English

circa 1790

George III West Indian Satinwood Bonheur du Jour in the manner of George Simson

The sliding and removable superstructure has a petite satinwood gallery to the very top section above one long and one short internal shelving, with flanking doors, revealing mahogany beaded pigeonholes and small drawers with the original turned ivory handles. The folding top that sits above the frieze drawers is hinged with the top drawer pulling out to act as support to the writing surface whilst the lower recessed drawer allows for further leg room.

The mahogany lined drawers are full length and made in mahogany and retain the original gilt brass ring pull handles with Inlays throughout with narrow tulipwood bandings and stringing on finely figured West Indian satinwood veneers. The Bonheur du Jour is raised on bold taped legs that terminate on the original gilt brass caps and castors.

Bonheur du Jour is a French term and literally means ‘happiness of the day’.

This piece is very similar to a lady’s secretary and cabinet by George Simson, illustrated in Christopher Gilbert’s Pictorial Dictionary of Marked English Furniture, 1700-1840, p 422, plate 840.

Dimensions

Height 131.50cm (51.77 inches)

Width 81.00cm (31.89 inches)

Depth 46.00cm (18.11 inches)

Stock No: 10806