Fine Gillows George III Period Satinwood Secretaire Cabinet

A fine pair of English George lll-period pedestal cabinets in well-figured mahogany of deep, rich colour and superb patination, attributed to Gillows of Lancaster, circa 1800. The f...

A fine English mid-18th century mahogany secretaire / secretary / bookcase / china cabinet. Of lovely, deep, rich color, patina and quality. George III-period, circa 1760. The bold, detachable, swan-neck pediment carved with 'Gothic' open fretwork, spiral rosettes and a dentil cornice. The pediment is centred by a small platform below which is a fluted panel. The bookcase / china cabinet section with two, thirteen-pane glazed doors, with three original adjustable shelves with applied beadings for the display of china etc. The base with a pull-out writing section fitted with small drawers, two of which have secret releases. These secret drawers are faced with blind-fret 'Gothic' tracery, and centred by a carved, shaped arch. The base with three cock-beaded drawers, and raised on its original bracket feet which are faced with blind fret. This fine, sophisticated and well-proportioned example of a secretaire / secretary / cabinet / desk / bookcase is remarkable for having survived in its original state including all swan-neck handles and locks. Of superb quality, color, patination, and well figured throughout. With mahogany drawer linings: further confirmation of its superlative quality. Measures: 42" wide (107 cm) 23" deep 58.5 cm) 95" high (241 cm) - without cartouche. A related antique bureau cabinet...

A fine and rare English revolving drum-top library table in mahogany, attributed to Gillows of Lancaster, circa 1770. This is a rare, compact form of a George lll-period drum-top library table in superb condition, retaining excellent colour and patina throughout. The circular top fitted with green leather insert with gilt-embossed border rotates. The six working drawers retain their original brass handles - some of these frieze drawers with subdivisions for monies/ documents - faced with ivory numbers 1-6. The fully-rotating top retaining its original internal steel castors, raised on a cabinet base with a locking cupboard - with original lock, period key and original brass pull - and a shelf within. The moulded panel above a generous plinth. These are sometimes referred to as 'rent' tables when they have a recess for depositing cash. This library table has divisions in secure drawers fulfilling much the same purpose of receiving rent from an Estate's tenant(s). The base would typically contain larger account books...

A late 18th century satinwood Pembroke table of very good rich color. George III period. The top crossbanded in satinwood, bordered with fine lozenges of ebony stringing. The edges ebonized with narrow mahogany crossbandings. Raised on moulded tapering legs, indicative of a date circa 1770.   The frieze with two working mahogany-lined short drawers retaining the original gilt-brass Rococo mounts. The two leaves are supported on the original recessed hinged ‘ear’ supports. Overall in lovely original state. Some minor historic marks entirely commensurate with its age. Very good patination. These antique Pembroke tables were designed to be versatile: as small supper tables; occasional tables; tea tables; or lamp tables - sometimes also referred to as ‘drop leaf’ or ‘sofa’ tables. The majority of these Georgian tables are raised on square tapering legs or, when of a later date, on turned legs. It is more unusual for a satinwood Pembroke table to be raised on moulded tapering legs.   Interestingly, Thomas Sheraton (1751-1806) mentions the Pembroke table as follows: “a type of breakfast table from the name of the lady who first gave orders for one of them”, possibly referring to the Countess of Pembroke, of Wilton House, Salisbury, (1737-1831). A similar George III satinwood Pembroke table...

The arched pediment centered by paneled roundel, over two glazed doors with pointed astragals opening to a chartreuse silk-lined interior with shelves; the lower part with a pullout ...

This highly important secrétaire-cabinet was crafted for and specially ordered by King George I for the British Ambassador to Russia. From its craftsmanship and materials to its exceptional artistry, it is a work of royal and historic significance that exudes power in each and every detail. The broken pediment at its apex features the simplified royal coat of arms bearing the king’s crown, while the interior is adorned by portraits of the British Royal Family. Placed within the ambassador’s St. Petersburg home, this entirely unique piece of furniture would have been a potent reminder of England's grandeur and political importance. Relations between England and Russia during this period were at an all-time high. Peter the Great had traveled to England in 1698 as part of his widely known “Grand Embassy” tour, wherein he attempted to gain foreign support against the Ottoman Empire. He spent a period of nearly four months there, meeting with King William III and his court on numerous occasions. Noted academic Arthur MacGregor wrote concerning the impact of the trip, “For two decades following Peter's visit, British influence in Russia reached a peak. It manifested itself in social custom, in craft practice and in ships and naval organization... it reached a significant sector of the population before relations cooled once again and the two nations pulled back from this era of unprecedented cordiality.” First and foremost, however, it is a reminder of British might and influence. By the reign of King George I, England had come into its own as a world power. Unique in its design, this cabinet is a reflection of the country’s might. It is crafted from the highest-quality solid walnut and burr walnut adorned by gilded lock plates and engraved hinges. The presence of ormolu at its apex and lining the doors was a rarity for this period, and its addition makes manifest the importance of the design. The outer doors open to reveal multiple interiors, including fifteen separate drawers around a central cupboard; the cupboard doors each bear mezzotint portraits of George I and his father, Ernest Augustus, Elector of Hanover. An etching after the portrait of George I dating to circa 1716 is in London’s Royal Academy. A second, inner pair of doors are adorned by mezzotints of the Prince and Princess of Wales (later Queen Caroline and George II), which are both after portraits by Sir Godfrey Kneller dated 1716 in the Royal Collection. A final portrait is revealed on the very interior of the cabinet, where a mezzotint of Frederick, Anne, Amelia and Caroline, children of the Prince of Wales, resides. An etching (circa 1715-1720) after this portrait can be found in the National Portrait Gallery (London). Apart from its abundance of royal portraiture, the cabinet features stunning painted decoration, including floral designs as well as clouds, birds and trees in a bucolic motif reminiscent of Eden. Its lower portion is a study in both form and function, featuring a fitted secrétaire-drawer above three additional drawers for storage. The cabinet appears in The Shorter Dictionary of English Furniture by R. Edwards from 1964, a text that is regarded as the bible of British furniture design. Edwards describes it as a “writing cabinet...given by George I to the British Ambassador at the Russian court.” The cabinet was likely made for the 18th-century German diplomat and writer Friedrich Christian Weber, who represented English interests at the Russian court from 1714 until 1719. Although Weber’s tenure as ambassador was relatively short, while in St. Petersburg, he authored his account entitled Das veraenderte Russland (The Present State of Russia), which was published in three volumes in 1721, 1739 and 1740. It may, however, also have been made for George Douglas, 2nd Earl of Dumbarton, who served as ambassador alongside Weber in 1716. Diplomatic relations ceased between the two countries in 1721. In 1928, the cabinet appeared for sale at the International Exhibition of Antiques & Works of Art in Olympia. It had previously been in the collection of the Woltner family of Bordeaux, the celebrated vintners who owned the estate Château Laville Haut-Brion and produced wine of the same name. According to the family, Monsieur Woltner was given the cabinet as a gift from an aunt who lived in Russia for many years. After leaving the Woltner collection, the cabinet was acquired by William Berry...

circa 1790. With a rectangular top over a concealed long drawer with sloping front, mahogany crossbanding and parquetry and box stringing which continues across the top of the sides...

In two parts. The upper section with a broken arch cornice with inlaid pinwheels at the termination of the scrolls. Central oval inlay in the center. Two glazed and mullioned doors i...