Small writing desk (bonheur-du-jour)

Martin Carlin French
 Porcelain plaques by Sèvres Manufactory French
 Decorator Jean-Jacques Pierre the Younger French

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.

Small writing desk (bonheur-du-jour), Martin Carlin (French, near Freiburg im Breisgau ca. 1730–1785 Paris), Oak veneered with tulipwood, amaranth, and stained sycamore; mahogany; seventeen soft-paste porcelain plaques; gilt-bronze mounts; velvet (not original), French, Paris and Sèvres

Due to rights restrictions, this image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

Open Access

As part of the Met's Open Access policy, you can freely copy, modify and distribute this image, even for commercial purposes.

API

Public domain data for this object can also be accessed using the Met's Open Access API.

Small writing desk (bonheur-du-jour), Martin Carlin (French, near Freiburg im Breisgau ca. 1730–1785 Paris), 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 (French, near Freiburg im Breisgau ca. 1730–1785 Paris), 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 (French, near Freiburg im Breisgau ca. 1730–1785 Paris), Oak veneered with tulipwood, amaranth, and stained sycamore; mahogany; seventeen soft-paste porcelain plaques; gilt-bronze mounts; velvet (not original), French, Paris and Sèvres

This artwork is meant to be viewed from right to left. Scroll left to view more.