{"product_id":"14th-century-walnut-rotating-bible-stand","title":"Rotating Portuguese 14th Century Walnut Facistol Scriptorium","description":"\u003cp data-start=\"67\" data-end=\"416\"\u003eA rare \u003cstrong data-start=\"89\" data-end=\"153\"\u003e14th century Portuguese secular walnut scriptorium bookstand\u003c\/strong\u003e, 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"418\" data-end=\"823\"\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"825\" data-end=\"1081\"\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003eCarved from \u003cb data-path-to-node=\"9\" data-index-in-node=\"12\"\u003ethick-cut walnut\u003c\/b\u003e, the piece exhibits the rustic but honest joinery of the period. The \u003cb data-path-to-node=\"9\" data-index-in-node=\"99\"\u003etripod base\u003c\/b\u003e and shaped stretchers are stout and low-slung, prioritising stability over elegance. The surface is defined by \u003cb data-path-to-node=\"9\" data-index-in-node=\"222\"\u003ecenturies of heavy use\u003c\/b\u003e, with a deep, dark patina and rounded edges that speak to its long life as a functional tool rather than a decorative object.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1083\" data-end=\"1291\"\u003eThis piece was \u003cstrong data-start=\"1118\" data-end=\"1209\"\u003epurchased from the Cirencester BADA dealer \u003cspan class=\"hover:entity-accent entity-underline inline cursor-pointer align-baseline\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"whitespace-normal\"\u003eWilliam Stokes\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e for £44,000\u003c\/strong\u003e, reflecting both its rarity and desirability among collectors of early furniture.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1293\" data-end=\"1631\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"1293\" data-end=\"1304\"\u003eOrigin:\u003c\/strong\u003e Portugal\u003cbr data-start=\"1313\" data-end=\"1316\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"1316\" data-end=\"1325\"\u003eDate:\u003c\/strong\u003e 14th century\u003cbr data-start=\"1338\" data-end=\"1341\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"1341\" data-end=\"1354\"\u003eMaterial:\u003c\/strong\u003e Walnut\u003cbr data-start=\"1361\" data-end=\"1364\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"1364\" data-end=\"1373\" data-is-only-node=\"\"\u003eForm:\u003c\/strong\u003e Four-sided rotating Facistol scriptorium bookstand with ogee-arched pigeonholes\u003cbr data-start=\"1444\" data-end=\"1447\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"1447\" data-end=\"1456\"\u003eBase:\u003c\/strong\u003e Tripod with shaped stretchers\u003cbr data-start=\"1486\" data-end=\"1489\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"1489\" data-end=\"1504\"\u003eProvenance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Purchased from William Stokes, Cirencester (£44,000)\u003cbr data-start=\"1557\" data-end=\"1560\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"1560\" data-end=\"1574\"\u003eCondition:\u003c\/strong\u003e Good antique condition with wear commensurate with age\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Collection NE10","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53389145899345,"sku":null,"price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0935\/5873\/5185\/files\/Bookstand.jpg?v=1774517221","url":"https:\/\/nicholaswells.com\/products\/14th-century-walnut-rotating-bible-stand","provider":"Nicholas Wells Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}