Aesthetic Movement Antique Bonheur du Jour, c.1880

Our Stock # LFA-1314

This is an antique, aesthetic movement 'bonheur du jour', or writing desk, dating to c.1880.

This fabulous desk, from renowned cabinet makers Trapnell & Gane, is a classic example of aesthetic movement furniture. Ebonised and highlighted with gilt decoration, the mottled crimson inset leather writing surface is twin tooled in gold to match.

Behind the writing surface, twin field panel doors, with lock and key, are decorated in elegant geometric form and open to reveal an exquisite satin birch interior, featuring galleried pierced letter rack above twin drawers dressed with, and contrasted by, ebony pulls. The cupboard flanked by decorated brackets and topped with a pierced brass rail.

Beneath the desktop a pair of frieze drawers with brass handles, sit above a baluster rail which is mirrored in the open stretcher uniting the tapered, fluted legs that terminate in the original ceramic castors.

A fabulous piece in fine order, delivered waxed, polished and ready for the home.

Dimensions:
Max Width: 102cm (40.25'')
Max Depth: 56cm (22'')
Max Height: 102cm (40.25'')

Desk Working Height: 73cm (28.75")
Kneehole Height: 56cm (22")

About Trapnell & Gane
Henry Trapnell started the business in Host Street, Bristol in 1824. It developed with the help of his sons, William and Caleb and, when one of their long serving workers, Philip Endres Gane, went into partnership with them towards the end of the nineteenth century, flourished. Gane later becoming the sole proprietor.

As the business grew it relocated several times to addresses including Queen's Street, St. Michaels and Barrs Street before an expansion in 1860 seeing the company headquarters located in College Green. 1889 saw branches opening in Cardiff and Newport followed by a five floor factory in Hill Street Bristol that opened in 1903.

Gane died in 1933 when his sons continued the business until it was dissolved in 1954.