Thomas Moore
Head of Department
Lot 38TP
A French late 19th century ormolu mounted mahogany, bois satine, amaranth and stained sycamore marquetry commode a la Greque probably by Francois Linke (1855-1946) 1890-1900, in the Louis XV/XVI Transitional style
29 November 2022, 14:00 GMT
London, New Bond StreetSold for £15,300 inc. premium
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A French late 19th century ormolu mounted mahogany, bois satine, amaranth and stained sycamore marquetry commode a la Greque probably by Francois Linke (1855-1946)
1890-1900, in the Louis XV/XVI Transitional style
Of breakfront outline with projecting canted front angles, the breche d'alep marble top with a moulded edge, above a triple panelled sunflower head-embedded guilloche mounted frieze interspersed with acanthus sprays, the frieze incorporating one central oak lined drawer, above two long oak lined drawers inlaid sans traverse with waved trellis work inset with rosettes, flanked by acanthus clasped scrolled corbel mount and husk pendant angles, on keeled square section legs terminating in scrolled foliate and bellflower adorned sabots, the reverse of the handles stamped: 'C.L. 2251', the back with an ink stamp: '47903', 132cm wide x 93cm deep x 63cm high, (51 1/2in wide x 36 1/2in deep x 24 1/2in high)
Of breakfront outline with projecting canted front angles, the breche d'alep marble top with a moulded edge, above a triple panelled sunflower head-embedded guilloche mounted frieze interspersed with acanthus sprays, the frieze incorporating one central oak lined drawer, above two long oak lined drawers inlaid sans traverse with waved trellis work inset with rosettes, flanked by acanthus clasped scrolled corbel mount and husk pendant angles, on keeled square section legs terminating in scrolled foliate and bellflower adorned sabots, the reverse of the handles stamped: 'C.L. 2251', the back with an ink stamp: '47903', 132cm wide x 93cm deep x 63cm high, (51 1/2in wide x 36 1/2in deep x 24 1/2in high)
Footnotes
A very similar commode to the present lot, one made by Francois Linke, appears illustrated in C. Payne, Francois Linke 1855-1946, The Belle Epoque of French Furniture, 2003, Woodbridge, p. 504. As with the offered version, this latter commode follows index number 1688. And like many pieces executed by Linke, there are slight variations in some of the details between these actual examples and their shared source design. However, importantly the essential form, mounts, inlay and drawer configuration are closely comparable to this particular Linke design in both instances.
Also, it should be noted that the handles on the present model are stamped with the initials: 'C.L.' (along with a serial number) which most likely denotes Clement Linke, who was one of the cabinet maker's younger brothers. Clement provided metalwork such as locks, keys, handles and hinges for a great deal of Linke's furniture produced during the period, circa 1896-1910, Ibid, p. 359.
