Monday, June 17, 2013

Her Majesty’s Furniture: Queen Charlotte’s Reading Stand, 1780


Reading Stand
English, 1780
Created for Queen Charlotte
Tulipwood, Kingwood, Mahogany,
Ivory, Mother-of-Pearl, Tortoiseshell
The Royal Collection

It wouldn’t do to have the queen prop a book up on a pillow. This exquisite reading stand was made for and presented to Queen Charlotte, wife of King George III, in 1780. The stand features two hinged panels of tulipwood and mahogany which are opened to reveal an ornately and masterfully inlaid panel which features the cipher of Queen Charlotte in mother-of-pearl and tortoiseshell.


While we’re unsure of the maker, whoever he was knew Queen Charlotte’s tastes because this lovely object is a visual match to the other furnishings which the queen particularly favored.

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