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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

More Artwork
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)
Martin Carlin
Manufactory Porcelain plaques by Sèvres Manufactory
Decorator Decorated by Denis Levé
ca. 1768
Secretary, Martin Carlin and French, Oak veneered with tulipwood, amaranth, holly, ebonized holly, and other marquetry wood; brass; green-colored metal; gilt-bronze mounts; marble top. Soft paste porcelain plaques from the Sèvres Manufactory.
Secretary
Attributed to Martin Carlin
Sèvres Manufactory
various French
ca. 1781–85
Bassoon, Dominique Antony Porthaux French, Maple, brass, French
Bassoon
Dominique Antony Porthaux
1790–1800
Drop-front desk (secrétaire à abattant or secrétaire en cabinet), Martin Carlin French, Oak veneered with tulipwood, amaranth, holly, and sycamore; six Sèvres soft-paste porcelain plaques and two painted tin plaques; gilt-bronze mounts; marble shelves; moiré silk, French, Paris and Sèvres
Drop-front desk (secrétaire à abattant or secrétaire en cabinet)
Attributed to Martin Carlin
Manufactory Sèvres Manufactory
Decorator Central plaque decorated by Edme François Bouillat père
ca. 1776
Armor of Infante Luis, Prince of Asturias (1707–1724), Jean Drouart French, Steel, gold, brass, silk, cotton, metallic yarn, paper, French, Paris
Armor of Infante Luis, Prince of Asturias (1707–1724)
Armorer Signature probably refers to Jean Drouart
dated 1712

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