François Linke 1855 - 1946 A Louis XVI style gilt-bronze mounted mahogany and vernis Martin decorated vitrine Paris, circa 1905, probably a unique version

Fleur de Pêcher marble top, the lockplate signed and engraved F. Linke/PARIS and it has been removed to reveal the stamp CT.LINKE/SERRURERIE/PARIS.

Overall in very good condition and presentation; slight tarnishing to gilt-bronze which has retained the original gilding; the marble is original to the vitrine; the vernis martin is in very good condition.
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: Vitrine Louis XV transition, bois d'acajou francs coupes, 3 Panneaux Vernis Martin, corniche riche

This simple but elegant display cabinet is so clearly in the Linke tradition that no signature would ever be required although in this instance Linke has, in a relatively unusual manner, signed the lock on the outside. His brother Clément, who made almost all the locks, hinges and high quality fitting in metal for his brother has applied his stamp to the inside of the lock. This was his normal practice although he often adds the Linke index number. This has not been done in the case of the present lot, probably due to the fact that the model or index number is a very early one and records in the very early Linke daybooks are somewhat erratic in direct contrast to the immaculate and unique record keeping of the 1890s and especially after the introduction of the green registers in circa 1901 after Linke's success at the 1900 Paris World fair. An earlier version of the present lot appears in one of Linke's early daybooks that he carried on his person, Daybook 5 on page 155. Tucked inside the daybook against this item, there is a chit from the cabinetmaker Poly for 150 francs for his work dated November 1896. There are two vaguely identifiable pencil sketches by Linke as a heading under the name 'Creger', presumably Linke's phonetic spelling of Krieger, a much larger and at the time more established neighbour on the Faubourg Saint-Antoine. Linke made many items in his early years for the established furniture makers. However in 1902 the green resister shows that the painting of the decorative panels was by Carl Guilbert, who invoiced 40 French francs for the work. This was described in the daybooks as the 'simple' model, having a gilt-bronze Vitruvian scroll on the cornice unlike the present lot, the 'riche' version with bacchic infants and finely cast foliage that according to the available records dates to 1905 and is a unique model. The simple version took a staggering 279 hours for the cabinetwork, alone which was by the ébéniste Zapf.

Footnote courtesy of Christopher Payne