François Linke

It is documented that he obtained employment with an unknown German cabinetmaker in Paris, and stylistic similarities, photographs and geographical proximity have led some[3] to suggest that Emmanuel Zwiener was the most likely candidate.

It is known that the fledgling Linke workshops were active in the Faubourg St. Antoine as early as 1881;[4] during this time, he supplied furniture for other more established makers such as Jansen and Krieger.

[8]Linke's stand would have appeared refreshingly new to contemporary onlookers, the traditional designs of the eighteenth century melting seamlessly into an exuberant naturalism.

"[9] It is perhaps the most extraordinary and remarkable aspect of Linke’s personal history that he produced such expensive and luxurious furniture of exquisite quality for the 1900 exhibition without any commission or any potential buyer in mind.

Linke recognised that to move his business forward, he needed to appeal to a more international clientele and the new emerging rich, who were at this time amassing fortunes on an unprecedented scale.

Linke’s notebook records visitors to his stand from England, Europe, the Americas, Egypt and Japan, including: the King of Sweden, three visits from the King of Belgium, Prince Radziwill, the Prince d’Arenberg, the Comte Alberic du Chastel, Miss Anna May Gould, the American heiress, distinguished furniture makers and the President of France, Emile Loubet.

This risky endeavour was a resounding success, and with his reputation established, La Maison Linke became the pre-eminent furniture house until the outset of the Second World War.