What is a Bonheur du Jour writing desk?

A bonheur du jour is a specialized type of French ladys writing desk introduced in the eighteenth century, defined by a small cabinet or nest of drawers mounted atop a flat writing surface.

What materials are traditional to French Louis XVI Revival desks?

Pieces from this era typically feature fine wood veneers such as walnut, tulipwood, or kingwood, adorned with floral marquetry inlays and cast ormolu or gilt-bronze mounts.

How do you identify authentic 19th-century Paul Sormani furniture?

Authentic pieces by Paul Sormani often feature precise cabinetmaker stamps or engraved lockplates marked P. Sormani Paris, alongside superior marquetry work and heavy, finely chased gilt-bronze mounts.

How can a French Bonheur du Jour be styled in modern interiors?

This compact desk serves as a focal piece in a formal drawing room, study alcove, or bedroom suite, pairing well with understated modern seating to highlight the detailed marquetry.

How should marquetry veneers and ormolu mounts be preserved?

Keep the wood away from direct sunlight and heat sources to prevent veneer lifting or fading, and clean gilt-bronze mounts using a dry, soft brush rather than abrasive metal polishes.

for sale €9,068 $9,843

£7,750

John Howkins Antiques

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Fine Quality Paul Sormani Bonheur Du Jour

Name: Fine Quality Paul Sormani Bonheur Du Jour
Brand: Antique
SKU: SA684405
Price: 7750 GBP
Availability: InStock

19th century

For Sale by John Howkins Antiques

Description

A superb quality bonheur du jour from the renown workshops of Paul Sormani of Paris, France. Constructed from fine local and imported exotic timbers including kingwood, harewood, thuya, burr maple, boxwood and various stained woods with top quality ormolu mounts. The top section having a broken arch pediment with marquetry inlay and central ormolu urn. The arched panelled door having very good marquetry inlay with ormolu mounts and flanked by square reeded columns with ormolu Corinthian capitals. The sides having 2 shaped shelves with burr maple inlay and mounts. There are 2 small bow fronted drawers to the top, one opens to reveal the 2 original ink wells. The “D” shaped top of the base having a stunning panel of very fine intricate floral and scrolling marquetry with a flaming urn to the centre and very subtle pen work. Below the shaped front is a pull out writing slide which retains the original tooled blue velvet lining, the full width birds eye maple lined drawer with marquetry inlay and working lock. This stunning piece of 19th.century furniture is raised on 4 turned and tapering legs with thuya wood and boxwood inlay with ormolu mounts and an “H” shaped strengthening cross stretcher. Condition - excellent with original working locks & keys. Dimensions:- Height…158cm / 62’’ Width… 86.5cm / 34'' Depth: 48cm / 19''.

Paul Sormani (1817 to 1877), one the most important cabinetmakers of the 19th century, was born in Venice. Having trained as a cabinetmaker, he moved to Paris where he opened his first shop in 1847 specializing in furniture made in the Louis XV and Louis XVI style.

The Empress Eugenie, the wife of Emperor Napoleon III, who was particularly fond of furniture in the 18th century styles, engaged Paul Sormani to create spectacular pieces to compliment her period examples. Sormani was able to meet the Empress’s high standards with the excellent quality of the cabinet work, bronze mounts, use of lacquer and unusual woods.

Paul Sormani’s firm was a maker of fine “meubles de luxe”, (deluxe furniture) whose work was described in the 1867 Exposition Universelle catalogue as “toute sa production revele une qualite d’execution de tout premier ordre”. ( translates - all its production reveals a quality and execution of the first order ”. He received a medal of premiere class at the Exposition Universelle of 1855, followed by another medal at the 1862 exposition in London.

Physical Dimensions

Height

158cm (62.20")

Width

86.5cm (34.06")

Depth

48cm (18.90")

Declaration

John Howkins Antiques has dated this Paul Sormani Bonheur Du Jour to the 19th Century.

Reference Numbers

Sellingantiques Reference

SA684405

Dealers Internal Reference

23074

Dealers Notes

ALL TRADE ENQUIRIES WELCOME.

Viewing by appointment.

Delivery.

We will gladly provide a quote for delivery to any U.K Mainland address and we offer a full 7 day money back guarantee if you are unhappy with your purchase. (Less the delivery cost)

Payment.

We accept payment by cheque or bank transfer.

Please do not hesitate to contact us if you require any further information on this item on 07770 311611.

Description

A superb quality bonheur du jour from the renown workshops of Paul Sormani of Paris, France.

“

Constructed from fine local and imported exotic timbers including kingwood, harewood, thuya, burr maple, boxwood and various stained woods with top quality ormolu mounts.

John Howkins Antiques

The top section having a broken arch pediment with marquetry inlay and central ormolu urn. The arched panelled door having very good marquetry inlay with ormolu mounts and flanked by square reeded columns with ormolu Corinthian capitals. The sides having 2 shaped shelves with burr maple inlay and mounts. There are 2 small bow fronted drawers to the top, one opens to reveal the 2 original ink wells. The “D” shaped top of the base having a stunning panel of very fine intricate floral and scrolling marquetry with a flaming urn to the centre and very subtle pen work. Below the shaped front is a pull out writing slide which retains the original tooled blue velvet lining, the full width birds eye maple lined drawer with marquetry inlay and working lock. This stunning piece of 19th.century furniture is raised on 4 turned and tapering legs with thuya wood and boxwood inlay with ormolu mounts and an “H” shaped strengthening cross stretcher. Condition - excellent with original working locks & keys. Dimensions:- Height…158cm / 62’’ Width… 86.5cm / 34'' Depth: 48cm / 19''.

fig 1. A Louis XVI Revival bonheur du jour writing desk with intricate floral marquetry inlay, a central cabinet door, gilt-bronze mounts, and fluted tapered legs. — fig 1. Fine Quality Paul Sormani Bonheur Du Jour

Paul Sormani (1817 to 1877), one the most important cabinetmakers of the 19th century, was born in Venice. Having trained as a cabinetmaker, he moved to Paris where he opened his first shop in 1847 specializing in furniture made in the Louis XV and Louis XVI style.

fig 2. A Louis XVI Revival bonheur du jour writing desk with intricate floral marquetry inlay, a central cabinet door, gilt-bronze mounts, and fluted tapered legs. — fig 2. Fine Quality Paul Sormani Bonheur Du Jour

The Empress Eugenie, the wife of Emperor Napoleon III, who was particularly fond of furniture in the 18th century styles, engaged Paul Sormani to create spectacular pieces to compliment her period examples. Sormani was able to meet the Empress’s high standards with the excellent quality of the cabinet work, bronze mounts, use of lacquer and unusual woods.

fig 3. A Louis XVI Revival bonheur du jour writing desk with intricate floral marquetry inlay, a central cabinet door, gilt-bronze mounts, and fluted tapered legs. — fig 3. Fine Quality Paul Sormani Bonheur Du Jour

Paul Sormani’s firm was a maker of fine “meubles de luxe”, (deluxe furniture) whose work was described in the 1867 Exposition Universelle catalogue as “toute sa production revele une qualite d’execution de tout premier ordre”. ( translates - all its production reveals a quality and execution of the first order ”. He received a medal of premiere class at the Exposition Universelle of 1855, followed by another medal at the 1862 exposition in London.