Antique ormolu mounted marquetry drinks cabinet attributed to Linke

This wonderful drinks cabinet is attributed to François Linke (1855-1946), the leading French ébéniste of the late 19th century. Its design includes several ingenious features, highlighting the superb skills of the French cabinetmaker.

The cabinet is topped by a removable glass and ormolu tray with acanthus-shaped handles. Below is a beautiful marquetry and parquetry filled surface with a refined geometrical design framed by an ormolu edge. All four sides of the cabinet are adorned in a similar manner to the tabletop. Various ormolu mounts, such as handles and escutcheons decorate the panels. With a twist of a key, the four sides drop down, extending the display surface and revealing the inside storage space in which one can store various drinks. The inside panels are intricately crafted with a wood and brass marquetry design in an ormolu frame and protected by glass panes.  

The piece stands on four cabriole legs, their edges mounted with scrolling and foliate ormolu features. The scrolled feet terminate with ormolu sabots. In between the legs are shaped wooden friezes decorated with prominent ormolu mounts cast in the shapes of urns, scrolls, and flowers.

With removable pieces and extendable display surfaces, this drinks cabinet would be a wonderful addition to both modern and traditional spaces, in particular those with limited space.