Venetian Rococo Carved and Gilded Table Lectern, 1700s

Details

Description

A carved and gilded wooden tabletop lectern from Italy, Venetian manufacture, dating back to the 1700s. This late Baroque or … Read more A carved and gilded wooden tabletop lectern from Italy, Venetian manufacture, dating back to the 1700s. This late Baroque or Rococo bookstand is characterized by sinuous lines and a refined yet dynamic elegance. The rectangular structure consists of a rectangular base resting on four slightly curved feet, which lend the lectern a sense of sleekness and lightness. A sub-frame is decorated on all four sides with rich carvings featuring leaf motifs and symmetrical scrolls converging toward a central shell-shaped element (rocaille), typical of the decorative repertoire of the period.

The tilted, rack-adjustable tabletop features a frame with a geometric carving engraved on the gesso base in a zigzag or herringbone pattern, creating an interesting contrast with the curved lines of the base. The lectern is made of Swiss pine and features leaf gilding, likely over a red gouache base (Armenian bole), visible in the most worn areas. The current patina suggests natural aging, enhancing its historic charm, alternating shiny areas with areas where the wood or white preparation (plaster) emerges. The lectern shows signs of aging, which guarantee its authenticity: small flaws in the gilding and the gesso layer; a small loss of a scroll curl on the left side of the upper cornice; and an old restoration of the central shell on the back.

The patina and signs of wear attest to its liturgical or domestic use, as these bookstands were often used in private chapels to hold missals or musical scores.

Period: 1750.
Height: 17 cm
Width: 39 cm
Depth: 27.5 cm See less