Regency Mahogany Library Breakfront Secretaire Bookcase attributed to Gillows

A fine Regency breakfront side cabinet attributed to Gillows of Lancaster in well figured rosewood veneer. The cabinet displays several typical Gillows design features including the ...

A classic Chippendale-period secretaire breakfront library bookcase in well-figured mahogany. Early-George III, circa 1760. Of excellent colour, patina, and condition throughout. Th...

A late Regency bird’s-eye maple cylindrical open bookcase attributed to Gillows, the circular leather-inset top above four sections divided by panelled uprights, each with two adjust...

A large and impressive late Regency six door mahogany bookcase attributed to Gillows, the upper section with a triple breakfront cornice above glazed doors with brass diamond trellis grilles, each enclosing adjustable shelves, the base with panelled cupboards decorated with book-matched flame veneers between turned columns with palmette terminals. English, circa 1815. Footnote. A double Breakfront Library Bookcase Attributed to Gillows of Lancaster, c.1820 The bookcase of large form but of elegant proportions, having a pleasing low waist, always desirable on case furniture of this sort, brass grilles, a plinth base veneered in the finest mahogany and intriguing inlaid quatrefoil shaped escutcheons to the central doors. Designed in the early 19th century “Roman” fashion, this bookcase is one of a small group of such pieces that have been linked in the past to designs provided by the Wyatt family of architects (see for example a bookcase of remarkably similar form offered by Christie’s in London on the 16th of December 2010 with an estimate of £40-£60,000). Although any link with Wyatt must remain purely speculative, the attribution of this bookcase to the firm of Gillows of Lancaster can be made with a much higher degree of confidence. This attribution is based partly on a fine suite of similar library bookcases supplied to Tatton Park and discussed in detail by Dr. Susan Stuart in Gillows of Lancaster and London 1730-1840, page 375-377, plates 443 & 444. Of even greater interest is a design for a complete...