Game table designed by Sormani Paris; France, c.1880.

Game table designed by Sormani Paris; France, c.1880.
Violet stick wood, and French mercury gilt bronze. Interior lining and felt.
It has an excellent state of preservation according to the period.
It has Sormani's stamping on the lower part.
Measurements: 75 x 60 x 60 cm.
Game table designed by Sormani. The piece is made of violet wood with ornamental mercury-gilded bronze appliqués. The swivel and folding top encloses an interior lined with gilded cloth over a frieze drawer. The same model was sold at Christies Interiors, London, on February 17, 2015.
Paul Sormani, born in Italy in 1817 and died in 1877, initially specialized in the manufacture of small furniture. In 1854, he set up his workshops at 114 rue du Temple in Paris. The Sormani company then achieved great success and enjoyed the favor of the Imperial Family as well as Parisian high society. Empress Eugénie then furnished her palaces in Louis XV and Louis XVI styles with some of Sormani's creations.
Presenting his work at all the important fairs, such as the Industrial Products Exhibition of 1849 or the Universal Exhibitions from 1855 to 1867, Sormani was recognized by the juries for his "high quality production" and won the highest awards. In 1867, coinciding with the Great Universal Exhibition, Sormani expanded and moved his workshops to 10 rue Charlot. After the death of Paul Sormani in 1877, his wife and son took over the business and, from that date, the pieces are usually signed "Veuve Sormani & Fils à Paris". After the First World War, they became associated with Thiébaux and the company's premises were installed at 134 boulevard Haussmann until 1934.