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sellingantiques.co.uk
ID #SA500525
FOR SALE
£6,500
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Rare, Signed Befort Jeune for Mathieu Befort 1813-1880: Bonheur Du Jour
Timberhill Gallery
for sale €7,605     $8,255
£6,500
Timberhill Gallery

Timberhill Gallery

Sellingantiques Verified Since Feb 2014
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Rare, Signed Befort Jeune for Mathieu Befort 1813-1880: Bonheur Du Jour

19th century
Description

A fantastic mid 19th C French Bonheur du Jour by the renowned French cabinet maker Mathieu Befort. Mathieu followed his father Jean Baptise Befort into the cabinet business. His workshop was on the Neuve Saint Gilles Paris. Befort's work was of the highest quality and he made pieces for Napoleon III and Empress Eugenie. This is a piece of the highest quality.

The piece is in a Bonheur du Jour or ladies writing desk is in the classical style, the piece is in coromandel wood, with exceptionally well cast gilt decoration. The drawer fronts and central drop door are hand painted with classical landscapes and figural groups. Internally the piece is lined with satin wood and has to small stationary drawers and a leather tooled writing slope.

The piece is topped with the original polished marble top and is signed Befort Jeune, the mark of Mathieu Befort to the frame below the marble.

The piece is in overall excellent condition. There is some minor craquelure to the paintings and wear to some of the gilt but nothing that detracts from the piece.

The marble top has some very minor old chips and a restored lamp vent.

Physical Dimensions
Height
105cm (41.34")
Width
65cm (25.59")
Depth
45cm (17.72")
Declaration

Timberhill Gallery has dated this Ebonised Bonheur Du Jour to the 1870s.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA500525
Description
A fantastic mid 19th C French Bonheur du Jour by the renowned French cabinet maker Mathieu Befort. Mathieu followed his father Jean Baptise Befort into the cabinet business. His workshop was on the Neuve Saint Gilles Paris. Befort's work was of the highest quality and he made pieces for Napoleon III and Empress Eugenie. This is a piece of the highest quality.
“
The piece is in a Bonheur du Jour or ladies writing desk is in the classical style, the piece is in coromandel wood, with exceptionally well cast gilt decoration.
Timberhill Gallery

The drawer fronts and central drop door are hand painted with classical landscapes and figural groups. Internally the piece is lined with satin wood and has to small stationary drawers and a leather tooled writing slope.

fig 1. A 19th-century French ebonised bonheur du jour writing desk featuring gilt-bronze ormolu mounts, hand-painted cabinet doors, a marble top, and slender cabriole legs.
fig 1. Rare, Signed Befort Jeune for Mathieu Befort 1813-1880: Bonheur Du Jour

The piece is topped with the original polished marble top and is signed Befort Jeune, the mark of Mathieu Befort to the frame below the marble.

The piece is in overall excellent condition. There is some minor craquelure to the paintings and wear to some of the gilt but nothing that detracts from the piece.

The marble top has some very minor old chips and a restored lamp vent.

Height
105cm (41.34")
Width
65cm (25.59")
Depth
45cm (17.72")
Date of Manufacture

Timberhill Gallery has dated this Ebonised Bonheur Du Jour to the 1870s.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA500525
Timberhill Gallery
Timberhill Gallery
Sellingantiques verified Since Feb 2014
Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the Timberhill Gallery Profile Page

Relevant Links
PDF SHARE
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A 19th-century French ebonised bonheur du jour writing desk featuring gilt-bronze ormolu mounts, hand-painted cabinet doors, a marble top, and slender cabriole legs.
1 / 6
Archive I A 19th-century French ebonised bonheur du jour writing desk featuring gilt-bronze ormolu mounts, hand-painted cabinet doors, a marble top, and slender cabriole legs.

Rare, Signed Befort Jeune for Mathieu Befort 1813-1880: Bonheur Du Jour

Archive II A 19th-century French ebonised bonheur du jour writing desk featuring gilt-bronze ormolu mounts, hand-painted cabinet doors, a marble top, and slender cabriole legs. View II
Archive III A 19th-century French ebonised bonheur du jour writing desk featuring gilt-bronze ormolu mounts, hand-painted cabinet doors, a marble top, and slender cabriole legs. View III
Archive IV A 19th-century French ebonised bonheur du jour writing desk featuring gilt-bronze ormolu mounts, hand-painted cabinet doors, a marble top, and slender cabriole legs. View IV
Archive V A 19th-century French ebonised bonheur du jour writing desk featuring gilt-bronze ormolu mounts, hand-painted cabinet doors, a marble top, and slender cabriole legs. View V
Archive VI A 19th-century French ebonised bonheur du jour writing desk featuring gilt-bronze ormolu mounts, hand-painted cabinet doors, a marble top, and slender cabriole legs. View VI
Enlarged Archival View
Timberhill Gallery

Timberhill Gallery
Telephone 07805 249 756
Location
Bungay
Suffolk
United Kingdom
Dealer Profile Page sellingantiques.co.uk/bungay
Verified Since Feb 2014
Items For Sale 83
Items Sold 105
Timberhill Gallery
Timberhill Gallery
Verified Since Feb 2014
View Dealer Info
Location: Bungay, Suffolk, United Kingdom
Profile: sellingantiques.co.uk/bungay
Verified
Feb 2014
For Sale
83
Sold
105
A 19th-century French ebonised bonheur du jour writing desk featuring gilt-bronze ormolu mounts, hand-painted cabinet doors, a marble top, and slender cabriole legs.
Rare, signed Befort Jeune for Mathieu Befort 1813-1880: Bonheur du Jour
Ref: SA500525
A 19th-century French ebonised bonheur du jour writing desk featuring gilt-bronze ormolu mounts, hand-painted cabinet doors, a marble top, and slender cabriole legs.
Detail View 1
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Detail View 4
Detail View 5
Archival Detail

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FAQs

Originating in 18th-century France, a bonheur du jour is a small-scale ladies writing desk featuring a raised cabinet or shelf section mounted above a flat writing surface. Popularised during the Louis XV and Louis XVI periods, these desks remained in production throughout the 19th century for private boudoirs and drawing rooms.

French ebonised furniture from the 19th century commonly utilises hardwoods such as pearwood, beech, or oak stained black to imitate ebony, paired with gilt-bronze (ormolu) mounts. Surfaces often feature marble tops, inlaid marquetry, or hand-painted Vernis Martin panels.

Authentic 19th-century French pieces display chased gilt-bronze (ormolu) mounts and maker stamps or signatures located on lock plates, rear frames, or undersides. Examination of construction reveals hand-cut dovetail joints, authentic timber oxidisation, and period-correct lock mechanisms.

Position the bonheur du jour as a focal accent piece against a painted or wallpapered wall, paired with a modern or traditional side chair. Decorate the upper surface sparingly with art glass, small marble busts, or books to leave the gilt-bronze detail visible.

Keep the desk in a climate-controlled environment away from direct sunlight and heat sources to prevent timber movement and veneer cracking. Dust ebonised surfaces with a dry microfibre cloth and clean ormolu mounts exclusively with a soft brush to preserve the patination.
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