Early 19th Century Armchair attributed to Gillows

An elegant pair of painted open armchairs from the early 19th century English Regency era, exquisitely hand-painted to simulate exotic timber and decorated with neoclassical festive ...

A superb quality pair of open armchairs, after late 18th century designs by Gillows of Lancaster and London, the manufacture attributable to Gillow & Co. English, circa 1880. Why we like them Wonderfully elegant model, looking very delicate but in fact unusually strong – the sign of a skilled craftsman. Interestingly, chairs of this exact model can be seen in a painting by Walter Dendy Sadler (British, 1854-1923), The After Lunch Conversation, 1889, sold at Doyle, New York, 21 May 2024, lot 83. Design These chairs correspond to Gillows’ 'Garforth pattern' - a rare and highly desirable design - which first appeared in 1795 and was probably an adaptation of Georges Jacob's design of circa 1792 for Marie-Antoinette's dairy at Rambouillet. Gillows made the chairs not only in mahogany but also japanned, and they appear to have been particularly popular among the genteel, professional, and merchant classes in the north of England. In 1796, the Earl of Strafford purchased six white and green japanned chairs for Wentworth Woodhouse...

Early 19th century Regency period extendable dining table, sits 10 people with two extra leaves. English, circa 1830. Dimensions (approx.): Depth: 123 cm / 48.5" Height: 73cm / 28....

A beautiful early 19th century Regency-period overmantle mirror in its original giltwood frame, featuring an exquisitely and delicately carved scallop shell ornament. Both the bevelled mirror plate and gilding are original, retaining their authentic character and patina that only comes with age. The piece was crafted by William Hollingsworth...

A mid 19th century country house open armchair. Raised on ebonized turned and carved walnut front legs and arm supports. The rear legs splayed and chamfered and all legs with the ori...

A superb English Regency buttoned back armchair. Raised on simulated Rosewood legs with the original brass casters. Currently upholstered to a good standard in pale pink heavy wight ...

A pair of armchairs made in France about 1810. The armchairs have Egyptian heads carved on their armrest and at the foot end lion feets. There are four equal chairs, it is possible t...

We are delighted to offer for sale this large and collectable fully restored Regency circa 1810-1820 metamorphic armchair which converts into Library steps attributed to Gillows of Lancaster and London This wonderful piece of English history has been on a journey of restoration, the frame has been washed back and French polished by a Victorian trained polisher, the leather upholstery is all new, it is Italian cattle hide, upholstered plain then hand dyed six times, antiqued and sealed, it has a lovely rich reddish brown colour to it. This chair is larger than any other of its type you would have seen, it is an important and extremely expensive looking thing that commands attention in any setting. You can see the same model made by Gillows currently viewed in the Victorian & Albert Museum, below is an extra from their listing. 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...