An ormolu mounted mahogany and bois satine vitrine table by Linke

Crafted from mahogany and mounted with ormolu, this excellent bois satine vitrine table was made by Francois Linke, an important and highly regarded maker around the turn of the twentieth century. It features a hinged oval shape lid placed above an entrelac frieze. Its fluted legs support a conforming under-tier, and it is inscribed 'F Linke' to the left of the lower leg, and also stamped 'LINKE' to the right of the lower leg mount. The lock-plate is further stamped 'CT LINKE/SERRUERIE/PARIS/82,' and one original key is likewise stamped '82.'

A beautiful floral frieze decorates the outside of the main body of the table, with caryatid-like female figures mounted on the tops of each of the four legs, below which further floral decoration trails down the front of each tapering leg. Of the exceptional level of quality which typifies Linke's output, this fine piece is as functional as it is elegant, suitable both as a table and as a luxury display piece, with its glass-lid body, and it would make an enviable addition to any fine interior.