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.
Gilt-Bronze Marquetry Inlaid Gueridon, Attributed to Emmanuel Zwiener
By Joseph-Emmanuel Zwiener
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
A gilt-bronze Marquetry Inlaid Gueridon, attributed to Emmanuel Zwiener. This large gueridon or occasional table has a beautiful quarter veneered top which is inlaid with flower s...
Ormolu
Marquetry Inlaid Occasional Table, Attributed to Emmanuel Zwiener
By Joseph-Emmanuel Zwiener
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
A Gilt-Bronze Marquetry Inlaid Occasional Table, Attributed to Emmanuel Zwiener. The reverse of the gilt-bronze sabot incised 'Z' This exquisite table is perfect for a living room ...
Wood
Louis XV Style Parquetry Gueridon Attributed to François Linke, circa 1890
By François Linke
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
A fine Louis XV style gilt-bronze mounted mahogany Parquetry gueridon with a rare Alabastro Fiorito marble top, attributed to François Linke. French, circa 1890. This fine mah...
Marble, Bronze
Louis XV Style Marquetry Occasional Table, By Beurdeley, Paris, Circa 1885
By Maison Beurdeley
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
A Fine and Rare Louis XV Style Gilt-Bronze Mounted Marquetry Occasional Table. By Emmanuel Alfred (dit Alfred II) Beurdeley. Paris. The top with marquetry of precious fruitwoods and rare timbers depicting a central cartouche of two monkeys standing in a classical landscape, dressed as men playing a drum and a tambourine. The surrounding marquetry composed of rocaille framed trellis parquetry panels with ribbon-tied trophies. The shaped top surrounded by a three-quarter gilt-bronze gallery. The top slides back and the drawer opens to reveal a writing tray. The serpentine sides with cartouches with flower-filled marquetry. On cabriole legs headed by gilt-bronze rocaille clasps. Stamped ‘A. BEURDELEY A PARIS’. France, Circa 1885. Beautifully rendered by Beurdeley this ‘table Singeries’ is ennobled with the fullest frivolity of the rococo. The marquetry scene on the top derives from engravings published in Paris in the mid-eighteenth century entitled ‘Le Tambour de Basque’ and 'Le Tambourin’ by J. Guelard after designs by Christophe Huet (died 1759) from a series entitled ‘Singeries ou Différentes Actions de la Vie Humaine Representées par des Singes’. Elegantly framing the marquetry cartouche are three trophies set against a background ‘à mosaïque’, emblematic of war, the hunt, and gardening and pastoral pursuits. These designs are derived from a set of six engravings by Gilles Demarteau l’aîné (1722–1776), entitled ‘Plusieurs Trophées Dessinés et Gravés par Demarteau l’aîné’, published in Paris in the mid-18th century. The present writing table is almost identical to an 18th century table in the James A. de Rothschild collection at Waddesdon Manor (inv. 3472) which was purchased by Baron Ferdinand de Rothschild at the legendary auction of Prince Demidov’s Florentine Palazzo San Donato in 1880 (Lot 1554 — Très jolie table...
Ormolu
Louis XV Style Marquetry Salon Table by Mercier Frères, circa 1900
By Mercier Freres
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
A Louis XV style gilt bronze-mounted marquetry salon table by Mercier Frères. French, circa 1900. This fine petite salon table has a shaped gilt-bronze banded top inlaid with ...
Bronze
Louis XV Style Parquetry Occasional Table With A Sarrancolin Marble Top
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
A Louis XV Style Gilt-Bronze Mounted Mahogany and Parquetry Occasional Table. The Sarrancolin marble top within a gilt-bronze surround. The frieze is decorated with superb parquetry...
Marble, Ormolu
Gueridon Marquetry by F.LINKE
By François Linke
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Gueridon in marquetry with ormolu bronze, marble top. This gueridon with a central motif in the center that connect the four feet of rare elegance .this gueridon can be used both as...
Marble, Bronze
Louis XV Style Marquetry and Gilt Bronze Gueridon, 19th Century
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
An exquisite French round guéridon or side table in the Louis XV style, dating from the 19th century. The top is beautifully veneered in a radial marquetry pattern, likely composed o...
Bronze
19th C. Joseph E. Zwiener Kingwood, Satine and Bois de Bout Marquetry Tea Table
By Joseph-Emmanuel Zwiener
Located in Germantown, MD
A FRENCH ORMOLU-MOUNTED KINGWOOD, SATINE AND BOIS DE BOUT MARQUETRY TEA-TABLE BY JOSEPH-EMMANUEL ZWIENER (GERMAN-FRENCH, 1848-1925), PARIS, LAST QUARTER 19TH CENTURY. UNDERSIDE OF LO...
Ormolu
Marquetry inlaid Louis XVI style gueridon, circa 1890.
By François Linke
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A fine quality French marquetry inlaid Louis XVI style Gueridon. Having radiating veneer to the top, an inset circular panel, cross banding with floral and ribbon decoration. Gilded ...
Ormolu
French Louis XV Style Ormolu-Mounted and Marquetry Gueridon Side Table
By François Linke
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A fine French 19th-20th century Louis XV style gilt bronze-mounted mahogany and tulipwood marquetry gueridon side-table. The circular top inlaid with a floral design marquetry and sy...
Bronze, Ormolu
Louis XV Style Side Table with Bronze and Marquetry Work, 20th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
The four cabriolet legs have been joined in their inferior part with a square shelf of concave edges and they have been decorated with vegetal elements in golden bronze, like the wai...
Bronze
