Louis XVI Revival Bonheur Du Jour | By Diehl

Napoleon III Bonheur Du Jour. Furniture By Charles Guillaume Diehl, Designed By Jean Brandely, The Marquetry By E. Varlot, Paris.
France, Circa 1880

Height: 138.5 cms (54.5 ins)
Width: 83 cms (32.7 ins)
Depth: 47.5 cms (18.7 ins)

The desk features a raised superstructure with multiple compartments, serving both as an aesthetic focus and practical storage space for letters, documents, and writing tools. Beneath this, a larger writing surface, adorned with the same spectacular marquetry, provides ample space for writing or reading.

The desk stands on robust, straight legs, ornamented with exquisite ormolu mounts. These elegantly tapered legs, characteristic of the Louis XVI style, perfectly balance the visual weight of the desk and contribute to its stately presence.

Charles-Guillaume Diehl, born in Steinbach (Grand Duchy of Hesse) in 1811, became one of the most celebrated cabinetmakers in 19th-century Paris, blending his German roots with French artisanal finesse. After settling in Paris in 1840, he established a workshop that grew rapidly, employing around 600 workers by 1870—a testament to the popularity and demand for his luxurious creations. Diehl’s exceptional marquetry and refined decorative furniture earned him accolades at numerous Universal Exhibitions, including a silver medal at the 1867 Paris World’s Fair. From delicate pin boxes to elaborate, high-value commissions, his work was admired for its tasteful opulence and technical mastery. Although he was barred from competing in the 1878 Exposition due to a rule disqualifying previous medallists, Diehl had already secured his place among France’s elite artisans, having become a naturalised French citizen in 1872. Today, his legacy endures in prestigious museums such as the Musée d'Orsay, the Rijksmuseum, and the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where his exquisite pieces continue to exemplify the elegance and craftsmanship of 19th-century decorative arts.