One of the pair of marquetry commodes by Francois Linke which sold for 135,000 at Sheppards.
A pair of marquetry commodes signed by Parisian cabinet maker Francois Linke and made c1900 sold for 135,000 at the first day of Sheppards three day sale in Durrow today. Sheppards described the pieces, with breccia marble tops, as the most valuable pieces of furniture to appear at auction in Ireland for many years.
The Czech born French based cabinet maker Francois Linke, who had a shop at Place Vendome in Paris prior to the 2nd World War received the Gold Medal for his Grand Bureau at the Paris Universal Exhibition of 1900. The commodes had been estimated at up to 180,000. The cabinets were consigned by a European family who moved to live in Ireland.