Picture?

Dimensions?

Here are some pictures. The desk is about 40 inches tall at the peak and about 3o inches wide and about 60 inches deep. Since the tops do not lift,as I expect a desk would, could it be some type of music stand?

It's more likely a 2-sided reference book table ... like a dictionary stand.

You could look at portfolios of engravings, or prop a big Audubon book or atlas on it

Paine sold a lot of furniture for schools and offices - check archive.org for catalogues.

I agree with the post above. It looks like a library book reading stand.

Thanks for your suggestions. I'll try searching under office or library furniture sites.