
- Writing desk
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Writing desk
- Place of origin:
England (probably, made)
- Date:
1860 (made)
- Credit Line:
Bequeathed by John Jones
- Museum number:
1037A/1-1882
- Gallery location:
In Storage
This writing desk is of a type known as a bonheur-du-jour. Bonheur-du-jours were made in Paris from the 1760s. They are characterised by the combination of lower case with writing surface, and a smaller upper case enclosing drawers. Bonheur-du-jours mounted with porcelain plaques were popular in Paris in 1760s and 1770s.
This desk and its pair were made in the mid-19th century, probably in England. Their use of an 18th-century model demonstrates the continued fashion for Louis XVI style furniture in 19th-century Europe.