Stand for sly beast doing away with wife? (5)
I believe the answer is:
easel
'stand' is the definition.
(stand for an artist's canvas)
I can't explain the remainder of the clue.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for easel that I've seen before include "Three-legged supporting frame" , "stand for creativity" , "Board stanchion" , "Constable's stand?" , "Supporter for the artist" .)