Images(7)

Music stand

Date1725-1735

OriginEngland

MediumMahogany

DimensionsOH: (retracted): 33 5/8"; OW: (base) 16"; OW: (top closed): 13 3/8"; OD: (top) 10 7/8"; OW: (top open): 21 7/8".

Credit LineMuseum Purchase

Object number1958-481

DescriptionMusic stand. Open, rectangular music support, flanked by pair of solid, rectangular folding hinged wings, shaped at bottom; rectangular music rest hinged to front with serpentine front edge; when folded all three hinged pieces fit together to form rectangular cover for music support; music support held in an upright position and made adjustable by means of an open rectangular brace pinned to vertical members of music support and resting on a pair of ratchet strips attached to rectangular baseboard; rectangular candle wings with circular ends swing out from beneath baseboard, one at each side; top section of stand supported by molded trestle foot attached at center to top of baluster turned column; wooden screw projects through upper part of column to hold telescoping stand in a fixed position; frame supported by three cabriole legs each with a raised teardrop motif carved on upper part of knee; legs terminate in slipper feet on high pads.Label TextThis elegant music stand was well suited for gentry parlors. Its overall height could be adjusted with a thumbscrew. The angle of the panels supporting the sheet music could be adjusted to suit the musician, and when not in use, they dropped down to form a table-like surface. For evening performances, trays on either side swung out to hold candles.