Joseph-Émmanuel Zwiener fl. circa 1875-1900 An important gilt bronze mounted kingwood bureau plat France, circa 1877/81, made by Francois Linke working in J. E. Zwiener's workshop

the center drawer with numbers 636 and 89388 and a rare monogram FL, one sabot has been removed to reveal the Z mark from the bronze master model

Sotheby's New York, October 26, 2006, lot 106 ($48,000)

Overall in good condition, with the usual dents, nicks and scratches to veneer; minor patch surface restorations especially to legs. Dirt and tarnishing to gilt bronze. The brown leather top is dirty with circular stains and 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.

In his early days in Paris, François Linke worked for 'German masters,' assumed to be Zwiener. He even lived as a bachelor on the same street as Zwiener's workshops, the rue de la Roquette. The monogram 'FL' on the underside of the central drawer suggests that Linke had a hand in the making of this desk, which otherwise has all the hallmarks of his mentor's work. Linke habitually used a blue wax crayon to mark his furniture, either under a drawer or on the underside of a marble top. The number 89388 is probably a model, order or serial number for one of the larger Paris makers or retailers who may have commissioned the piece. It is uncommon for the individual cabinetmaker to mark his own work when working for a master such as Zwiener. Possibly it was marked for Zwiener's convenience as Linke was about to set up on his own in the nearby Faubourg St. Antoine. Another rare Linke mark, a cursive ‘L,' as opposed to the monogram FL found on the present lot, is stenciled on a small table Linke made for the established Maison Krieger. The three-figure number 636 at first glance appears to be an index number in a similar vein to that developed by Linke in the mid-1880s. However it is not consistent with his inventory, further suggesting that the present lot is a rare example of Linke before he became independent, rather than his repair of Zwiener's work.

The military trophy mounts on this small table are identical to mounts used on a larger bureau attributed to Zwiener, sold Delorme Collin du Bocage, Paris, June 14, 2006, lot 186.