A Louis XV Style Marquetry Inlaid Commode With a Marble Top

Object Description

A Fine Louis XV Style Marquetry Inlaid Commode With a Breche d’Alep Marble Top by Sormani.

French, Circa 1880.

Stamped ‘SORMANI Paris’ twice to the carcass, signed ‘Sormani 134 boulevard Haussmann à Paris’ to the lock plate.

This fine commode has a shaped breche d’Alep marble top above a body of bombe shape with two drawers, finely inlaid with foliate marquetry sans traverse, above a shaped apron centred by an acanthus mount. The drawers sport finely cast gilt-bronze foliate handles and superb acanthus cast mounts to the angles, the commode is raised on tapering legs with scrolled caps.

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.

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 Details