Desk (bonheur du jour)

Attributed to Roger Vandercruse, called Lacroix French

ca. 1780–85

Not on view

Small elegant pieces like this ladies’ writing desk with superstructure became fashionable in France during the 1760s. Known as a bonheur du jour, this type of furniture which combines the functions of a bureau and a secrétaire illustrates the popularity of letter writing in the ancien Régime. Most likely invented by the Paris marchands merciers or luxury dealers who acted as designers and interior decorators, the bonheur du jour remained in fashion until the end of the eighteenth century. Although this writing desk is not stamped, it has been attributed to Roger Van der Cruse, also called Lacroix, based on similar pieces signed by this originally Flemish cabinetmaker. Most of the surface displays marquetry of floral sprigs, while the open shelves on either end for the display of precious objects such as snuffboxes or porcelain, are embellished with a striped pattern. The finished backside indicates that this writing desk was not intended to stand against the wall but could be placed in the center of the room.

Artwork Details

Overview

Signatures, Inscriptions, and Markings

Provenance

Exhibition History

Title: Desk (bonheur du jour)
Maker: Attributed to Roger Vandercruse, called Lacroix (French, 1727–1799)
Date: ca. 1780–85
Culture: French, Paris
Medium: Satinwood, tulipwood, black and green stained wood on oak; gilt bronze
Dimensions: Overall: 41 × 26 3/4 × 15 in. (104.1 × 67.9 × 38.1 cm)
Classification: Woodwork-Furniture
Credit Line: The Jules Bache Collection, 1949
Object Number: 49.7.115
Curatorial Department: European Sculpture and Decorative Arts

More Artwork

By Roger Vandercruse, called Lacroix

In the same medium

From the same time and place

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Writing table, Roger Vandercruse, called Lacroix French, Kingwood, tulipwood, holly, purplewood on oak and pine, gilt bronze, French, Paris — Writing table
Roger Vandercruse, called Lacroix
ca. 1760–70

Writing table, Roger Vandercruse, called Lacroix French, Tulipwood, kingwood, harewood, purplewood, holly veneered on oak, French, Paris — Writing table
Roger Vandercruse, called Lacroix
third quarter 18th century

Drop-front desk (secrétaire à abattant or secrétaire en cabinet), Roger Vandercruse, called Lacroix French, Oak veneered with satin-wood, green and black-stained wood; gilt bronze, marble, soft-paste porcelain, silk, French, Paris and Sèvres — Drop-front desk (secrétaire à abattant or secrétaire en cabinet)
Roger Vandercruse, called Lacroix
Sèvres Manufactory
porcelain ca. 1764, secretary ca. 1775

Commode, Roger Vandercruse, called Lacroix French, Oak veneered with tulip-, rose-, and end cut kingwood, gilt bronze, rouge griotte marble, French, Paris — Commode
Roger Vandercruse, called Lacroix
ca. 1755–60

Candelstand and worktable (table à ouvrage en guéridon), Roger Vandercruse, called Lacroix French, Oak veneered with tulipwood, boxwood, holly and ebonized holly, sycamore, and other woods; soft-paste porcelain, gilt bronze, silk, French, Sèvres — Candelstand and worktable (table à ouvrage en guéridon)
Multiple artists/makers
ca. 1785

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