Thomas Moore
Head of Department
Lot 74TP
A French 19th century ormolu mounted kingwood vitrine attributed to Paul Sormani (1817-1877)
29 November 2022, 14:00 GMT
London, New Bond StreetSold for £6,630 inc. premium
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A French 19th century ormolu mounted kingwood vitrine attributed to Paul Sormani (1817-1877)
Of slightly serpentine form, with acanthus, rocaille, C-scroll, shell and floral mounts, with foliate chutes, the raised central top section of double ogee and bombé outline, above one large and two small shaped glazed panels incorporating a central door, enclosing three adjustable glass shelves and a mirrored interior, over a shaped apron, on keeled cabriole legs terminating in floral and foliate sabots, approximately: 129cm wide x 40cm deep x 168cm high, (50 1/2in wide x 15 1/2in deep x 66in high)
Footnotes
Provenance
Purchased: Bonhams, New Bond Street, 10 July 2014, Fine European Furniture, lot 125.
A virtually identical Sormani vitrine to the offered lot, one with a lockplate signed: 'P. Sormani, 10 Rue Charlot, Paris', sold Christie's, London, 18 September 2014, The Opulent Eye - 19th Century Furniture, lot 220. Another vitrine of this model, also bearing a lockplate engraved for Paul Sormani, sold Christie's, London, 19 March 2009, 19th Century Furniture, lot 181. A further closely comparable Sormani example, again with similarly stamped lockplate, sold Christie's, 24 February 2000, The 19th Century Interior, lot 75.
Paul Sormani was one of the most important ébénistes of the 19th century. Although Italian by birth, his first gallery and workshop were established in 1847 in Paris. It is documented that his business was based at 114, rue du Temple until 1867, from which time onwards it was re-located to 10, rue Charlot. Following Sormani's death in 1877 the firm, which continued under the combined direction of his widow Ursule-Marie-Philippine and his son Paul-Charles, was renamed 'Veuve Paul Sormani & Fils'.
Specializing in furniture made in the Louis XV and Louis XVI styles, Sormani advertised his workshop with high praise: "toute sa production revèle une qualité d'éxecution de toute première ordre". His most impressive pieces and objets d'art were often exhibited and frequently also rewarded at the major international Exhibitions of the 1860s and 1870s. In fact, Sormani received a medal of première classe at the Exposition Universelle in 1855, followed by another medal at the 1862 Exhibition in London.
Literature
C. Mestdagh, l'Ameublement d'Art Francais, 1850-1900, Paris, 2010.
