Portable Reading Table

A walnut Reading or Work Table.

This table, by its narrow size and the fact it dismantles, suggests it was made for occasional use. Its comparable to a table made by the Army & Navy CSL with folding legs and a design dated to 1907.

It differs to the A&N CSL table in that the legs are removable. They are made as two pairs with a sledge foot to the bottom and a rail to the top united by two turned legs. The frame to the underside of the top has a pair of shaped sections to each end with slots to receive the tops of the legs. The legs are then locked into place with a twist bar with a lip that fits to a groove to the leg's rail, pushing firmly against it. The centre section of the top is hinged and can be raised to a choice of 6 angles on a lectern ratchet. A board to the bottom of it lifts up to support a book and has 2 brass arms to hold the pages of a book in place.

The table has been well considered, with some decoration in the form of moulding and shaping to the sledge feet and underside of the top where it meets the legs. The table was designed to fit easily over a chair without being as cumbersome as a large table. There is just enough space either side of the lectern to put a glass or some papers. It was probably conceived for use as an extra reading table for the home or to take to sporting events etc. for the scorer. Circa 1900.