Lacquered Canton Export Bonheur De Jour Cabinet - Ca 1830

This gilt black lacquered cabinet on stand is a rare find. This cabinet is called a bonheur de jour and has a fold out desk and bonnet top. This style is near identical to one found in the seminal The Decorative Arts of The China Trade by Crossman, Plate 150 which is from the collection of the Rhode Island Historical Society. Both cabinets were undoubtedly made by the same craftsmen. This cabinet can be dated to 1825-1830. Later cabinets had ball and claw feet or cabriole legs instead of the ball feet seen here.

This Chinese export bonheur de jour cabinet is decorated in delicate gilt and black lacquer and made in the typical form with brass lock and key. It comes complete with original sliding drawers, foldable writing board and a hanging timepiece. 
This style of Chinese lacquerware was made in Canton for export to wealthy members of the British Georgian & American upper class in the Qing dynasty. This intricate and detailed work was made for export to Britain when Chinoiserie was all the rage in the early 19th century.
These pieces are fragile pieces of history and are usually found damaged especially the tops, however, the condition of this piece is outstanding. This cabinet has been checked over in our workshop and small restorations made to stop the aging process. The only major wear is the top of the desk which is to be expected. 

References:

A near identical example of this cabinet can be found in The Decorative Arts of The China Trade by Crossman, Plate 150. 

From China

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