A Fine Lacquer Mounted Bonheur du Jour

Object Description

A Fine Louis XVI Style Gilt-Bronze and Black and Gilt Japanese Lacquer Mounted Mahogany and Bois Satiné Bonheur du Jour, By Henry Dasson.

The upper structure faced with three lacquer panels to the front and one to each side. The raised and gilt maki-e lacquer depicting temples and lakeside rock gardens. The hinged doors enclosing shelves and compartments. The spring release frieze drawer with leather-lined writing slide. The flared and fluted columnar legs joined by a platform stretcher with three-quarter gallery surround and decorated in Nishihi lacquer surface.

Signed and dated ‘henry Dasson 1879.’

France, Dated 1879.

Object History

This writing desk by Henry Dasson is inspired by Louis XVI period examples executed by Adam Weisweiler in the 1780s such as an example with Wedgwood panels in the Getty Museum (inv. No. 72.DA). In the nineteenth century the model was revived by Winckelsen and continued by his successor, Henry Dasson, who made variations employing precious timbers such as burr-amboyna and, as here, Japanese lacquer. The present bonheur du jour, signed and dated ‘henry Dasson 1879’ is a larger example of the type and features especially refined gilt and raised lacquer work. As to be expected of Dasson’s work, the quality of the construction and overall perfection of finish is second to none.

Henry Dasson (1825-1896) was one of the finest makers of gilt-bronze mounted furniture in the nineteenth century. Unlike other cabinetmakers of this time Dasson started his career as a bronze sculptor, and for this reason one of the characteristics of his work is the great quality of his bronze and more precisely of the chiselling.

Object Literature

P. Kjellberg, Le Mobilier Français du XVIIIe Siècle, p. 910, for illustrations of a similar 18th century model by Weisweiler.

Object Details