A Napoleon III Boulle Inlay “Bonheur Du Jour” Lady’s Desk

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If you are an avowed minimalist, move along. If you’re partnered with a minimalist, whom you love anyway, this lady’s … Read more If you are an avowed minimalist, move along. If you’re partnered with a minimalist, whom you love anyway, this lady’s desk is petite enough to dwell (relatively) discreetly in your boudoir. Your hidden treasure, a "Bonheur du Jour" (which literally translates to "happiness of the day" or "daytime delight") desk, is adorned with the distinctive inlay and marquetry of the French Boulle style, which typically dated from the mid-to-late 19th century during the Napoleon III period. Renowned cabinetmaker to King Louis XIV, André-Charles Boulle perfected the intricate technique.
A center cabinet door is surrounded by nine short drawers, all topped by three brass gallery-edged leather tops. There’s a gilded embossed leather writing surface as well as a single drawer along the full length of the front frieze.
But even if you don’t do many little handwritten notes these days, all sorts of little treasures or accessories can be tucked away in an organized manner in those 10 drawers. Two keys are included. And every day you can awaken enjoying the sight of something that even Napoleon’s lady, the Empress Eugenie, might have envied. See less