A prie-dieu  (commonly called a "prayer chair" in English) is designed for personal devotional use either in a church or a private residence.  Prie-dieu chairs allow for kneeling and have vertical  backs at the top of which a prayer book could be placed or elbows clasped in prayer.  They can be simple or ornate in design.

 

Fruitwood comes from fruit-bearing trees such as apple, cherry and pear.  It was abundant and far less expensive than other woods, and it became a favorite in the making of provincial furniture.  Fruitwood is moderately hard, with a fine grain and warm coloring.   Moreover, fruitwood was easy to carve for the craftsmen executing provincial furniture.