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ID #SA1245276
FOR SALE
£3,500
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19th Century French Amboyna & Porcelain Mounted Bonheur Du Jour Writing Desk
For sale by FB Antiques
for sale €4,095     $4,445
£3,500
FB Antiques

FB Antiques

Sellingantiques Verified Since Jul 2014
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Id #SA1245276
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19th Century French Amboyna & Porcelain Mounted Bonheur Du Jour Writing Desk

19th century
For Sale by FB Antiques
Description

19th Century French Amboyna, Ebonised and Porcelain Mounted Bonheur du Jour

A superb and highly decorative 19th century French bonheur du jour, beautifully constructed with richly figured amboyna veneers, contrasting ebonised borders, fine brass inlay and elaborate gilt metal mounts.

The upper section features a two-door cabinet, each door inset with an oval porcelain portrait plaque within an ornate gilt metal frame. The left plaque depicts the Duchess de Châteauroux, whilst the right depicts Princess de Lamballe. The portraits are beautifully complemented by finely detailed gilt metal foliate mounts to the corners, with a further decorative porcelain plaque to the side.

The cabinet is surmounted by a decorative pierced brass gallery, whilst the beautifully figured amboyna surfaces are framed by ebonised borders and delicate brass stringing.

Below, the writing surface incorporates a fitted drawer, its front embellished with a continuous row of circular porcelain plaques depicting colourful floral bouquets, each set within an ornate gilt metal surround. The drawer opens to reveal a fitted writing compartment with a blue writing surface and additional storage.

The lower section features two open shelves with beautifully figured amboyna veneers, enclosed by glazed sides and a mirrored back, creating an attractive display area. The whole is raised on four turned feet with gilt metal detailing.

An exceptionally elegant and unusual piece of 19th century French furniture, combining fine cabinetmaking with decorative porcelain and gilt metal ornamentation. Perfect for use as a small writing desk, decorative cabinet or statement piece in a drawing room, bedroom or period interior.

Dimensions:

* Width: 62 cm

* Depth: 46 cm

* Height: 128 cm

Item Code: S27-1944A

Date of Manufacture

FB Antiques has dated this Amboyna Bonheur Du Jour to the Victorian era.

Independent Date Check ID 09716932
Dealer's Item DateVictorian era
Sellingantiques DateVictorian era
Sellingantiques agingItem 140-170 years old
Test ResultsPassed dating check
Why Sellingantiques dated this piece to THE VICTORIAN ERA:
Hand-painted porcelain plaques in the Sèvres manner: high-style decorative cabinetwork of the later 1800s.
Finely figured amboyna veneers with ebonised edging: luxury French taste under Napoleon III.
Ormolu mounts and pierced brass gallery: casting and chasing standard in the 1870s.
Mirrored back and glazed tiers below: fashionable Victorian parlour show design.
Fitted writing slide with ratcheted rest: traditional desk mechanism of the late nineteenth century.

This is an independent date and photo anotation report compiled 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.

Physical Dimensions
Height
128cm (50.39")
Width
62cm (24.41")
Depth
46cm (18.11")
Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1245276
Dealers Internal Reference
S27-1944A
Description
19th Century French Amboyna, Ebonised and Porcelain Mounted Bonheur du Jour

A superb and highly decorative 19th century French bonheur du jour, beautifully constructed with richly figured amboyna veneers, contrasting ebonised borders, fine brass inlay and elaborate gilt metal mounts.

“
The upper section features a two-door cabinet, each door inset with an oval porcelain portrait plaque within an ornate gilt metal frame.
FB Antiques

The left plaque depicts the Duchess de Châteauroux, whilst the right depicts Princess de Lamballe. The portraits are beautifully complemented by finely detailed gilt metal foliate mounts to the corners, with a further decorative porcelain plaque to the side.

fig 1. A nineteenth-century French amboyna and ebonised bonheur du jour writing desk featuring gilt-bronze mounts, porcelain portrait plaques, and lower tiered shelves.
fig 1. 19th Century French Amboyna & Porcelain Mounted Bonheur Du Jour Writing Desk

The cabinet is surmounted by a decorative pierced brass gallery, whilst the beautifully figured amboyna surfaces are framed by ebonised borders and delicate brass stringing.

Below, the writing surface incorporates a fitted drawer, its front embellished with a continuous row of circular porcelain plaques depicting colourful floral bouquets, each set within an ornate gilt metal surround. The drawer opens to reveal a fitted writing compartment with a blue writing surface and additional storage.

fig 2. A nineteenth-century French amboyna and ebonised bonheur du jour writing desk featuring gilt-bronze mounts, porcelain portrait plaques, and lower tiered shelves.
fig 2. 19th Century French Amboyna & Porcelain Mounted Bonheur Du Jour Writing Desk

The lower section features two open shelves with beautifully figured amboyna veneers, enclosed by glazed sides and a mirrored back, creating an attractive display area. The whole is raised on four turned feet with gilt metal detailing.

fig 3. A nineteenth-century French amboyna and ebonised bonheur du jour writing desk featuring gilt-bronze mounts, porcelain portrait plaques, and lower tiered shelves.
fig 3. 19th Century French Amboyna & Porcelain Mounted Bonheur Du Jour Writing Desk

An exceptionally elegant and unusual piece of 19th century French furniture, combining fine cabinetmaking with decorative porcelain and gilt metal ornamentation. Perfect for use as a small writing desk, decorative cabinet or statement piece in a drawing room, bedroom or period interior.

Dimensions:

Width: 62 cm

Depth: 46 cm

Height: 128 cm

Item Code: S27-1944A

Date of Manufacture

FB Antiques has dated this Amboyna Bonheur Du Jour to the Victorian era.

Independent Date Report ID 09716932
Dealer's Item DateVictorian era
Sellingantiques datingVictorian era
Sellingantiques agingItem 140-170 years old
Test ResultsPassed dating check
Why Sellingantiques dated this piece to the Victorian era:
Hand-painted porcelain plaques in the Sèvres manner: high-style decorative cabinetwork of the later 1800s.
Finely figured amboyna veneers with ebonised edging: luxury French taste under Napoleon III.
Ormolu mounts and pierced brass gallery: casting and chasing standard in the 1870s.
Mirrored back and glazed tiers below: fashionable Victorian parlour show design.
Fitted writing slide with ratcheted rest: traditional desk mechanism of the late nineteenth century.

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
128cm (50.39")
Width
62cm (24.41")
Depth
46cm (18.11")
Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1245276
Dealers Internal Ref
S27-1944A
FB Antiques
FB Antiques
Sellingantiques verified Since Jul 2014
Dealer Profile

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

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A nineteenth-century French amboyna and ebonised bonheur du jour writing desk featuring gilt-bronze mounts, porcelain portrait plaques, and lower tiered shelves.
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Archive I A nineteenth-century French amboyna and ebonised bonheur du jour writing desk featuring gilt-bronze mounts, porcelain portrait plaques, and lower tiered shelves.

19th Century French Amboyna & Porcelain Mounted Bonheur Du Jour Writing Desk

Archive II A nineteenth-century French amboyna and ebonised bonheur du jour writing desk featuring gilt-bronze mounts, porcelain portrait plaques, and lower tiered shelves. View II
Archive III A nineteenth-century French amboyna and ebonised bonheur du jour writing desk featuring gilt-bronze mounts, porcelain portrait plaques, and lower tiered shelves. View III
Archive IV A nineteenth-century French amboyna and ebonised bonheur du jour writing desk featuring gilt-bronze mounts, porcelain portrait plaques, and lower tiered shelves. View IV
Archive V A nineteenth-century French amboyna and ebonised bonheur du jour writing desk featuring gilt-bronze mounts, porcelain portrait plaques, and lower tiered shelves. View V
Archive VI A nineteenth-century French amboyna and ebonised bonheur du jour writing desk featuring gilt-bronze mounts, porcelain portrait plaques, and lower tiered shelves. View VI
Archive VII A nineteenth-century French amboyna and ebonised bonheur du jour writing desk featuring gilt-bronze mounts, porcelain portrait plaques, and lower tiered shelves. View VII
Archive VIII A nineteenth-century French amboyna and ebonised bonheur du jour writing desk featuring gilt-bronze mounts, porcelain portrait plaques, and lower tiered shelves. View VIII
Archive IX A nineteenth-century French amboyna and ebonised bonheur du jour writing desk featuring gilt-bronze mounts, porcelain portrait plaques, and lower tiered shelves. View IX
Archive X A nineteenth-century French amboyna and ebonised bonheur du jour writing desk featuring gilt-bronze mounts, porcelain portrait plaques, and lower tiered shelves. View X
Archive XI A nineteenth-century French amboyna and ebonised bonheur du jour writing desk featuring gilt-bronze mounts, porcelain portrait plaques, and lower tiered shelves. View XI
Archive XII A nineteenth-century French amboyna and ebonised bonheur du jour writing desk featuring gilt-bronze mounts, porcelain portrait plaques, and lower tiered shelves. View XII
Archive XIII A nineteenth-century French amboyna and ebonised bonheur du jour writing desk featuring gilt-bronze mounts, porcelain portrait plaques, and lower tiered shelves. View XIII
Archive XIV A nineteenth-century French amboyna and ebonised bonheur du jour writing desk featuring gilt-bronze mounts, porcelain portrait plaques, and lower tiered shelves. View XIV
Archive XV A nineteenth-century French amboyna and ebonised bonheur du jour writing desk featuring gilt-bronze mounts, porcelain portrait plaques, and lower tiered shelves. View XV
Enlarged Archival View
FB Antiques

FB Antiques
Telephone 01245 401 210
Location
Rawlings Farm Buildings
Unit 7 Main Road
Rettendon Common
Chelmsford
Essex
CM3 8DY
United Kingdom
Dealer Profile Page sellingantiques.co.uk/fbantiques
Verified Since Jul 2014
Items For Sale 296
Items Sold 1,367
FB Antiques
FB Antiques
Verified Since Jul 2014
View Dealer Info
Location: Rawlings Farm Buildings, Unit 7 Main Road, Rettendon Common, Chelmsford , Essex, CM3 8DY, United Kingdom
Profile: sellingantiques.co.uk/fbantiques
Verified
Jul 2014
For Sale
296
Sold
1,367
A nineteenth-century French amboyna and ebonised bonheur du jour writing desk featuring gilt-bronze mounts, porcelain portrait plaques, and lower tiered shelves.
19th Century French Amboyna & Porcelain Mounted Bonheur du Jour Writing Desk
Ref: SA1245276
A nineteenth-century French amboyna and ebonised bonheur du jour writing desk featuring gilt-bronze mounts, porcelain portrait plaques, and lower tiered shelves.
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Archival Detail

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Cataloguer’s note

Written by Sellingantiques from the dealer’s photographs and listing
  • ObjectDesks
  • Period19th century
  • StyleNapoleon III
  • MaterialAmboyna, Ebonised Wood, Gilt Bronze, Porcelain
  • ColourRich Brown
  • MotifsPorcelain portrait plaques, Gilt-bronze gallery, Ebonised borders, Tiered open shelves
  • SizeH 128 cm (50 in) x W 62 cm (24 in) x D 46 cm (18 in)

FAQs

A bonheur du jour is a style of small French writing desk introduced in Paris during the eighteenth century, traditionally featuring a flat writing surface topped by a raised cabinet section with small drawers or doors.

These pieces typically feature timber veneers such as amboyna, rosewood, or kingwood, often complemented by ebonised accents, gilt-bronze ormolu mounts, and hand-painted porcelain plaque inserts.

Authentic period examples demonstrate precise cabinetmaking, including hand-dovetailed drawer joints, heavy gilt-bronze mounts fixed with original screws, detailed porcelain glaze work, and natural wear patterns on timber surfaces.

A bonheur du jour functions effectively as a focal statement piece in a hallway, bedroom alcove, or formal reception room, paired with minimalist decorative accents to balance its detailed ornamentation.

Keep timber surfaces away from direct sunlight and heat sources to protect veneer work, polish lightly with high-grade beeswax, and clean metal mounts using a soft, dry cloth without chemical agents.
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