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ID #SA1208173
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Mother of Pearl Inlaid Victorian Arts & Crafts Magazine Stand
Antique Furniture Direct
for sale €170     $184
£145
Antique Furniture Direct

Antique Furniture Direct

Sellingantiques Verified Since Aug 2013
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Id #SA1208173
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Mother of Pearl Inlaid Victorian Arts & Crafts Magazine Stand

19th century
Description

A magnificent antique mother of pear inlaid Victorian magazine stand or book rest dating from the late 19th century, originally a Quran stand. This beautiful folding lectern, or ‘rahla’, was made in the Middle East during the late 19th century from intricately carved hardwood (similar to teak) and inlaid with mother of pearl. It has a section of script to the base and is cut from a single piece of wood, interwoven through slots so that it folds and unfolds.

Although the form is of a Quran stand, these were often made for British customers for use as magazine or newspaper stands. These types of stands were also imported and retailed by Liberty & Co in the late 19th Century as illustrated in their 1860-90s catalogues. The carving and inlay on this example is particularly good.

Construction/Wood:

Carved Hardwood / Mother Of Pearl

Condition Report:

Good colour and patina. Wear and marks commensurate with age. Structurally solid and sturdy.

Dimensions:

Width: 25cm

Depth at Feet Open: 70cm

Height to Top Open: 46cm

Depth Closed: 3cm

Height Closed: 74cm

Physical Dimensions
Height
74cm (29.13")
Width
25cm (9.84")
Depth
3cm (1.18")
Declaration

Antique Furniture Direct has dated this Carved Wooden Book Stand to the 1890s.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1208173
Dealers Notes

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Description
A magnificent antique mother of pear inlaid Victorian magazine stand or book rest dating from the late 19th century, originally a Quran stand.
This beautiful folding lectern, or ‘rahla’, was made in the Middle East during the late 19th century from intricately carved hardwood (similar to teak) and inlaid with mother of pearl.
Antique Furniture Direct

It has a section of script to the base and is cut from a single piece of wood, interwoven through slots so that it folds and unfolds.

fig 1. A dark carved wood folding book stand featuring mother-of-pearl floral inlays and openwork fretwork details.
fig 1. Mother of Pearl Inlaid Victorian Arts & Crafts Magazine Stand

Although the form is of a Quran stand, these were often made for British customers for use as magazine or newspaper stands. These types of stands were also imported and retailed by Liberty & Co in the late 19th Century as illustrated in their 1860-90s catalogues. The carving and inlay on this example is particularly good.

fig 2. A dark carved wood folding book stand featuring mother-of-pearl floral inlays and openwork fretwork details.
fig 2. Mother of Pearl Inlaid Victorian Arts & Crafts Magazine Stand

Construction/Wood:

Carved Hardwood / Mother Of Pearl

Condition Report:

Good colour and patina. Wear and marks commensurate with age. Structurally solid and sturdy.

Dimensions:

Width: 25cm

Depth at Feet Open: 70cm

Height to Top Open: 46cm

Depth Closed: 3cm

Height Closed: 74cm

Height
74cm (29.13")
Width
25cm (9.84")
Depth
3cm (1.18")
Date of Manufacture

Antique Furniture Direct has dated this Carved Wooden Book Stand to the 1890s.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1208173
Antique Furniture Direct
Antique Furniture Direct
Sellingantiques verified Since Aug 2013
Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the Antique Furniture Direct Profile Page

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A dark carved wood folding book stand featuring mother-of-pearl floral inlays and openwork fretwork details.
1 / 13
Archive I A dark carved wood folding book stand featuring mother-of-pearl floral inlays and openwork fretwork details.

Mother of Pearl Inlaid Victorian Arts & Crafts Magazine Stand

Archive II A dark carved wood folding book stand featuring mother-of-pearl floral inlays and openwork fretwork details. View II
Archive III A dark carved wood folding book stand featuring mother-of-pearl floral inlays and openwork fretwork details. View III
Archive IV A dark carved wood folding book stand featuring mother-of-pearl floral inlays and openwork fretwork details. View IV
Archive V A dark carved wood folding book stand featuring mother-of-pearl floral inlays and openwork fretwork details. View V
Archive VI A dark carved wood folding book stand featuring mother-of-pearl floral inlays and openwork fretwork details. View VI
Archive VII A dark carved wood folding book stand featuring mother-of-pearl floral inlays and openwork fretwork details. View VII
Archive VIII A dark carved wood folding book stand featuring mother-of-pearl floral inlays and openwork fretwork details. View VIII
Archive IX A dark carved wood folding book stand featuring mother-of-pearl floral inlays and openwork fretwork details. View IX
Archive X A dark carved wood folding book stand featuring mother-of-pearl floral inlays and openwork fretwork details. View X
Archive XI A dark carved wood folding book stand featuring mother-of-pearl floral inlays and openwork fretwork details. View XI
Archive XII A dark carved wood folding book stand featuring mother-of-pearl floral inlays and openwork fretwork details. View XII
Archive XIII A dark carved wood folding book stand featuring mother-of-pearl floral inlays and openwork fretwork details. View XIII
Enlarged Archival View
Telephone 07528 604 958
Location
Leeds
Yorkshire
United Kingdom

By apointment only.
Verified Since Aug 2013
Items For Sale 118
Items Sold 2,950
Antique Furniture Direct
Antique Furniture Direct
Verified Since Aug 2013
View Dealer Info
Location: Leeds, Yorkshire, United Kingdom, , By apointment only.
Verified
Aug 2013
For Sale
118
Sold
2,950
A dark carved wood folding book stand featuring mother-of-pearl floral inlays and openwork fretwork details.
Mother of Pearl Inlaid Victorian Arts & Crafts Magazine Stand
Ref: SA1208173
A dark carved wood folding book stand featuring mother-of-pearl floral inlays and openwork fretwork details.
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Archival Detail
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Our dealers are highly experienced in packing and shipping fragile, high-value antiques. Because you are in direct contact with the dealer, you will be able to easily go through all available shipping and insurance options together to ensure your item arrives safely.
Antiques are the ultimate green purchase. By choosing historical pieces over newly manufactured goods, you completely eliminate the carbon footprint of modern mass production while preserving exceptional, timeless craftsmanship.

An inlaid folding book stand, historically known as a rehal or X-frame lectern, is an adjustable resting platform designed to hold open books, manuscripts, or periodicals. Originating in Middle Eastern and South Asian cultures, these pieces became popular decorative items across Europe during the late nineteenth century.

These stands are typically crafted from dense hardwoods such as teak, rosewood, or walnut, featuring intricate hand-carved fretwork. Decorative accents frequently incorporate mother-of-pearl or bone inlays set directly into the carved wooden surface.

Authentic period examples display hand-cut mother-of-pearl geometric or floral tessellations and variable depth in the hand carving. Wear patterns around the central folding pivot points and slight irregularities in the joinery further indicate manual craftsmanship rather than modern machine production.

An antique book stand functions effectively on a study desk, sideboard, or coffee table to display open art books, magazines, or prints. Its dark wood and detailed inlay provide a rich textural accent within traditional or eclectic decorative schemes.

Dust the intricate carvings gently using a dry, soft-bristled brush to avoid dislodging small inlay pieces. Keep the item away from direct heat sources and fluctuating humidity levels to prevent the wood from warping or shrinking, which can loosen the inlaid mother-of-pearl.
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