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.
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Creator: Gillows of Lancaster & London
Antique George IV Loo Breakfast Dining Table Gillows Circa 19th Century
By Gillows of Lancaster & London
Located in London, GB
A stunning antique George IV Regency breakfast table in the manner of Gillows, circa 1820 in date.
The lovely figured flame mahogany circular top sits on a mahogany hand turned colu...
Category
19th Century English Regency Antique Gillows of Lancaster & London Tables
Materials
Mahogany
Gillows attr. An Aesthetic Movement tilt top dining table with floral inlays
By Gillows of Lancaster & London
Located in London, GB
Gillows of Lancaster attributed. An Aesthetic Movement tilt top dining table with floral inlays to the oval top walnut.
Stamped mark under the top 8198
Category
1880s 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...
Category
Late 19th Century British Aesthetic Movement Antique Gillows of Lancaster & London Tables
Materials
Oak
Gillow Walnut 19th Century Kidney Writing Table
By Gillows of Lancaster & London
Located in Bedfordshire, GB
A Stunning Quality 19th Century, Victorian, Burr Walnut Kidney Shaped Writing Table, Having Attractive Old Leather, With Blind Tooled Decoration, Inset To Crossbanded Top, Over Highl...
Category
Mid-19th Century English Victorian Antique Gillows of Lancaster & London Tables
Materials
Brass, Ormolu
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 ...
Category
Early 19th Century English Regency Antique Gillows of Lancaster & London Tables
Materials
Mahogany
Gillows Billiard Snooker POOL Table, circa 1820 Free shipping
By Gillows of Lancaster & London
Located in Radstock, GB
FREE SHIPPING to UK, EU and NYC (SEA) Front Door Standard
An extremely elegant mahogany billiard table typical of Gillows craftsmanship circa 1820.
Standing on slim reeded legs w...
Category
1820s English Regency Antique Gillows of Lancaster & London Tables
Materials
Slate
Marquetry inlaid oak dressing table
By Gillows of Lancaster & London
Located in Cheshire, GB
An inlaid oak dressing table by Gillows of Lancaster, the central adjustable mirror supported on an architectural frame flanked by marquetry inlaid ebonised cupboard doors. To the re...
Category
19th Century British Antique Gillows of Lancaster & London Tables
Materials
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...
Category
Early 19th Century English Regency Antique Gillows of Lancaster & London Tables
Materials
Mahogany
Little 19th Century Desk by Gillows of Lancaster
By Gillows of Lancaster & London
Located in London, GB
A beautiful little desk made by Gillows of Lancaster in the 19th century. The drawer is stamped with the maker's name - please take a look at all our pictures for a closer look.
It ...
Category
Late 19th Century British Late Victorian Antique Gillows of Lancaster & London Tables
Materials
Oak
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...
Category
1890s English Adam Style Antique Gillows of Lancaster & London Tables
Materials
Satinwood
Victorian Gillows Burr Walnut Card Table English
By Gillows of Lancaster & London
Located in Staffordshire, GB
A superb quality Gillows Walnut Card Table with fabulous Burr veneers and fine Gilt Bronze mounts the back legs pull out to reveal a Mahogany lined drawer which acts as a support to ...
Category
19th Century English Late Victorian Antique Gillows of Lancaster & London Tables
Materials
Walnut
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...
Category
19th Century English Antique Gillows of Lancaster & London Tables
Materials
Mahogany
Rare Gillows Lancaster 1789-1795 George III American Walnut Dining Table
By Gillows of Lancaster & London
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
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,...
Category
1780s English George III Antique Gillows of Lancaster & London Tables
Materials
Walnut
A Regency rosewood six drawer library table by Gillows
By Gillows of Lancaster & London
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
A Regency rosewood six drawer library table by Gillows, the rectangular top inset with a replaced tooled burgundy leather within a bead and reel border, with three frieze drawers on ...
Category
Early 19th Century English Regency Antique Gillows of Lancaster & London Tables
Materials
Leather, Rosewood
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...
Category
1830s English George IV Antique Gillows of Lancaster & London Tables
Materials
Marble
Stamped Gillows Lancaster Double Sided Twin Pedestal Partner Desk Figured Oak
By Gillows of Lancaster & London
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
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...
Category
19th Century English Early Victorian Antique Gillows of Lancaster & London Tables
Materials
Amboyna
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...
Category
19th Century English Adam Style Antique Gillows of Lancaster & London Tables
Materials
Wood, Satinwood
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...
Category
1850s English Victorian Antique Gillows of Lancaster & London Tables
Materials
Walnut
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...
Category
19th Century English Regency Antique Gillows of Lancaster & London Tables
Materials
Stone
1790 Gillows Cuban Hardwood Library Secretaire Desk Writing Table I Bramah Lock
By Gillows of Lancaster & London
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
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 ...
Category
Late 18th Century English George III Antique Gillows of Lancaster & London Tables
Materials
Hardwood
Gillows Games Table, Card Table
By Gillows of Lancaster & London
Located in Oxfordshire, GB
Mahogany Gillows Card Table, Games Table.
A late-19th century mahogany fold over card or games table made by the Lancaster furniture manufacturers, Gillows. When not in use this high...
Category
Late 19th Century British Antique Gillows of Lancaster & London Tables
Materials
Mahogany
Very Rare Gillow Breakfront Library Desk Brass Gallery Burr Amboyna Wood
By Gillows of Lancaster & London
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning and exceptionally rare Gillow Library breakfront desk with brass gallery in Burr Amboyna timber, circa...
Category
1850s English High Victorian Antique Gillows of Lancaster & London Tables
Materials
Burl
Rare 1794 George III Gillows of Lancaster Double Sided Postmasters Sorting Desk
By Gillows of Lancaster & London
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning and exceptionally rare 1794 George III Gillows Lancaster twin pedestal double sided postmasters desk i...
Category
1790s English George III Antique Gillows of Lancaster & London Tables
Materials
Hardwood
Robert Gillows II 1790 Writing Library Hardwood Chest of Drawers Leather Slope
By Gillows of Lancaster & London, Waring & Gillow
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
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...
Category
1790s English Georgian Antique Gillows of Lancaster & London Tables
Materials
Leather, Hardwood
Antique Chippendale Revival Desk by Gillows
By Gillows of Lancaster & London
Located in London, GB
A magnificent antique Chippendale revival desk by Gillows. This was made in England, it dates from around the 1890-1900 period.
The quality is outstanding, the Gillows makers stamp ...
Category
1890s British Chippendale Antique Gillows of Lancaster & London Tables
Materials
Brass
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 ...
Category
19th Century English Antique Gillows of Lancaster & London Tables
Materials
Mahogany
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...
Category
Early 19th Century English Regency Antique Gillows of Lancaster & London Tables
Materials
Marble
19th Century Gonzalo Alves Games / Card Table By Gillows Of Lancaster
By Gillows of Lancaster & London
Located in Dublin, IE
A mid 19th century Goncalo Alves card table by Gillows of Lancaster, the hinged rectangular top with egg and dart molding, the green baize interior within quarter veneered corners, t...
Category
19th Century English Victorian Antique Gillows of Lancaster & London Tables
Materials
Wood
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...
Category
19th Century British Victorian Antique Gillows of Lancaster & London Tables
Materials
Metal
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...
Category
19th Century English Regency Antique Gillows of Lancaster & London Tables
Materials
Mahogany
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...
Category
19th Century English Victorian 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 West Sussex, Pulborough
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...
Category
1780s English Georgian Antique Gillows of Lancaster & London Tables
Materials
Hardwood
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...
Category
Early 19th Century English Regency Antique Gillows of Lancaster & London Tables
Materials
Giltwood
Gillows of Lancaster Aesthetic Movement Amboyna Burr Walnut Occasional Table
By Gillows of Lancaster & London
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
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...
Category
1880s English Aesthetic Movement Antique Gillows of Lancaster & London Tables
Materials
Walnut
19th Century Satinwood & Marquetry Desk Stamped by Gillows
By Gillows of Lancaster & London
Located in Petworth,West Sussex, GB
A fine quality mid 19th Century well-figured satinwood and marquetry pedestal desk. Marquetry boxwood, rosewood & ebony line inlaid and satinwood throughout, having brass galleried t...
Category
Mid-19th Century British Early Victorian Antique Gillows of Lancaster & London Tables
Materials
Brass
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...
Category
1810s English Antique Gillows of Lancaster & London Tables
Materials
Rosewood
Very Fine Gillows of Lancaster Antique Hardwood Pie Crust Claw & Ball End Table
By Gillows of Lancaster & London
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
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...
Category
20th Century English Victorian Gillows of Lancaster & London Tables
Materials
Hardwood
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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