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Gillows of Lancaster & London Tables

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
Petite Antique 19th Century English Adams Style Accent Table By Gillow & Co
By Gillows of Lancaster & London
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
Dimensions: Height: 24 1/4 in Diameter: 12 in This English 19th century Adams paint decorated accent table end table by Gillow & Co is made of the highest quality! If you look at t...
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19th Century English Adam Style Antique Gillows of Lancaster & London Tables

Materials

Wood, Satinwood

An unusual George IV specimen marble backgammon table attributed to Gillows
By Gillows of Lancaster & London
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
An unusual George IV specimen marble backgammon table attributed to Gillows. This rectangular table is strongly attributed to Gillows. It has a rectangular top inlaid with a central chess board flanked by two backgammon fields, all inlaid with a multitude of specimen marbles. One edge carved and gilded with the Latin motto ‘Turpe est in patria vivere et patriam ignorare’. The oak base has a drawer for cards and playing pieces, all raised on a square section support with four splayed legs and the original brass castors. English, circa 1830. Provenance: Geoffrey Bennison Ltd, London, November 1983 The Mermaid House Collection, St. John’s Wood, London Property of a gentleman Private American collection The form of the base of this table is related to several known Gillows commissions from the late Regency period and the quality of the cabinet work also suggests that firm attribution to the firm. Backgammon tables, rather than more general games tables, are unusual at this date and the use of inlaid specimen marbles in the top suggests a client of wealth. Additionally, the Latin text on the edge of the table provides further clues. The text, Turpe est in patria vivere et patriam ignorare, translates as “it is shameful to live in your homeland and not know it”. This phrase dates back to antiquity but rose to prominence once again in the mid-18th century when used by the botanist and key Enlightenment figure Carl Linnaeus in his work on the native flora of Sweden. The combination of this phrase and the use of native English timbers and marbles is promoting English raw materials and craftsmanship at a time when the noble and the wealthy were focussed on European pietra dura tables. Mermaid House in St John’s Wood was re-designed by Chester Jones...
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1830s English George IV Antique Gillows of Lancaster & London Tables

Materials

Marble

English Regency Rosewood Writing Table of Kidney Form by Gillows, circa 1815
By Gillows of Lancaster & London
Located in Kinderhook, NY
An elegant and rare circa 1815 English regency period rosewood writing table of 'kidney' form by legendary English cabinetmaking firm Gillows of Lancaster and London, the shaped top ...
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Early 19th Century English Regency Antique Gillows of Lancaster & London Tables

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Brass

Fine Quality Gillow & Co Satinwood Paint Decorated Ladies Vanity Circa 1890s
By Gillows of Lancaster & London
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This is the most beautiful ladies vanity we have ever had. This gorgeous Gillow & Co vanity painted in a masterful way in the Adams style over a satinwood case and done with a shield...
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1890s English Adam Style Antique Gillows of Lancaster & London Tables

Materials

Satinwood

Gillows of Lancaster Aesthetic Movement Amboyna Burr Walnut Occasional Table
By Gillows of Lancaster & London
Located in GB
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this very rare, fully restored, super quality Gillows of Lancaster & London Amboyna wood & burr walnut eboni...
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1880s English Aesthetic Movement Antique Gillows of Lancaster & London Tables

Materials

Walnut

Gillow and Co. Oak Octagonal Table, England, circa 1860
By Gillows of Lancaster & London
Located in Oxford, GB
Description Stamped and numbered oak octagonal drum Gillow and Co. pedestal table, circa 1860. Untouched and 100% authentic with just shy of 160 years of...
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Late 19th Century British Aesthetic Movement Antique Gillows of Lancaster & London Tables

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Oak

Regency Mahogany Dressing Table by Gillows of Lancaster & London
By Gillows of Lancaster & London
Located in Sherborne, GB
This English Regency Mahogany dressing table by Gillows of Lancaster and London is Gillows at its finest. Superb quality mahogany and cabinet making, it could also use it as a writ...
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Early 19th Century English Regency Antique Gillows of Lancaster & London Tables

Materials

Mahogany

Victorian Solid Mahogany Extendable Dining Table by Gillows, Late 19th Century
By Gillows of Lancaster & London
Located in Dorking, GB
This Victorian table dates from about 1860. It is made of a rich close grain mahogany. This table can appear to be both dark and rich or a warm and golden colour depending on the lig...
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1860s English Victorian Antique Gillows of Lancaster & London Tables

Materials

Mahogany

Regency Gillow Rosewood Centre Table
By Gillows of Lancaster & London
Located in Shipston-On-Stour, GB
 An exceptional Regency Rosewood Gillow Centre Table, the top having well figured timber and carved gadrooned moulded edge with a nice shallow fr...
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1830s English Regency Antique Gillows of Lancaster & London Tables

Materials

Rosewood

Large Solid Mahogany Victorian Gillows Serpentine Partners Desk, circa 1870
By Gillows of Lancaster & London
Located in Dorking, GB
This superb shaped pedestal partners desk was made in the Victorian period of about 1870. It was made in the famous Gillows Cumbrian Workshop and the drawers and some of the locks ar...
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19th Century English Victorian Antique Gillows of Lancaster & London Tables

Materials

Mahogany

Very Fine 19th Century Mahogany Console Table Stamped Gillows
By Gillows of Lancaster & London
Located in Charleston, SC
Very fine 19th century mahogany console table stamped by Gillows. Beautiful form and presence on this signed Gillows piece. The top is cross banded mahogany. Incredible quality hand ...
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19th Century English Antique Gillows of Lancaster & London Tables

Materials

Mahogany

19th Century English Regency Card Table Stamped Gillows Of Lancaster
By Gillows of Lancaster & London
Located in Dublin, IE
A very fine Regency mahogany fold over games table, the hinged rectangular top with beaded edge, enclosing a green baize lined playing surface, the undersi...
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19th Century English Regency Antique Gillows of Lancaster & London Tables

Materials

Mahogany

Rosewood Gillows Centre Table, Circa. 1840
By Gillows of Lancaster & London
Located in Lincoln, GB
This stunning rosewood oval centre table (circa 1840) is made from a beautiful dark wood and is in excellent condition. Stamped Gillows and with beautiful carved gadrooned edging. Centre pedestal down to three splayed legs with claw feet on brass castors. Original untouched condition. Ideal for a large vase in a front hall...
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Mid-19th Century Antique Gillows of Lancaster & London Tables

Materials

Rosewood

Gillows Billiard Snooker POOL Table, circa 1820
By Gillows of Lancaster & London
Located in Radstock, GB
An extremely elegant mahogany billiard table typical of Gillows craftsmanship circa 1820. Standing on slim reeded legs with rectangular plaques to conceal the frame bolts this table...
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1820s English Regency Antique Gillows of Lancaster & London Tables

Materials

Slate

Exceptional Pair of William IV Mahogany Console Tables, circa 1840
By Gillows of Lancaster & London
Located in Lincoln, GB
An exceptional pair of William IV Mahogany console tables circa 1840. Exceptional rich colour and quality. Possibly made by Gillows with brass stringing to the top and beautifully ca...
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Mid-19th Century British William IV Antique Gillows of Lancaster & London Tables

Materials

Brass

Fine Early 19th Century Writing Table Stamped Gillows
By Gillows of Lancaster & London
Located in London, GB
A fine early 19th century mahogany writing table with 6 drawers, 3 to the back and 3 to the front, with Egyptian mask handles, green leather top, all suppor...
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19th Century English Antique Gillows of Lancaster & London Tables

Materials

Mahogany

Very Fine Gillows of Lancaster Antique Hardwood Pie Crust Claw & Ball End Table
By Gillows of Lancaster & London
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this very fine antique mahogany pie crust edge tripod table from Gillows of Lancaster A very good looking well made and decorative piece, it si...
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20th Century English Victorian Gillows of Lancaster & London Tables

Materials

Hardwood

Specimen Games Table Attributed to Gillows
By Gillows of Lancaster & London
Located in New Orleans, LA
This magnificent games table incorporates some of the rarest English marbles, hardstones and fossil specimens, including Derbyshire Blue John. The scarcity of these coveted stones makes an inlaid circular piece of this size a truly exceptional and unique masterpiece. The tabletop, with its fabulous specimens surrounding an Ashford marble chessboard...
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19th Century English Regency Antique Gillows of Lancaster & London Tables

Materials

Stone

Crocodile Mahogany Side Table by Gillows of Lancaster & London, circa 1820
By Gillows of Lancaster & London
Located in Kinderhook, NY
An extremely fine circa 1820 side or writing table by legendary English cabinetmaking firm of Gillows of Lancaster and London of rectangular form having an exquisitely grained solid ...
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Early 19th Century English Regency Antique Gillows of Lancaster & London Tables

Materials

Mahogany

Nest of Regency Specimen Wood Tables by Gillows of Lancaster
By Gillows of Lancaster & London
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
A nest of Regency specimen wood tables by Gillows of Lancaster, each with a rectangular top and rosewood edge, the largest decorated with an amboyna field within rosewood banding, th...
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1810s English Antique Gillows of Lancaster & London Tables

Materials

Rosewood

Rare Gillows Lancaster 1789-1795 George III American Walnut Dining Table
By Gillows of Lancaster & London
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this sublime fully restored circa 1789-95 Gillows Lancaster George III dining table in American Walnut A very rare and highly collectable table,...
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1780s English George III Antique Gillows of Lancaster & London Tables

Materials

Walnut

Original Rare Gillows Lancaster circa 1789-95 Hardwood Fold Over Game Card Table
By Gillows of Lancaster & London
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this very rare circa 1789-1795 Gillows Lancaster mahogany games card fold over table A very rare and well made pi...
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1780s English Georgian Antique Gillows of Lancaster & London Tables

Materials

Hardwood

Gillows Gilt Bronze-Mounted Inlaid Table
By Gillows of Lancaster & London
Located in Cheshire, GB
Gillows gilt bronze-mounted walnut table the inlaid to of oval form, raised up on four slender cabriole legs with gilt bronze-mounted sabots (Stamped Gillows to the underneath) Di...
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19th Century English Victorian Antique Gillows of Lancaster & London Tables

Materials

Walnut

Rare 1794 George III Gillows of Lancaster Double Sided Postmasters Sorting Desk
By Gillows of Lancaster & London
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning and exceptionally rare 1794 George III Gillows Lancaster twin pedestal double sided postmasters desk i...
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1790s English George III Antique Gillows of Lancaster & London Tables

Materials

Hardwood

Fine Quality Victorian Kidney-Shaped Desk in Richly Figured Walnut by Gillows
By Gillows of Lancaster & London
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
A fine quality Victorian kidney-shaped desk in richly figured burr walnut by Gillows, the leather-inset top, above three drawers in the frieze and four graduated drawers in each pede...
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1850s English Victorian Antique Gillows of Lancaster & London Tables

Materials

Walnut

Late Regency Giltwood Centre Table Attributed to Gillows
By Gillows of Lancaster & London
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
A very attractive antique late Regency giltwood centre table attributed to Gillow of Lancaster and London, inset with an Italian Pietra Dura top, The central turned baluster supp...
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Early 19th Century English Regency Antique Gillows of Lancaster & London Tables

Materials

Giltwood

Robert Gillows II 1790 Writing Library Hardwood Chest of Drawers Leather Slope
By Waring & Gillow, Gillows of Lancaster & London
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this very rare circa 1790 Georgian writing Library chest of drawers with desk secretaire by Gillows of Lancaster and L...
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1790s English Georgian Antique Gillows of Lancaster & London Tables

Materials

Leather, Hardwood

Stamped Gillows Lancaster Double Sided Twin Pedestal Partner Desk Figured Oak
By Gillows of Lancaster & London
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning and exceptionally rare Gillows Lancaster twin pedestal double sided partner desk in panelled figured oak An exceptionally rare exa...
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19th Century English Early Victorian Antique Gillows of Lancaster & London Tables

Materials

Amboyna

Very Rare Gillow Breakfront Library Desk Brass Gallery Burr Amboyna Wood
By Gillows of Lancaster & London
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning and exceptionally rare Gillow Library breakfront desk with brass gallery in Burr Amboyna timber, circa...
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1850s English High Victorian Antique Gillows of Lancaster & London Tables

Materials

Burl

Early 19th Century Regency Specimen Table by Gillows of Lancaster and London
By Gillows of Lancaster & London
Located in Dublin 8, IE
Early 19th century regency marble top specimen centre table made by Gillows of Lancaster and London, the statuary white marble top with central stylized neoclassical motif depicting a temple and star surrounded with inlaid radiating specimens of rare and ancient stones such as Giallo Antico, Verde Antico, Rosso Antico, Sienna, Jasper and Portoro set within carved gadrooned, cabochon and bead border supported on turned baluster pod with barley twist and acanthus motif on trefoil base raised over cabriole leg with acanthus motif on knee terminating on paw foot. Provenance: Torridon House Torridon House is situated on the northern shore of upper loch Torridon, beneath the dramatic mountain ridges of Beinn Alligin and Liathach, the house was built by Duncan Darroch in 1876 on an estate bought from the McBarnets and previously the possession of the Lords of the Isles. The architect was Alexander Ross, who built inverness cathedral. Constructed from the famous Torridon red sandstone, it was designed for family living, as well as to support parties during the shooting and fishing seasons. In the early 20th century it changed hands several times until it was bought by the 4th Earl of Lovelace in 1960. The Lovelaces had previously lived at Ben Damph on the south side of the Loch, which had been in their possession since 1886. Torridon is currently the home of the 5th earl and his wife. The Lovelace title belongs to the King family, who trace their history back to Exeter. Sir Peter King (circa 1669-1734) was the maternal nephew of the philosopher John Locke...
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Early 19th Century English Regency Antique Gillows of Lancaster & London Tables

Materials

Marble

1790 Gillows Cuban Hardwood Library Secretaire Desk Writing Table I Bramah Lock
By Gillows of Lancaster & London
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this very rare circa 1790 George III Library writing desk secrataire by Gillows of Lancaster and London A rare find, looking through Gillows of ...
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Late 18th Century English George III Antique Gillows of Lancaster & London Tables

Materials

Hardwood

19th Century Shaped Centre Table with Inlay and Gilt Metal by Gillows
By Gillows of Lancaster & London
Located in London, GB
An Antique Shaped Centre Table by Gillows Constructed in Circassian walnut, with specimen woods inlays, and gilt metal adornments; rising from a castor sho...
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19th Century British Victorian Antique Gillows of Lancaster & London Tables

Materials

Metal

Gillow Satinwood Centre Table
By Gillows of Lancaster & London
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
A superb oval shaped satinwood and kingwood centre table, with cotton-reel carved edge, on a leaf-carved baluster stem and cabriole legs carved with foliage and cabochons.
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Mid-19th Century English Antique Gillows of Lancaster & London Tables

Materials

Satinwood

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

Gillows of Lancaster & London tables 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 tables, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original tables by Gillows of Lancaster & London were created in the Regency style in united kingdom during the 19th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider tables by Ira Yeager, Theodore Alexander, and Jonathan Sainsbury. Prices for Gillows of Lancaster & London tables can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $3,692 and can go as high as $323,824, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $17,201.

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