A Fine Louis XVI Style Marquetry Inlaid Side Cabinet and Encoignures En Suite

Object Description

A Fine Louis XVI Style Gilt-Bronze and Marquetry Inlaid Side Cabinet With A Pair of Encoignures En Suite, By Paul Sormani.

Stamped to the reverse of the bronze rim ‘PS’ for Paul Sormani.

The fine side cabinet has a shaped white marble top above a single drawer inlaid with scrolling and fronded acanthus above a pair of outset columns with gilt-bronze capitals, framing a single cupboard door with gilt-bronze borders and inlaid with a superb musical trophy of ribbon tied musical instruments and flowers. The cabinet stands on a plinth base with flattened bun feet.

The encoignures en suite with matching marquetry panels and musical trophies.

Object History

By repute from Stowe Place. The interior bearing a written label.

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.

Meyer, Jonathan. Great Exhibitions – London, New York, Paris, Philadelphia, 1851-1900, Antique Collectors’ Club, (Woodbridge, UK), 2006.

Ledoux – Lebard, Denise. Les Ébénistes du XIXe siècle, Les Editions de L’Amateur, (Paris), 1984; pp. 583-588.

Object Condition

The Side Cabinet
Height : 105 cm | 41 inches
Width : 79 cm | 31 inches
Depth : 44 cm | 17 inches

The Pair of Encoignures
Height : 105 cm | 41 inches
Width : 74 cm | 29 inches
Depth : 52 cm | 20 inches

Object Details