Canterburys originated in England in the 1780’s and became popular items of drawing room furniture throughout the Regency and Victorian eras. They were low open topped stands with vertical partitions, intended for housing sheet music. Regency designs favoured rosewood and mahogany and featured classical motifs, such as the lyre seen in this design.

The lyre is one of the oldest forms of musical instrument and is the precursor to the guitar. Originating in Mesopotamia, it became an important aspect of Ancient Greek and Roman culture and mythology. Apollo the Greek and Roman god of music and leader of the Muses was often pictured with a lyre. Being a stringed instrument the lyre was symbolic of rationality and careful consideration, as opposed to the impetuous passions of the wind instruments.

The lyre is closely associated with the mythical figure of Orpheus; a legendary poet and musician. Orpheus was the son of the Muse of poetry and eloquence Calliope and was renowned for his skills with the lyre. Such was the beauty when he played, that he could charm creatures and objects around him. He played an important part in the saga of Jason and the Argonauts; playing his lyre to calm the seas and obscure the songs of the Sirens.

In art, he is most often depicted in the tragedy of Orpheus and Eurydice. Eurydice was a nymph and the beloved bride of Orpheus when she was killed by a viper whilst trying to flee the advances of the ‘hero’ Aristaeus. Heartbroken and determined to bring her back, Orpheus used his lyre to charm his way past the guardians and the gods of the Underworld. He almost succeeded in rescuing his wife, but made the fatal mistake of looking back at her as they left the darkness, causing her to die a second death and be lost forever.