A FRENCH ORMOLU-MOUNTED MAHOGANY, KINGWOOD AND VERNIS MARTIN VITRINE-CABINET

This is an early model from Linke’s repertoire. His first version of Index 75 stated to have square legs, as opposed to circular legs for later versions. The first entry for this model is in Daybook 2, p. 50, Linke’s pencil drawing giving an accurate and easily identifiable image of this side cabinet, which Payne discusses in his monograph François Linke, 1855-1946 - The Belle Epoque of French Furniture, Woodbridge, 2003, pp. 52-54. Payne refers to the vernis martin panels for index number 75 costing Linke 60 francs, and requiring the considerable expense of hiring an outside artist for the work. Another entry appeared in his Daybook 5 for the same model, referred to as ‘Meuble Credence’, with the vernis martin panel costing 90 francs for one cabinet.
An identical vitrine cabinet sold Christie's New York, 18-19 April 2012, lot 454 ($35,000 including premium).
A pair of similar vitrine-on-stands, with different vernis martin courting scene panels, sold Sotheby's New York, 26 October 2006, lot 156 ($78,000 hammer).