dessus maroquin grenah et 2 tablettes', with the gilt-tooled pattern number 1051, the stock example fitted in September. The cabinetmakers were Schmit - 514 hours aided by Sebestik who added another 88 hours, both being paid at 90 centimes per hour. Unusually the register notes the locksmith who in almost every case is Clément Linke, François' brother but in this case, although the cost that includes the four locks and eight keys is noted, at 32 francs 50 centimes, the maker is not. However the removal of the locks for inspection reveals that they are by C. Linke, also revealing the important information that this model is index number 1807 and not 1103, thus revealing that the present lot and its companion were a special commission.

The original model by Linke is purely an invention typical of the period and was available with either a vase on the hipped 'X' stretcher, as in the present lot, or the enfant guerrier modelled by Léon Messagé. Although a Linke model with this index number would have been first conceived and probably made in the late 1890s, it does not appear in the Blue Daybooks that correspond with this date. This may simply be because there was an uncharacteristically erratic nature to the daybook during Linke's frenetic preparation for the 1900 Paris World Fair or that it was made in conjunction with the as yet unidentified bureau Mazarine as in Linke's title for the piece.

The first record of 1103 is in the green registre, made with the enfant guerrier for Linke's client Nussinoff in 1907.

Footnote courtesy of Christopher Payne.