A shelf or panel of wood, stone, terra-cotta, or silver, raised above the rear of an altar to support lights, ornaments, etc. It is often richly ornamented and depicts sacred scenes in painting or bas-relief. The face of the piece is usually called the retable, the back known as the counter-retable.
This dictionary contains not only definitions and explanations of every subject in Religion, Scripture, tradition, doctrine, morals, sacraments, rites, customs, devotions and symbolism, but also accounts of the Church in every continent, country, diocese; missions, notable Catholic centers, cities, and places with religious names; religious orders, church societies, sects and false religions. It has brief articles also on historical events and personages, on the Old Testament and New, and on popes, prelates, priests, men and women of distinction, showing what the Church has done for civilization and correcting many errors which have hitherto passed for history.Wikipedia
Read More