Lot 278
278
From the Collection of MRS. S.C. CHRISTENSEN
A NAPOLEON III ORMOLU AND PORCELAIN-MOUNTED TULIPWOOD LADY'S VANITY CASE

Details
A NAPOLEON III ORMOLU AND PORCELAIN-MOUNTED TULIPWOOD LADY'S VANITY CASE
THIRD QUARTER 19TH CENTURY, BY CHARLES-GUILLAUME DIEHL

The shaped rectangular form with hinged lid surmounted by a seated gentleman and lady centering paired oval discs flanked by blossoming urns, opening to reveal a fitted interior with mirrored panels within blue silk drapes centering a pearled and bullion thread coronet above ormolu-mounted blue opaline parfume bottles with painted stoppers depicting young maidens flanking shell form dishes and various compartments, on conforming sides with applied painted placques depicting classical maidens, raised on scrolling foliate feet, the lockplate engraved Diehl R. Michel Le Comte 19 Paris'
13in. (33cm.) high, 18½in. (47cm.) wide

Lot Essay

Charles-Guillaume Diehl (1811-1885) is recorded as having worked in Paris at Rue Michel Le-Comte from 1853 through 1885. Diehl specialized in reproducing a range of furniture in the Rococo and Neo-classic styles using ormolu and porcelain mounts on precious woods. In addition, he was known for his small coffers such as his game and glove boxes which were exhibited at a number of Expositions. With his chief ébéniste Kowalewski, he was able to design game and glove boxes that won him the bronze medal in the Expostion Aux Arts Industriels in 1861. He continued participating in various European expositions until 1872. (see D. Ledoux-Lebard, Le Mobilier Francais du XIXe Siècle, pp. 165-167).