Grand 19th Century French Renaissance Revival Bookcase Signed by Sculptor Benjamin Deguil

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Grand 19th Century French Renaissance Revival Bookcase signed by Sculptor Benjamin Deguil is an important cabinet by a documented Parisian … Read more Grand 19th Century French Renaissance Revival Bookcase signed by Sculptor Benjamin Deguil is an important cabinet by a documented Parisian sculptor and furniture maker whose work is represented in the Louvre’s Department of Decorative Arts. Deguil is recorded in association with Benjamin-Paul Ramillon, with signed works from their Paris atelier stamped Deguil et Ramillon, Sculpteurs, Fabricants de Meubles, Rue Neuve des Capucines 10, Paris. Their presence in the Louvre’s collection elevates this cabinet within the tradition of 19th century French sculptural furniture and gives the signature remarkable importance.
This exceptional bookcase was conceived as a sculptural architectural cabinet in oak, with the upper glazed section rising beneath a grand Renaissance Revival pediment. The crown is centered by carved putti holding a monogrammed medallion, confirming the piece was commissioned for a specific patron or household. This personalized crest gives the cabinet a distinguished history of purpose, connecting the work of the sculptor to the original family or interior for which it was created.
The artistry of the carving is the heart of the cabinet. The lower doors and rounded side cabinets are richly sculpted in high relief with hunting and harvest trophies, including game birds, fish, fruit, corn, grapes, oak leaves, and abundant foliage. These motifs belong to the French Renaissance Revival tradition, where imagery of the hunt, the cultivated table, and the bounty of the land expressed prosperity, hospitality, and the refinement of domestic life. The carving has extraordinary depth, movement, and confidence, revealing a hand trained not only in cabinetmaking, but in sculpture.
The architectural structure is equally impressive, with carved pilasters, fluted columns, rosettes, dentil moldings, scrollwork, shell motifs, and bold paneled doors. The rounded side cabinets give the lower case a commanding presence, while the glass-fronted upper section creates a refined display area for books, collections, or objects of importance. Every element is considered, from the crest and columns to the carved borders and sculptural trophy panels.
The oak retains a rich, deep patina with beautiful depth and variation, preserved through age, care, and waxing. The signed rail reading Benjamin Deguil, Sculpteur gives this bookcase its greatest distinction. With Deguil’s work documented in the Louvre, this cabinet stands as a rare and important example of 19th century French Renaissance Revival furniture, combining authorship, commissioned history, architectural form, and exceptional sculptural carving.
Circa 1850s
Measures 114H x 69.5W x 21.5D
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