Skip to main content
Video Loading
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 13

Exceptional Regency Bonheur Du Jour Attributed to John Maclean

$25,469.75
£18,500
€22,090.96
CA$34,870.45
A$39,232.45
CHF 20,786.88
MX$484,471.25
NOK 254,825.14
SEK 244,851.82
DKK 164,785.31
Shipping
Retrieving quote...
The 1stDibs Promise:
Authenticity Guarantee,
Money-Back Guarantee,
24-Hour Cancellation

About the Item

An exceptional English Regency-period bonheur du jour attributed to John Maclean, ca 1810. A fine early-19th century rosewood and brass-inlaid bonheur du jour or writing desk (or chevret) of the highest quality. Of lovely colour and patina. In superb condition throughout. John McLean (born 1770, died 1825) was an English furniture- and cabinet-maker and designer. He was recognised as one of the best of his era, representing the best in English cabinet making. Examples of his furniture can be found in the Victorian and Albert Museum, The California Palace of the Legion of Honor and the Library at Saltram, Devon.[1] The origins of the McLean firm is somewhat confused by the many variations in spelling the name 'McLean'. "John MacKlane, upholder and cabinet maker in Little Newport Street, off Leicester Square" is listed in 1774.[2] References: Ambrose Heal, 'The London furniture makers: from the Restoration to the Victorian Era, 1660-1840' (1953). Simon Redburn, John McLean and Son, 'Furniture History' Vol. 14 (1978). A bonheur du jour (French, meaning "daytime delight") is a type of lady's writing desk. It was introduced in Paris by one of the interior decorators and purveyors of fashionable novelties called marchands-merciers about 1760, and speedily became intensely fashionable.[1] The bonheur du jour is always very light and graceful,[2] with a decorated back, since it often did not stand against the wall (meuble meublant) but was moved about the room (meuble volant); its special characteristic is a raised back, which may form a little cabinet or a nest of drawers, or open shelves, which might be closed with a tambour, or may simply be fitted with a mirror. The top, often surrounded with a chased and gilded bronze gallery, serves for placing small ornaments. Beneath the writing surface there is usually a single drawer,[2] often neatly fitted for toiletries or writing supplies. Early examples were raised on slender cabriole legs; under the influence of neoclassicism, examples made after about 1775 had straight, tapering legs. Nb. A very similar bonheur du jour also attributed to John Maclean was sold at 'Tom Devenish: The Collection - Highly Important English Furniture', Sotheby’s, New York, 24th April 2008 lot 176 for US$37,000. Further references: An English Regency period brass-mounted library table attributed to John Maclean was sold by Christies, 18th June 2008, for £109,250. Vis 'A Life's Devotion: The Collection of the Late Mrs T.S. Eliot', Christies London, 20 Nov 2013, A Regency brass-mounted rosewood side table - attracted to John McLean, ca 1810 - Price realised: £20,000. See S. Redburn, John McLean and Son, Furniture History (1978) plate 38A, for a comparable chevret table, formerly at Lowther Castle. Vis also Christie's, London, 7 December 1971, lot 67, for an unattributed chevret table of the same model but with various differences in the marquetry and design. Nb. For comparison: The sale of an exceptionally Rare Regency Brass-Mounted Rosewood Table, sold Thomas Coulborn & Sons. And a Fine Regency Gilded & Gilt Brass Rio Rosewood Canterbury by JOHN MCLEAN & SON - Freshfords Fine Antiques. Further reading: The firm of McLean and son was established in London around 1770, trading from premises in Little Newport Street, Leicester Square, until 1783. By 1790 the firm had moved to 55 Upper Marylebone Street, later expanding to occupy premises in both Pancras Street and Upper Terrace and continuing in business until 1825. Cabinet-makers of the highest calibre, patronised by such leading connoisseurs as the 5th Earl of Jersey, for whom they worked extensively at Middleton Park, Oxfordshire, and the Earl's London mansion in Berkeley Square. In Thomas Sheraton's, The Cabinet Dictionary of 1803, McLean and sons are listed among the foremost English cabinet-makers of the period, and it is some indication of the esteem in which they were held that Sheraton himself made use of one of their designs for a 'pouch table', which he illustrated in the Dictionary, (pl.65), remarking that, 'The design... was taken from one executed by Mr M'Lean in Mary-le-bone street, near Tottenham court road, who finishes small articles in the neatest manner''.
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 41.93 in (106.5 cm)Width: 28.35 in (72 cm)Depth: 18.31 in (46.5 cm)
  • Style:
    Regency (Of the Period)
  • Materials and Techniques:
  • Place of Origin:
  • Period:
  • Date of Manufacture:
    circa 1810
  • Condition:
    Wear consistent with age and use. Of lovely colour and patina. In superb condition throughout.
  • Seller Location:
    Lymington, GB
  • Reference Number:
    Seller: BHA11481stDibs: LU4081121631652

More From This Seller

View All
Fine & Rare Regency Cellarette or Jardinière Attributed to Thomas Hope
By Thomas Hope
Located in Lymington, GB
A fine and rare cellarette attributed to Thomas Hope, ca 1810. In the best quality mahogany with ebony lines and raised on well-carved animal paw feet. Original zinc...
Category

Antique Early 19th Century Regency Planters and Jardinieres

Materials

Mahogany

Very Fine Chippendale Period Satinwood and Marquetry Desk
Located in Lymington, GB
A very fine Chippendale-period satinwood and marquetry desk. English, George III-period, circa 1770. The considerable use of the best quality mahogany in the carcass is typical of the very fine work of Thomas Chippendale. It is rare today to find an 18th-century satinwood and marquetry-inlaid desk of this quality. (Most offered on the market are 19th/ 20th century). Major, period satinwood pieces have become almost unobtainable. The superbly-controlled and delicate marquetry inlays are reminiscent of the fine decoration on the famous Diana and Minerva Commode by Chippendale at Harewood House...
Category

Antique 18th Century English George III Desks

Materials

Satinwood

George I Walnut Secretaire Kneehole Desk
Located in Lymington, GB
An early-18th century English walnut secrétaire kneehole desk. George I-period (1714-1727), circa 1720. Of exceptional waxed honey colour and lovely old patina, with well-matched veneers. With a quarter-veneered top. Six short drawers below a hinged fall revealing a writing section, all surrounding a central recessed cupboard. There is a small, shaped pull-out drawer fitted in the apron. All finely inlaid with herringbone lines. Raised on its original bracket feet. Swan-neck handles probably fitted later in the 18th century. Locks and keys are mostly original. Walnut veneered and crossbanded sides. Nb. Having a fitted secrétaire (secretaire) drawer distinguishes this antique walnut kneehole desk...
Category

Antique Early 18th Century English George I Desks

Materials

Walnut

Large Regency Period Mahogany Dining Table
Located in Lymington, GB
An English Regency-period solid mahogany extending dining table of superb colour and figuring. Early-19th century, circa 1820. Retaining all of its original leaves of fine, well-figu...
Category

Antique 1820s English Regency Dining Room Tables

Materials

Mahogany

Fine Regency Mahogany Library Centre Table
Located in Lymington, GB
A fine Regency-period tilt-top brass inlaid mahogany and calamander library center table. Raised on a concave-sided triform base, with well-modelled cast-brass scrolling feet. Also referred to as a monopodium (table). All in excellent condition, well figured, and of very good rich color. Typical of designs by Thomas Hope (1769 - 1831). This form of antique table is also associated with work by George Bullock (1777 - 1818) and George Oakley (circa 1765 - 1841). Refs: A similar table with a leather insert, in the manner of Thomas Hope, circa 1800 - 1805, was sold in London for £39,650 - December 2010. This early 19th century table is reminiscent of the ‘Grecian’ style that the pioneering collector and designer Thomas Hope (1769-1831) popularized in Britain with the publication of ‘Household Furniture and Interior Decoration’ in 1807. Thos. Hope (banker, born 1769, d. 1831) The furniture manufacturer George Oakley (circa 1765-1841) was greatly influenced by Hope’s designs, and produced fashionable furniture in this style, using brass and star inlays similar to our table on offer. The firm’s designs and craftsmanship earned them royal patronage, and Oakley worked for the Prince Regent at Carlton House, as well as supplying furniture and upholstery for The Mansion House and The Bank of England. His work for the Cheere family - of Papworth Hall, Cambridgeshire, UK - is well documented. The reference to Geo. Oakley relates to a known table of this pattern in calamander wood and brass marquetry of starred-ribbon guilloche, which corresponds to the brass marquetry in a table supplied by Oakley in 1810 to Papworth Hall. Literature: Parker, R. 'History of Papworth Everard...
Category

Antique Early 1800s English Regency Center Tables

Materials

Mahogany

Pair Regency Style Ebonised Window Seats
Located in Lymington, GB
A very well-drawn, highly decorative and sophisticated pair of Regency-style window seats. Finely decorated by hand, in grey, with anthemions (anthemia) and lines on an ebonised grou...
Category

Late 20th Century Regency Stools

Materials

Zebra Hide, Ebony

You May Also Like

19th Century English Bonheur Du Jour Attributed To Gillows Of Lancaster
By Gillows of Lancaster & London
Located in Dublin, IE
A very fine 19th century Burr walnut, ebonised , ormolu and porcelain Bonheur du jour, the superstructure with pierced brass galleries above an open compartment with mirrored interio...
Category

Antique 19th Century English Victorian Desks

Materials

Ormolu

Regency Burl Elm Bonheur De Jour
Located in Essex, MA
With rectangular shelf superstructure with two shelves and three drawers with ebony trim , the base with a flip up writing surface thats felt lined over a drawer and raised on square...
Category

Antique Early 19th Century English Regency Desks

Materials

Elm

Pair 19th Century Bonheur Du Jours
Located in Brighton, Sussex
Rare pair of 19th Century French Kingwood and Tulip wood veneered Bonheur du jours, each with pierced three quarter brass galleries, gilded ormolu mounts, three drawers either side o...
Category

Antique 19th Century Japanese Louis XVI Desks

Materials

Porcelain, Mahogany

19th Century Walnut Bonheur Du Jour
Located in Chelmsford, Essex
For sale is a good quality 19th Century French walnut Bonheur Du Jour with ormolu mounts and sevres plaques. With an upper arched section with pierced rococ...
Category

Antique 19th Century French Desks

Materials

Walnut

19th Century French Bonheur Du Jour
Located in Chelmsford, Essex
For sale is a French 19th Century Amboyna and Ebony Cabinet, with three quarter balustrade gallery, above two panelled doors set with Paris porcelain po...
Category

Antique 19th Century French Desks

Materials

Amboyna

19th Century Marquetry Bonheur Du Jour
Located in Chelmsford, Essex
For sale is a good quality 19th Century Rosewood and Marquetry Inlaid Bonheur Du Jour. The piece has an inlaid up stand to the back, decorated with original ormolu mounts and edging,...
Category

Antique 19th Century Desks

Materials

Rosewood