Late 19th Century Victorian Revolving Magazine Rack

In Victorian times, paintings of gentlemen in their comfy chairs, smoking their pipes, and reading magazines taken out of a stand beside them were popular. These useful furniture items were made of brass and wood, often oak.

They could fit a week's worth of newspapers and several magazines. To provide ease in usage, the tops, as in this case, were engineered to rotate. In this example, the tubular brass top was handsomely fashioned into two compartments with a handle in the middle to both separate the compartments and to help move the rack when desired to another location.

The magazine top sits comfortably on three splayed brass legs with decorative claw feet. There is a brass ring that helps hold the legs in place. The claw feet were a decorative way to provide more stability. The oak bottom to the rack was a popular choice of wood for this small home accessory. The wood was routered all around the edge to make a more decorative statement. The condition is excellent for its age and use. The brass is in excellent condition without faults. The oak base has acquired a nice rich color and soft patina. The screws that attach the round ring to the long brass legs have been replaced.

There is a bit of play on the handle that would have come from age, although the screws that hold it to the base are tight. This is a very attractive and still very useful Victorian accessory. It measures about 29-½ inches high overall. The oak board upon which the magazines rest measures 14 inches by 6-½ inches. Personal and cashier's checks also accepted.

Expertise in 18th and 19th Century Needlework, British Paintings, and 19th Century Decorative Arts with over 40 Years' Experience.

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