Late 19th-Century Ebonised Bobbin-Turned Canterbury / Magazine Stand - 19¾"

A finely sculptural Napoleon III canterbury in ebonised wood, this partitioned stand is designed with four open divisions framed by an all-over bobbin-turned structure. A turned central carrying handle rises above the compartments, while a lower shelf with a matching turned gallery provides additional storage. The piece stands on turned legs fitted with petite swivel castors, allowing it to move easily. Originally developed in England in the late 18th century and named for a commission reportedly made for the Archbishop of Canterbury, this form was conceived as a piece of portable occasional furniture for storing sheet music and music books.

Inspired by the Victorian taste for dark, lacquered finishes and richly worked surfaces, the canterbury exemplifies the height of bobbin turning, a technique that celebrated the virtuosity of 19th-century woodturners and required the precise execution of numerous individually turned elements. The strong rhythm of the turning and the graphic contrast of the ebonised finish give the piece a sculptural, slightly dramatic presence. Light wear and subtle fading to the ebonised finish are consistent with age, and the surface has developed a soft, even patina that enhances the depth and character of the piece without detracting from its crisp silhouette. The castors remain functional.

Well suited beside a sofa or next to a bed, it offers an elegant solution for corralling magazines and favourite books, or for use in a study to hold sheet music and periodicals. Its compact footprint and mobility make it ideal for a reading nook, while the lower shelf comfortably accommodates oversized art books or a folded throw. Both practical and expressive, it brings warmth, order, and quiet sophistication to an interior, bridging historic craftsmanship and timeless design.