Charles-guillaume Diehl, An Important Napoleon III Period Commode, Circa 1867

Constructed of palissandre, wallnut, rosewood, lemon-tree with other rare and exotic timbers, including harewood, thuya, purpleheart, palm wood and tulipwood, having fine gilt-bronze decoration and a marble top.

The doors represent a highly sophisticated marquetry technique and open to reveal an inner brass plate engraved with Diehl’s furniture mark and address: «DIEHL/19. R. Michel-le-Comte/PARIS»

Charles-Guillaume Diehl (1811–1885) was a prestigious 19th century cabinetmaker renowned for his exceptional design woodwork. Diehl was born in Germany, but moved to Paris in 1840 and soon founded a large workshop at Rue Michel-le-Comte, 19. Exhibiting his works at the World Exhibition in 1855, he receives a bronze medal. And then major international exhibitions follow one after another, making Diehl an ever more titled master and bringing him more and more awards and medals, thereby creating a reputation for him as a manufacturer of high quality and unique works of art. His work is highly regarded to this day - many of them can be found in private collections and museums around the world, including the Musee d'Orsay in Paris and the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.