Guillaume Grohe

GUILLAUME GROHE (Germany, 1808- Paris, 1885).
Napoleon III period cabinet, 1860-1870.
Rosewood and mahogany. Inlaid marquetry. Gold plated bronze hardware.
Signed in the upper right corner of the back.
Measurements: 107 x 85 x 38 cm.

Cabinet formed by a single rectangular body, elegant and delicately worked. The facade presents a door decorated with floral elements in marquetry, framed in a pavilion defined by moldings of gold-plated bronze, the same ones that define the profiles of all its structure. The sides of the front part of the cabinet have molded columns that add dynamism. An upper drawer embellished with baroque type scallops tops the piece of furniture as a cornice. Both the top and the sides are again decorated with floral motifs in marquetry. As is typical of Napoleon III furniture, it is inspired by the most classical baroque.

Guillaume Grohé was a renowned Parisian cabinetmaker and one of the leading furniture makers of his time. Together with his brother Jean-Michel (1806-1882), he founded the firm Grohé Frères in 1827, active from 1829 to 1881. The exceptional quality of their fine furniture made them official suppliers to the European aristocracy and royalty, including Emperor Napoleon III and Empress Eugénie. It is also noteworthy that the Duke d'Aumale commissioned the brothers to provide most of the furniture for the magnificent Château de Chantilly.