Skip to main content

Gillows of Lancaster & London Credenzas

It would be difficult to find an antique furniture enthusiast or collector unfamiliar with the name Gillows of Lancaster and London. The British furniture company — which has earned references in the writings of Jane Austen and elsewhere in literature — is renowned for its exceptional quality craftsmanship, and attracted designers such as Thomas Chippendale, Thomas Sheraton and George Hepplewhite in its heyday.

The firm was founded circa 1730 by Robert Gillow (1704–72), who worked as a joiner, housebuilder and overseas merchant before making furniture for homes and export. Gillow established his business in his home city of Lancaster. However, the company later expanded into London in the 1750s after Robert entered into a partnership with his son, Richard, who apprenticed with a London architect and learned the merchant trade in Barbados. Richard had entrepreneurial aptitude — he managed apprenticeships at the firm, ensured that quality materials were a priority, navigated economic hardships, and designed furniture, too. He created seating based on sketches drawn by his cousin, James Gillow, in London.

London’s wealthy upper class took notice of the Gillows’ high-quality furniture, which came to include bedroom furniture, cabinets, a range of seating and other pieces made of rosewood or rich mahogany imported from the West Indies and Jamaica. By the end of the 18th century, the manufacturer was one of the leading furniture makers in Britain. Gillows designed its own furnishings and worked with significant designers; they had in-house upholsterers and cabinetmakers and employed decorative techniques such as “japanning” in their designs.

Gillows of Lancaster and London became Gillow & Co. in 1813 after selling to Redmayne, Whiteside and Ferguson. The company continued to thrive throughout the Georgian era and into the Victorian period, a time that yielded well-known collaborations with Scottish architect and designer Bruce Talbert on a regular basis. High-brow clients of the manufacturer clamored for their inventive and functional designs for tables and writing desks, many of which incorporated whimsical elements such as secret and pop-up drawers. There was also demand for earlier Gillow designs such as Baroque and Gothic Revival pieces as well as adaptations of Chippendale works.

Despite their success, Gillow & Co. entered into financial hardship during the late 1800s with the advent of mass-produced furniture. By 1903, they merged with Waring of Liverpool to become Waring and Gillows and, in 1980, were taken over by Maple & Co. to become Maple, Waring and Gillow. Today, many Gillows of Lancaster and London pieces are in museums throughout the United Kingdom, New Zealand and Australia.

Find antique Gillows of Lancaster and London furniture on 1stDibs.

to
Height
to
Width
to
Depth
to
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
44
72
60
57
57
Creator: Gillows of Lancaster & London
19th Century 'Gillows' Credenza/Cabinet
By Gillows of Lancaster & London
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A fine quality mid-19th century figured walnut, sycamore and thuya marquetry crossbanded credenza, stamped 'Gillow & Co.' The top having diamond pattern parquetry inlay, fine 'Linke...
Category

1880s English Victorian Antique Gillows of Lancaster & London Credenzas

Materials

Ormolu

Related Items
Late 19th Century French Gothic Style Hand Carved Walnut Cabinet or Credenza
Located in Fayetteville, AR
This late nineteenth century French Gothic style cabinet is constructed of solid walnut and features hand carved detailing of Gothic motifs on all of its forward facing panels, doors...
Category

Late 19th Century French Gothic Antique Gillows of Lancaster & London Credenzas

Materials

Walnut

19th Century French Gothic Credenza ~ Cabinet
Located in Dallas, TX
19th Century French Gothic Credenza ~ Cabinet is a testament to centuries of talented artisans handing down their trade to successive generations. The original style was birthed in ...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Gothic Antique Gillows of Lancaster & London Credenzas

Materials

Steel

19th-C. Rustic Primitive Farmhouse Modern Painted Credenza / Cabinet
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This painted credenza has been hand crafted out of 19th century French architectural elements. It could work as a media piece or kitchen or even a mud room. A wonderful family friend...
Category

Late 19th Century French Rustic Antique Gillows of Lancaster & London Credenzas

Materials

Oak

19th Century Korean Tansu Cabinet
Located in Elkton, MD
This is an exquisite two-part Korean Tansu cabinet from the early 20th century. The upper case features four small fitted drawers, while both uppe...
Category

Late 19th Century Unknown Japonisme Antique Gillows of Lancaster & London Credenzas

Materials

Brass

19th Century Korean Tansu Cabinet
19th Century Korean Tansu Cabinet
$2,200
H 57.5 in W 43.5 in D 20.5 in
Mid 19th century inlaid walnut credenza sideboard
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Mid 19th century inlaid walnut breakfront credenza sideboard circa 1850 We are pleased to offer this stunning profusely inlaid sideboard. Breakfront shaped and offering 3 glazed doo...
Category

Mid-19th Century English High Victorian Antique Gillows of Lancaster & London Credenzas

Materials

Ormolu

French Sideboard Credenza Provincial Pine Buffet Cabinet, Mid-19th Century
Located in Labrit, Landes
19th mid-century French cabinet buffet. Three doors and three drawers Massive pine. The very long life of this piece of furniture led it to undergo a restoration that has restored al...
Category

Mid-19th Century French French Provincial Antique Gillows of Lancaster & London Credenzas

Materials

Pine

19th Century Flemish Renaissance Buffet ~ Credenza
Located in Dallas, TX
19th Century Flemish Renaissance Buffet ~ Credenza is a remarkable work celebrating the splendor of the Renaissance Revival from top to bottom! The boldly gadrooned top edge frames ...
Category

Mid-19th Century Belgian Renaissance Antique Gillows of Lancaster & London Credenzas

Materials

Oak

19th Century English Walnut and Burr Walnut Credenza / Server / Display Cabinet
Located in Savannah, GA
This is a walnut credenza / server / display cabinet made in England, circa 1860. The entirety of the piece is done in walnut and an incredible, highly figured cut of Kashmir walnut ...
Category

1860s English Victorian Antique Gillows of Lancaster & London Credenzas

Materials

Walnut, Burl

19th Century Italian Painted Credenza
Located in Carmine, TX
Credenza hand-made in Italy in the mid 1800s using pine. The credenza is pretty large and shows the typical Italian cantered corners style. Throughout the piece is decorated by using...
Category

Mid-19th Century Italian Rustic Antique Gillows of Lancaster & London Credenzas

Materials

Pine

19th Century Italian Painted Credenza
19th Century Italian Painted Credenza
On Hold
$3,900
H 42.5 in W 28 in D 63 in
French 19th Century Credenza Alexandre Hugnet
By A. Hugnet
Located in New York, NY
French 19th century Credenza by Alexandre Hugnet. This credenza bears the makers mark of Alexandre Hugnet, "Hugnet Ameublements" St Antoine Paris, a renowned furniture manufacturer o...
Category

1880s French Louis XVI Antique Gillows of Lancaster & London Credenzas

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Antique Victorian Burr Walnut Credenza 19th Century
Located in London, GB
A superb antique Victorian burr walnut credenza, Circa 1860 in date. Displaying sophistication and charm, this credenza is the ...
Category

1860s Victorian Antique Gillows of Lancaster & London Credenzas

Materials

Walnut

Antique Victorian Burr Walnut Credenza 19th Century
Antique Victorian Burr Walnut Credenza 19th Century
$5,135
H 40.16 in W 65.75 in D 14.18 in
19th Century, French Gothic Credenza
Located in Dallas, TX
19th Century French Gothic Credenza is a remarkable work of the cabinet maker's art, featuring tailored architecture melded with the timeles...
Category

1870s French Gothic Revival Antique Gillows of Lancaster & London Credenzas

Materials

Oak

19th Century, French Gothic Credenza
19th Century, French Gothic Credenza
$3,980
H 32.5 in W 47.5 in D 23 in
Previously Available Items
19th Century English Victorian Aesthetic Movement Credenza by Gillows
By Gillows of Lancaster & London
Located in Chelmsford, Essex
For sale is a good quality Victorian Aesthetic Movement amboyna and ebonised sideboard by Gillow, with a shelved gallery back above a pair of glazed...
Category

Mid-19th Century European Aesthetic Movement Antique Gillows of Lancaster & London Credenzas

Materials

Amboyna

Antique Marquetry Side Cabinet
By Gillows of Lancaster & London
Located in London, GB
A spectacular marquetry side cabinet by Messrs Gillow of Lancaster. Of arc-et-arbalete form, rising from flattened turned bun feet, the cabinet veneered in thuya, sycamore and wal...
Category

Late 19th Century English Antique Gillows of Lancaster & London Credenzas

Materials

Sycamore, Walnut

Antique Marquetry Side Cabinet
Antique Marquetry Side Cabinet
H 60.5 in W 82 in D 18 in

Gillows Of Lancaster & London credenzas for sale on 1stDibs.

Gillows of Lancaster & London credenzas are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of wood and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Gillows of Lancaster & London credenzas, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original credenzas by Gillows of Lancaster & London were created in the Victorian style in united kingdom during the 19th century. Prices for Gillows of Lancaster & London credenzas can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $25,061 and can go as high as $34,685, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $29,873.

Recently Viewed

View All