BUREAU-PLAT "AUX MASCARONS" Régence style, Paris circa 1855, signed on the lock. P. Sormani - 10 Rue Charlot Paris (Paul Sormani, 1817-1877) and stamped Sormani Paris. In the style of Charles Cressent (Master 1720). Violet wood in veneer. Rectangular protruding top, covered with red leather and moulded, framed in bronze rod, on an arched frame with curved legs. Front with wide central drawer between 2 smaller, protruding drawers. The back with corresponding, but blind, compartmentalisation. Gilt bronze mounts, applications and sabots in the form of mascarons, female heads, wide acanthus leaves, rosettes and trestle feet. 141 × 81 × 74.5 cm. Good restored condition. Leather with some stains and signs of wear. Provenance: Private property in western Switzerland. Paul Sormani, whose company produced luxury furniture of the highest quality with great success for more than 90 years, was one of the most important ebenists of the 19th century. The furniture from the years 1860/80 is considered to be the highest quality produced by the Sormani workshop. He took part in numerous world exhibitions in Paris and London and won several medals. His workshop mainly produced furniture in the Louis XV and Louis XVI style, but soon developed its own style. It is difficult to date Sormani's works precisely due to the many years of production. The company was established in Paris in 1847 and was located in Rue Charlot between 1867 and 1877. After Paul Sormani's death around 1877, his widow and his son Paul Charles Sormani took over the workshop and had the works signed "V(eu)ve Sormani & Fils".