Prie-dieu. Culture: British. Designer: Augustus Welby Northmore Pugin (British, London 1812-1852 Ramsgate). Dimensions: Overall (confirmed): 33 1/2 × 26 1/2 × 23 1/2 in. (85.1 × 67.3 × 59.7 cm). Date: ca. 1844.After the architect and designer A. W. N. Pugin converted to Catholicism in 1835, his work was strongly influenced by his ideas of life in pre-Reformation England. The Grange, the house Pugin built for himself in Ramsgate (1843-44), was a perfect example of this romantic medieval vision. This prie-dieu was designed for Pugin's own use in the chapel at The Grange, which although small in size was completely outfitted for celebrating Mass with organ, sacristy, vestments, church plate etc.: a watercolor of the chapel from around 1844 shows the shadowy outline of a similar prayer bench in front of the altar.Pugin's furniture, intended mostly for the houses he designed, is relatively simple, somewhat severe and ecclesiastical in nature of which this prie-dieu is an excellent example.