Makes me want to read out loud: Hollis & Knight - William IV Lectern/Book Stand

“An unusual William IV parcel gilt rosewood occasional table. The square top is fitted with a vellum still life of flowers, in the manner of Redouté. The table stands on a rosewood column surmounted by a gilt capital of laurel leaves and supported by a tripod of giltwood C scrolls. The whole standing on a concave sided square plinth terminating in hairy paw feet on castors.

Pierre-Joseph Redouté (July 10, 1759 - June 20, 1840), was a Belgian painter and botanist, known for his paintings of roses, lilies and other flowers at Malmaison. Redouté was born in Saint-Hubert, Luxembourg, which is now part of Belgium.

The use of a vellum still life as decoration for a table top is highly unusual. The still life itself was considered precious and this is demonstrated by the fact that the table top when lifted gived the impression of a frame around the picture. This sort of table was often used as an impromptu fire screen and therefore had to look as finished up as down.”