Lectern, limestone ('Wenlock Marble'), from Much Wenlock Priory, Shropshire, England, ca. 1180

Lectern, limestone ('Wenlock marble'). Example of Romanesque sculpture, the sloping top is surrounded by a rim on three sides and has a ledge to hold the book at the bottom. The front edge had projecting from it two carved lion's heads, of which one remains, while the other three sides of the lectern are decorated at the sides with foliage and masks in high relief.

This 12th-century 'Wenlock Marble' lectern is from Much Wenlock Priory in Shropshire, being found in the ruins of that establishment. It would have stood on top of a column or pillar, at the top of which was a square capital, neither of which have survived. Much Wenlock Priory was a Cluniac establishment (founded 1079 and 1082), built on the site of an earlier church founded in 680 by Merewalh, King of the Magonsaete, whose daughter was canonized. St. Milburga was buried here.

Only three 12th-century lecterns survive in England, the others being at Norton (from Evesham Abbey) and Crowle, both in Worcestershire. This, however, is the oldest of the three. This is perhaps indicative of there being a local fashion for lecterns of this type in this area. White marble lecterns, meanwhile, are found in considerable numbers on Romanesque pulpits in Italy. In Northern Europe they were usually made of wood or metal, and this limestone, a kind of rock made up chiefly of carbonate of calcium, example seems to be indicative of a local fashion for Italianate lecterns in this area.

The carving of the foliage and masks adorning the sides of the lectern is satisfyingly fleshy and substantial, which makes the piece a classic example of first-class English Romanesque sculpting.

Purchased by Private Treaty Sale from the Trustees of the Wenlock Abeey Estate for £46,500, in 1984.

A lectern, or in Middle English a 'lettorne', is a desk used in church services for reading or singing. Derived from the same root as 'lecture', and from the Latin 'lectrum' (read), a lectern is especially used for the reading of the Old Testament and New Testament lessons at morning or evening prayer.

From Much Wenlock Priory, Shropshire

This 12th-century 'Wenlock Marble' lectern is from Much Wenlock Priory in Shropshire, being found in the ruins of that establishment. It would have stood on top of a column or pillar, at the top of which was a square capital, neither of which have survived. Much Wenlock Priory was a Cluniac establishment (founded 1079 and 1082), built on the site of an earlier church founded in 680 by Merewalh, King of the Magonsaete, whose daughter was canonized. St. Milburga was buried here.

Northern European lecterns were usually made of wood or metal. This is one of only three 12th century surviving lecterns in England made from stone that came from Shadwell Quarry near Wenlock. All are decorated with foliage and animal heads. Though without specific iconography to indicate its location, it probably sat near the High Altar to support liturgical books rather than in the Refectory where monks were read to during meals.

A.21-1984