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ID #SA1220030
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£3,850
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Exceptional Antique French Amboyna & Ebonised Bonheur Du Jour Writing Desk with Porcelain Plaques C.1880
Lee Hawkins Antiques & Interiors
for sale €4,505     $4,890
£3,850
Lee Hawkins Antiques & Interiors

Lee Hawkins Antiques & Interiors

Sellingantiques Verified Since Oct 2012
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Id #SA1220030
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Exceptional Antique French Amboyna & Ebonised Bonheur Du Jour Writing Desk with Porcelain Plaques C.1880

19th century
Description

An exceptional antique French Amboyna and ebonised Bonheur du Jour writing desk dating from the late 19th century, beautifully combining decorative artistry with practical functionality.

Crafted from richly figured Amboyna veneer with contrasting ebonised details, The superstructure is centred by a glazed arched display compartment with mirrored interior, flanked by two cupboard doors each adorned with exquisite hand-painted porcelain portrait plaques framed within decorative gilt bronze mounts.

The writing section features acentral drawer ingeniously converting into a leather-lined writing slope, providing a practical workspace whilst maintaining the desk's elegant proportions. The lower section is supported by finely turned and ebonised legs with decorative porcelain roundels and gilt embellishments, all united by a substantial under-tier offering additional display or storage space.

The striking Amboyna veneers exhibit wonderful depth and movement throughout, whilst the porcelain plaques add a level of artistry rarely encountered on comparable examples. Every angle demonstrates the sophistication and attention to detail expected of luxury French furniture from this period.

Perfect as a statement piece within a drawing room, study, bedroom, or grand entrance hall, this Bonheur du Jour offers both functionality and decorative appeal.

Fine French Bonheur du Jour desks remain highly sought after by collectors, decorators, and investors due to their decorative appeal, practical functionality, and increasingly limited availability. Examples featuring Amboyna veneers, porcelain plaques, and original fitted interiors represent some of the most desirable pieces within the market for 19th-century French furniture.

Dimensions

Height: 141cm

Width: 108cm

Depth: 56cm

Physical Dimensions
Height
141cm (55.51")
Width
108cm (42.52")
Depth
56cm (22.05")
Declaration

Lee Hawkins Antiques & Interiors has dated this French Amboyna Writing Desk to the 19th Century.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1220030
Description
An exceptional antique French Amboyna and ebonised Bonheur du Jour writing desk dating from the late 19th century, beautifully combining decorative artistry with practical functionality.

Crafted from richly figured Amboyna veneer with contrasting ebonised details, The superstructure is centred by a glazed arched display compartment with mirrored interior, flanked by two cupboard doors each adorned with exquisite hand-painted porcelain portrait plaques framed within decorative gilt bronze mounts.

The writing section features acentral drawer ingeniously converting into a leather-lined writing slope, providing a practical workspace whilst maintaining the desk's elegant proportions.
Lee Hawkins Antiques & Interiors

The lower section is supported by finely turned and ebonised legs with decorative porcelain roundels and gilt embellishments, all united by a substantial under-tier offering additional display or storage space.

fig 1. An antique French amboyna and ebonised bonheur du jour writing desk featuring inset porcelain plaques, gilt metal mounts, a central mirrored superstructure, and lower tier shelving.
fig 1. Exceptional Antique French Amboyna & Ebonised Bonheur Du Jour Writing Desk with Porcelain Plaques C.1880

The striking Amboyna veneers exhibit wonderful depth and movement throughout, whilst the porcelain plaques add a level of artistry rarely encountered on comparable examples. Every angle demonstrates the sophistication and attention to detail expected of luxury French furniture from this period.

fig 2. An antique French amboyna and ebonised bonheur du jour writing desk featuring inset porcelain plaques, gilt metal mounts, a central mirrored superstructure, and lower tier shelving.
fig 2. Exceptional Antique French Amboyna & Ebonised Bonheur Du Jour Writing Desk with Porcelain Plaques C.1880

Perfect as a statement piece within a drawing room, study, bedroom, or grand entrance hall, this Bonheur du Jour offers both functionality and decorative appeal.

Fine French Bonheur du Jour desks remain highly sought after by collectors, decorators, and investors due to their decorative appeal, practical functionality, and increasingly limited availability. Examples featuring Amboyna veneers, porcelain plaques, and original fitted interiors represent some of the most desirable pieces within the market for 19th-century French furniture.

Dimensions

Height: 141cm

Width: 108cm

Depth: 56cm

Height
141cm (55.51")
Width
108cm (42.52")
Depth
56cm (22.05")
Date of Manufacture

Lee Hawkins Antiques & Interiors has dated this French Amboyna Writing Desk to the 19th Century.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1220030
Lee Hawkins Antiques & Interiors
Lee Hawkins Antiques & Interiors
Sellingantiques verified Since Oct 2012
Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the Lee Hawkins Antiques & Interiors Profile Page

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An antique French amboyna and ebonised bonheur du jour writing desk featuring inset porcelain plaques, gilt metal mounts, a central mirrored superstructure, and lower tier shelving.
1 / 7
Archive I An antique French amboyna and ebonised bonheur du jour writing desk featuring inset porcelain plaques, gilt metal mounts, a central mirrored superstructure, and lower tier shelving.

Exceptional Antique French Amboyna & Ebonised Bonheur Du Jour Writing Desk With Porcelain Plaques c.1880

Archive II An antique French amboyna and ebonised bonheur du jour writing desk featuring inset porcelain plaques, gilt metal mounts, a central mirrored superstructure, and lower tier shelving. View II
Archive III An antique French amboyna and ebonised bonheur du jour writing desk featuring inset porcelain plaques, gilt metal mounts, a central mirrored superstructure, and lower tier shelving. View III
Archive IV An antique French amboyna and ebonised bonheur du jour writing desk featuring inset porcelain plaques, gilt metal mounts, a central mirrored superstructure, and lower tier shelving. View IV
Archive V An antique French amboyna and ebonised bonheur du jour writing desk featuring inset porcelain plaques, gilt metal mounts, a central mirrored superstructure, and lower tier shelving. View V
Archive VI An antique French amboyna and ebonised bonheur du jour writing desk featuring inset porcelain plaques, gilt metal mounts, a central mirrored superstructure, and lower tier shelving. View VI
Archive VII An antique French amboyna and ebonised bonheur du jour writing desk featuring inset porcelain plaques, gilt metal mounts, a central mirrored superstructure, and lower tier shelving. View VII
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Location
Unit 15
Palmers Vale Business Centre
Palmerston Road
Barry
Glamorgan
CF63 2XA
United Kingdom
Verified Since Oct 2012
Items For Sale 154
Items Sold 922
Lee Hawkins Antiques & Interiors
Lee Hawkins Antiques & Interiors
Verified Since Oct 2012
View Dealer Info
Location: Unit 15, Palmers Vale Business Centre, Palmerston Road, Barry, Glamorgan, CF63 2XA, United Kingdom
Verified
Oct 2012
For Sale
154
Sold
922
An antique French amboyna and ebonised bonheur du jour writing desk featuring inset porcelain plaques, gilt metal mounts, a central mirrored superstructure, and lower tier shelving.
Exceptional Antique French Amboyna & Ebonised Bonheur Du Jour Writing Desk With Porcelain Plaques c.1880
Ref: SA1220030
An antique French amboyna and ebonised bonheur du jour writing desk featuring inset porcelain plaques, gilt metal mounts, a central mirrored superstructure, and lower tier shelving.
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Our dealers are highly experienced in packing and shipping fragile, high-value antiques. Because you are in direct contact with the dealer, you will be able to easily go through all available shipping and insurance options together to ensure your item arrives safely.
Antiques are the ultimate green purchase. By choosing historical pieces over newly manufactured goods, you completely eliminate the carbon footprint of modern mass production while preserving exceptional, timeless craftsmanship.

A bonheur du jour is a refined form of French ladies writing desk introduced in Paris during the eighteenth century. Characterised by a flat writing surface backed by a decorative superstructure containing drawers, small cupboards, or mirrors, it was designed specifically for penning personal correspondence.

Nineteenth-century examples frequently combine decorative exotic veneers such as amboyna, burr walnut, or rosewood with ebonised timber accents. High-end pieces feature cast brass or bronze gilt mounts, bevelled mirror glass, and hand-painted porcelain plaques in the Sevres style.

Napoleon III period pieces (circa 18521870s) are distinguished by their theatrical combination of contrasting materials, including dark ebonised woods alongside richly figured veneers, elaborate gilt-bronze mounts, and inset enamel or porcelain decorative roundels.

An antique bonheur du jour serves as a focal accent piece when placed in a formal study, hallway, or bedroom. Incorporating clean-lined modern lighting and minimal decorative objects creates a striking contrast between historical artistry and contemporary interior design.

Preserve timber veneers by maintaining stable humidity levels away from direct sunlight and heat sources. Clean wooden surfaces with a soft, dry microfibre cloth and apply high-grade beeswax sparingly, avoiding polished gilt metal mounts and porcelain inserts.
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