A substantial table, equipped with drawers or cupboards, and sometimes with an adjustable reading rack, designed to stand in the centre of the library. They took the form either of a pedestal desk at which two people could sit opposite each other, or of a more conventional table form. The tops were generally lined with tooled leather. Many Australian examples in red cedar and sometimes stained pine survive from the 19th and early 20th centuries.

Library steps were an essential piece of furniture in the 18th and 19th centuries, particularly in large libraries or homes with high shelves. They were designed to provide a safe and stable means of reaching books or objects on high shelves. The most common types of library steps that were in use during that period were:

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Mahogany library steps 46 cm wide, 51 cm deep, 46 cm high

Mahogany library steps 46 cm wide, 51 cm deep, 46 cm high

A vintage folding hardwood library or step ladder, the…

A vintage folding hardwood library or step ladder, the latticework ladder with seven steps and a fold out platform, 188 cm high, 36 cm wide

A large polished hardwood library ladder, with handrails to…

A large polished hardwood library ladder, with handrails to either side of the fifteen steps, 370 cm high, 45 cm wide

A vintage French oak library ladder, 170 cm high approx

Vintage French Oak Library Ladder - 170cm Height

A vintage French oak library ladder, 170 cm high approx

Library ladder, in painted green finish, of tapering form with…

Green Tapered Library Ladder with Five Rails, 181 cm

Library ladder, in painted green finish, of tapering form with five rails, height 181 cm

A pair of Victorian mahogany and leather library steps, 19th…

Victorian Mahogany and Leather Library Steps - Matching Pair

A pair of Victorian mahogany and leather library steps, 19th century the matching pair of library steps, with brown tooled leather inset stairs, curved edges, raised on turned legs. Height 74 cm, width 46 cm, depth 72 cm

Antique English metamorphic fold-over oak library steps/chair,…

19th Century Oak Library Steps/Chair, 88cm High

Antique English metamorphic fold-over oak library steps/chair, 19th century, 88 cm high

An antique library ladder, Tasmanian oak, late 19th century,…

19th Century Tasmanian Oak Library Ladder - Antique

An antique library ladder, Tasmanian oak, late 19th century, 241 cm high, 74 cm wide

A vintage oak four step 'A' frame platform library ladder, 159…

Vintage Oak Library Ladder - 4 Steps, A-Frame Design

A vintage oak four step 'A' frame platform library ladder, 159 cm high, 72 cm at widest point (open), 52 cm deep

Metamorphic library steps 43 cm wide, 89 cm high

Dimensions of Metamorphic Library: 43cm Wide, 89cm High

Metamorphic library steps 43 cm wide, 89 cm high

Reproduction carved mahogany library steps, circa 1990, 81 cm…

Carved Mahogany Library Steps, Reproduction, Circa 1990 - 81cm

Reproduction carved mahogany library steps, circa 1990, 81 cm high, 47 cm wide, 53 cm deep

Victorian Parliament library ladder, 19th century, 137 cm high

Victorian Parliament Library Ladder

Victorian Parliament library ladder, 19th century, 137 cm high

A Georgian style brass studded and green leather covered…

Georgian Style Folding Library Ladder, Brass & Leather

A Georgian style brass studded and green leather covered library folding ladder, English, 20th century, 206 cm, high and 31 cm, wide when open and 240 cm, tall when folded

Set of library steps in pine c.1900 featuring the original iron…

Antique Library Steps with Iron Fittings

Set of library steps in pine c.1900 featuring the original iron hinges and fittings. 136 cm

A rustic French Painters ladder, with four steps, height 110 cm,…

Rustic French 4-Step Painter's Ladder

A rustic French Painters ladder, with four steps, height 110 cm, width 40 cm, depth 79 cm

Metamorphic mahogany library steps with tooled leather inserts,…

Mahogany Library Steps with Leather Inserts

Metamorphic mahogany library steps with tooled leather inserts, 70 cm x 43.5 cm, 44.5 cm high as a table, 71 cm high as stairs

A set of hardwood kitchen steps, late 20th century, 110 cm high

Hardwood Kitchen Steps, Late 20th Century, 110 cm High

A set of hardwood kitchen steps, late 20th century, 110 cm high

A small set of folding fruitwood library steps, circa 1820, of…

1820 Fruitwood Library Steps

A small set of folding fruitwood library steps, circa 1820, of typical form, incorporating four steps. 77 cm high, 37.5 cm wide, 73 cm deep. Provenance: Purchased from John Wilson Antiques, Melbourne.

A set of hardwood kitchen steps, 20th century, 110 cm high

Hardwood Kitchen Steps - 20th Century, 110 cm High

A set of hardwood kitchen steps, 20th century, 110 cm high

Victorian oak library steps 19th century with five steps and…

Victorian Oak Library Steps with Railings

Victorian oak library steps 19th century with five steps and railings on both sides, height 179 cm, width 63 cm, depth 78 cm. Provenance: Howell & Howell, Sydney. Private Collection, Sydney.

A set of Victorian style mahogany and brass mounted library…

Victorian Mahogany Library Steps with Leather Treads

A set of Victorian style mahogany and brass mounted library steps, with leather lined treads. Height 220 cm, width 60 cm

Australian cedar kitchen steps, South Australian origin, 19th…

19th Century Australian Cedar Kitchen Steps

Australian cedar kitchen steps, South Australian origin, 19th century, 40 cm high, 48 cm wide, 44 cm deep

Victorian pine and cast iron Scaffold, four steps to each side,…

Victorian Pine and Cast Iron Scaffold with 4 Steps

Victorian pine and cast iron Scaffold, four steps to each side, top long 130 cm

Vintage metamorphic set library steps chair converts to library…

Metamorphic Library Steps Chair

Vintage metamorphic set library steps chair converts to library steps.

A set of custom made modern jarrah library steps height 94 cm

Modern Jarrah Library Steps (94cm)

A set of custom made modern jarrah library steps height 94 cm

A set of late 19th century Georgian style mahogany library…

Georgian Mahogany Library Steps with Gilded Leather Inserts

A set of late 19th century Georgian style mahogany library steps, with gilded leather inserts, the two top steps with storage, raised on short turned legs. 42 x 70 x 68 cm.

Pair of Victorian bed steps, the middle step containing a…

Victorian Bed Steps with Hidden Commode and Drawer

Pair of Victorian bed steps, the middle step containing a hidden commode and upper shelf a drawer, on four turned feet, height 64 cm

A set of old kauri library steps, surmounted by an upright…

Kauri Library Steps with Upright Handle and Wheels

A set of old kauri library steps, surmounted by an upright handle, raised on metal wheels. 46 x 98 x 143 cm.

A set of French beech folding steps, height 154 cm

Folding French Beech Steps, 154cm Height

A set of French beech folding steps, height 154 cm

A vintage retractable library ladder, the olive green leather…

Vintage Olive Green Leather Library Ladder

A vintage retractable library ladder, the olive green leather covered wooden folding ladder from the mid 20th century, with nail-head trim and brass accents. Features a rounded wooden structure covered with olive green leather, accented with a nail-head…

An Australian cedar tooled leather set of bed steps, single…

Antique Australian Cedar Bed Steps and Commode with Drawer

An Australian cedar tooled leather set of bed steps, single drawer commode, c.1890, chip to front 47 x 42 x 65 cm

19th century Walnut library steps with gilt tooled green…

Walnut Library Steps with Green Leather and Missing Castors

19th century Walnut library steps with gilt tooled green leather insert and missing two castors & drawer knob measures 75 cm high, 72.4 cm deep, 47 cm wide

Mahogany library steps together with a 19th century mahogany…

Mahogany Library Steps & Circular Side Table (2)

Mahogany library steps together with a 19th century mahogany circular side table (2)

American Steps' industrial antique ladder, circa 1895, 238 cm…

1895 Industrial Antique Ladder - 238cm Height

American Steps' industrial antique ladder, circa 1895, 238 cm high

Georgian style library steps, mahogany with tooled leather…

Mahogany Library Steps with Leather Treads

Georgian style library steps, mahogany with tooled leather treads, 20th century, 122 cm high

A Regency mahogany metamorphic library armchair, in the manner…

Regency Metamorphic Library Armchair

A Regency mahogany metamorphic library armchair, in the manner of Morgan and Sanders. English circa 1815. 92 x 55 x 55 cm (chair)

An oak library ladder 370 cm long

Long Oak Library Ladder - 370cm

An oak library ladder 370 cm long

New Zealand Colonial kauri six tread library steps

Colonial Kauri Library Steps with Six Treads

New Zealand Colonial kauri six tread library steps

Metamorphic library steps width 44 cm, height 89 cm, extended.

Metamorphic Library: 44x89 cm Extended

Metamorphic library steps width 44 cm, height 89 cm, extended.

A set of Arts & Crafts oak metamorphic library steps, late 19th…

Arts & Crafts Oak Library Steps/Chair

A set of Arts & Crafts oak metamorphic library steps, late 19th century, the steps folding to form a chair, 87 cm high, 43 cm wide, 49 cm deep. Provenance: Martin Allen Antiques,

A vintage ladder, adapted as a library ladder, painted brown…

Vintage Library Ladder with F W Ratsch's Name

A vintage ladder, adapted as a library ladder, painted brown with a former owner's name, F W Ratsch, painted in yellow to one side, 296 cm high,

Japanese school, temple steps, woodblock, 40 x 27 cm

Temple Steps: Japanese School Woodblock

Japanese school, temple steps, woodblock, 40 x 27 cm

Oak metamorphic library steps with carved splat, 88 cm high as…

Carved Oak Library Steps with Splat

Oak metamorphic library steps with carved splat, 88 cm high as steps

A Victorian library Step ladder, height 190 cm, width 56 cm,…

Victorian Library Step Ladder

A Victorian library Step ladder, height 190 cm, width 56 cm, depth 94 cm (extended)

Rare iron Victorian expanding library ladder

Victorian Iron Library Ladder with Expanding Feature

Rare iron Victorian expanding library ladder

A green painted and stencilled step ladder, Continental circa…

Continental Stencilled Green Step Ladder (8 words)

A green painted and stencilled step ladder, Continental circa 1900

A beech library ladder, French 19th century

French 19th Century Beech Library Ladder

A beech library ladder, French 19th century

Mahogany spiral library steps, with gilded metal finial, height…

Mahogany Spiral Library Steps with Gilded Finial

Mahogany spiral library steps, with gilded metal finial, height 169 cm. Provenance: The Estate of Lady Gabriella Brenner, Bellevue Hill, NSW

Green stained pine library steps, with pull-out steps, height…

Green Pine Library Steps with Pull-Out Steps

Green stained pine library steps, with pull-out steps, height 80 cm. Provenance: The Estate of Ray Hughes

An antique French ebonized oak Arts & Crafts library steps. 93.…

French Arts & Crafts Library Steps

An antique French ebonized oak Arts & Crafts library steps. 93.5 cm high, 51 cm wide, 80 cm deep

Mahogany fold away library steps

Mahogany Library Steps

Mahogany fold away library steps

Victorian mahogany A-frame library steps with handrail, 146 x…

Victorian Mahogany Library Steps with Handrail

Victorian mahogany A-frame library steps with handrail, 146 x 40 x 71 cm

A set of Australian red cedar library steps, 20th century, 180…

Australian Red Cedar Library Steps - 20th Century

A set of Australian red cedar library steps, 20th century, 180 cm high, 53 cm wide, 110 cm deep

A set of Regency carved and turned mahogany library steps, 19th…

Regency Mahogany Library Steps (9 words)

A set of Regency carved and turned mahogany library steps, 19th century, 111 cm high

A carved faux bamboo ash folding library ladder, French, circa…

Faux Bamboo Library Ladder, French, 1900

A carved faux bamboo ash folding library ladder, French, circa 1900, 204 cm high

A set of walnut five tread library steps French, late…

French Walnut Library Steps, Late 18th/Early 19th Century

A set of walnut five tread library steps French, late 18th/early 19th century, 195.5 cm high, 55 cm wide, 62 cm deep

A set of beechwood converting library steps C. 1920, from a…

Beechwood Convertible Library Steps

A set of beechwood converting library steps C. 1920, from a chair to a three step shelf ladder in a flip-over motion. Height 92 cm.

A pair of ebonised bamboo form Library ladders, French, 20th…

French Ebonised Bamboo Library Ladders, 20th Century

A pair of ebonised bamboo form Library ladders, French, 20th century, 300 cm long, base is 53 cm wide

A set of mahogany and gilt tooled scarlet leather library steps,…

Mahogany and Leather Library Steps, French 1820

A set of mahogany and gilt tooled scarlet leather library steps, French, circa 1820 61.5 cm high, 68.5 cm wide, 47 cm deep

Victorian library steps, mid-19th century, of serpentine form,…

Serpentine Victorian Library Steps

Victorian library steps, mid-19th century, of serpentine form, on four turned legs. Provenance: Purchased from Wallrock Antiques, Brisbane

Set of folding library steps, early 20th century. 175 cm

Early 20th Century Folding Library Steps (175 cm)

Set of folding library steps, early 20th century. 175 cm

A set of Georgian style library steps with gilt tooled red…

Georgian-style Gilt Leather Library Steps

A set of Georgian style library steps with gilt tooled red leather, 20th century, 66 cm high

A set of pine pantry steps, 19th century. 100 cm high, 39 cm…

19th Century Pine Pantry Steps

A set of pine pantry steps, 19th century. 100 cm high, 39 cm wide, 79 cm deep

A French provincial oak ladder bearing plate with 'Systeme…

French Oak Ladder with Alexe Blanchart Patent Plate

A French provincial oak ladder bearing plate with 'Systeme Brevete Alexe Blanchart'. 125 cm high.

An original set of Edwardian library steps 60 cm high, 30 cm…

Edwardian Library Steps: 60x30x50 cm

An original set of Edwardian library steps 60 cm high, 30 cm wide, 50 cm deep

A turned ash timber and steel library ladder, French, 19th…

19th Century French Library Ladder with Ash Timber and Steel

A turned ash timber and steel library ladder, French, 19th century. 232 cm high

A very rare Louis XVI walnut library ladder, French, 18th…

Rare 18th Century French Walnut Library Ladder

A very rare Louis XVI walnut library ladder, French, 18th century. 155 cm high

A set of oak library steps, French, 19th century. 234 cm high

French Oak Library Steps, 19th Century

A set of oak library steps, French, 19th century. 234 cm high

A pair of Victorian mahogany and leather library steps. 71 cm…

Victorian Mahogany and Leather Library Steps

A pair of Victorian mahogany and leather library steps. 71 cm high, 80 cm wide, 43 cm deep

Wooden folding library ladder. Height 154 cm

Folding Wooden Library Ladder - 154cm Height

Wooden folding library ladder. Height 154 cm

A set of huon pine bed steps, Tasmanian, circa 1840, 73 cm high,…

Tasmanian Huon Pine Bed Steps, Circa 1840

A set of huon pine bed steps, Tasmanian, circa 1840, 73 cm high, 49.5 cm wide, 72 cm deep. Literature: Australian Furniture: Pictorial History and Dictionary, 1788-1938, Kevin Fahy and Andrew Simpson, Casuarina Press Ptd Ltd, Woollahra p. 313 (illustrated)

A cedar metamorphic library chair, Australian, circa 1890

Australian Cedar Library Chair, 1890

A cedar metamorphic library chair, Australian, circa 1890

French faux bamboo library ladder. Height 290 cm. Width 38 cm

Faux Bamboo Library Ladder - 290cm Height

French faux bamboo library ladder. Height 290 cm. Width 38 cm

A good bamboo carved oak library ladder, French 19th century.…

French 19th Century Bamboo Oak Library Ladder

A good bamboo carved oak library ladder, French 19th century. 331 cm long, 43 cm wide

A good set of oak library steps, French, 19th century. 208 cm…

French Oak Library Steps, 19th Century

A good set of oak library steps, French, 19th century. 208 cm high, 44 cm wide, 60 cm deep

A set of folding oak library steps, French, 19th century. 80 cm…

French Oak Library Steps, 19th Century

A set of folding oak library steps, French, 19th century. 80 cm high

Timber library steps, Myrtle

Myrtle Timber Library Steps

Timber library steps, Myrtle

Victorian mahogany library steps

Mahogany Library Steps

Victorian mahogany library steps

Small scale French library steps

Starting a Small French Library: Essential Steps

Small scale French library steps

Rimu library ladder

Rimu Library's Ladder

Rimu library ladder

A set of French walnut library steps, 19th century, of openwork…

19th Century French Walnut Library Steps

A set of French walnut library steps, 19th century, of openwork design, comprising five steps with stylised bamboo stretchers, iron handrail, strapping and X-frame back support, 85 cm deep, 169 cm high

Framed Disney print, taken from the film 'Mr Duck Steps Out'…

Disney's "Mr Duck Steps Out" Print

Framed Disney print, taken from the film 'Mr Duck Steps Out' 1940, 64 cm x 54 cm frame

Regency mahogany library steps early 19th century, the library…

Regency Mahogany Library Steps with Leathered Tops

Regency mahogany library steps early 19th century, the library steps have leathered tops with hinged lid, the middle step has a sliding drawer with a hinged lid on turned legged base. Height 68 cm. Length 72 cm. Width 43.5 cm

Mahogany library steps

Mahogany Library Steps

Mahogany library steps

Antique library stairs inlaid and with green tooled leather…

Inlaid Leather Antique Library Stairs

Antique library stairs inlaid and with green tooled leather steps

A Victorian Ash library ladder, a well finished six step…

Victorian Ash Library Ladder with Rail and Felt Board

A Victorian Ash library ladder, a well finished six step graduated ladder with a rail above the top step and also a felted board to facilitate leaning the ladder against a wall. Height 210 cm. Width 59 cm. (at the base)

Vintage library steps with folding hinge and handle, 150 cm high

Folding Vintage Library Steps, 150cm High

Vintage library steps with folding hinge and handle, 150 cm high

Mahogany chair/library steps

Mahogany Library Chair-Steps

Mahogany chair/library steps

A set of oak four tier spiral library steps 20th century, 178…

Oak Spiral Library Steps, 20th Century

A set of oak four tier spiral library steps 20th century, 178 cm high