Skip to main content
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 14

18th Century English Antique Library Bookcase Attributed to Gillows of Lancaster

About the Item

A magnificent George III period seven door breakfront library bookcase. Constructed in the finest quality figured mahogany, having a moulded cornice above seven astragal glazed doors enclosing adjustable shelves, the middle upper section having a slide door action from left to right. The lower breakfront middle section with three beautiful figured mahogany, satinwood and ebony lined oval panelled doors revealing adjustable shelves accompanied by five graduated drawers to either side flanked again by two oval panelled doors enclosing adjustable shelve interior, terminating on a moulded plinth base. Condition: Excellent. Outstanding color and patination. Both its size, style and exceptional quality of timber would suggest it to have been created as a special commission. Circa 1790 English Provenance: Private residence, Rome, Italy. 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 making firms of the 18th and 19th centuries was established by contributions from some ten members of the family over three generations. During the 18th century, the Gillow firm established a reputation for producing the highest quality furniture, made by competent workmen from the best woods, in elegant but practical styles. These sometimes incorporated ingenious devices. Gillows produced good, solid well- made furniture and were the only 18th century cabinet makers to establish and maintain a branch in both London (opened 1770) and the provinces. The Gillow Archives (now in the City of Westminster Archives Centre) comprise mainly the business records of the Lancaster branch from about 1728 to 1932 and include estimate sketches and memorandum books from 1759 to 1905. They are the longest and largest cabinet maker’s records to have survived in the world. The social status of members of the Gillow family changed as their wealth and influence increased, progressing from successful artisan craftsmen in the 1740’s to established members of the squirearchy by the early 19th century.
  • Attributed to:
    Gillows of Lancaster & London (Cabinetmaker)
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 113.39 in (288 cm)Width: 166.93 in (424 cm)Depth: 15.75 in (40 cm)
  • Style:
    Georgian (Of the Period)
  • Materials and Techniques:
  • Place of Origin:
  • Period:
  • Date of Manufacture:
    1790
  • Condition:
    Wear consistent with age and use. All original locks and keys present.
  • Seller Location:
    Dublin, IE
  • Reference Number:
    1stDibs: LU5735224098592

More From This Seller

View All
Early 19th Century English Regency Open Bookcase Attributed To Gillows Lancaster
By Gillows of Lancaster & London
Located in Dublin, IE
A fine English 19th century Gonzalo Alves breakfront open shelved bookcase / side cabinet attributed to Gillows of Lancaster, with a frieze drawer, the shelves flanked by cupboards a...
Category

Antique 19th Century English Regency Bookcases

Materials

Wood

19th Century English Bonheur Du Jour Attributed To Gillows Of Lancaster
By Gillows of Lancaster & London
Located in Dublin, IE
A very fine 19th century Burr walnut, ebonised , ormolu and porcelain Bonheur du jour, the superstructure with pierced brass galleries above an open compartment with mirrored interio...
Category

Antique 19th Century English Victorian Desks

Materials

Ormolu

Early 19th Century English Regency Canterbury Attributed To Gillows, Lancaster
By Gillows of Lancaster & London
Located in Dublin, IE
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...
Category

Antique Early 19th Century English Regency Magazine Racks and Stands

Materials

Wood

Large 19th Century English William IV Settee Attributed To Gillows Of Lancaster
By Gillows of Lancaster & London
Located in Dublin, IE
A very fine and substantial late Regency early William IV mahogany three seater sofa attributed to Gillows of Lancaster in the Grecian manner. Standing on four large bulbous style tu...
Category

Antique Early 19th Century English William IV Settees

Materials

Fabric, Mahogany

Early 19th Century English Regency Side Table Attributed to Gillows of Lancaster
By Gillows of Lancaster & London
Located in Dublin, IE
A fine Regency mahogany occasional table attributed to Gillows of Lancaster, with tray top above frieze drawers and beaded border, on turned tapering legs with castors. Circa 1828 ...
Category

Antique Early 19th Century English Regency Tray Tables

Materials

Wood

Pair of Early 19th Century Side Chairs Attributed to Gillows of Lancaster
By Gillows of Lancaster & London
Located in Dublin, IE
A 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

Materials

Leather, Mahogany

You May Also Like

Restored Metamorphic Antique Regency Armchair to Library Steps Gillows Lancaster
By Gillows of Lancaster & London
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer this very large and collectable fully restored Regency circa 1810-1820 metamorphic armchair which converts into Library steps after the original 18th century design by Gillows of Lancaster. 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 has been stripped back, 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 a important and extremely expensive looking thing that commands attention in any setting. The original made by Gillows can currently be 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...
Category

Antique 19th Century English Georgian Armchairs

Materials

Leather, Hardwood

Rare Pair of Gillows Lancaster English Oak Antique Victorian Bookcase Cupboards
By Gillows of Lancaster & London
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning near pair of original Victorian heavily hand carved oak library bookcase cabinets made by the world famous firm of Gillows of Lancaster & London If you are in the market for the finest pair of English library bookcases...
Category

Antique 19th Century English Victorian Cupboards

Materials

Oak

Gillows Of Lancaster Gothic Revival Bookcase
By Gillows of Lancaster & London
Located in Southall, GB
A handsome late 19th century Gillows bookcase. Crafted from fine quality mahogony with glazed panels in the gothic style. The bottom cabinet doors are skilfully moulded with arched f...
Category

Antique Late 19th Century English Gothic Revival Bookcases

Materials

Mahogany

18th Century English Breakfront Mahogany Library Bookcase
Located in London, GB
A Fine and Elegant Breakfront Library Bookcase in the Thomas Sheraton Manner In Honduras mahogany with delicate and restrained inlay in satinwood, the lower cupboards, have inlaid...
Category

Antique 18th Century British George III Bookcases

Materials

Mahogany, Glass

Antique 1810 Attributed to Gillows Metamorphic Leather Library Armchair Steps
By Gillows of Lancaster & London
Located in GB
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...
Category

Antique 1810s English Regency Armchairs

Materials

Leather, Hardwood

19th Century English Regency Mahogany Bookcase (Attributed to Gillows)
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
A Fine Quality English Regency Mahogany Breakfront Bookcase, Attributed to Gillows. This excellent piece is of breakfront form and of excellent low waisted proportions, the upper section consisting of various adjustable shelves behind four glazed doors with diamond shaped astragal glazing...
Category

Antique 19th Century Bookcases

Materials

Mahogany

Recently Viewed

View All