Stripped cane reading desk (4)

I believe the answer is:

ambo

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'reading desk' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)

I don't understand the remainder of the clue.

(Other definitions for ambo that I've seen before include "Early Christian pulpit" , "Early form of pulpit" , "desk" , "Raised pulpit" , "Old reading-desk" .)

I've seen this clue in The Sunday Times and The Times.

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