Supporter, sly type, deserted by wife (5)
I believe the answer is:
easel
'supporter' is the definition.
'sly type deserted by wife' is the wordplay.
'sly type' becomes 'weasel' (I've seen this before).
'deserted by' indicates named letters should be taken away.
'wife' becomes 'w' (abbreviation).
'weasel' with 'w' taken away is 'EASEL'.
(Other definitions for easel that I've seen before include "Artist's tripod" , "artist's requisite" , "supporter of the arts" , "the rest of the paintwork" , "artistic aid" .)