A REGENCY GILT METAL MOUNTED AND PARCEL GILT ROSEWOOD BONHEUR DU JOUR ATTRIBUTED TO JOHN MACLEAN circa 1810

the rectangular top with pierced gallery with turned and ring collared brass column supports with vase finials and with pierced geometric panels of gilt-brass above a shelf fitted with two drawers, the extended lower part with a hinged shelf opening to a velvet-lined writing surface above a drawer fitted with a further smaller drawer for pens and ink wells, and flanked by 'match striker' tablets, the turned tapered legs with parcel gilt ring turned collars and with brass cap castors, and joined by a platform stretcher incurved at the front and with scrolled bracket supports, mounted throughout with gilt-brass beading, the reverse also veneered with false drawers and mounted similarly.

With Wilfred Bull, Coggeshall, Essex

Redburn (Antiques), London

Furniture History - The Journal of the Furniture History Society, 1978, vol. XIV, Simon Redburn, 'John McClean and Son,' pp. 31-37, pl. 39B

The catalogue illustration is a fair representation of color and tone. Overall it is in a good restored condition. The shelf and tops with some minor old marks and scratches. There is a restored horizontal crack to the hinged surface. Small repairs and losses to the veneers and stringing on the edges. Small chips to gilding and collars of legs. The brass edging to front of platform lacking one screw and lifting slightly.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

This bonheur du jour can be firmly attributed to the workshops of John McLean and Son (1770-1825), its design and gilt-metal ornament conforming in design and execution to other similar labeled examples including an example illustrated in Furniture History - The Journal of the Furniture History Society, 1978, vol. XIV, Simon Redburn, 'John McLean and Son', pp. 31-37., pl. 38B, the present lot being illustrated op. cit., pl. 39B. The former has slightly more elaborate handles and escutcheons, and additional 'match striker' panels flanking the upper drawers, whereas the present example has the unusual scroll bracket supporting the lower shelf.  (see note to lots 173 and 174).

An almost identical bonheur du jour, but with pierced brass doors and lacking the scrolled supports to the platform shelf, was sold, Christie's, London, November 13, 1997, lot 93.