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Antique French Kingwood Bonheur Du Jour Writing Desk with Ormolu Mounts & Porcelain Plaques C.1880
Lee Hawkins Antiques & Interiors
for sale €3,803     $4,128
£3,250
Lee Hawkins Antiques & Interiors

Lee Hawkins Antiques & Interiors

Sellingantiques Verified Since Oct 2012
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Antique French Kingwood Bonheur Du Jour Writing Desk with Ormolu Mounts & Porcelain Plaques C.1880

19th century
Description

An exceptional antique French Kingwood Bonheur Du Jour writing desk dating from circa 1880, showcasing the elegance, craftsmanship, and decorative refinement that made French cabinet making world-renowned during the late 19th century.

Beautifully veneered in richly figured kingwood, this charming ladies' writing desk is adorned with finely cast gilt-bronze ormolu mounts and exquisite hand-painted porcelain plaques depicting cherubs and floral bouquets. The quality of the veneers, combined with the elaborate ormolu decoration and elegant proportions, creates a piece of remarkable visual appeal from every angle.

The upper cabinet section provides useful storage behind a pair of cupboard doors, accompanied by two small drawers beneath. The lower section incorporates a central drawer and a practical pull-out writing slide lined in blue velvet, offering functionality whilst preserving the desk's refined appearance.

Raised on elegant cabriole legs with further ormolu ornamentation, this Bonheur Du Jour embodies the luxurious Louis XV Revival taste that remained highly fashionable amongst affluent French households during the Belle Époque period.

Perfect for use within a bedroom, dressing room, study, library, or reception room, this versatile piece functions equally well as a writing desk, decorative cabinet, or statement accent piece.

Fine French Bonheur Du Jour desks remain increasingly desirable amongst collectors, interior designers, and antique investors. Examples retaining their original porcelain plaques, ormolu mounts, and quality kingwood veneers are becoming increasingly difficult to source. Their decorative appeal, practical functionality, and finite supply continue to support long-term collectability and investment potential.

Dimensions

Height: 128cm

Width: 73cm

Depth: 50cm

Physical Dimensions
Height
128cm (50.39")
Width
73cm (28.74")
Depth
50cm (19.69")
Declaration

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

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1220034
Description
An exceptional antique French Kingwood Bonheur Du Jour writing desk dating from circa 1880, showcasing the elegance, craftsmanship, and decorative refinement that made French cabinet making world-renowned during the late 19th century.

Beautifully veneered in richly figured kingwood, this charming ladies' writing desk is adorned with finely cast gilt-bronze ormolu mounts and exquisite hand-painted porcelain plaques depicting cherubs and floral bouquets.

The quality of the veneers, combined with the elaborate ormolu decoration and elegant proportions, creates a piece of remarkable visual appeal from every angle.
Lee Hawkins Antiques & Interiors
fig 1. An antique French kingwood bonheur du jour writing desk featuring an upper cabinet with porcelain plaques, ornate ormolu mounts, and slender cabriole legs.
fig 1. Antique French Kingwood Bonheur Du Jour Writing Desk with Ormolu Mounts & Porcelain Plaques C.1880

The upper cabinet section provides useful storage behind a pair of cupboard doors, accompanied by two small drawers beneath. The lower section incorporates a central drawer and a practical pull-out writing slide lined in blue velvet, offering functionality whilst preserving the desk's refined appearance.

fig 2. An antique French kingwood bonheur du jour writing desk featuring an upper cabinet with porcelain plaques, ornate ormolu mounts, and slender cabriole legs.
fig 2. Antique French Kingwood Bonheur Du Jour Writing Desk with Ormolu Mounts & Porcelain Plaques C.1880

Raised on elegant cabriole legs with further ormolu ornamentation, this Bonheur Du Jour embodies the luxurious Louis XV Revival taste that remained highly fashionable amongst affluent French households during the Belle Époque period.

fig 3. An antique French kingwood bonheur du jour writing desk featuring an upper cabinet with porcelain plaques, ornate ormolu mounts, and slender cabriole legs.
fig 3. Antique French Kingwood Bonheur Du Jour Writing Desk with Ormolu Mounts & Porcelain Plaques C.1880

Perfect for use within a bedroom, dressing room, study, library, or reception room, this versatile piece functions equally well as a writing desk, decorative cabinet, or statement accent piece.

Fine French Bonheur Du Jour desks remain increasingly desirable amongst collectors, interior designers, and antique investors. Examples retaining their original porcelain plaques, ormolu mounts, and quality kingwood veneers are becoming increasingly difficult to source. Their decorative appeal, practical functionality, and finite supply continue to support long-term collectability and investment potential.

Dimensions

Height: 128cm

Width: 73cm

Depth: 50cm

Height
128cm (50.39")
Width
73cm (28.74")
Depth
50cm (19.69")
Date of Manufacture

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

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1220034
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 kingwood bonheur du jour writing desk featuring an upper cabinet with porcelain plaques, ornate ormolu mounts, and slender cabriole legs.
1 / 9
Archive I An antique French kingwood bonheur du jour writing desk featuring an upper cabinet with porcelain plaques, ornate ormolu mounts, and slender cabriole legs.

Antique French Kingwood Bonheur Du Jour Writing Desk With Ormolu Mounts & Porcelain Plaques c.1880

Archive II An antique French kingwood bonheur du jour writing desk featuring an upper cabinet with porcelain plaques, ornate ormolu mounts, and slender cabriole legs. View II
Archive III An antique French kingwood bonheur du jour writing desk featuring an upper cabinet with porcelain plaques, ornate ormolu mounts, and slender cabriole legs. View III
Archive IV An antique French kingwood bonheur du jour writing desk featuring an upper cabinet with porcelain plaques, ornate ormolu mounts, and slender cabriole legs. View IV
Archive V An antique French kingwood bonheur du jour writing desk featuring an upper cabinet with porcelain plaques, ornate ormolu mounts, and slender cabriole legs. View V
Archive VI An antique French kingwood bonheur du jour writing desk featuring an upper cabinet with porcelain plaques, ornate ormolu mounts, and slender cabriole legs. View VI
Archive VII An antique French kingwood bonheur du jour writing desk featuring an upper cabinet with porcelain plaques, ornate ormolu mounts, and slender cabriole legs. View VII
Archive VIII An antique French kingwood bonheur du jour writing desk featuring an upper cabinet with porcelain plaques, ornate ormolu mounts, and slender cabriole legs. View VIII
Archive IX An antique French kingwood bonheur du jour writing desk featuring an upper cabinet with porcelain plaques, ornate ormolu mounts, and slender cabriole legs. View IX
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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 kingwood bonheur du jour writing desk featuring an upper cabinet with porcelain plaques, ornate ormolu mounts, and slender cabriole legs.
Antique French Kingwood Bonheur Du Jour Writing Desk With Ormolu Mounts & Porcelain Plaques c.1880
Ref: SA1220034
An antique French kingwood bonheur du jour writing desk featuring an upper cabinet with porcelain plaques, ornate ormolu mounts, and slender cabriole legs.
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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 type of ladys writing desk introduced in Paris during the 1760s, characterised by a flat writing surface backed by a raised cabinet or cupboard section.

These pieces frequently feature fine timber veneers such as kingwood, tulipwood, or rosewood, embellished with chased gilt bronze (ormolu) mounts and hand-painted porcelain medallions.

Authentic period examples exhibit hand-chased metal mounts, hand-cut dovetail drawer joints, original geometric veneer parquetry, and fine brushwork on porcelain plaques rather than modern transfer prints.

Place this decorative cabinet in an entryway, bedroom nook, or formal reception room alongside subtle contemporary seating and minimalist lighting to emphasize its historical detail.

Dust regularly with a dry microfibre cloth, apply natural beeswax sparingly to timber surfaces while avoiding metal mounts, and maintain stable indoor humidity to prevent veneer lifting.
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