Charles-Guillaume Diehl Desks and Writing Tables
French, 1811-1895
Charles-Guillaume Diehl founded his cabinet making and decoration firm at 19 Rue Michel-Le-Comte in 1885. His workshops produced elegant little pieces of furniture in rosewood and thuja and novelties with bronze and porcelain embellishments. It was his luxury boxes, however, (liqueur cellarettes, cigar cabinets, games boxes, cashmere cases, jewelry cases) which assured Diehl’s renown. Already rewarded with a bronze medal at the Universal Exhibition of 1855 in Paris, he exhibited a jardinière with china columns and a liqueur cabinet at the Industrial Arts Exhibition in 1861. In collaboration with the designer Jean Brandely (active from 1867 until 1873), Diehl renovated his decorative repertory and created astonishing pieces of furniture in the Grecian style, which had a dazzling success at the Universal Exhibition in Paris in 1867, where his cabinets also won a silver medal. Certain motifs were so typical of Diehl’s work that they received extensive commentary by the art critic J. Mesnard in his book “Les Merveilles de l’Exposition Universal de 1867”. He writes of a table of which “the pendant bearing hooks and the fan-shaped radiating motif which ornaments the entablature are engraved with love” and a jewelry case where “The head in fine Grecian style makes up the essential part of the fine gilt bronze ornamentation”. For this Universal Exhibition, Diehl also formed a partnership with two famous sculptors: Emile Guillemin (1841–1907), who carved the relief for a mahogany sideboard with galvanic gilt bronzes and Emmanuel Frémiet (1824–1910), who executed the low relief for a cedar medal cabinet with marquetry and silver-plated bronzes. Diehl was again rewarded with a medal of honor at the Union Central Exhibition of 1869 and a progress medal at the Universal Exhibition in Vienna in 1873. Showered with praise by the critics, Diehl is considered one of the most innovative artists of the 19th century. His final appearance was at the 1878 Universal Exhibition in Paris, where he presented outside the competition, his most recent creations, including a work table in marquetry, which with its naturalistic grasshopper motif anticipated Art Nouveau.
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Creator: Charles-Guillaume Diehl
19th Century, Louis XV Revival Ormolu-Mounted Bonheur Du Jour by Diehl
By Charles-Guillaume Diehl
Located in London, by appointment only
Highly important and palatial Napoleon III Louis XV Revival Ormolu-Mounted Marquetry Bonheur Du Jour by Charles Guillaume Diehl, Designed by Jean Brandely, The Marquetry by E. Varlot, Paris. The rarity & importance of this magnificent piece cannot be overstated, it is without question one of the finest examples you will see. Originally commissioned for European nobility as a statement of love and marital grandeur. Incorporating the finest & rarest veneers and timbers of the time, including Harewood, Thuya, Purpleheart, palm wood and tulipwood.
The beautifully shaped ormolu gallery on the top, gracefully curving outwards inset with fretted heart shapes highlight the incredible attention to detail that flow throughout this majestic piece. The upper section set either side with ormolu mounted fluted pilasters, aside two doors both individually set with masculine & feminine central marquetry panels of the most supreme quality, as you would expect from the master E. Varlot. The colors incorporated in the inlay are outstanding to behold, simply perfection. Opening to reveal the double top & bottom lock, engraved with Diehl's mark and address. Internally veneered in Rosewood of the richest color with one shelf. With two drawers below the doors, both veneered on the inside with Sycamore, one fitted for inkwells. The ormolu edged writing flap again centrally set with both a male & female figure now seated, holding hands with the lady holding a Mandoline, a true sign of happiness & love. The writing flap opening to reveal the original richly tooled velvet leather surface. The stand with one central frieze drawer, again lined inside with rosewood and with a top and bottom lock. On ormolu-mounted fluted legs.
This grand Museum Quality masterpiece is in excellent condition for its age.
Charles Guillaume Diehl (1811-1885) was of Germanic origins, he is considered among the most important & influential of cabinetmakers of the 19th century. He was born in Steinbach, Germany later moving to France, establishing his atelier in Paris in 1840, at the 3, Rue de Thorigny and then at the 170, Rue Saint...
Category
19th Century French Louis XV Antique Charles-Guillaume Diehl Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Ormolu
Napoleon III Secretaire Desk by Diehl
By Charles-Guillaume Diehl
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An unusual amboyna Napoleon III secretaire desk by Diehl, the rectangular top above a single long frieze drawer which opens to reveal a leather-inset secretaire with a pigeonhole fla...
Category
1860s French Napoleon III Antique Charles-Guillaume Diehl Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Amboyna
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Condition:
In excellent condition having been beautifully cleaned, French polished, waxed and releathered in our workshops, please see photos for confirmation.
Dimensions in cm:
Height 76 x width 150 x depth 80
Dimensions in inches:
Height 29.9 x width 59.1 x depth 31.5
Empire style,
is an early 19th century design movement in architecture, furniture, other decorative arts, and the visual arts followed in Europe and America until circa 1830.
The style originated in and takes its name from the rule of Napoleon I in the First French Empire, where it was intended to idealize Napoleon's leadership and the French state. The style corresponds to the Biedermeier style in the German-speaking lands, Federal style in the United States and to the Regency style in Britain. The previous style was called Louis XVI style, in France.
The Empire style was based on aspects of the Roman Empire. It is the second phase of neoclassicism which is also called "Directoire", after a government system.
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The furniture was made from heavy woods such as mahogany and ebony, imported from the colonies, with dark finishes often with decorative bronze mounts. Marble tops were popular as were Egyptian motifs like sphinxes, griffins, urns and eagles and the Napoleonic symbols, the eagle, the bee, the initials "I" and a large "N."
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Charles-guillaume Diehl desks and writing tables for sale on 1stDibs.
Charles-Guillaume Diehl desks and writing tables are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of wood and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Charles-Guillaume Diehl desks and writing tables, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original desks and writing tables by Charles-Guillaume Diehl were created in the louis xv style in france during the 19th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider desks and writing tables by and François Linke. Prices for Charles-Guillaume Diehl desks and writing tables can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $41,810 and can go as high as $56,943, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $49,376.