surmounted by a Sarrancolin marble top, three frieze drawers above three cupboard doors each opening to one shelf, the lock signed P. SORMANI / 10 rue Charlot / Paris

The Art Journal, The Illustrated Catalogue of the Paris International Exhibition, 1900, H. Virtue & Co. Ltd., London, pl. 125

Olivier Brackett, catalogue of the Jones Collection, part I, Victoria and Albert Museu🧸m, 1930, p. 27 and pl. 47 for the original mo💃del.

Interesting penwork decoration and overall in good condition. Marble top with a restored break; scattered areas of infill and small chips and abrasions to corners and edges. Gilt bronze has been lacquered. Some small areas of discoloration seemingly due to varnish. Some small chips to veneers at edges and corners. Usual scratches and marks mainly to legs consistent with use and age.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

Paul Sormani exhibited this celebrated model at the Paris 1900 Exposition Universelle. Interrestingly, the commode was exhibited with the Louis XVI style horloge à poser offered as lot 103 in the present sale. See J. Meyer for the Art Journal 1900 engraving, plate 125.

The original model was conceived by the celebrated Swedish cabinet maker circa 1765. Examples of his work are found in the Musée Condé, at the Château de Chantilly and in the Royal Collections of Stockolm.

Paul Sormani (1817-1866) and Paul-Charles Sormani (b. February 5, 1848) established the firm in 1847 at 7, Cimetière Saint-Nicholas in Paris. The location was then changed in 1854 to 114, rue du Temple, and in 1867 to 10, rue Charlot. He was present at all the major exhibitions with petits meubles de fantaisie, as well as excellent quality reproductions of some of the Garde Meuble National items. The firm won a bronze medal in 1849 and une médaille de première classe in 1855. At the 1867 Exposition Universelle, his work was described as such: ‘toute sa production révèle une qualité d'exécution de tout premier ordre’ (‘the whole of his production exhibits craftsmanship of the highest quality’). When Sormani passed away, his son, Paul-Charles took over his father business alongside his mother, Ursule-Marie Philippine, hence the company’s name change to Sormani Veuve Paul et Fils. In 1914 Paul Charles Sormani formed a partnership with Thiebault Frères, and the firm was moved to 134, Boulevard♊ Haussmann, where it remained until its closure in 1934. The furniture production was of the highest quality in the style of Louis XV and Louis XVI.