François Linke (1855-1946) was one of the greatest Parisian cabinetmakers of his time. Born in Pankraz in Bohemia, he arrived in Paris in 1875 after completing his apprenticeship in Budapest and Vienna. He founded his own workshop in 1881 at 170 rue du Faubourg Saint - Antoine, twenty years later he was at the head of a real company of 90 workers.
Around 1885, Linke collaborated with the sculptor Léon Messagé until his death in 1901, which brought them great fame, culminating in the gold medals they received at the World Exhibition of 1889, and the World Exhibition of 1900, which brought them another gold medal and above all international success, commented as follows: "The Linke exhibition is the big event in the history of art furniture in the year 1900".
This success led to financial success, enabling Linke to set up shop in Place Vendôme. He went international, taking part in the Universal Exhibition in Saint-Louis in 1904, in Liege in 1905 and in London in 1908. He became the supplier of the greatest families in the world: King Fouad I of Egypt, Simon Patino, Count Devoto, Raphael de Lamar in New York.
Contemporary of his prestigious colleagues Beurdeley and Dasson, like them, his production includes pastiches inspired by 18th century styles, replicas of 18th century royal furniture. But the great originality of his style lies in the collaboration he had with Léon Messagé, combining both the Louis XV and Art Nouveau styles. The references of the XVIIIth century that he associated with the fluidity of Art Nouveau ensured that his creations had a completely new line.
Christopher Payne "François Linke 1855-1946 The Belle Epoque of French Furniture
