19th Century French Renaissance Bookcase ~ Bibliotheque

19th Century French Renaissance Bookcase ~ Bibliotheque is truly a remarkable piece of artistic sculpture that also just happens to be a stunning bookcase!  Ideal for making a bold statement and focal point in any room, it is still short enough to work in a room with 8 foot ceilings.  The boldly molded and carved crown presides over the work, with a tier of acanthus plume detail above egg & dart motif.  The bonnet features a full relief lion's head from whose mouth springs forth fully laden grapevines in bas relief, flanked by corbel style carvings on the corners, which also appear above the upper pilasters also carved in full relief with more lions' heads, scrolled corbels, and celebrations of the ourdoors.  The upper pilasters combine with the bonnet to provide a framework for the open upper tier fitted with three adjustable shelves with carved front edges.  The lower tier projects outward into the room a bit, and is trimmed on the top with demilune carvings which appear over the full width drawer, also carved with fully laden grapevines with vines serving as the drawer's pull, all flanked by shield carvings on the corners.  Below the corners are carved in the same manner as above, which combines with the multi-tiered, boldly carved base to frame the two cabinet doors, each a work of the sculptor's art in its own right!  Each features, in bold full relief, various implements and naturalistic symbols of the marine life on the left, and uplands on the right for a definitively masculine appeal.  Doors open to reveal amazing storage as an added bonus!
Circa 1850s
Measures 88H x 47.5W x 21D; surface 36H