Pair of 19th Century French Vitrines

Paul Sormani's superb craftsmanship is most evident in this exquisite pair of mahogany vitrines. Elegantly set upon cabriole legs with paw feet, they are distinguished by flawless doré bronze decoration and an important maker. Sormani, counted among the most elite Parisian ébénistes of the 19th century, used the foundation of Louis XV and XVI styles for his meubles de luxe (luxurious furnishings). To find a beautiful, perfectly matched pair of his cabinets, in such extraordinary condition, is very difficult. Each cabinet signed 'P. Sormani/Paris/10, rue Charlot' on the lockplate. Circa 1870 29 1/2” wide x 15 1/2” deep x 62 1/2” high Sormani received enormous attention as one of Paris’ finest and most influential ébénistes and earned worldwide acclaim by displaying his pieces at many of the world’s leading exhibitions. At the 1867 Exhibition Universelle in Paris the celebrated designer received an award and was described in the Exhibition journal as “...a distinguished ébéniste of Paris, whose works deservedly attracted the attention of the public, and received the marked approval of the connoisseur.”Empress Eugénie, wife of Napoleon III, decorated her palaces with beautiful creations by Paul Sormani whose designs were of a select few favored by the Empress. Revivals of Louis XV and XVI pieces were in high demand among affluent Parisians, and Sormani created many of the finest and most important furnishings of the period. References:Les Ébénistes du XIX Siècle, 1795-1889, 1965, Denise Ledoux-LebardThe Illustrated Catalog of the Universal Exhibition of 1867, 1868Sotheby’s Concise Encyclopedia of Furniture, 1989, Christopher Payne, Editor