Fine French Cartonnier, 19th century,
attributed to Paul Sormani Paris, Circa 1865, bois de Violette, satine quarter-veneer and six gilt-tooled brown leather faceted drawers height 16 in, width 31 3/4 in. depth 14 in. Provenance: Purchased by the present owner from the Bieder family Although attributed to Sormani by virtue of the accompanying photograph, the present lot was one of two virtually identical cartonniers purchased by Jean Bieder from Francois Linke or his heirs, post 1946. Literature: D. Ledoux-Lebard, Le Mobilier Francais du XIX Siecle, pp. 581-590 C.Payne, 19th Century European Furniture, pp.41-42. This cartonnier can be seen in two views in a bound album embossed 'Cabinets de Travail', of black and white photographs of part of the Sormani firm's extensive stock. Stock number 2413, it is described as 'Cartonnier cintre satine et violet', 35.5 cm high.