Sormani, Louis XV style pedestal table, late 19th Century

Sormani, in the style of.

Louis XV style kingwood and tulipwood marquetry pedestal table. It rests on four curved legs richly decorated by gilt bronzes, as shoes and angles.
The curved apron is decorated by framed marquetry and chiseled and gilt bronzes, such as acanthus leaves and flowers. A gilt brass edge trim surrounds the embossed curved leather top.

French work of the late 19th century, circa 1880.

Paul Sormani (1817-1877) was a French cabinetmaker who opened his first shop in 1847 and was specialized in manufacture of necessaries and small fantasy furniture. He moved in 1854 and began to make Louis XV and Louis XVI style furniture. The company moved a second time in 1867 and flourished thanks to the Parisian haute bourgeoisie and the Court who appreciated his work. Then, the Empress Eugenie made him orders to decorate her palaces.
He excelled in fruit woods marquetry and bronzes, which adorned his furniture, testify of a great chiselling quality which underline classical and elegant lines of his furniture.
He participated to the Universal Exhibitions in 1855 and 1867 in Paris and to London’s one in 1862 where he won a first class medal and a bronze medal. By his participation to different exhibitions, he established himself by showing his creativity and his know-how in traditional woodworking.
His wife and his son took up the company to his death and in 1914 the shop moved to 134 Boulevard Haussmann. The production stopped in 1934 at the son’s death.