Georgian Cylinder Desk by Gillows
View Similar Items
Georgian Cylinder Desk by Gillows
About the Item
- Creator:Gillows of Lancaster & London (Cabinetmaker)
- Dimensions:Height: 38.8 in (98.56 cm)Width: 37.2 in (94.49 cm)Depth: 21 in (53.34 cm)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:circa 1810
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Newcastle Upon Tyne, GB
- Reference Number:Seller: AT31stDibs: LU3921314796521
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.
- Very Fine George IV Mahogany and Ebony Partners Desk by GillowsBy Gillows of Lancaster & LondonLocated in Greenwich, CTVery fine George IV mahogany and ebony partners desk by Gillows of Lancaster, circa 1825, the tooled double border leather top with cross banding an...Category
Antique 1820s English Desks
MaterialsLeather, Ebony, Mahogany
- William IV Inlaid Mahogany Desk Attributed to GillowsBy Gillows of Lancaster & LondonLocated in Kittery Point, METhe rectangular cocuswood cross-banded satine top above a central frieze drawer flanked to either side with three further drawers around a recess on foliate-carved cabriole legs with...Category
Antique 19th Century English William IV Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsMahogany
- Gillows, 19th Century Walnut Kidney Shaped DeskBy Gillows of Lancaster & LondonLocated in Brighton, SussexA fine quality 'Gillows' kidney shaped figured Walnut pedestal desk, having inset tooled leather top, eleven graduating mahogany lined drawers with their original brass ring drop han...Category
Antique 19th Century English Desks
MaterialsWalnut
- Gillows of Lancaster attri., Gothic Revival Oak Architect's DeskBy Gillows of Lancaster & LondonLocated in London, GBAttributed to Gillows of Lancaster. A rare Gothic Revival architect's folding desk. The top has opposing slides opening to reveal a compartment for storing drawing utensils etc. The ...Category
Antique Late 19th Century English Gothic Revival Desks
MaterialsOak
- Pedestal Desk in the Manner of Gillows of LancasterBy Gillows of Lancaster & LondonLocated in Bradford-on-Avon, WiltshireAn 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...Category
Antique 1840s English Victorian Desks
MaterialsMahogany
- Stamped Gillows Lancaster Double Sided Twin Pedestal Partner Desk Figured OakBy Gillows of Lancaster & LondonLocated in GBWe are delighted to offer for sale this stunning and exceptionally rare Gillows Lancaster twin pedestal double sided partner desk in panelled figured oak An exceptionally rare exa...Category
Antique 19th Century English Early Victorian Desks
MaterialsAmboyna