Important Large Eagle Lectern, executed in England in 1897
Large eagle lectern of heavy construction, made by William Tonks & Sons, Birmingham, in the year 1897 on the occasion of the 1,300th anniversary of Augustine’s arrival in England and the beginning of the Christianization initiated by Augustine, as well as the simultaneous 60th Diamond Jubilee of Queen Victoria, Head of the Church of England.
The heavy cast brass column base rests on three fully sculpted lions. Each lion bears a signature in the form of a laughing sun as well as the initials W T & S. The twisted column shaft is articulated by multiple cornices and capitals and richly decorated with countless leaf and floral ornaments, transitioning into a Gothic-style leaf capital.
Above this is a large sphere of heavy construction, encircled at its lower edge with leaf decoration. At its center appears the two-tone inscription commemorating the jubilees:
ST. AUGUSTIN. A D. 597 VICTORIA R & I A D. 1837
A THANK OFFERING FROM THE CONGREGATION
A D. 1897
The column is surmounted by a large, heavily cast eagle with outstretched wings and its head raised toward the heavens.
On the reverse, the wings of the eagle form the support for the lectern surface intended for the holy books, such as the Bible.
Provenance and History:
This outstanding lectern was made in 1897 by the esteemed English firm William Tonks & Sons, a company specializing in high-quality liturgical furniture and church furnishings. It is an eagle lectern, a form popular in Victorian Britain, in which a stylized eagle serves as the support for the Holy Scripture.
The lectern was presented as a ceremonial gift from the congregation on the occasion of two significant anniversaries: the 60th anniversary of the reign of Queen Victoria, Head of the Church of England, and the 1,300th anniversary of the arrival of Saint Augustine of Canterbury in the year 597, the founder of the organized Christian Church in England. Both events fell symbolically in the same year, 1897. The lectern was likely donated to St. Augustine’s Church in Bristol as a sign of both religious devotion and patriotic loyalty.
The choice of an eagle lectern in the Neo-Gothic style reflects not only the liturgical taste of the period but also the close connection between Victorian church aesthetics and medieval symbolic language. In the second half of the 19th century, Neo-Gothic architecture flourished in England, driven by a romantic revival of pre-modern forms of piety and architectural styles. Church interiors were refurnished accordingly, often incorporating finely crafted objects such as this lectern — artistic, representative, and rich in symbolism.
William Tonks & Sons, based in Birmingham, were renowned for their detailed metalwork and stylistic affinity with religiously inspired Gothic design. Their works were used in numerous churches throughout the British Empire and are today regarded as highly desirable examples of Victorian sacred art.
This object thus stands at the intersection of religious, political, and art-historical significance: it honors Saint Augustine, whose mission initiated the Christianization of England and led to the foundation of the later Church of England; it celebrates the reign of Queen Victoria, who, as a devout monarch, guided the Church through an era of change and expansion; and it reflects the self-image of the British Empire, which saw its spiritual roots in the continuity of Church and Crown.
Preserved in excellent condition, this lectern represents not only a liturgical furnishing but also a rare testament to the spiritual and national identity of Victorian Britain.
Eagle Lecterns:
Eagle lecterns have been used since the Middle Ages as reading desks in the chancels of Christian churches.
In the 19th century, eagle lecterns were typically made of wood or metal in the form of an eagle carrying a book. These lecterns were found in churches or libraries and served as representative and decorative elements often imbued with symbolic meaning.
During the 19th century, the Victorian era, England experienced a flourishing of craftsmanship and design. Eagle lecterns were produced in a variety of styles, ranging from simple and functional designs to elaborately decorated pieces. The eagle form, usually depicted with outstretched wings, symbolized power, strength, and authority and was associated, among others, with the Evangelist John and with the idea of spiritual ascent toward heaven.
The use of eagle lecterns (or eagle pulpits) in the English Church of the 19th century was a fascinating phenomenon deeply rooted in religious and cultural symbolism and found especially widespread use during the Victorian era.
