A French late 19th/early 20th century gilt bronze mounted mahogany vitrine by Francois Linke (1855-1946)


The moulded marble top above a frieze mounted with two satyr putti and one central bacchic putto amidst abundant vine leaves, bunches of grapes and ribbon-tied floral swags, over a glazed panelled door mounted below with an ormolu oval relief plaque depicting four frolicking putti adorned with scrolling foliage, flowers, vine leaves and wheat sheaves, enclosing three glass shelves and a mirrored back, on keeled legs terminating in acanthus and scroll cast sabots, the lockplate signed: 'F. LINKE'. 71cm wide x 38cm deep x 148.5cm high, (27 1/2in wide x 14 1/2in deep x 58in high)
|The offered vitrine incorporates various elements from index numbers 38, 239 and 1151 produced by Francois Linke. This signed Linke lot has related musical trophy pendant mounts and scrolling floral mounts surrounding the main central gilt bronze plaque on the base of the door to those on an index 1151 which sold Sotheby's, New York, 26 October 2006, A Private Collection, lot 49.An identical central door mount features on another Linke cabinet, index number 38, that sold Christie's, South Kensington, 13 March 2012, Style and Spirit, lot 93. This oval plaque, as on the present model, depicts a group of four frolicking putti.While comparable frieze and leg mounts adorn both index numbers 38 and 239, an example of an index 239, likewise of conforming demi-lune outline to the present vitrine, sold Christie's, King Street, 6 March 2014, The Opulent Eye, lot 123.Francois LinkeLinke was born in Bohemia, but moved to Paris where he established his business circa 1880 at 170, Rue du Faubourg Saint-Antoine, and from 1900 onwards he opened a showroom at 26, Place Vendôme. Linke made a huge impact at the 1900 Exposition Universelle in Paris, at which he presented vigorous reinterpretations of the Rococo style. He was ultimately honoured with a Gold medal and his success acquired wealthy patrons from across the world. He was admired so much in France that he was even awarded the 'Croix de la Légion d'Honneur' by 1906.LiteratureChristopher Payne, François Linke (1855-1946), The Belle Epoque of French Furniture, 2003.