Regency Rosewood Book Tray Attributed to Gillows

A stunning early 19th century canterbury by Gillows of Lancaster, with three tall flat X form slots, above a frieze drawer stamped ( GILLOWS.LANCASTER ). The case with four turned f...

We are delighted to offer for sale this pair of large and collectable Regency style metamorphic armchair which converts into Library steps after the original 18th century design by Gillows of Lancaster with Burr Walnut panels A very good looking and well made pair, I have never seen a Regency style piece with Burr Walnut panels before, the leather seat pads have been restored by my leather polishers, they have been hand dyed six times, antiqued and sealed The period 1800-1825 was a great one for ‘patent’ or ‘metamorphic’ furniture This chair, which transforms into a short set of steps for use with bookshelves, is close to a design for a ‘Library Chair’ published in Rudolph Ackermann’s Repository of the Arts in July 1811, which was made by the London firm of Morgan and Saunders, of Catherine Street, Strand. They were well known for their ingenious furniture, including reading chairs with writing surfaces attached and a great variety of travelling beds...

The rectangular padded seat covered in brown leather, opening to reveal a set of library steps, over a solid inlaid seat-rail and ring-turned tapering legs ending in castors. 18in. high, 34 1/2in. wide and 16 1/2in. deep. Opened, 36in. high and 49in. wide. Rooms organized during the Regency period as libraries often had floor-to-ceiling bookshelves. The upper shelves were difficult to reach, so movable library stairs were invaluable. Further, libraries were one of the most important rooms in a stately house, symbol of its owner's wealth, culture and status. As a consequence, designers, architects and cabinet or chair makers devoted much attention to its architecture and decoration. Hence, the emrgence of innovative ideas such as our bench. Enter the Regency era metamorphic library chair/bench (chairs are more common than benches)! The tables, chairs and stools containing library steps were patented in Great Britain by Robert Campbell in 1774 but this innovative chair-based design did not become immediately popular. Once the Regency was established, a neo-classical interpretation of Campbell’s Metamorphic Library Chair concept started to become popular in London. Any early attributions rely heavily on two contemporary sketches...

Vintage Italian Regency Red Leather Bound "Science" Faux Book Bookend. Item featured has a leather-bound faux book form, gold gilt details, nice larger size, original aged/distressed...

We are delighted to offer for sale this very rare original Gillows Lancaster circa 1850 height adjustable walnut fire screen A very good looking and well made screen from pretty m...

French, circa 1930, three-panel industrial glass screen, attributed to Louis Barillet. 32” wide each panel (96” wide in all) x 82” high. Louis Barill...

Fantastic French four-panel wallpaper screen attributed to Zuber and cie featuring pair of Empire style neoclassical scenes with grand tour style themes....

An Art Deco wrought iron fire screen having hammered and gilded surface work and a central motif depicting a vase holding a bouquet of flowers. Attributed to French master metalworke...

A very nice pair of "book" bookends in a gold gilt finish on a faux green leather covers by Borghese of Italy, circa 1970s. The pair is in great vintage condition and our made of cas...

Captivating Pietra Dura globe featuring marble, mother-of-pearl and other semi-precious stones suspended in a solid brass mount. The brass tripod turns 360 degrees and tilts. The sph...