Images(4)

Reading and writing stand

Maker Martin Carlin (French, ca. 1739 - 1785)

Makerplaques, Sèvres Porcelain Manufactory (French, active from 1756 to the present)

Makerflowers painted by Edme-Francois Bouillat the elder (French, active 1758 - 1810)

Additional Title(s)

table liseuse

ClassificationsDECORATIVE ARTS

Date1781

Mediumoak carcase veneered with tulipwood, curly sycamore, ebony, and boxwood; soft-paste porcelin plaques; gilt-bronze mounts; interior mechanics of brass, iron, and spring steel; modern silk fabric; silvered brass containers for quills and sand; glass inkwell

Dimensionstop lowered: 30 1/4 x 14 x 10 9/16 in. (76.8 x 35.6 x 26.8 cm.) top raised: 45 x 14 x 10 9/16 in. (114.3 x 35.6 x 26.8 cm.)

DescriptionThe top of the table can be raised and lowered on four vertical ratchets; and, the porcelain-covered surface, hinged at the front, may be raised to form a book rest. The original octagonal inkwell and cork stopper are located within the reading stand. Two keys. See Wallace, 1100-1108; de Bellaigue, 530-535.

SignedMarks on the woodwork: The carcass is stamped on the bottom of the right side rail: CARLIN and JME. Duveen label: 28667. Marks on the nine porcelain plaques: The large top plaque and the shaped plaques are marked with the crossed L's of the Sèvres Manufactory, the date letters DD for 1781, Bouillat's mark, the letter y, and Chauvaux's mark, a #. The rectangular plaque on the back bears the crossed L's of the Sèvres Manufactory, the date letter AA for 1778, and Vandé's monogram, VD. The shaped plaques also bear paper Sèvres price labels showing that they cost fifty-four livres each. The rectangular plaque on the top drawer shows the Sèvres price label for thirty livres.

MarkingsThe shaped plaques are both marked with the date letter 'Y' for 1776, The plaques also bear the Sevres price labels showing that they cost 41 livres each. The rectangular plaque bears the date letter 'AA' for 1778.

Credit LineThe Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens. The Arabella D. Huntington Memorial Art Collection.

Label TextThe jewel-like exterior of this petite reading stand masks its mechanical complexity and versatility. Beneath the flowered Sèvres porcelain plaques, the interior is fitted with a removable lap desk and an intricate mechanism for raising and rotating the tabletop. The reading surface itself, in the form of a large plaque, is released by pressing a button; it may be tilted to support reading material or sheet music. Small platforms that slide out from either side of the tabletop to hold candles.

Status

On view

Object number27.20