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ID #SA1239941
FOR SALE
£1,350
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Antique French Desk - Walnut Bonheur De Jour Ladies Desk Circa 1880
For sale by Canonbury Antiques
for sale €1,580     $1,715
£1,350
Canonbury Antiques

Canonbury Antiques

Sellingantiques Verified Since Apr 2021
Browse dealers 341 items
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    London UK antiques & decorative arts - ships globally
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Id #SA1239941
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Antique French Desk - Walnut Bonheur De Jour Ladies Desk Circa 1880

19th century
Description

Gorgeous French antique bonheur du jour desk

We date this to circa 1880

Hand crafted from walnut this really is a museum quality collectors piece

Offered in great condition, ready for home use right away

Please let us know if you would like to view this piece in our Canonbury Antiques Herts showroom, just 25 minutes north of London

Offered in great shape ready for home use right away

We ship to every corner of the planet - please get in touch for a shipping quote

Dimensions are in inches (CM)

Width x Depth x Height

32 (81) x 22 (55) x 54 (137)

Physical Dimensions
Height
137cm (53.94")
Width
81cm (31.89")
Depth
55cm (21.65")
Declaration

Canonbury Antiques has dated this Walnut Bonheur Du Jour Desk to the 1880s.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1239941
Description
Gorgeous French antique bonheur du jour desk

We date this to circa 1880

Hand crafted from walnut this really is a museum quality collectors piece

Offered in great condition, ready for home use right away

“
Please let us know if you would like to view this piece in our Canonbury Antiques Herts showroom, just 25 minutes north of London.
Canonbury Antiques
fig 1. A 19th-century French walnut bonheur du jour desk featuring cabriole legs, a slant-front writing slope, and an upper superstructure with small glazed cabinets framing a central arched mirror.
fig 1. Antique French Desk - Walnut Bonheur De Jour Ladies Desk Circa 1880

Offered in great shape ready for home use right away

We ship to every corner of the planet - please get in touch for a shipping quote

Dimensions are in inches (CM)

Width x Depth x Height

32 (81) x 22 (55) x 54 (137)

Height
137cm (53.94")
Width
81cm (31.89")
Depth
55cm (21.65")
Date of Manufacture

Canonbury Antiques has dated this Walnut Bonheur Du Jour Desk to the 1880s.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1239941
Canonbury Antiques
Canonbury Antiques
Sellingantiques verified Since Apr 2021

London UK antiques & decorative arts - ships globally

Dealer Profile

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

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A 19th-century French walnut bonheur du jour desk featuring cabriole legs, a slant-front writing slope, and an upper superstructure with small glazed cabinets framing a central arched mirror.
1 / 10
Archive I A 19th-century French walnut bonheur du jour desk featuring cabriole legs, a slant-front writing slope, and an upper superstructure with small glazed cabinets framing a central arched mirror.

Antique French Desk - Walnut Bonheur De Jour Ladies Desk Circa 1880

Archive II A 19th-century French walnut bonheur du jour desk featuring cabriole legs, a slant-front writing slope, and an upper superstructure with small glazed cabinets framing a central arched mirror. View II
Archive III A 19th-century French walnut bonheur du jour desk featuring cabriole legs, a slant-front writing slope, and an upper superstructure with small glazed cabinets framing a central arched mirror. View III
Archive IV A 19th-century French walnut bonheur du jour desk featuring cabriole legs, a slant-front writing slope, and an upper superstructure with small glazed cabinets framing a central arched mirror. View IV
Archive V A 19th-century French walnut bonheur du jour desk featuring cabriole legs, a slant-front writing slope, and an upper superstructure with small glazed cabinets framing a central arched mirror. View V
Archive VI A 19th-century French walnut bonheur du jour desk featuring cabriole legs, a slant-front writing slope, and an upper superstructure with small glazed cabinets framing a central arched mirror. View VI
Archive VII A 19th-century French walnut bonheur du jour desk featuring cabriole legs, a slant-front writing slope, and an upper superstructure with small glazed cabinets framing a central arched mirror. View VII
Archive VIII A 19th-century French walnut bonheur du jour desk featuring cabriole legs, a slant-front writing slope, and an upper superstructure with small glazed cabinets framing a central arched mirror. View VIII
Archive IX A 19th-century French walnut bonheur du jour desk featuring cabriole legs, a slant-front writing slope, and an upper superstructure with small glazed cabinets framing a central arched mirror. View IX
Archive X A 19th-century French walnut bonheur du jour desk featuring cabriole legs, a slant-front writing slope, and an upper superstructure with small glazed cabinets framing a central arched mirror. View X
Enlarged Archival View
Canonbury Antiques

Canonbury Antiques
Telephone 01707 644877
Location
Potters Bar
Hertfordshire
United Kingdom
Dealer Profile Page sellingantiques.co.uk/canonbury
Verified Since Apr 2021
Items For Sale 341
Items Sold 512
Canonbury Antiques
Canonbury Antiques
Verified Since Apr 2021
View Dealer Info
Location: Potters Bar , Hertfordshire, United Kingdom
Profile: sellingantiques.co.uk/canonbury
Verified
Apr 2021
For Sale
341
Sold
512
A 19th-century French walnut bonheur du jour desk featuring cabriole legs, a slant-front writing slope, and an upper superstructure with small glazed cabinets framing a central arched mirror.
Antique French Desk - Walnut Bonheur De Jour ladies Desk Circa 1880
Ref: SA1239941
A 19th-century French walnut bonheur du jour desk featuring cabriole legs, a slant-front writing slope, and an upper superstructure with small glazed cabinets framing a central arched mirror.
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 & Bureaux
  • Period19th century
  • StyleFrench Rococo Revival
  • MaterialWalnut, Glass, Brass
  • ColourWarm Brown
  • MotifsCabriole legs, Slant front slope, Glazed side cabinets, Ormolu mounts
  • SizeH 137 cm (54 in) x W 81 cm (32 in) x D 55 cm (22 in)

This French Rococo Revival ladies desk dates to circa 1880, formed in warm brown walnut with brass ormolu mounts and clear glass. The upper superstructure holds two small glazed cabinets framing a central arched mirror, topped by two green and white obelisk finials, while the lower section provides a slant-front writing slope above a shaped apron and four curved cabriole legs. Cast brass mounts adorn the shoulders and feet, and a pull handle sits on the central drawer beneath the mirror. The structure measures 137 cm high, 81 cm wide, and 55 cm deep. Placed in a study, bedroom, or living space, it functions as a writing table or display surface for daily correspondence and stationery.

FAQs

A bonheur du jour is a small type of ladies writing desk introduced in 18th-century France, characterised by a raised superstructure featuring small cabinets, drawers, or mirrors above a writing surface.

These desks were traditionally constructed using fine hardwoods such as walnut, rosewood, or kingwood, frequently featuring marquetry veneers, mirrored glass, and decorative brass or gilt-bronze mounts.

Authentic 19th-century examples typically display hand-cut dovetail joinery, original brass mounts or leg sabots, hand-planed back panels, and natural wear or oxidisation appropriate to timber of that era.

Position the desk in a quiet bedroom corner or dedicated study area, pairing it with clean-lined modern lighting and neutral backdrop tones to highlight the detailed grain work and silhouette.

Dust surfaces regularly with a clean microfibre cloth and apply a natural beeswax polish sparingly once or twice a year, ensuring the piece remains away from direct heat sources and intense sunlight.
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