CIRCA 1850

This intricate reading stand is carved with emblems of the gothic revival style. The owl, a symbol of wisdom and knowledge, was a popular motif on gothic revival architecture, including cathedrals, and ties into the popularity of ecclesiastical style gothic revival furniture popularized by A.W.N. Pugin in the 19^th century. The hand written inscription to the interior of one of the writing panels details the purchase of this lot at the 1851 Great Exhibition at the Crystal Palace in Hyde Park. It is highly likely this was purchased from the section of the fair devoted to the display of ecclesiastical sculpture, metalwork and furniture, the Medieval Court. While somewhat incongruous with the general focus on advancements in industrialization and modern technique, the display was well received. The presentation was led by Pugin, in one of his last great contributions as the leading figure in the Gothic Revival movement before his death in 1852. Queen Victoria and Prince Albert commissioned fifty watercolors of the Great Exhibition, many of which illustrated the wonderful Medieval court centered by Pugin’s impressive stone and brass tabernacle mounted with crystals and amethysts.
Edward Henry Corbould (1815-1905) was a British watercolorist and historical painter. He exhibited with the Royal Academy many of his works were acquired by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. Corbould also boasted Royal pupils, like Queen Victoria who presented an illustration of Alfred Tennyson’s Morte d’Arthur to Princess Louise, and in 1851 was appointed “instructor of historical painting to the royal family”. Corbould’s close association with both the Royal family, particularly the Queen who famously visited the Great Exhibition over thirty times, encourages the presumed provenance that this was purchased by him at the fair in 1851. This, coupled with the superior quality of the carving and great attention to detail support that this wonderful reading stand came from a designer with high enough esteem to display their work at this predominant exhibition.