Furniture for daily life: Writing and reading table by Martin Carlin, c. 1784 This little table is a supreme example of the exquisite perfection achieved by these pieces of furniture and would always have been intended as a collector’s item.  Martin Carlin produced several of this type, which were ostensibly reading or music stands with an adjustable book-rest, tiny drawers and space for writing implements but which were unlikely to have been in daily use.  They were bought by aristocratic and royal patrons on Teak Garden Furniture and Teak Indoor Furniture