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Gillows of Lancaster & London Desks and Writing 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
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 Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Mahogany

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 Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass, Ormolu

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 Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Mahogany

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 Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Amboyna

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 Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Mahogany

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 Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

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...
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1790s English George III Antique Gillows of Lancaster & London Desks and Writing 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 Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Burl

Robert Gillows II 1790 Writing Library Hardwood Chest of Drawers Leather Slope
By Waring & Gillow, Gillows of Lancaster & London
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 Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Leather, Hardwood

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 Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak

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 ...
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1890s British Chippendale Antique Gillows of Lancaster & London Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

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Gillows Inlaid Writing Table, circa 1860
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Fine George III Regency Period Mahogany Gillows of Lancaster Chamber Table.
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Early 19th Century English Regency Antique Gillows of Lancaster & London Desks and Writing Tables

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AWN Pugin Attributed Gillows Lancaster. A Gothic Revival Walnut Library Table.
By Augustus Welby Northmore Pugin, Gillows of Lancaster & London
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1860s English Gothic Revival Antique Gillows of Lancaster & London Desks and Writing Tables

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By Gillows of Lancaster & London
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A rare and interesting Gillows rosewood library table created in collaboration with George Bullock, the rectangular top with an amboyna panel en...
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1820s English Antique Gillows of Lancaster & London Desks and Writing Tables

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Gillows Rosewood Library Table
Gillows Rosewood Library Table
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Antique Kidney Writing Table Desk Bureau Plat by Gillow, 19th Century
By Gillows of Lancaster & London
Located in London, GB
This is a fabulous quality antique burr walnut and amboyna kidney shaped writing table, circa 1850 in date. The writing table features fabulous decorative ormolu mounts, amboyna c...
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1850s English Antique Gillows of Lancaster & London Desks and Writing Tables

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Ormolu

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

Gillows of Lancaster & London desks and writing 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 desks and writing tables, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original desks and writing tables by Gillows of Lancaster & London were created in the Victorian style in united kingdom during the 19th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider desks and writing tables by Holland & Sons, Maple & Co., and Edwards & Roberts. Prices for Gillows of Lancaster & London desks and writing tables can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $6,975 and can go as high as $159,824, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $22,668.

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