PUPITRE ANCIEN EMPIRE EN ACAJOU DE CUBA

A BRIEF HISTORY

Originally, a lectern is a piece of furniture equipped with an inclined surface designed to hold a document open for reading, writing, or at least to facilitate consultation.

One can consider that the ancestor of the modern lectern is the medieval monks’ book stand.

A NOTE ON CONSERVATION/RESTORATION

This Empire period Cuban mahogany lectern features height adjustment via a rack-and-pinion system.

The base was heavily damaged, so it was first necessary to restore the structure. The veneer, also in poor condition, had to be largely replaced. Finally, I focused on overhauling the attachment mechanism between the lectern top and the rack. The finish is traditional: pad-applied varnish.