Strauss & co - 26 September 2011, Cape Town

53 85 A French ormolu-mounted mahogany and parquetry Vernis Martin cabinet-on-stand, by Sormani & Son, Paris, late 19th century the rounded rectangular shaped top with three-quarter balustraded gallery above a cupboard painted with a maiden and two young attendants, enclosing a mirrored interior and fitted shelf, the lower half with a frieze drawer, raised on four fluted supports, panelled back and shaped platform, on tapering legs and brass toupie feet, the drawer lockplate engraved Vve P. Sormani & Fils, 10r, Charlot, Paris, 150cm high, 54,5cmwide, 30cm deep R70 000 – 90 000 Italian born Paul Sormani (1817-1877) was one of the most important Parisian cabinet makers in the second half of the 19th century. He commenced business from his workshop in 7 Cimetière Saint- Nicolas in 1847 and later moved to 114 rue du Temple . When he finally opened his premises in 10 rue Charlot in 1867, the production of fine furniture in the Louis styles as well as his own creations was at its height. His work was described in the catalogue of the 1867 Exposition Universelle thus: ‘toute sa production révèle une qualité d’exécution de tout premier ordre.’ Paul Sormani showed his work at the 1849 Exposition Nationale, Paris, when he was awarded a bronze medal, at the Exposition Universelle in 1855 he got the médaille de première classe and at the London International Exhibition of 1862 he received a further award. At the Paris exhibition of 1867 special mention was made of his “… petits meubles de fantaisie… ” On his death in 1877 his widow and son took over the business and from this date onwards pieces are normally signed “ Veuve Sormani & Fils .”