Beschreibung:

Louis XVI style mahogany and gilded bronze mounted lady's writng desk in the style of Jean-Henri Riesener the top with brown gilt tooled leather above one large drawer adorned with a frieze of interlacing of wheat and flowers, round brass fluted tapering legs, ending with foliated sabots. The keylock signed 'P. SORMANI PARIS, 10 r. Charlot'. Late 19th century. H. 73.5 cm. L. 120.5 cm. D. 71 cm. Paul Sormani (1817–1877) was born in Venice. After having trained as a cabinetmaker he moved to Paris, where he opened his first shop in 1847. Later his business expanded, and he moved to the rue Charlot in 1867. Napoleon III's wife, the Empress Eugenie, was particularly fond of furniture in the Louis XV and Louis XVI style. She decorated her home with both original pieces and spectacular reproductions in these styles. Sormani was a cabinet-maker who was able to meet the Empress's high standards. Paul Sormani was a maker of fine “meubles de luxe”, whose work was described in the 1867 Exposition Universelle catalogue as “toute sa production revele une qualite d'execution de tout premier ordre”. The firm also made eclectic furniture in contemporary styles. It can be difficult to date Sormani's work, as the firm produced furniture for nearly ninety years. However, when Paul Sormani died (circa 1877), his wife and son took over the business and from this date onwards pieces are normally signed “Veuve Sormani & Fils”. Literature: Denise Ledoux-Lebard: Les Ébénistes du XIX Siècle 1795–1889.
Condition report on request. Please contact: furniture@bruun-rasmussen.dk