The 19th-century German cabinetmaker Joseph-Emmanuel Zwiener rose to prominence for his beautiful reproductions of Louis XV furniture in the Rococo style. The influence of the Art Nouveau movement can be seen in Zwiener's work as well, and his ornate cabinets, gilded writing desks and exquisitely detailed chests of drawers are just some of the many examples of his mastery of furniture design.
Zwiener was born in Herdon, Germany, around 1848. By 1880, he had moved to Paris and established a workshop on the Rue de la Roquette. Zwiener was quick to earn esteem among the European nobility as a producer of fine furniture. In 1884, he created a replica of the famous Bureau du Roi roll-top desk for King Ludwig II of Bavaria. He also partnered with famed French sculptor Léon Messagé, whose gorgeous designs are credited with helping Zwiener win the gold medal at the 1889 Paris Exposition Universelle.
In 1895, Zwiener returned to Berlin after securing a commission from Wilhelm II. His workshop was taken over by cabinetmaker François Linke. Linke's style was similar to Zwiener's. Linke also continued to work with Messagé, preserving the workshop's tradition of exceptional craftsmanship.
In Germany, Wilhelm II was eager to showcase the talents of German furniture makers to the world. He tasked Zwiener with producing an extensive suite of furniture for his royal palaces. The furniture was exhibited at the German Pavilion during the 1900 Paris Exposition Universelle. Later, many of the pieces followed Wilhelm II to his manor house, Huis Doorn, in the Netherlands, where he lived in exile.
Over his career, Zwiener also produced furniture for elite international clients like New York art collector Charles Tyson Yerkes and French author Baroness Hélène van Zuylen of the Rothschild banking family.
On 1stDibs, find antique Joseph-Emmanuel Zwiener case pieces, tables, wall decorations and more.
Rare Matched Pair of Louis XVI Style Wall Vitrines by Zwiener, circa 1890
By Joseph-Emmanuel Zwiener
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
A rare and unusual matched pair of Louis XVI style gilt bronze-mounted wall vitrines by Joseph-Emmanuel Zwiener. French, circa 1890. Signed ‘E. Zwiener’ to the base of the bro...
Bronze
Pair of 19th Century Marquetry Italian Wall Vitrines
Located in Houston, TX
Handsome pair of 19th century Italian wall vitrines. Each petite cabinet features beautiful marquetry, bronze ormolu, glass door and single shelf.
Wood
$1,160Sale Price|20% Off
H 54.75 in W 25 in D 15.75 in
Antique French Louis XVI Mahogany Demilune Vitrine, circa 1900
Located in Big Flats, NY
An antique French Louis XVI vitrine offers mahogany construction in demilune form having shaped and mirrored backsplash over single do...
Metal
Antique Louis XV Style French Vitrine, Glass & Mirror, Circa 1890
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Antique French vitrine with glass on four sides. Interior has mirrored bottom shelf and one glass shelf in middle. Four corner mountings on top with ram's heads.
Majolica, Mahogany
$7,594Sale Price|23% Off
H 45.67 in W 32.29 in D 15.75 in
Louis XVI-Style Demilune Display Vitrine with Marquetry and Brass, circa 1890
Located in Darmstadt, DE
This exceptional Louis XVI-style demilune display vitrine was crafted around 1890 with remarkable refinement and attention to proportion. The elegant half-moon form rests on slender,...
Bronze
$4,293
H 39 in W 21 in D 10.5 in
Stylish Antique Eastern Style Wooden Wall Hanging Cabinet with Intricate Details
Located in Lisse, NL
Very rare and excellent condition, This all-handcrafted cabinet with a stunning decor of foliate carving and inlaid, Eastern style motifs is completely original and can be used for all kinds of purposes. It must have taken a highly skilled artisan several weeks to design and create this architecture inspired piece of wall furniture. It also comes with Arabic calligraphy on the drawer, but unfortunately we don't know the meaning of the word(s) or phrase. This unique, single door cabinet with its beautiful patina and its marvelous look and feel is as stable/strong as the day it was made and the pair of metal hooks on the back makes it very safe and easy to mount on your wall. If you are decorating a home or business with an Eastern interior then this late 1800s cabinet...
Glass, Wood
$4,061
H 75.4 in W 73.63 in D 17.33 in
French Louis XVI Style Oak & Walnut Three Doors Vitrine Bookcase circa 1900
Located in Labrit, Landes
A grand Louis XVI-style bookcase crafted around 1900 from solid oak and walnut veneer. This elegant piece stands out for its balanced design featuring three glass-paned doors, offeri...
Glass, Oak, Walnut
Victorian Carved Oak Wall Hanging Display Cabinet, Gothic Style, 1860
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Victorian carved oak wall hanging display cabinet This is a very large piece, it has 2 individual cupboards in the one piece. The c...
Oak
$3,840Sale Price|20% Off
H 51 in W 21 in D 12.5 in
Louis XVI Style Ormolu Mounted Kingwood Vitrine, Paris, circa 1900
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Louis XVI style Ormolu mounted kingwood Vitrine, Paris, circa 1900, Beautiful quality, with lift top beveled glass top, the case fitted with fo...
Ormolu
$81,515Sale Price|20% Off
H 96.86 in W 53.94 in D 24.81 in
Large Imposing Louis XVI Style Vitrine, circa 1880
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very good quality large and imposing 19th century French vitrine, in the style of Louis XVI. Having wonderful gilded ormolu plume and foliate mounts, serpentine glazed doors to the...
Ormolu
$4,476Sale Price|25% Off
H 66 in W 37 in D 17.5 in
Louis XVI Style Rectangular Vitrine / Curio Cabinet
Located in Guaynabo, PR
This is a Louis XVI style large rectangular shaped gilt wood vitrine/curio cabinet. It has a front door with a glass that closes with a key. The curio cabine...
Glass, Wood
20th Century Louis XVI Style French Vitrine
Located in Berlin, DE
Exclusive French vitrine in Louis XVI style. Finely engraved and moulded Bronze. Solid beechwood. Three sided glassed, one- drawered body on conical legs. Profile- framed flecked Ma...
Bronze
$9,781Sale Price|20% Off
H 78.75 in W 44.1 in D 17.72 in
Louis XVI Style Verni Martin Vitrine, circa 1890
By Vernis Martin
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very imposing late 19th Century French Louis XVI style bombe fronted glass Vitrine, having gilded ormolu scrolling foliate mounts, hand painted panels to the sides and door depicti...
Mahogany