France School
Sebastien Auguste Deroux
Mirecourt, Paris, 1848–1919
Sebastien Auguste Deroux (1848-1919) was a French luthier, son and pupil of Georges Deroux. He trained with Silvestre in Lyons and Miremont in Paris, eventually becoming head of Miremont's workshop. In 1884, he established his own business at 16 rue Geoffroy-Marie, Paris. Deroux was known for crafting copies of Stradivari and Guarneri instruments, using a red-brown oil varnish and achieving an excellent standard of finish. He was also highly regarded as a restorer of old instruments and received several awards, including a silver medal at the Paris Exhibition in 1889. His workshop was later revived by Millant.
Auction price history
Highest auction price
11 results
| Type | Details | Auction house | Sold | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violin | 35.6 cm Paris, 1889 n°51 | — | December 2010 | £9,838 |
| Violin | 35.6 cm Paris, 1900 n°127 | — | June 2010 | £13,981 |
| Violin | 35.7 cm Paris, 1890 c. | — | April 2010 | £6,678 |
| Violin Bow | S/E (ferrule & button missing) | — | March 2008 | £1,287 |
| Viola | 39.9 cm Paris, 1900 c. | — | June 2005 | £4,589 |
| Violin | Paris, 1906 #180 | — | June 2005 | £1,582 |
| Violin | Mirecourt, 1912 | — | December 2004 | £2,035 |
| Violin Bow | S/I 61 g. | — | March 2001 | £822 |
| Viola | 39.8 cm 1912 | — | July 1997 | £4,600 |
| Viola | 38.7 cm 1900 | — | December 1994 | £5,529 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 59 g. | — | May 1994 | £1,039 |
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Maker Overview
Life
Sebastien Auguste Deroux (1848-1919) was born on June 29, 1848, in Mirecourt, France, and passed away in 1919 in Paris. He was the son and pupil of Georges Deroux. He worked for Silvestre in Lyons from April 1866 to August 1869. After completing four years of military service, he joined Miremont in Paris, working there from November 20, 1873, until July 15, 1884, where he became head of the workshop. In 1884, he established his own business at 16 rue Geoffroy-Marie, Paris. After his death, his shop was revived by Millant.
Characteristics
- Models
- Sebastien Auguste Deroux crafted copies of Stradivari and Guarneri instruments, working models.
- Varnish
- He utilized a red-brown varnish, described as rather dark, and employed oil varnish.
- Workmanship
- His instruments are noted for an excellent standard of finish. He gained a significant reputation as one of the best restorers of old instruments in Paris.
- Production
- Sources contain conflicting information regarding the number of instruments he produced. John Dilworth records precisely 244 instruments with his signature, while Cecie Stainer states he had made 91 new instruments (violins, altos, violoncellos) up to her publication. Willibald Leo Lütgendorff notes he had made over 100 new violins. He typically employed only one workman.
- S. A. Deroux
16, rue Geoffroy-Marie.
No. 117 Paris 18..John Dilworth
Influence and legacy
- Parentage & Early Training: He was the son and pupil of Georges Deroux.
- Mentorship: He worked under Silvestre in Lyons from 1866 to 1869. Subsequently, he worked for Miremont in Paris from 1873 to 1884.
- Awards: Sebastien Auguste Deroux received a "Mention honorable" as a collaborator at the Paris Exhibition in 1878. He was awarded a silver medal at the Paris Exhibition in 1889 and also received medals in 1889 and 1900.
- Workshop Continuity: His workshop at 16 rue Geoffroy-Marie, Paris, was revived by Millant after his death.
Biographies
The overview above is drawn from the following published accounts. Read them in the original:
John Dilworth+
DEROUX, Sébastien Auguste Born 1848 Mirecourt, died 1919 Paris France. Son and pupil of Georges Deroux, above. Worked for Silvestre in Lyons 1866-1869, then Miremont in Paris 1873-1884 where he became head of the workshop. Established his own business at 16 rue Geoffroy-Marie, Paris in 1884. This shop was revived by Millant after his death. Precisely 244 instruments are recorded with his signature; copies of Stradivari and Guarneri with red-brown varnish and an excellent standard of finish. Auguste Deroux à Paris An 1885. S. A. Deroux / 16, rue Geoffroy-Marie. / No. 117 Paris 18..
Cecie Stainer+
b June 29, 1848 Mirecourt. Was pupil there of his father, also a maker. Worked at Lyons under Silvestre neveu from April, 1866, to August 1869. After serving his four years of military service, worked with Miremont at Paris, from Nov. 20, 1873, till July 15, 1884, obtaining a ” Mention honorable’ as collaborateur at the Paris Exhibition, 1878. Then started his own workshop at 16, rue Geoffroy-Marie, Paris, where he has remained ever since.
He has gained a great reputation as one of the best restorers of old instruments in Paris. Up till now he has made 91 new instruments (violins, altos, violoncellos). He follows the Stradivari and Guarneri patterns, using rather dark red-brown varnish. He only employs one workman. Was awarded a silver medal at the Paris Exhibition, 1889.
Above the date, the letters “A. S. D.”
Willibald Leo Lütgendorff+
Sohn und Schüler von Georges D. Nachdem er drei Jahre bei Silvestre in
Lyon und 11 Jahre bei Miremont gearbeitet hatte, machte er sich 1884 selbstständig
und erfreut sich jetzt eines guten Rufs als Geigenmacher und Reparateur. Er hat bisher über 100 neue Geigen gemacht und dafür sowohl 1889 als auch 1900 Medaillen
erhalten. Er arbeitet nach italienischen Vorbildern und verwendet Öllack.
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