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makers / Francois Linke

Francois Linke

Biography

Born in Pankraz, Bohemia, Francois Linke (1855-1946) is considered to be the finest exponent of Parisian cabinet making of ‘Le Belle Epoque’. Drawing inspiration from the finest cabinet makers of the 18th Century, his association with the sculptor Leon Message resulted in highly original designs, with the emphasis on practicality and work of the very highest quality. To this end he succeeded, surpassing the efforts of the brilliant work of the Dasson, Zweiner, Sormani at the 1900 Paris Universelle Exposition, receiving the highest accolades, and prizes. His company became world renowned, and orders came from Europe, America, and Africa; he sold over a thousand items to the King of Egypt. Throughout the reign of the company, Linke’s attention to detail was remarkable; one of the tests he employed in his quality control, was to take a cigarette paper, and if it would slide between a door for example, and the frame, the piece was rejected as below par.