François Linke 1855 - 1946 An Empire Style Gilt Bronze Mounted Mahogany six Piece Bedroom Suite Paris, circa 1910, index numbers 957 and 1224

The lockplates of the wardrobe and commode are both signed and engraved F. Linke, each lock plate has been removed to reveal the CT Linke stamp and the subsequent index numbers.

Overall in good conditon; the carcass and veneer with minor scratches, dent and nicks consistent with age. Good presentation, all pieces are sturdy with their original bronze mounts.
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.

The Bed and bedside cabinets:

There is no glass negative in the Linke archives that equates exactly to the present lot, although it appears to have the same shaped headboard as index number 679. It may be 952 Lit empire de 1m 12 interieur bois d'acajou et bronzes dores, listed in Linke's price book as 1,200 French francs. The glass negative of this pair of bedside tables which Linke calls, 'table de nuit' is exactly the same as the present pair. They are listed in Linke's price list but lack a description or price. However, index numbers 678 to 682 are all bedroom pieces in the Empire style, possibly indicating that the whole group was made for as a special order.

The Armoire:

This fine quality bedroom suite is in the Empire style which became vouge in France in the early nineteenth century. From his earliest work in the 1880s, Linke was interested in making furniture inherently masculine, in particular, by using the finest mahogany and gilt-bronze. Most pieces can be found in his index, from around the fin de siècle which displays that Linke was able to produce furniture, especially bedroom furniture,desks and cabinets, alongside his gold medal winning furniture of the 1900 Exhibition period. Good examples of this are illustrated in Christopher Payne, François Linke, plates 269-272, page 256, with a study ordered by Antonio Devoto in 1910 and a desk made for Marshall Field in the same year. Linke's grandson, Gaston Pierquet, owned a bedroom suite made by François Linke which was in constant use until the late 1990s. The locks on this armoire are numbered 957 which is inconsitent with the Linke price books which would suggest that it should be number 953, listed as 953 Armoire a 3 portes empire or 953 bis armoire 3 portes glace. A wardrobe of the latter description some 2m 67 high and 2m 30 centimetres wide was made for a Leon Jaes of Algiers for 3,000 francs. The bed listed above and the wardrobe have the same cornice which is consistent with the image of the armoire in Linke's photographic archive. The popularity of Linke's work in the 1900-1910 period was so great that there must have been a huge strain on the workshops and administration, which might account for the seemingly mis-numbered lock.

The commode:

There is no surviving image of this model in the Linke archive--this is not surprising as the negatives were made of glass and easily broken. Clearly numbered on the locks as index number 1224, this is listed in Linke's Book of Prices as : 1224 Commode empire, 4 tiroirs, dessus marbre, surmonte d'une glace basculante avec casier dr. et gauche, haut 2m 10 largeur 1m 28, priced at 1,600 francs

Footnotes courtesy of Christopher Payne