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ID #SA1017406
FOR SALE
£495
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Walnut Bonheur Du Jour / Ladies Writing Desk
For sale by Athey Antiques
for sale €579     $629
£495
Athey Antiques

Athey Antiques

Sellingantiques Verified Since Dec 2010
Browse dealers 120 items
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Id #SA1017406
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Walnut Bonheur Du Jour / Ladies Writing Desk

19th century
For Sale by Athey Antiques
Description

Lovely Victorian walnut Bonheur Du Jour / ladies writing desk. The top with decorative inlay detail and pierced brass gallery , two inlaid doors below opening to interior fitted with various compartments and drawers. The base has an inset burgundy leather writing surface, a frieze drawer ( working lock and key ) and a cupboard below with decorative inlaid panel opening to shelved interior.

With some marks / scuffs / veneer nibbles etc but overall this charming little desk is in good condition with a pleasing colour and figuring.

Please contact us for further details.

Reasonably priced delivery available.

Height 41" 104 cm

Width 24.5" 62 cm

Depth 20" 51 cm

All sizes approximate.

Date of Manufacture

Athey Antiques has dated this Walnut Bonheur Du Jour to the 1860s.

Independent Date Guide ID 08121842
Dealer's Item Date1860s
Sellingantiques Date1860s
Sellingantiques agingItem 145-170 years old
ResultsDates match
Why Sellingantiques dated this piece to THE 1860s:
Pierced cast brass gallery: typical mid-Victorian decorative metalwork.
Burr walnut veneer with boxwood foliate marquetry: cabinet work of the 1860s.
Internal shelves retain original gilt-tooled leather edging: period fitting.
Shaped leather writing surface: natural age wear and edge shrinkage over time.

This Independent Date Guide was compiled by Sellingantiques using its own proprietary system. It works only from the photographs shown on this page and is never told the date the dealer has declared. It is a guide, not a guarantee of age, and occasional errors can occur.

Physical Dimensions
Height
104cm (40.94")
Width
62cm (24.41")
Depth
51cm (20.08")
Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1017406
Dealers Internal Reference
ath3507
Description
Lovely Victorian walnut Bonheur Du Jour / ladies writing desk.
“
The top with decorative inlay detail and pierced brass gallery , two inlaid doors below opening to interior fitted with various compartments and drawers.
Athey Antiques

The base has an inset burgundy leather writing surface, a frieze drawer ( working lock and key ) and a cupboard below with decorative inlaid panel opening to shelved interior.

fig 1. A Victorian burr walnut bonheur du jour writing desk with marquetry inlay, upper twin door cabinet, brass top gallery rail, and burgundy leather writing insert.
fig 1. Walnut Bonheur Du Jour / Ladies Writing Desk

With some marks / scuffs / veneer nibbles etc but overall this charming little desk is in good condition with a pleasing colour and figuring.

Please contact us for further details.

Reasonably priced delivery available.

Height 41" 104 cm

Width 24.5" 62 cm

Depth 20" 51 cm

All sizes approximate.

Date of Manufacture

Athey Antiques has dated this Walnut Bonheur Du Jour to the 1860s.

Independent Date Report ID 08121842
Dealer's Item Date1860s
Sellingantiques dating1860s
Sellingantiques agingItem 145-170 years old
ResultsDates match
Why Sellingantiques dated this piece to the 1860s:
Pierced cast brass gallery: typical mid-Victorian decorative metalwork.
Burr walnut veneer with boxwood foliate marquetry: cabinet work of the 1860s.
Internal shelves retain original gilt-tooled leather edging: period fitting.
Shaped leather writing surface: natural age wear and edge shrinkage over time.

This is an independent date report produced by Sellingantiques using its own proprietary system. The process uses the photographs shown on this page. The system is never told the date the dealer has declared. This report shows that the two dates corroborate.

Height
104cm (40.94")
Width
62cm (24.41")
Depth
51cm (20.08")
Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1017406
Dealers Internal Ref
ath3507
Athey Antiques
Athey Antiques
Sellingantiques verified Since Dec 2010
Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the Athey Antiques Profile Page

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A Victorian burr walnut bonheur du jour writing desk with marquetry inlay, upper twin door cabinet, brass top gallery rail, and burgundy leather writing insert.
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Archive I A Victorian burr walnut bonheur du jour writing desk with marquetry inlay, upper twin door cabinet, brass top gallery rail, and burgundy leather writing insert.

Walnut Bonheur Du Jour / Ladies Writing Desk

Archive II A Victorian burr walnut bonheur du jour writing desk with marquetry inlay, upper twin door cabinet, brass top gallery rail, and burgundy leather writing insert. View II
Archive III A Victorian burr walnut bonheur du jour writing desk with marquetry inlay, upper twin door cabinet, brass top gallery rail, and burgundy leather writing insert. View III
Archive IV A Victorian burr walnut bonheur du jour writing desk with marquetry inlay, upper twin door cabinet, brass top gallery rail, and burgundy leather writing insert. View IV
Archive V A Victorian burr walnut bonheur du jour writing desk with marquetry inlay, upper twin door cabinet, brass top gallery rail, and burgundy leather writing insert. View V
Archive VI A Victorian burr walnut bonheur du jour writing desk with marquetry inlay, upper twin door cabinet, brass top gallery rail, and burgundy leather writing insert. View VI
Archive VII A Victorian burr walnut bonheur du jour writing desk with marquetry inlay, upper twin door cabinet, brass top gallery rail, and burgundy leather writing insert. View VII
Archive VIII A Victorian burr walnut bonheur du jour writing desk with marquetry inlay, upper twin door cabinet, brass top gallery rail, and burgundy leather writing insert. View VIII
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Athey Antiques

Athey Antiques
Telephone 01665 604229 or 07836 718350
Location
Castle Corner
Alnwick
Northumberland
NE66 1JQ
United Kingdom
Dealer Profile Page sellingantiques.co.uk/athey
Verified Since Dec 2010
Items For Sale 120
Items Sold 2,098
Athey Antiques
Athey Antiques
Verified Since Dec 2010
View Dealer Info
Location: Castle Corner, Alnwick, Northumberland, NE66 1JQ, United Kingdom
Profile: sellingantiques.co.uk/athey
Verified
Dec 2010
For Sale
120
Sold
2,098
A Victorian burr walnut bonheur du jour writing desk with marquetry inlay, upper twin door cabinet, brass top gallery rail, and burgundy leather writing insert.
Walnut Bonheur du jour / ladies writing desk
Ref: SA1017406
A Victorian burr walnut bonheur du jour writing desk with marquetry inlay, upper twin door cabinet, brass top gallery rail, and burgundy leather writing insert.
Detail View 1
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Archival Detail

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Cataloguer’s note

Written by Sellingantiques from the dealer’s photographs and listing
  • ObjectDesks & Writing Tables
  • Period19th century
  • StyleVictorian
  • MaterialBurr Walnut, Leather, Brass
  • ColourWarm Brown
  • MotifsBurr walnut veneer, Inlaid marquetry, Brass gallery rail, Tooled leather insert
  • SizeH 104 cm (41 in) x W 62 cm (24 in) x D 51 cm (20 in)

This Victorian burr walnut bonheur du jour and ladies writing desk originates from 1860. The piece takes a French Chateau style, displaying warm brown burr walnut veneer with inlaid marquetry, a pierced brass gallery rail at the top, a burgundy leather writing insert, and round wooden drawer and cupboard pulls. The structure comprises an upper twin-door cabinet, a fold-out or inset writing surface above a single frieze drawer with a working lock and key, and a lower cupboard section set on low, rounded feet. It presents visible marks, scuffs, and veneer nibbles alongside its pleasing grain figuring and good overall condition. Measuring 104 cm high, 62 cm wide, and 51 cm deep, this compact writing desk suits a study, bedroom, or living room as a dedicated correspondence station or display surface. A buyer uses the upper compartments for organizing stationery and letters, writes upon the burgundy leather surface, and stores books or supplies within the shelved lower cupboard.

FAQs

A bonheur du jour is a small, decorative ladies writing desk that originated in France during the eighteenth century. Characterised by an attached raised back cabinet with small drawers or doors, it was designed for correspondence and storing personal accessories.

These desks were traditionally crafted from fine hardwoods such as burr walnut, rosewood, or mahogany, often adorned with marquetry or parquetry inlays. Features frequently include brass gallery rails, gilt bronze mounts, and leather writing inserts.

Authentic period examples feature hand-cut dovetail joinery, hand-applied wood veneers, and original brass lock mechanisms. Natural surface patina on brass fittings, light wear on leather inserts, and consistent aging of timber support historical authenticity.

A bonheur du jour functions as a compact focal point in a hallway, bedroom alcove, or living room setting. Combining this historical form with contemporary wall art or minimal lighting creates a balanced interior scheme.

Dust the timber regularly with a clean, soft cloth and apply a quality beeswax polish sparingly once or twice a year in the direction of the grain. Protect the leather writing surface and veneers from direct sunlight, moisture, and localized heat sources.
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