François Linke: Louis XVI Style Bed In Gilded Bronzes

François Linke Magnificent bed frame in mahogany, satin and cube marquetry. Beautiful ornamentation of finely chiseled gilded bronze. The head with molded pediment, reversed cavet, pearl friezes and ovals. Medallion with attributes, falling flowers, pearls, tied ribbon and intertwined laurel leaves. Dice with florets, pompoms with lanceolate leaves. Amounts with rounded reserves, vine falls. Three molded panels, fluted bands. The pedimented base decorated with acanthus friezes and rosettes. Facade with projections, molded panels. Fluted uprights with asparagus tips. Flower basket and tied ribbon attributes, laurel falls, spandrel rosettes. Acanthus apron in facing consoles. Crosspieces with fleurons, grooves and foliage guillochies. Fluted spindle feet, gadrooned rings. Around 1880. Head: height 147 cm, width 163 cm. Foot: height 84 cm, width 163 cm. Bedding: 150 cm x 200 cm. A library from the same estate is signed. Delivery possible. A similar bed was sold at Sotheby's in New York on October 30, 2013. Two similar sets were sold at Sotheby's in Melbourne on May 27, 2008 and in New York on October 26, 2006. François LINKE (1855-1946) was without without doubt the most important Parisian cabinetmaker of his time. First an apprentice in his hometown of Pankraz in Bohemia, Linke arrived in Paris in 1875 and founded his own workshop in 1881 at 170 rue du Faubourg Saint-Antoine, later creating a branch at 26 place Vendôme. Linke's international reputation was already well established when the Universal Exhibition of 1900 was held in Paris, his talent and creativity remaining unmatched: the Exhibition crowned his success and strengthened the financial stability of his company, allowing him to conquer new markets abroad. Like his contemporaries such as Beurdeley and Dasson, his production included copies and pastiches inspired by successive styles of the 18th century or the most famous royal furniture, but also distinguished himself in the design of exuberant works, mixing Louis XV and Art Nouveau style. Linke collaborated in particular with a renowned sculptor, Léon Messagé. In 1904, he became a Public Education Officer, and participated in the Saint-Louis Exhibition in the United States. In 1905, he was appointed juror of the Liège Exhibition and, on October 11, 1906, received the Legion of Honor.