An ebonized and patinated and gilt bronze mounted 'meuble d' appui' by Diehl, Paris Napoleon III, circa 1870

the marble top above a waved front accommodating a pair of doors, each inset with an oval patinated bronze plaque cast with putti, enclosing shelves, the lockplate engraved DIEHL PARIS, 19.r.Michel-le-Comte

Of German origin, Charles-Guillaume Diehl (1811-1885) moved to Paris in 1840 and established his workshops at 39 rue Saint-Sébastien, where by 1870 he was employing 600 workmen. Diehl participated in most of the major international exhibitions, starting with the Great Exhibition in 1851. He was awarded the hors-concours at the 1878 Paris Exhibition.