Definition: a piece of portable, occasional furniture, consisting of an open-topped rack with slatted compartments for sheet music, music books, magazines or newspapers and often a drawer underneath as well; rests on four legs, which are typically on casters; developed in the 1780s in England (reputedly deriving its name from the Archbishop of Canterbury, who commissioned one), it grew increasingly ornate throughout the 19th century: Victorian pieces often have an upper galleried shelf, and panels shaped like lyres or treble clefs
Also Known As: music rack, magazine rack
Example: The Regency canterbury had the simple "boat shape" - that is, sloping, U-shaped tops to its dividing slats - characteristic of pieces from the period.