KOLLER VIEW 1/25

02 pre view. 10 2 By order of the Empress The Cyrillic inscriptions on the undersides of these two games tables, as well as a paper label indicate that they were made for the Gatchina Palace, near St Peters- burg, which was built in 1781 at the behest of Cather- ine the Great. The palace was furnished according to the taste of Count Grigory Grigoryevich Orlov, a favour- ite of the Tsarina, and, as was customary at the time, guided by French taste. Although the games tables have French stylistic elements, the construction, pro- portions and marquetry are probably of Russian origin. A pair of Russian Louis XV games tables. Transition, late 18 th century. Each 91.5 × 45.5 × 78 cm. Estimate: CHF 20 000/30 000 1 The splendour of the Baroque In March, we will offer the first part of a collection of 17 th and 18 th century silver, assembled by a Swiss col- lector. Baroque drinking vessels such as ‘snake-skin’ and footed cups as well as wine tasters and fruit bowls from Augsburg and Nuremberg are a focal point. In ad- dition, there are display plates, screw-top bottles and spice jars, mainly from German manufacturers. More affordable pieces are also offered in our ibid online-only auction, lot numbers 7801–7836. The second part of the collection will be offered in September. A large collection of 17 th - and 18 th -century works in silver . 3 A jewel of the Belle Époque It would be difficult to find another piece of furniture that epitomises the stylistic elements of the Belle Épo- que as well as this graceful side table by François Linke from 1900–1907. The Parisian luxury cabinetmaker in- geniously combined traditional Louis XV style elements with the new formal and decorative language of the emerging Art Nouveau style. The marquetry on both sides of the hinged table top is masterly. Typical for Art Nouveau, geometric patterns are combined with organ- ic, natural forms, as in the shell inlays on the outer top. A Louis XV style table à ouvrage by François Linke. Paris, circa 1900–07. Index no. 554. 55 × 33.5 × 74.5 cm. Estimate: CHF 28 000/38 000 1 2 3 For further information Decorative Arts Stephan Koller skoller@kollerauctions.com Online catalogues www.kollerauctions.com