Pair of Early 19th Century ‘Gillows of London’ Parlour Chairs c. 1830
View Similar Items
Pair of Early 19th Century ‘Gillows of London’ Parlour Chairs c. 1830
About the Item
- Creator:Gillows of Lancaster & London (Cabinetmaker)
- Dimensions:Height: 35.5 in (90.17 cm)Width: 20 in (50.8 cm)Depth: 22 in (55.88 cm)Seat Height: 18.5 in (46.99 cm)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:circa 1830
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Heathfield, GB
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU7564234574002
Gillows of Lancaster & London
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.
- Primitive 19th Century Yew and Ash Windsor ChairLocated in Heathfield, GBFrom an Irish farmhouse, a good, early and substantial Windsor chair. Provincially made and primitive in design, the yew wood splat of a charming simplified pierced form, the back...Category
Antique 19th Century Windsor Chairs
MaterialsAsh
- Rare 19th Century Yew, Elm and Ash Windsor Chair c. 1850Located in Heathfield, GBA most attractive and unusual Windsor chair made of yew wood, elm and ash and with wonderful colour and in superb original condition. Traditionally the saddle seats were made in e...Category
Antique 19th Century Armchairs
MaterialsAsh, Elm, Yew
- Beautiful 19th Century Linear Padauk Sideboard c. 1850Located in Heathfield, GBWith a fantastic colour this mid 19th century Padauk wood sideboard is in excellent original condtion. With two long over four short and deep drawers, each retaining finely cast ori...Category
Antique Mid-19th Century Side Tables
MaterialsPadouk
- Exceptionally Fine And Rare James I Oak Wainscot Chair Dated 1609Located in Heathfield, GBAn extremely rare and exquisitely carved English oak wainscot chair dated 1609 and with two figural masks – the central mask possibly the ‘Green Man’ with foliage scrolling and falli...Category
Antique 17th Century Chairs
MaterialsOak
- Large Well Patinated 19th Century Bronze of Neopolitan Dancer - by Duret c. 1880By François-Joseph DuretLocated in Heathfield, GBA large 19th century bronze statue of the Neopolitan Dancer with tambourine from a model by Francisque Joseph Duret. Signed to base Duret f. and with a ha...Category
Antique 19th Century Figurative Sculptures
MaterialsBronze
- Regency Solid Mahogany ‘Daws Patent’ Reclining Chair c. 1830Located in Heathfield, GBThis beautiful reclining chair was made by Robert Daws, an English fine furniture maker who worked at 17 Margaret Street, Cavendish Square, London between 1820 and 1839. He first pa...Category
Antique Early 19th Century Armchairs
MaterialsMahogany
- Early 19th Century Regency Pair of Hall Chairs by Gillows of Lancaster & LondonBy Gillows of Lancaster & LondonLocated in Dublin 8, IEEarly 19th century Regency pair of mahogany hall chairs by Gillows of London & Lancaster, the carved moulded back with centred armorial shield surmount...Category
Antique 1810s Irish Regency Chairs
MaterialsMahogany
- Pair of Early 19th Century Side Chairs Attributed to Gillows of LancasterBy Gillows of Lancaster & LondonLocated in Dublin, IEA stunning pair of Regency mahogany side chairs attributed to Gillows of Lancaster, each moulded curved back with pierced fluted rail backs...Category
Antique Early 19th Century English Regency Side Chairs
MaterialsLeather, Mahogany
- Early Pair of 19th Century English Regency Hall Chairs Attributed to GillowsBy Gillows of Lancaster & LondonLocated in Dublin, IEA fine pair of Regency hall / side chairs attributed to Gillows of Lancaster, with carved scallop shell backs, panel seats, raised on reeded column legs. Circa 1820 English.Category
Antique Early 19th Century English Regency Chairs
MaterialsWood
- Set Of 6 Early 19th Century English Regency Chairs Attributed To GillowsBy Gillows of Lancaster & LondonLocated in Dublin, IEA very fine set of 6 Regency dining chairs attributed to Gillows of Lancaster and London, having a quality figured top rail with a reeded edge and carved top supported by shaped reeded supports over foliate scrolled splats, drop-in seats with luxury velvet fabric upholstery standing on reeded tapering legs to the front and out swept back legs. Circa 1820 English Artists Biography: The Gillow family of cabinet makers and upholsters came to prominence with Richard Gillow (1733 – 1811), the son of Robert Gillow, founder of the firm. Gillow’s reputation as one of the leading British cabinet...Category
Antique Early 19th Century English Regency Chairs
MaterialsWood
- Early 19th Century George IV Pair of Chairs by Gillows of Lancaster and LondonBy Gillows of Lancaster & LondonLocated in Dublin 8, IEEarly 19th century George IV pair of occasional chairs by Gillows of Lancaster and London, the curved top rail with centred flower head...Category
Antique 1820s English George IV Side Chairs
MaterialsMahogany
- Early 19th Century Pair of ChairsLocated in Stockbridge, GAEarly 19th century pair of chairs. Built in the Restauration French period, the wood is entirely composed of mahogany, refine carved on the...Category
Antique Early 19th Century French Restauration Armchairs
MaterialsMahogany
$3,700 / set