Of superb quality and condition, with sloping prayer book rest above a single drawer and lower central door flanked by spiral twisted columns, on a rectangle raised kneeler, retaining all original hinges, handle, lock and key, beautiful rich light brown patina.

A prie-dieu (a French term meaning literally 'pray [to] God') is a prayer or reading credenza used, most commonly, for private devotion. It is a small narrow ornamental wooden desk most often constructed with a base or kneeler and a sloping shelf on which prayer and other reading material can be placed. Some examples include a cushioned pad on which to kneel or a padded arm rest rather than the shelf which variations are used for devotion not requiring books such as the Rosary or private non-liturgical prayer.

Beautifully proportioned and in an exceptional state of preservation, this museum quality example reflects mid 17th century Burgundian craftsmanship at its finest.

SOLD: Private collection, France