Gothic Revival Prie-Dieu Pair csbh

Gothic Revival Prie-Dieu Pair

30" tall

These are a matched pair of antique ecclesiastical furniture, correctly identified as Prie-Dieus, or prayer kneelers.

Identity and Function: A Prie-Dieu (French for "pray God") is a specific type of prayer desk featuring a low base used as a kneeling platform and a vertical panel for support. The 30-inch height of these pieces aligns with the standard dimensions for this type of church furnishing, where the high back panel serves as a support rail for the hands or forearms during prayer.

Style and Era: The pieces exhibit the Gothic Revival (or Neo-Gothic/Victorian Gothic) style. This style is defined by its strong vertical emphasis and the pronounced pointed or tapered profile of the tall back panel, which is an abstract representation of the pointed arch, a signature characteristic of Gothic architecture. They are estimated to date from the late 19th to the early 20th century.

Material and Construction: The construction is solid wood, Oak, given its distinct, coarse grain and condensed pore pattern. Oak was widely used for durable church and institutional furniture. The current dark finish is typical of the somber aesthetic favored during the Gothic Revival period. The kneeling platforms and vertical supports are constructed entirely of solid wood.

Key Features:

• Matched Pair: They are a complete, symmetrical, matched set, a configuration highly sought after in the antique and interior design market.

• Carrying Handle: The horizontal wooden cleat visible on the reverse of the vertical panel functions as a sturdy carrying handle, designed to assist in lifting and repositioning the heavy wooden piece.

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