An Exquisite Table à Thé By François Linke

Object Description

An Exquisite Table à Thé
By François Linke

Index no.555

A rare and documented example from the renowned Parisian atelier of Linke, this oval two-tier table is constructed using kingwood and adorned with finely detailed, fire-gilded, hand-chased bronze mounts. Supported by cabriole legs with elegant foliate sabots, the table incorporates espagnolettes of conforming design and a shaped apron decorated with ormolu scrollwork, accentuated by female masks. Both tiers are finished in quarter-matched kingwood, with the upper tier topped by a dual-handled glazed tray, resting on four ormolu scrolled legs with lion’s paw feet. Signed to the ormolu guard ‘F. Linke.’
French, circa 1905

Rarely ever seen on the market, this oval variant of Linke’s double-tiered tables is particularly desirable. Unlike his model no. 610 of which no less than 11 examples were produced, the photographic records for model no. 555 suggest an extremely limited number were ever made. A single example is shown in a cliché kept in the Linke archives, appearing next to a more elaborate version. The Butchoff model was shown at the 1902 ‘Salon des industries du mobilier’ in Paris, and can also be seen in the Linke showrooms.

Object Literature

Literature:

Christopher Payne, François Linke, (1855 – 1946), The Belle Époque of French Furniture, Antique Collectors’ Club, (Woodbridge) 2003, pp. 170-171, 465 & 493.

François Linke (1855-1946) was a renowned French ébéniste, or cabinetmaker, who gained significant prominence during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Born in Pankraz, Bohemia, Linke moved to Paris in 1875, where he established independent workshops. By 1881, he had set up his primary workshop at 170 Rue du Faubourg Saint-Antoine, and later expanded to 26 Place Vendôme, arguably the capital’s most fashionable address.

Linke’s craftsmanship and artistic innovations in furniture design earned him international acclaim, particularly highlighted at the 1900 Paris Exposition Universelle. He became widely recognized for his ability to create high-quality, individualistic pieces that often blended traditional styles with contemporary influences. Specialising in the style of the ancien regime, Linke modified the proportions of the eighteenth century pieces to suit the smaller Parisian apartments.

Collaborating frequently with the sculptor Léon Messagé, Linke’s work often featured a combination of the Louis XV style and the emerging Art Nouveau movement. His success at the 1900 exhibition provided him with financial stability, allowing him to participate in subsequent international fairs and expand his market.

In recognition of his contributions, Linke was appointed Officier de L’Instruction Publique in 1904 and served on the Jury of the Liège exhibition in 1905. Following his exhibitions in St. Louis (U.S.A.) in 1904 and Liège in 1905, Linke was awarded the Croix de la Légion d’Honneur, the highest French decoration, on October 11, 1906.

Object Condition

Excellent condition

Object Details