François Linke ( 1855-1946)

 

François Linke, master ébéniste, holds the reputation as being the creator of some of the world’s most magnificent furniture.

 

Born in Eastern Europe, Linke began an apprenticeship at the age of thirteen in Bohemia, moved to Vienna, and eventually,Paris.

By 1875, records show that Linke had established a workshop at 170 Faubourg Saint-Antoine, the hub of the Paris furniture trade.

 

While Linke’s earliest works consisted mainly of copies of important 18th century palatial models, he felt stifled as a copyist and began experimenting with new design concepts.  Linke’s mastery of the art of cabinet-work and the breathtaking bronze decorations (ormolu) he produced has never been surpassed. 

 

So splendid were his works that customers could not get enough of his creations.  Stylistically, the new designs still adhered to the Rococo 18th century designs; the novelty, however, was Linke’s fusion of the Rococo with the liveliness and the fluidity of the ‘Art Nouveau’ period, 1880s- 1890s.  This highly developed style made Linke the most celebrated and influential French ébéniste of his time.    

 

The celebrated 1900 Paris Exposition Universelle confirmed Linke’s reputation as a world-leading furniture designer when he was awarded the prestigious Gold Medal. 

 

Linke’s client list was led by the Empress Eugenie of France (wife of Napoleon III), and included the expanding progeny of Queen Victoria, whose children married the royal families of Austria and Germany, as well as the Kings of Egypt and Arabia.