Bible desk, noun phrase

Also with small initial. A reading-desk with a sloping top (which may be hinged to provide storage space beneath) and a ridge to rest a book upon.
1960 G.E. Pearse 18th C. Furn. 176The Bible desk was an essential piece of furniture in every Cape home and several have been preserved.
1960 J. Cope Tame Ox 130He remembered with awe the four black chairs and black table and a bible-desk inlaid with a star in ivory.
1965 M.G. Atmore Cape Furn. 206Bureaux or Slant top desks...Another type which had appeared.., probably in Italy in about 1650, also had a hinged sloping front but in this case the hinges were at the back and the flap was lifted only to gain access to the storage space below...In South Africa these have come to be known as ‘Bible desks’.
1971 Baraitser & Obholzer Cape Country Furn. 18The other interesting piece of furniture found in both town and country houses is the ‘lessenaar’. This is seldom described as a Bible desk but the inventory states whether or not it has a base...The Bible desk was situated in one of the front rooms other than the reception room...Some were made of ebony.
1971 Baraitser & Obholzer Cape Country Furn. 209The Bible desk is made either of yellowwood of perhaps cedarwood and, as in most cases, the lectern is detachable.
1981 P. Dane Great Houses of Constantia 135A teak and satinwood bible-desk.
Also with small initial. A reading-desk with a sloping top (which may be hinged to provide storage space beneath) and a ridge to rest a book upon.
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