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What is a painter’s stand called?
1 Answer

A painter's stand is called an easel. Reportedly, the name traces back to the late 16th- and early 17th-century Dutch word "ezel," which refers to a donkey. There are two possible reasons why this word became the name of an artist's stand. The first is that donkeys were commonly used to haul objects, much like an easel holds an artist's supply. Another possibility is that in English, a supporting frame was sometimes referred to as a horse. The Dutch may have drawn inspiration from this tradition and chosen the word for a donkey to describe the frame that supports an artist's canvas and paints. On 1stDibs, find a range of easels.
1stDibs ExpertNovember 13, 2024
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Shop for Easels on 1stDibs
Antique Mexican Small Wood Artist Easel
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
Antique Mexican Small Wood Artist Easel, circa 1950.
Category
Vintage 1970s Mexican Industrial Easels
Materials
Pine
Studio easel by Windsor and Newton
Located in Cheshire, GB
Large Windsor and Newton artist’s fully adjustable studio easel raised up on trestle base terminating in four lignum vitae casters
Dimensions
Height 71.5 Inches ajustable to 97 Inche...
Category
Antique Late 19th Century British Easels
Materials
Wood
Paint-Splattered French Adjustable Wooden Artist's Easel Mid-20th Century
Located in Saint Ouen, FR
Paint-splattered wooden artist's easel, French mid-20th century design.
This piece retains it's wonderful original patina with paint splatter..
Category
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Easels
Materials
Metal
Antique Arts & Crafts Hand Carved Oak Floor Easel / Artist Display Stand ca1910
Located in Lisse, NL
Excellent condition, Arts & Crafts handmade solid oakwood picture stand.
This beautiful gallery easel is another one of our recent rare finds and it...
Category
Early 20th Century European Arts and Crafts Easels
Materials
Brass
Late Nineteenth Century French Faux Bamboo Easel
Located in Fayetteville, AR
This late nineteenth century French faux bamboo A-frame easel features a 2 inch deep tray which adjusts up and down to different heights by moving the tr...
Category
Antique Late 19th Century French Easels
Materials
Faux Bamboo
Anco Bilt Wood Easels, Mid to Late 20th Century
By Anco Bilt
Located in Chicago, IL
Pair of vintage Anco Built wood easels. These have been in use for decades. They have just the right amount of patina to be cool. Used, not abused. Still quite functional.
Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Easels
Materials
Metal