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Grohé Frères

Biography

Guillaume Grohé, a renowned French cabinetmaker, was born near Mainz, Germany. In 1827, he and his brother Jean-Michel moved to Paris, where they established their business under the name “Grohé Freres” in 1829. The brothers first showcased their works at the “Exposition des produits de l'industrie Française” in 1834. They continued to exhibit their creations at prestigious events such as the International Exhibition of Paris in 1855 and the Philadelphia Exhibition of 1876, where one of Guillaume's works was catalogued as a “masterpiece.”

Grohé Freres gained a distinguished clientele, including Napoleon III and Empress Eugénie, who commissioned the company to furnish a new suite of apartments in the Louvre. Other notable patrons were King Louis-Philippe, the Duc d'Aumale, and Queen Victoria. The Parisian journal Figaro praised Guillaume Grohé's works in January 1884, describing him as a “veritable grand maître de l'ébénisterie artistique du XIXe siècle” (a true grand master of artistic cabinetmaking in the 19th century).

Throughout his career, Guillaume Grohé's exceptional craftsmanship and innovative designs solidified his reputation as one of the leading figures in French cabinetmaking during the 19th century, leaving a lasting impact on the art of furniture-making.