The ovoid upper tier with removable glass tray supported by scrolling foliage, the top and lower tier inalid with quarter-veneered marquetry and ebony-strung border, on slight cabriole legs, one tray handle signed 'P. SORMANI PARIS'
37¾ in. (96 cm.) high; 39¹⁄₄ in. (100.5 cm.) wide; 23 in. (58 cm.) deep

Le Grand Goût - A Private European Collection; Christie's, London, 17 June 2009, lot 144 (part).

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Lot Essay

A slight variant of this model by Sormani, with small differences including an oval rather than serpentine tray and hoof sabotfeet, sold Christie’s, London, 19 March 2008, lot 189 (£17,300). Another example of this model and attributed to Sormani sold Christie’s, New York, 9 June 2014, lot 189 ($20,000).

Born in the Kingdom of Lombardy, Venice, in 1817, Paul Sormani produced standard and fantasy furniture, described by himself as "meubles de luxe". Operating from large premises at 114, rue du Temple and, from 1867, at 10, rue Charlot, he specialised in reproducing styles of the Louis XV and XVI eras and his work was thought to reveal "une qualité d'exécution de tout premier ordre". His creations were frequently exhibited and rewarded at the major international exhibitions of the 1860s and 70s. On his death in 1877, the firm was taken over by his widow, Ursule-Marie-Philippine Bouvaist, who was known as 'Veuve Sormani' and was joined and later succeeded by her son.