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Small writing desk (bonheur-du-jour)

Manufactory Porcelain plaques by Sèvres Manufactory French
ca. 1774
Not on view
The 1795 inventory of furniture belonging to Louis XVI's sister-in-law, Marie-Thérèse of Savoy, comtesse d'Artois (1756–1805), gives a description of a similar desk, or bonheur du jour, which may refer to this piece. The drawer has a compartment that originally held an inkwell, a sponge trough, and box for sand. Its hinged writing surface could be lifted up, and writing implements could be stored underneath.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Small writing desk (bonheur-du-jour)
  • Maker: Martin Carlin (French, near Freiburg im Breisgau ca. 1730–1785 Paris)
  • Manufactory: Porcelain plaques by Sèvres Manufactory (French, 1740–present)
  • Decorator: Jean-Jacques Pierre the Younger (French, active 1763–1800)
  • Date: ca. 1774
  • Culture: French, Paris and Sèvres
  • Medium: Oak veneered with tulipwood, amaranth, and stained sycamore; mahogany; seventeen soft-paste porcelain plaques; gilt-bronze mounts; velvet (not original)
  • Dimensions: Overall: 32 1/2 × 25 7/8 × 16 in. (82.6 × 65.7 × 40.6 cm)
  • Classification: Woodwork-Furniture
  • Credit Line: Gift of Samuel H. Kress Foundation, 1958
  • Object Number: 58.75.49
  • Curatorial Department: European Sculpture and Decorative Arts

More Artwork

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Small writing desk (bonheur-du-jour), Martin Carlin French, Oak veneered with tulipwood, amaranth, and stained sycamore; mahogany; seventeen soft-paste porcelain plaques; gilt-bronze mounts; velvet (not original), French, Paris and Sèvres
Small writing desk (bonheur-du-jour)
Multiple artists/makers
ca. 1768
Bookcase, Martin Carlin French, Tulipwood and satiné on oak; glass, and gilt-bronze mounts, French, Paris
Bookcase
Martin Carlin
ca. 1785
Jewel coffer on stand (petit coffre à bijoux), Martin Carlin French, Oak veneered with tulipwood, sycamore, holly, and ebonized holly; thirteen soft-paste porcelain plaques; gilt-bronze mounts; velvet (not original), French, Paris and Sèvres
Jewel coffer on stand (petit coffre à bijoux)
Multiple artists/makers
ca. 1775
Cabinet, Martin Carlin French, Oak veneered with tulipwood and amaranth, holly, and ebonized holly; gilt bronze, soft-paste porcelain, marble, mirror glass, silk, French, Paris and Sèvres
Cabinet
Multiple artists/makers
ca. 1775–80
Writing and dressing table, Martin Carlin French, Sycamore, mahogany, boxwood, and ebony on oak; gilt bronze; brass; marble; leather, steel, French, Paris
Writing and dressing table
Martin Carlin
ca. 1785

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