Small oval writing table, in marquetry of garlands of foliage and flowers, opening to a drawer forming a writing desk, with a sliding shelf, resting on uprights joined by a spacer shelf, white marble top with openwork gallery.
Attributed to Charles Topino.
Louis XVI period.

Height: 72.5 cm; Width: 46 cm; Depth: 35 cm

Received master in 1773, and established in Paris in the rue du Faubourg-Saint-Antoine, he specialized in the production of small light furniture, featuring a “à la chinoise” decoration with marquetry representing teapots or vases, or garlands and bouquets of flowers. His models were very successful in the years 1775-1780. He was the creator of a particular piece of furniture, an oval-shaped “bonheur du jour”. The arrival of the French Revolution precipitated his bankruptcy in 1789.

Bibliography : 

Sylvain Barbier Sainte Marie, Charles Topino c. 1742-1803, Paris, 2005, Editions de l’Amateur
(Same decoration of garlands of flowers and foliage is found on several pieces of furniture stamped by Charles Topino. A pair of comparable oval tables (illustrate, p. 17) have a similar decoration.)

Comte de Salverte, Les ébénistes du XVIIIe siècle : leurs œuvres et leurs marques, 1985, F. de Nobele

Jean Nicolay, L’art et la manière des maîtres ébénistes français au XVIIIe siècle. Tome I, Pygmalion, 1976. Several pages are devoted to Topino: pp. 455, 456, and 473, and 34 pieces of furniture are represented pp. 460-468

Geoffroy de Bellaigue, The James Rothschild Collection at Waddesdon Manor, vol. II, pp. 880-881

Pierre Verlet, Les meubles du XVIIIe siècle. II. Ébénisterie, PUF, 1956 : A « bonheur du jour » of Topino is presented pl X

Résultats d'enchères

Sotheby’s in New York on May 20, 2010, lot 79,

Christie’s in New York on October 20, 2021, lot 72 (sold $ 9.735)

Sotheby’s in Monaco, Pair of “bonheur du jour”, 23-24 juin 1985, 1.100.000 FRF ($ 118.085 – $ of that time)

Christie’s in New York, May 27, 1999, table, $ 79.500

Other references :

Topino’s furniture can be found in the following museums:

Cincinnati Art Museum : Table in mahogany and fruit wood veneers, brass gallery, gilt bronze mounts

Paris, Musée des Arts Décoratifs, “Bonheur du jour” ; ovale table “en chiffonnière”,

Paris, Musée Nissim de Camondo : heart shaped dressing table ; ovale table “en chiffonnière”; round table “en chiffonnière”