All surfaces of this wooden book stand are coated with lacquer, and enhanced with gold and mother-of-pearl designs. The Jesuit emblem is prominent in the decoration. An elaborate lectern of this type, emblazoned with the symbol of a religious order, was likely meant to support a missal, the book of texts and instructions used to celebrate the Catholic Mass.The object was probably made in one of the port cities of Southeast Asia or China, imitating similar Japanese objects, which were in high demand at this time.
