François Linke 1855 - 1946 A Louis XVI style carved giltwood and brèche violette marble torchère pedestal Paris, circa 1920

stamped twice to the underside F.LINKE.

Overall in good condition; the marble top with minor chips and infilling to edges and with some old adhesive from old stickers to top; the pedestal in good condition and retaining its original gilding; separations at lines of construction to molded edge around top; flower heads to ends of garlands on sides of supports later; some old chips to gilding to the legs and with some inpainting; some chips to gilding of feet; rubbing and wear to gilding throughout showing the red bole coming through; overall with some light scratches.
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.

Although clearly in the style that Linke favoured in the 1910-30 period, there is no exact reference to the present lot in Linke's daybooks. The simple stamp in capital letters 'LINKE' under the frieze is typical of Linke's output for giltwood items that were often made in his workshops by carvers who hired a bench from Linke working as semi-independent craftsmen. It is not surprising that there is no exact index model for this stand as in the 1920s Linke was working furiously on several large commissions. For example index numbers 1546 to 1562 in the green register list various pedestals, sometimes called by Linke 'porte parfum(s)', together with a myriad of chairs and settees few of which Linke took photographs off. This comisson may well be the pressure he was under to furnish the palaces in Egypt for King Fuad I. (See: Payne, C.; François Linke, 2003, Chapter IX 'Egypt', pps. 269-291 & 'Giltwood Furniture' pps. 426-435).

Footnote courtesy of Christopher Payne