Regency Bird’S Eye Maple, Parcel Gilt Adjustable Music Stand Sebastien Erard

A Regency bird’s eye maple, parcel-gilt and gilt brass adjustable music stand. Probably by Sebastien Erard. London. Circa 1810.

This superb stand has a crescent shaped tray with articulated brass candle arms either side, terminating in gilt brass sconces and drip pans. The stand is supported on a gilt brass telescopic pole modelled as an arrow, and terminating to a cast iron and polychrome tripartite base.

A similar example by Sebastien Erard is on display in the V&A museum.

The stand is in original condition. There are signs of use, with some parcel gilt loss in places to the crescent stand. There is a good patina to the bird's eye maple, having some loss to the finish from use. The polychrome also shows loss of paint to the tripartite. The upright support has some small movement from the base and is leaning forward slightly. This does not affect its use in any way and will not come apart. The sconce arms are a little uneven. The height adjustment is a little tight, but works and stays in position. 

An identical stand sold at Rosebery auctions for £ 2,860 26th March 2021.

The stand is veneered in bird's eye maple to both sides, with parcel gilt edgings. The rest where the sheet is held is simulated bird's eye maple. The design of the music stand itself is based on the pelta - a leather shield carried by peltast soldiers in ancient Greece, and being symbolic of Apollo, God of Music.

The lowest height setting of the music sheet's rest is 96cm, extending to 137cm at its highest. The stand overall extends from 123cm to 157cm high.