Antique English Desks and Bonheurs Du Ours
DESKS: BONHEURS DU OURS AN CHEVERETS
About 1770-1915
Lion’s mask handles on 19thC pedestal desk.
A satinwood bonheur du jour with simple inlaid decoration.
Handles: Generally very simple brass swan-neck in 18thC, turned wooden knobs in 19th, joined by a variety of metal ring, bail or drop handles around 1870, and horizontal wooden pulls around 1900.
Generally skeleton escutcheons; sometimes surface-mounted in late 19thC.
Stain or varnish followed by wax polish. French polish from about 1820. Dark almost black stain on ‘Elizabethan’ oak. Various brown stains and varnishes to simulate mahogany used on cheap quality pine.
Very few genuine 18thC pedestal desks about; those that are fetch enormous sums. Any example pre-dating 1900 invariably in four figures; only the cheapest type of post-1900 examples can be found for less. On
pieces of all dates, any decorative feature even the use of a wood other than oak or mahogany may seem to raise the price disproportionately.
Note: Original leather is rare; replacement (if done properly) does not affect value.
Sometimes simply described as writing cabinets on stands, these are small lady’s writing-tables, with a superstructure of drawers, pigeonholes and cupboards. Those with a long bookshelf above
drawers and a lifting handle at the back are called cheverets (sometimes spelt sheverets). Both types were introduced from France (as their name suggests).
Another popular subject for Edwardian reproductions. Manufacture restricted at all times to high quality makers.
The base was a small rectangular-topped table with one, sometimes two, shallow frieze drawer(s), occasionally opening to the side. Narrow, tapering legs (in 18thC tapering on inside edge only), usually ending in spade feet, sometimes with applied ankle mouldings; not infrequently in socket castors. Turned legs not unknown, but rare. Sometimes top folds out to form larger writing-surface, supported on small lopers in frieze, or occasionally on (opened) drawer.
Conformation of superstructure varies considerably. Most pieces bordered by low brass or wood gallery.
Can have tray shelf below, with shaped front to accommodate feet. Sometimes narrow stretchers on back and sides, or of X-plan.
Some burr walnut pieces in so-called ‘Louis’ style with cabriole legs, ormolu mounts etc. made from about 1860.
Principally satinwood; also mahogany and rosewood. Occasionally walnut from 1860 onwards.
Pine or mahogany for carcases (with oak or mahogany for drawer linings). Kingwood, harewood, tulipwood etc. for inlay and for small panels of contrasting veneer.
Standard methods employed.
Many good reproductions about: check drawer construction carefully for indications of date (see CHESTS OF DRAWERS, P. 103). Look particularly for 19thC machine-cut dovetails and quarter mouldings around inside
edges. Being good quality, inner surfaces may be lightly polished.
Principally figuring and arrangement of veneers; often inlay, mostly of stringing lines and simple ovals.
Some pieces painted with neo-classical motifs and/or flowers, wreaths etc. particularly from 1860 onwards. Late decoration tends to be less delicate than previously and covers greater surface area. Panels of classical
figures also popular.
Occasionally Wedgewood plaques or imitation Sevres porcelain panels set in doors.
Handles: Standard for day (for details see page 93).
Principally varnish, sometimes stain, followed by wax polish. French polish after 1820.VALUES
Even 19th/early 20thC reproductions command substantial sums; in fact there isn’t always a lot between them and the originals. Prices well into the thousands. Inlay a bonus.
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Tags: black stain, brown stains, cheap quality, CHEVERETS, cupboard, decorative feature, Desks, Elizabethan, ENGLISH, example, Handles, kingwood, pedestal desk, Pedestal Desks, REPRODUCTIONS, rosewood, satinwood, spade feet, STANDS, VALUES, wooden knobs, writing tables