What is a bonheur du jour?

A bonheur du jour is a small, elegant writing desk topped with a miniature cabinet or pigeonholes. They gained popularity in the nineteenth century as refined ladies' writing furniture. These pieces typically feature delicate ormolu mounts and veneered surfaces, making them suitable for drawing rooms and intimate studies.

How do I style a bureau cabinet?

Place a bureau cabinet against a primary wall in a study or drawing room where its detailed veneers and gilt bronze mounts can be appreciated. The drop-front or writing surface provides a functional desk area while keeping correspondence concealed. Keep surrounding furniture complementary in period to let the cabinet serve as a focal point without cluttering the room's proportions.

How do I identify Louis XVI style?

Louis XVI style pieces rely on straight lines, fluted columns, and classical symmetry, diverging from the flowing curves of earlier rococo designs. Look for restrained geometric forms accented by crisp ormolu mounts. In nineteenth-century revivals, makers often combined these classical proportions with rich kingwood veneers and marble tops.

Where were these cabinets made?

The majority of these bureau cabinets and writing desks originate from French workshops and Parisian cabinet makers working during the nineteenth century. Major makers produced high-end revival furniture for international clientele. Some examples also emerge from Vienna and British workshops adopting continental decorative techniques.