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ID #SA991852
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£4,450
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Antique Bonheur Du Jour, Gamichon a Paris, Rare Writing Desk, French C1800
London Fine Antiques
for sale €5,207     $5,652
£4,450
London Fine Antiques

London Fine Antiques

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Antique Bonheur Du Jour, Gamichon a Paris, Rare Writing Desk, French C1800

18th century
Description

Our Stock # 10.1465

This is a French antique bonheur du jour by Jean-Baptiste Gamichon dating to c.1810.

A piece for the connoisseur, rare and sought after, this exquisite cabinet is offered to the market in an original and gloriously unrestored condition.

Jean-Baptiste Gamichon (1760-1835) was a French cabinet maker based in Paris, working right at the start and through the Revolution. His workshops were in rue Mauconseil and later rue de Cléry, from 1790 until 1805 and Gamichon represented one of the few remaining great, French cabinet makers in a declining industry.

Working predominantly in the finest mahogany available, few examples of his work are seen. Certainly his work came highly acclaimed, in 1811 his name was on a list recommended and recorded to the Imperial Garde-Meuble who acquired pieces directly from the best cabinet makers, storing them to supply Imperial palaces, chateaus, government buildings and embassies when required.

Most known pieces by Gamichon are in the Empire style and, with the removal of Guild Privileges, allowed him to mark his pieces; most marked with a stamp ‘GAMICHON A PARIS’ usually either side of a lock (on a drawer for instance).

This piece sits upon brass ball cup feet and is raised on tapering, circular section legs capped with brass rings with Satinwood highlight to the corners of the frieze.

The frieze drawer opens to reveal an inset leather writing surface that further slides to reveal a divided storage area beneath.

The table top is edge moulded in brass trim beneath a raked, mirrored drop flap compartment above twin drawers; the working lock securing both the compartment and drawers.

Above, a pair of drawers sit beneath a mirrored cupboard closing with a brass strip dressing the join. Inside a single shelf divides the space with the rear of the doors dressed with rouched silk panels.

The original mercury glass sparkles through heavy foxing in the upper mirrors (lower flap mirrors are an historic replacement) and the beaded decoration is largely complete save for the right hand side. Brass pulls dressing the drawers.

Solid joints and construction, delivered ready for the home.

Dimensions:

Max Width: 84cm (33'')

Max Depth: 51cm (20'')

Max Height: 147cm (57.75'')

Drawer Desk Height: 66cm (26")

We offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee with all of our antiques.

We ship worldwide with professional packing and attractive rates – please send us your post / zip code and country for a quote.

Free delivery to most of the U.K. – Please send us your post code for confirmation.

Deliveries taking on average ten working days to arrive at your door from receipt of payment.

Please contact us if you require any further information - we are here to help.

Physical Dimensions
Height
147cm (57.87")
Width
84cm (33.07")
Depth
51cm (20.08")
Declaration

London Fine Antiques has dated this French Bonheur Du Jour Desk to the Georgian era.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA991852
Dealers Internal Reference
10.1465
Dealers Notes

What our clients have to say: https://www.londonfine.co.uk/pages/reviews

Description
Our Stock # 10.1465

This is a French antique bonheur du jour by Jean-Baptiste Gamichon dating to c.1810.

A piece for the connoisseur, rare and sought after, this exquisite cabinet is offered to the market in an original and gloriously unrestored condition.
London Fine Antiques
fig 1. A French mahogany bonheur du jour writing desk featuring an upper cabinet with green fabric-lined doors, sloping glass display compartments, small drawers, and turned tapered legs.
fig 1. Antique Bonheur Du Jour, Gamichon a Paris, Rare Writing Desk, French C1800

Jean-Baptiste Gamichon (1760-1835) was a French cabinet maker based in Paris, working right at the start and through the Revolution. His workshops were in rue Mauconseil and later rue de Cléry, from 1790 until 1805 and Gamichon represented one of the few remaining great, French cabinet makers in a declining industry.

fig 2. A French mahogany bonheur du jour writing desk featuring an upper cabinet with green fabric-lined doors, sloping glass display compartments, small drawers, and turned tapered legs.
fig 2. Antique Bonheur Du Jour, Gamichon a Paris, Rare Writing Desk, French C1800

Working predominantly in the finest mahogany available, few examples of his work are seen. Certainly his work came highly acclaimed, in 1811 his name was on a list recommended and recorded to the Imperial Garde-Meuble who acquired pieces directly from the best cabinet makers, storing them to supply Imperial palaces, chateaus, government buildings and embassies when required.

fig 3. A French mahogany bonheur du jour writing desk featuring an upper cabinet with green fabric-lined doors, sloping glass display compartments, small drawers, and turned tapered legs.
fig 3. Antique Bonheur Du Jour, Gamichon a Paris, Rare Writing Desk, French C1800

Most known pieces by Gamichon are in the Empire style and, with the removal of Guild Privileges, allowed him to mark his pieces; most marked with a stamp ‘GAMICHON A PARIS’ usually either side of a lock (on a drawer for instance).

fig 4. A French mahogany bonheur du jour writing desk featuring an upper cabinet with green fabric-lined doors, sloping glass display compartments, small drawers, and turned tapered legs.
fig 4. Antique Bonheur Du Jour, Gamichon a Paris, Rare Writing Desk, French C1800

This piece sits upon brass ball cup feet and is raised on tapering, circular section legs capped with brass rings with Satinwood highlight to the corners of the frieze.

The frieze drawer opens to reveal an inset leather writing surface that further slides to reveal a divided storage area beneath.

fig 5. A French mahogany bonheur du jour writing desk featuring an upper cabinet with green fabric-lined doors, sloping glass display compartments, small drawers, and turned tapered legs.
fig 5. Antique Bonheur Du Jour, Gamichon a Paris, Rare Writing Desk, French C1800

The table top is edge moulded in brass trim beneath a raked, mirrored drop flap compartment above twin drawers; the working lock securing both the compartment and drawers.

Above, a pair of drawers sit beneath a mirrored cupboard closing with a brass strip dressing the join. Inside a single shelf divides the space with the rear of the doors dressed with rouched silk panels.

fig 6. A French mahogany bonheur du jour writing desk featuring an upper cabinet with green fabric-lined doors, sloping glass display compartments, small drawers, and turned tapered legs.
fig 6. Antique Bonheur Du Jour, Gamichon a Paris, Rare Writing Desk, French C1800

The original mercury glass sparkles through heavy foxing in the upper mirrors (lower flap mirrors are an historic replacement) and the beaded decoration is largely complete save for the right hand side. Brass pulls dressing the drawers.

fig 7. A French mahogany bonheur du jour writing desk featuring an upper cabinet with green fabric-lined doors, sloping glass display compartments, small drawers, and turned tapered legs.
fig 7. Antique Bonheur Du Jour, Gamichon a Paris, Rare Writing Desk, French C1800

Solid joints and construction, delivered ready for the home.

Dimensions:

Max Width: 84cm (33'')

Max Depth: 51cm (20'')

Max Height: 147cm (57.75'')

Drawer Desk Height: 66cm (26")

We offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee with all of our antiques.

fig 8. A French mahogany bonheur du jour writing desk featuring an upper cabinet with green fabric-lined doors, sloping glass display compartments, small drawers, and turned tapered legs.
fig 8. Antique Bonheur Du Jour, Gamichon a Paris, Rare Writing Desk, French C1800

We ship worldwide with professional packing and attractive rates – please send us your post / zip code and country for a quote.

Free delivery to most of the U.K. – Please send us your post code for confirmation.

Deliveries taking on average ten working days to arrive at your door from receipt of payment.

Please contact us if you require any further information - we are here to help.

Height
147cm (57.87")
Width
84cm (33.07")
Depth
51cm (20.08")
Date of Manufacture

London Fine Antiques has dated this French Bonheur Du Jour Desk to the Georgian era.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA991852
Dealers Internal Ref
10.1465
London Fine Antiques
London Fine Antiques
Sellingantiques verified Since Oct 2010

Fine antiques curated in england and sold worldwide

Dealer Profile

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

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A French mahogany bonheur du jour writing desk featuring an upper cabinet with green fabric-lined doors, sloping glass display compartments, small drawers, and turned tapered legs.
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Archive I A French mahogany bonheur du jour writing desk featuring an upper cabinet with green fabric-lined doors, sloping glass display compartments, small drawers, and turned tapered legs.

Antique Bonheur Du Jour, Gamichon a Paris, Rare Writing Desk, French C1800

Archive II A French mahogany bonheur du jour writing desk featuring an upper cabinet with green fabric-lined doors, sloping glass display compartments, small drawers, and turned tapered legs. View II
Archive III A French mahogany bonheur du jour writing desk featuring an upper cabinet with green fabric-lined doors, sloping glass display compartments, small drawers, and turned tapered legs. View III
Archive IV A French mahogany bonheur du jour writing desk featuring an upper cabinet with green fabric-lined doors, sloping glass display compartments, small drawers, and turned tapered legs. View IV
Archive V A French mahogany bonheur du jour writing desk featuring an upper cabinet with green fabric-lined doors, sloping glass display compartments, small drawers, and turned tapered legs. View V
Archive VI A French mahogany bonheur du jour writing desk featuring an upper cabinet with green fabric-lined doors, sloping glass display compartments, small drawers, and turned tapered legs. View VI
Archive VII A French mahogany bonheur du jour writing desk featuring an upper cabinet with green fabric-lined doors, sloping glass display compartments, small drawers, and turned tapered legs. View VII
Archive VIII A French mahogany bonheur du jour writing desk featuring an upper cabinet with green fabric-lined doors, sloping glass display compartments, small drawers, and turned tapered legs. View VIII
Archive IX A French mahogany bonheur du jour writing desk featuring an upper cabinet with green fabric-lined doors, sloping glass display compartments, small drawers, and turned tapered legs. View IX
Archive X A French mahogany bonheur du jour writing desk featuring an upper cabinet with green fabric-lined doors, sloping glass display compartments, small drawers, and turned tapered legs. View X
Archive XI A French mahogany bonheur du jour writing desk featuring an upper cabinet with green fabric-lined doors, sloping glass display compartments, small drawers, and turned tapered legs. View XI
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London Fine Antiques
Verified Since Oct 2010
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A French mahogany bonheur du jour writing desk featuring an upper cabinet with green fabric-lined doors, sloping glass display compartments, small drawers, and turned tapered legs.
Antique Bonheur du Jour, Gamichon A Paris, Rare Writing Desk, French c1800
Ref: SA991852
A French mahogany bonheur du jour writing desk featuring an upper cabinet with green fabric-lined doors, sloping glass display compartments, small drawers, and turned tapered 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 specialized form of French writing desk introduced in Paris during the mid-eighteenth century. It typically features a flat writing surface topped by an integrated upper cabinet, small drawers, or shelves designed for letter writing and personal correspondence.

Desks from this period commonly utilised solid mahogany or mahogany veneers over secondary softwoods or oak framing, complemented by brass mounts and hand-cut dovetail drawer joinery. Interior compartments often incorporated specialised linings such as pleated silk, fabric, or painted backings.

Authentic pieces generally demonstrate hand-planed drawer construction, period-correct iron lock mechanisms, hand-drawn dovetails, and occasional maker stamps or stencils from Parisian ebonistes along the frame or drawer underside.

A bonheur du jour functions effectively as an occasional writing table in a hallway, bedroom alcove, or living room, serving both daily functional needs and acting as a historic anchor alongside modern lighting and understated art.

Keep mahogany furniture away from direct sunlight and direct heat sources to prevent wood movement and finish bleaching. Dust regularly with a soft, dry cloth and apply a clear beeswax polish sparingly along the grain once or twice a year.
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