Paul 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).
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.
Find authentic Paul Sormani case pieces and storage cabinets, tables and other furniture on 1stDibs.
(Biography provided by M.S. Rau)
A Louis XV Style Gilt-Bronze Sculptural Centrepiece, France, Circa 1840
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
A Louis XV Style Gilt-Bronze Sculptural Centrepiece, Titled ‘Nymphes à la Coquille’ (‘Nymphs with Shell’). Modelled with two nymphs holding aloft a shell and seated on a rockwork ba...
Bronze
Louis XV Style Inkwell, Designed by Léon Messagé and Cast By Barbedienne
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
A Rare Louis XV Style Gilt-Bronze Inkwell. Designed by Léon Messagé and Cast By The Ferdinand Barbedienne Foundry, Paris. Designed in the exuberant Rococo style surmounted by a sea...
Ormolu
Louis XV Style Gilt-Bronze Jardinière by Maison Alphonse Giroux, French
By Alphonse Giroux et Cie
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
A Louis XV style gilt bronze Jardinière by Maison Alphonse Giroux. Stamped 'Maison Alph GIROUX' a Paris'. This elegant jardinière is in the form of an oval basket suspended between ropes by two finely cast putti. The jardinière retains its original painted metal liner. Giroux (House of Alphonse Giroux et Cie) Maison Giroux was founded by Francois-Simon-Alphonse Giroux in 1799 at 7 rue du Coq-Saint-Honoré, Paris. The store, specializing in small luxury goods and curiosities, expanded rapidly in the first half of the 19th century, Francois oversaw the manufacture and design of small items of furniture until his death in 1848. He won the 'Prix de Rome' in 1825, and a silver medal at the Paris Exhibition of 1834. Under the direction of Giroux's sons, Alphonse-Gustave and André, the company flourished and became by the late 1860s one of the most pre-eminent Parisian Maison de Haute Luxe (luxury stores). In 1867, Ferdinand Duvinage...
Bronze
Louis XV Style Gilt-Bronze Mounted Bureau de Dame, by François Linke
By François Linke
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
A Louis XV Style Gilt-Bronze Mounted Bureau de Dame, by François Linke. Signed to the bronze mount ‘F.Linke’. Linke Index Number 1650. This very fine and unusual bureau de dame ha...
Ormolu
Louis XVI Style Gilt-Bronze Four-Light Candelabrum
By Pierre Gouthiere
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
A Large and Impressive Louis XVI Style gilt-bronze four-light candelabrum, After the Model Attributed to Pierre Gouthière. Finely cast and gilded with a central stem issuing three...
Bronze
Fine Louis XVI Style Gilt Bronze and Ebony Three-Light Desk Stand, circa 1820
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
A fine Louis XVI style gilt bronze and ebony three-light desk stand. French, circa 1820. This elegant desk stand has an ebonized rectangular base with drawer, supporting a re-...
Bronze
Late 19th Century 'Sormani' Ormolu Inkwell
By Paul Somani
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A fine quality late 19th century gilded ormolu desk inkwell, stamped; Sormani, Paris. Having wonderful stylized scrolling foliate and shell like decoration, with a hinged central lid...
Ormolu
Louis XV Style Ormolu Inkwell, Late 19/Early 20th Century
Located in Spencertown, NY
Attributed to Leon Messager for Francois Linke, with Rococo and seashell Decoration.
Ormolu
Antique French Louis XV Style Bronze Ormolu Inkwell Signed Van De Voorde
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
Dimensions: Height: 6 1/2 in Width: 15 3/4 in Depth: 9 in This antique French Louis XV style bronze ormolu inkwell is truly a sight to be seen! If we take a look at the photos prov...
Bronze, Ormolu
Fine French Late 19th Century Gilded Ormolu Rococo Style Inkwell by Millet
By Aimé Millet
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A fine quality late 19th century gilded ormolu inkwell Rococo influenced inkwell, having scrolling foliate decoration to the whole, two lidded inkwells, signed; Millet, Paris Mais...
Ormolu
Louis XV style writing desk. Gilt bronze, stone. Possibly French school, 19th c
Located in Madrid, ES
Louis XV style writing desk. Gilt bronze, stone. Possibly French school, 19th century. Gilt bronze writing desk with a metal plate at the bottom and, at the top, a decoration based ...
Stone, Bronze, Other
French 19th Century Louis XV Style Gilt-Bronze Encrier Inkwell by Boin Taburet
By Boin-Taburet
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A very fine French 19th century Louis XV style gilt-bronze, mahogany and porcelain Encrier (Inkwell). The oval mahogany base surmounted with an ormolu mounted trim, dual-trays and fi...
Bronze, Ormolu
