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Gillows of Lancaster & London Sideboards

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.

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Creator: Gillows of Lancaster & London
Early 19th Century Regency Mahogany Chiffonier
By Gillows of Lancaster & London
Located in Dublin 8, IE
Early 19th century Regency mahogany chiffonier. The three quarter gallery superstructure with shelves, the projecting lower section with outset corners, the twin doors with pleated f...
Category

1810s Irish Regency Antique Gillows of Lancaster & London Sideboards

Materials

Brass

Late Regency Rosewood Breakfront Open Bookcase, Attributed to Gillows
By Gillows of Lancaster & London
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A late Regency rosewood breakfront open bookcase, attributed to Gillows, of rectangular form with three adjustable shelves, with tooled leather dust fringes, divided by four fluted p...
Category

1810s English Regency Antique Gillows of Lancaster & London Sideboards

Materials

Rosewood

19th Century English Victorian Burl Walnut Marquetry Credenza by Gillow
By Gillows of Lancaster & London
Located in Chelmsford, Essex
For sale is a fine and rare Victorian burr walnut, amboyna, goncalo alves, pearwood, burr yew and harewood marquetry credenza stamped "Gillow & co". Having a diamond form parquetry t...
Category

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

Materials

Brass

Bruce Talbert for Gillows Aesthetic Movement Exhibition Quality Walnut Sideboard
By Gillows of Lancaster & London, Bruce James Talbert
Located in London, GB
Bruce Talbert. for Gillows of Lancaster. An outstanding Aesthetic Movement exhibition quality Walnut sideboard with double horizontal dentil cornice, the central original bevelled m...
Category

1880s English Aesthetic Movement Antique Gillows of Lancaster & London Sideboards

Materials

Oak, Walnut

Large and Impressive Gillows Hall Stand
By Gillows of Lancaster & London
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very large and impressive late 19th century 'Gillows' hall stand or mirror backed console. Having ebonized banding and carved decoration, Amboyna veneered panels, carved Greek godd...
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Late 19th Century English Neoclassical Revival Antique Gillows of Lancaster & London Sideboards

Materials

Ebony, Amboyna

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

Gillows of Lancaster & London sideboards 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 sideboards, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original sideboards by Gillows of Lancaster & London were created in the Regency style in europe during the 19th century. Prices for Gillows of Lancaster & London sideboards can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $15,129 and can go as high as $31,182, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $25,061.

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