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

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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

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