"19th Century Carved Wood Altar Lectern"
Remarkable and unique carved wooden altar lectern from the 19th century. This lectern made from a beautiful walnut heartwood board represents a considerable technical feat: no gluing, no assembly but two pivoting panels on hinges created from a single piece of wood. The cabinetmaking work is also remarkable for its finesse and precision. The upper part is decorated in low relief with the crowned letters IHS surmounting two laurel branches, below are engraved two flaming hearts radiating in clouds, its perimeter shows a frieze of bunches of grapes and vine leaves. The lower part bears a rich and meticulous central decoration of liturgical objects such as a prayer book, ciborium, cross, censer, miter, holy water bucket etc. surrounded by laurel branches. The underside of the support also bears a decoration of a ribboned wheat bouquet. The back has an engraved text as follows: Pluteum hunc Deo duce et auspice dei-para virgine Delinea vit Armelin Sacer D oS Scul.Vor Daous ANNO DOMINI M DCCCXXIII Ob insignis beneficii memoriam quo SP Pius VII, Rexque Ludovicus XVIII Episcolapem sedem mass Jamdumum eversam restituere I attach below the approximate translation: This lectern guides the god and takes care of the virgin who prepares God Thus lived the priest Armelin Sculptor Victor (?) Daous IN THE YEAR OF THE LORD 1823 Because of the remarkable favors in memory of which His Holiness Pius VII and King Louis XVIII He reestablished the episcopal seat long overthrown. This text relates the year 1823 and gives interesting indications in the troubled period that is the Restoration, it refers to King Louis XVIII Nicknamed "the Desired" by the royalists, who returned to France during the Restoration and which followed the fall of Emperor Napoleon I. He was overthrown during the Hundred Days, then returned to power again after the Battle of Waterloo. As well as Pope Pius VII (1823 year of his death), opposed to Napoleon I. This text is underlined by a fleur-de-lis in bas-relief with engraved rays. Two small chips on the feet on the ends (indicated by the arrows on the detailed photos). A safety chain connects the two bases. I consider this object to be in a very good state of conservation. Beautiful patina of the whole. Price not negotiable. Delivery: €20 for mainland France.