Regency breakfront side cabinet attributed to Gillows of Lancaster

A fine Regency mahogany centre table in the manner of Gillows of Lancaster; the four-splay reeded sabre leg base with turned pillar; the figured mahogany top with kingwood cross-band...

An exceptional mid-19th century pedestal desk in figured mahogany; the front with blind pilasters; mahogany lined drawers hung with fine cast loop handles; the top fitted with slides...

Georgian satinwood breakfront bookcase A unusually small George III Sheraton period breakfront bookcase: veneered in satinwood with purple-heart inlay, kingwood cross-banding and box...

A good Regency rosewood canterbury: rare model with 2 drawers; the divisions in the form of an X supported by carved circular laurel wreaths; the t...

A late Regency Gonçalo Alves two-door side cabinet firmly attributed to Gillows, of rectangular form with two glazed doors retaining the original brass trelliswork centred on rosette...

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...

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...

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...