What is a bonheur du jour cabinet?

A bonheur du jour is a small, light writing desk featuring a tiered superstructure with small drawers, pigeonholes, or a cupboard above the writing surface. These pieces were designed for gentle correspondence and kept in private withdrawing rooms. First appearing in France during the mid-eighteenth century, the form quickly spread across Europe and remained popular through the Victorian and Edwardian eras.

How were these desks used?

Owners used these compact desks for morning correspondence, writing letters, and storing precious stationery or personal items within the upper compartments. The elevated tier kept writing materials organised while preserving a slender footprint in domestic interiors. Unlike heavy partner desks, these pieces were easily moved around reception rooms as fashion or lighting required.

How do I identify a Victorian copy?

Nineteenth-century revival pieces often employ machine-cut veneers, softer secondary timbers like deal or pine inside drawers, and brighter, more uniform brass ormolu casting than their eighteenth-century predecessors. Stylistic cues such as heavy ebonised finishes and applied porcelain plaques point directly to Victorian interpretation. Examining the construction methods inside the drawer carcases and the ageing of the timber helps distinguish nineteenth-century production from earlier periods.

Where should I place one at home?

These compact writing desks suit reception rooms, studies, or bedrooms where a large partner desk would overwhelm the space. Placing the piece against a wall allows the upper cabinet and decorative back panel to be fully appreciated. Avoid positioning antique wood and porcelain mounts in direct sunlight to protect the fragile veneers and gilded finishes from fading.

Search 0

9,433 PAGES BROWSED TODAY PAGES TODAY • 38 ANTIQUES UPLOADED TODAYNEW ARRIVALS

Sorted by

Per page

VISITOR LOGIN DEALER LOGIN

Saved

Bonheur Du Jour Cabinet

38 ITEMS ADDED TODAY

Visitor Login (saved items)

Sort Order

Items Per Page

Bonheur Du Jour Cabinet

69 items · page 5 of 5

← Page 5 of 5 →

A bonheur du jour cabinet combines a refined writing desk with compartmentalised superstructure for letters, offering an elegant workspace originating in eighteenth-century France.

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

19th century

Save

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

From Timberhill Gallery

£6,500

3+ MONTHS AGO

furniture

19th century

Save

Fantastic Quality 19th Century Satinwood and Rosewood Cabinet

From Martlesham Antiques

£3,550

3+ MONTHS AGO

cabinets

19th century

Save

French Bonheur Du Jour

From James Reeve (Quinneys of Warwick)

£995

3+ MONTHS AGO

bureau

Louis XVI Style Kingwood Bonheur Du Jour

1900 - 1920

Save

Louis XVI Style Kingwood Bonheur Du Jour

From Georgian Antiques

£3,850

3+ MONTHS AGO

bureau

19th century

Save

Magnificent Burr Walnut Antique Desk

From David Wolfenden Antiques

£3,800

3+ MONTHS AGO

desks

← 1 2 3 4 5 →

65,897

Antiques For Sale

Antiques Approved Today

2,817

Antique Uploads This Month

439,774

Total Antiques Sold

Bonheur Du Jour Cabinet

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

Fantastic Quality 19th Century Satinwood and Rosewood Cabinet

French Bonheur Du Jour

Louis XVI Style Kingwood Bonheur Du Jour

Magnificent Burr Walnut Antique Desk

Add keywords to the filter

Price

Era

Movements

Material

Origin

Stock Location

Freshness

Online Payments

Categories