Offered by Galerie Gilles Linossier
A beautiful bonheur du jour by Charles Topino.
Made with meticulous care, it is adorned with precious woods such as rosewood, stained sycamore, amaranth, hornbeam, and elm, testifying to the exceptional craftsmanship of the craftsman.
The upper part, elegantly surmounted by an openwork gallery in chiseled and gilded bronze, opens onto a central niche flanked on either side by two doors decorated with flower vases, a characteristic motif of the Neoclassical period, and a slender central drawer. The doors open with an ingenious push-button system hidden in the drawer, a system typical of Charles Topino's furniture.
Beneath these elements, a semicircular top displays a beautiful still life marquetry, where vases, cups, and flowers intermingle in a harmonious composition. Each pot is itself decorated with geometric and floral symbols, suggesting a work of great finesse. The marquetry decoration follows the circular shape and is framed by a fine line of elm and rosewood surrounded by a gilded bronze ingot mold.
The drawer-shaped apron incorporates a green leather-covered writing tablet adorned with delicate gilded filigree and a set of three compartments, one of which is made of metal, forming a writing utensil. The keyhole is in gilded bronze decorated with stylized foliage.
The whole rests on slender, highly curved uprights with finely crafted gilded bronze trim decorated with foliage and garlands.
The legs are joined by an elegant notched crossbar, enriched with a decoration depicting various vases and pouring boards, resting on trays. They are made of light exotic woods and contrast with the red wood top. Each accessory is also decorated with dot and groove patterns. This tray is surrounded by a gilded bronze half-molding mold.
The piece ends with enveloping sabots decorated with stylized foliage.
A rare and refined piece, this bonheur du jour embodies the refined taste of the 18th century, brilliantly combining functionality and luxurious aesthetics. It is an ode to late-century French art, combining decorative beauty and technical ingenuity.
Charles Topino, who became a master in 1773, was one of the most talented cabinetmakers of the Louis XVI period. He distinguished himself in particular by the exceptional quality of his creations. His output was highly varied, but was particularly distinguished by a refined and poetic style in which floral decorations, still lifes, and scenes of everyday objects were delicately depicted.
Unlike other cabinetmakers, who specialized in furniture of all sizes, Topino focused primarily on elegant and functional pieces. He was particularly fond of small pieces of furniture such as floating tables or bonheurs-du-jour: small, utilitarian ceremonial pieces. These were always rectangular or ellipsoidal in shape. The quality of his furniture and his marquetry work make them highly collectible pieces that can be found in the Louvre or the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris, for example. Dimensions: H 91 cm x W 60 cm x D 40 cm
A similar model, with a slightly different design, is listed on page 882 of the renowned Mobilier français du XVIIIe siècle by Pierre Kjellberg, 2008 edition, as a reference model for TOPINO furniture.
