Skip to main content
Items Similar to Antique Italian Neoclassical Painted and Découpage Ladies Desk, Circa 1890
18th century Italian Paint Decorated Writing Desk with Drawer Circa 1760s
18th century Italian Paint Decorated Writing Desk with Drawer Circa 1760s
Italian Venetian Style Distressed Paint Decorated Secretary Desk C. 1950 s
Italian Venetian Style Distressed Paint Decorated Secretary Desk C. 1950 s
20th Century Painted Wood Venetian Bureau Desk, 1960
20th Century Painted Wood Venetian Bureau Desk, 1960
French Provincial Louis XV Painted Desk Attributed to John Widdicomb, Circa 1960
French Provincial Louis XV Painted Desk Attributed to John Widdicomb, Circa 1960
18th Century Italian Ladies Desk
18th Century Italian Ladies Desk
Fantastic Paint Decorated Faux Marble Interior Venetian Secretary Desk
Fantastic Paint Decorated Faux Marble Interior Venetian Secretary Desk
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 21

Antique Italian Neoclassical Painted and Découpage Ladies Desk, Circa 1890

$4,300
£3,276.68
€3,778.92
CA$6,107.29
A$6,561.94
CHF 3,520.47
MX$77,307.20

About the Item

Known as a bonheur du jour, this beautiful Italian ladies desk dates to circa 1890. Bonheur du jour was designed specifically for women, serving as a writing desk and a cabinet to store personal items. Our unique Neoclassical bonheur du jour has seamlessly blended hand-painted sections with découpage elements, which are colored paper cutouts that are applied to the surface. As is the case with most bonheur du jour, the writing surface is elevated to allow for comfortable seating to be paired with the desk. Four slender, tapering baluster legs provide support and seat clearance for the desk. Each leg is paired with an onion foot beneath two protruding rings, with two larger circles beneath the rectangular joints that frame the lockable belt drawer, whose façade is illustrated with a vibrant mythological scene. Repeating niches surround the illustration, with the pattern being replicated on the side panels that are detailed with red and gold faux marble. The pull-out writing surface has a similar faux marble, surrounded by a gold border with subtle foliate rinceaux in each corner. When not in use, the writing area rests under the two-door upper cabinet, which has one cream colored shelf behind the doors. Both doors depict distinct Neoclassical stories, including one which shows Perseus after battling Medusa. Découpage figures have been added to the lower corners of the doors, which are flanked by fluted column pilasters. Each side has been adorned with a separate portrait inset within an oval surrounded by egg and dart. The remaining areas of the desk have been painted gold with green infills and more faux marble. After the mid-1700s, owning a bonheur du jour was common, as it was a functional writing desk with elegance. Our painted and decoupage Neoclassical desk would instantly transform a study, den, or hallway.
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 41 in (104.14 cm)Width: 29.25 in (74.3 cm)Depth: 24.875 in (63.19 cm)
  • Style:
    Neoclassical (In the Style Of)
  • Materials and Techniques:
    Paint,Wood,Découpage,Hand-Carved,Hand-Painted
  • Place of Origin:
    Italy
  • Period:
    Late 19th Century
  • Date of Manufacture:
    Circa 1890
  • Condition:
    Wear consistent with age and use. Minor losses. Good antique condition. Minor nicks and losses. Light age separations. Two functional locks, each with their own key.
  • Seller Location:
    Dallas, TX
  • Reference Number:
    Seller: 824-381stDibs: LU906343241552

More From This Seller

View All
Early 18th Century Painted Italian Console Table with Rouge Royal Marble Top
Located in Dallas, TX
Console tables are beautiful, graceful tables that also serve a practical purpose. These tables are aligned against a wall, often between two windows and/or placed beneath a mirror. You might find accessories or artwork resting on the marble or wooden tops. During the Regence period, these tables would often be painted to match the colors of the wood paneling of the walls, indicating that this console table came from an opulent room. Hand-carved in Italy during the 1700’s, the wood has a lacquered white finish with gilded highlights. The rouge royal marble from Belgium has white and gray veining and light inclusions with a quarter round finish on three sides (like most consoles, the backside is typically left unpainted or raw – as this is the side that abuts the wall). Beneath the thick marble are four cabriole legs with pied-de-biche (deer’s foot...
Category

Antique 1710s Italian Console Tables

Materials

Marble

Early 18th Century Painted Italian Console Table with Rouge Royal Marble Top

Early 18th Century Painted Italian Console Table with Rouge Royal Marble Top

$5,900
19th Century Painted French Louis XVI Style 2-Drawer Commode Sauteuse
Located in Dallas, TX
More information coming soon… Dating to the 1800s, this two-drawer French commode sauteuse has Louis XVI-style carvings inspired by Neoclassicism. Both of the drawers have bronze p...
Category

Antique 19th Century French Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Metal, Bronze

19th Century Painted French Louis XVI Style 2-Drawer Commode Sauteuse

19th Century Painted French Louis XVI Style 2-Drawer Commode Sauteuse

$6,400
Antique Louis XV Style Painted French Chest of Drawers with Marble Top
Located in Dallas, TX
This is a wonderful antique French commode with a parcel paint finish from Provence, dating to the end of the 1800s. It has a rectangular conforming marble top and a restrained shape...
Category

Antique Late 19th Century French Louis XV Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Marble

Antique Louis XV Style Painted French Chest of Drawers with Marble Top

Antique Louis XV Style Painted French Chest of Drawers with Marble Top

$7,975 Sale Price
44% Off
19th Century Painted French Louis XVI Style Buffet with Faux Marble Top
Located in Dallas, TX
Hand-carved in the 1800s in the style of Louis XVI, this French buffet features Neoclassical motifs and a wonderfully hand-painted faux marble top. The top has a subtle cavetto moldi...
Category

Antique 19th Century French Louis XVI Buffets

Materials

Wood, Paint

19th Century Painted French Louis XVI Style Buffet with Faux Marble Top

19th Century Painted French Louis XVI Style Buffet with Faux Marble Top

$6,400
18th Century Painted French Enfilade with Rouge Royal Marble Top
Located in Dallas, TX
An exquisitely patinated Louis XV enfilade, hand-carved from oak in the 1700s, this large French sideboard features a luxurious 1 1/4″ thick rouge marble top with gray and cream vein...
Category

Antique 18th Century French Louis XV Buffets

Materials

Marble

18th Century Painted French Enfilade with Rouge Royal Marble Top

18th Century Painted French Enfilade with Rouge Royal Marble Top

$5,200
French Painted Louis XV Style Console Table, Breche Violette Marble Top, C. 1850
Located in Dallas, TX
Dating to circa 1850, this statuesque French console with breche violette marble top was hand-carved in the style of Louis XV. The richly carved base, which has been painted cream wi...
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century French Louis XV Console Tables

Materials

Stone, Breccia Marble

French Painted Louis XV Style Console Table, Breche Violette Marble Top, C. 1850

French Painted Louis XV Style Console Table, Breche Violette Marble Top, C. 1850

$3,800

You May Also Like

18th century Italian Paint Decorated Writing Desk with Drawer Circa 1760s
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
Experience the charm and elegance of Old World craftsmanship with this 18th Century Italian Paint Decorated Writing Desk, dating circa 1760s. A true antique treasure, this desk is a ...
Category

Antique 1760s Italian Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut, Pine

18th century Italian Paint Decorated Writing Desk with Drawer Circa 1760s

18th century Italian Paint Decorated Writing Desk with Drawer Circa 1760s

$3,996 Sale Price
42% Off
Italian Venetian Style Distressed Paint Decorated Secretary Desk C. 1950 s
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
Dimensions - H: 78 1/4 in W: 35 1/2 in D: 16 1/4 in Capture the enchanting spirit of classic Europe with this Italian Venetian style distressed paint-decorated secretary desk, craf...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Country Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal

Italian Venetian Style Distressed Paint Decorated Secretary Desk C. 1950 s

Italian Venetian Style Distressed Paint Decorated Secretary Desk C. 1950 s

$3,195
20th Century Painted Wood Venetian Bureau Desk, 1960
Located in Vicoforte, Piedmont
Venetian bureau from the second half of the 20th century. Beautifully designed furniture, pleasantly lacquered and hand painted with floral decorations. High leg bureau equipped with...
Category

Vintage 1960s Italian Secretaires

Materials

Wood

20th Century Painted Wood Venetian Bureau Desk, 1960

20th Century Painted Wood Venetian Bureau Desk, 1960

$3,788
French Provincial Louis XV Painted Desk Attributed to John Widdicomb, Circa 1960
By John Widdicomb
Located in South Bend, IN
A beautiful French Provincial Louis XV style writing desk Attributed to John Widdicomb USA, Circa 1960s Solid cherry wood, with original cream and pink painted finish, and origina...
Category

Vintage 1960s American Louis XVI Desks

Materials

Brass

French Provincial Louis XV Painted Desk Attributed to John Widdicomb, Circa 1960

French Provincial Louis XV Painted Desk Attributed to John Widdicomb, Circa 1960

$2,395
18th Century Italian Ladies Desk
Located in Charleston, SC
Charming and rare 18th C. Italian painted small ladies desk having deep yellow, maroon and and gold/ochre scrolling foliate in chinoiserie motifs wit...
Category

Antique Late 18th Century Italian Desks

Materials

Wood, Giltwood, Paint

18th Century Italian Ladies Desk

18th Century Italian Ladies Desk

$4,225 Sale Price
35% Off
Fantastic Paint Decorated Faux Marble Interior Venetian Secretary Desk
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This fantastic paint decorated Venetian secretary desk with faux marble interior is a remarkable statement piece that captures the artistry and elegance of 19th to early 20th century...
Category

Antique Early 1900s Italian Louis XV Secretaires

Materials

Walnut

Fantastic Paint Decorated Faux Marble Interior Venetian Secretary Desk

Fantastic Paint Decorated Faux Marble Interior Venetian Secretary Desk

$3,000 Sale Price
38% Off

More Ways To Browse

Pair Desks
Antique Italian Desks
Antique Painted Desk
Italian 19th Century Desk
Italian Carved Desk
Antique Medusa
Decoupage Furniture
Antique Ladies Desk
Italian Painted Desks
19th Century Ladies Writing Desk
Pilaster Columns
Antique Decoupage
Bonheur Du Jour Desk
Decoupage Cabinets
Painted Ladies Desk
Antique Desk Boston
Antique Desk Eastlake
Antique Desk Philadelphia
View All Popular Desks Searches