A Fine Louis XV Style Gilt-Bronze Mounted Marquetry Commode, By Paul Sormani

Object Description

A Fine Louis XV Style Gilt-Bronze Mounted Marquetry Commode, By Paul Sormani, Paris.

The finely proportioned bombé-shaped commode is veneered with floral marquetry in precious timbers. The original grey veined brêche marble top has a serpentine shaped front with stepped and moulded edge. The front is fitted with two deep drawers and decorated with a marquetry cartouche encircling flowering stems. The sides are decorated to match and the escutcheons, apron mount and corner clasps are designed in the rococo style and made from finely cast and chased gilt-bronze.

The top drawer with a brass plaque with engraved signature ‘SORMANI 134 Bd. Haussmann, PARIS’.

France, Circa 1870.

Object History

Born in Venice in 1817, Paul Sormani (1817-1877), was a Parisian maker of fine ‘meubles de luxe’. His work was described in the catalogue of the 1867 Exposition Universelle as: ‘toute sa production révèle une qualité d’exécution de tout premier ordre’ (all of his production reveals a quality of execution all of the first order’).

Sormani exhibited at the International Exhibitions in Paris in 1849, 1855, 1867, 1878 and 1900, and in London in 1862, winning numerous medals.

Paul Sormani established the firm in 1847 at 7 Cimetière Saint-Nicolas in Paris, moving in 1854 to 114 rue du Temple, and in 1867 to 10 rue Charlot.

After his death in 1877 Sormani’s son Paul-Charles took over the business that later moved to 134 Boulevard Haussmann.

It can be difficult to date Sormani’s work, as the firm produced furniture for nearly ninety years. However, when Paul Sormani died in 1877, his wife and son took over the business and from this date onwards pieces are normally signed ‘Veuve Sormani & Fils’.

Object Literature

Mestdagh, Camille & Lécoules, Pierre. L’Ameublement d’art français : 1850-1900, Les Editions de l’Amateur, (Paris), 2010.

Object Details