Rotating Portuguese 14th Century Walnut Facistol Scriptorium

A rare 14th century Portuguese secular walnut scriptorium bookstand, of curious form and historical intrigue. This rotating example, of architectural Gothic design, features a four-sided upper section, one face centred with an ogee-arched pigeonhole opening, echoing medieval ecclesiastical and manuscript-desk architecture.

The rotating top, designed for practical use within a scriptorium or study environment, allows access to multiple texts from a single position — an ingenious and sophisticated feature rarely surviving from this early period. The upper structure sits on a circular platform and is supported by a tripod base with shaped stretchers and a central turned column, creating a balanced and sculptural silhouette.

Carved from thick-cut walnut, the piece exhibits the rustic but honest joinery of the period. The tripod base and shaped stretchers are stout and low-slung, prioritising stability over elegance. The surface is defined by centuries of heavy use, with a deep, dark patina and rounded edges that speak to its long life as a functional tool rather than a decorative object.

This piece was purchased from the Cirencester BADA dealer William Stokes for £44,000, reflecting both its rarity and desirability among collectors of early furniture.

Origin: Portugal
Date: 14th century
Material: Walnut
Form: Four-sided rotating Facistol scriptorium bookstand with ogee-arched pigeonholes
Base: Tripod with shaped stretchers
Provenance: Purchased from William Stokes, Cirencester (£44,000)
Condition: Good antique condition with wear commensurate with age