Vitrine Masterpieces Reproductions

French Louis XV style ormolu-mounted marquetry bombe vitrine, after the model by Francois Linke, late 19th century, The arched pediment with pierced rocaille foliate-scrolled cresting above a swagged glazed front and two side doors, the cream-brown silk-lined interior with two glazed shelves, above a marquetry foliage bouquet panel to the lower drawer which is exquisitely adorned with ormolu C scrolls and Rococo ormolu works issuing the two foliate handles, sides are ornamented with a marquetry flower bouquet basket, the angles to the front and back headed by finely chiseled ormolu acanthus chutes elongated with ormolu trim terminating in cabriole legs with foliate ormolu acanthus turned sabots
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Ref#V-90 | Description

An extraordinary French Louis XV style ormolu-mounted marquetry bombe vitrine, after the model by Francois Linke, late 19th century,

The arched pediment with pierced rocaille foliate-scrolled cresting above a swagged glazed front and two side doors, the cream-brown silk-lined interior with two glazed shelves, above a marquetry foliage bouquet panel to the lower drawer which is exquisitely adorned with ormolu C scrolls and Rococo ormolu works issuing the two foliate handles, sides are ornamented with a marquetry flower bouquet basket, the angles to the front and back headed by finely chiseled ormolu acanthus chutes elongated with ormolu trim terminating in cabriole legs with foliate ormolu acanthus turned sabots.

Ref#V-90

132-56-210cm

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François Linke

Francois Linke (1855-1946) was arguably the leading Parisian cabinetmaker of the Belle Epoque the glittering age of fashionable French society, whose influence was felt throughout the world.

Determined to outshine the competition at the Exhibition, Linke had set about creating the most ambitious pieces he could envisage, and more extravagant than had ever been displayed before. The items he exhibited marked a transition from the historicist interpretation of Louis XV and Louis XVI styles, an interpretation that was the mainstay of his nearest rivals, to something startlingly new and vital in its immediacy. Together with Leon Message he developed a new style for the 1900 Exhibition that paid homage to the Louis XV rococo in the fluidity of its approach, but an approach fused with the lively flowing lines of the contemporary and progressive 'art nouveau'.

This risky endeavour was a resounding success, and with his reputation established, La Maison Linke became the pre-eminent furniture house until outset of the Second World War. The technical brilliance of his work and the artistic change that it represented was never to be repeated. His showrooms expanded into prestigious premises in Paris, in the Place Vendome as well as the Faubourg St. Antoine where his workshop had been established. He embarked on many important commissions in the years up to the outbreak of the First World War, making and designing furniture for leading international industrialists and bankers.

After the 1914-1918 World War, Linke undertook the extraordinary commission to furnish the Ras al-Tin Palace in Alexandria for King Fuad of Egypt, possibly the largest single furniture commission ever conceived, eclipsing even Versailles. Linke flourished and remained active until the middle years of the 1930s and died in 1946.

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