Gillows of Lancaster Campaign Chest of Drawers Secretaire Antique, circa 1850
View Similar Items
Gillows of Lancaster Campaign Chest of Drawers Secretaire Antique, circa 1850
About the Item
- Creator:Gillows of Lancaster & London (Maker, Cabinetmaker)
- Dimensions:Height: 42 in (106.68 cm)Width: 42 in (106.68 cm)Depth: 21 in (53.34 cm)
- Style:Early Victorian (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1850
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Longdon, GB
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU1832311693241
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.
- Satinwood Mahogany Secretaire Bookcase Chest Drawers Gillows Lancaster GeorgianBy Gillows of Lancaster & LondonLocated in Dublin, IrelandA very fine example of a George III Sheraton Period West Indian Satinwood Secretaire Bookcase of museum quality, firmly attributed to Gillows of Lancaster, England. Last quarter of t...Category
Antique Late 18th Century Irish Georgian Bookcases
MaterialsSatinwood, Mahogany
- 19thC English Campaign Mahogany Secretaire Chest DrawersLocated in Staffordshire, GBcirca 1850 19thC English Campaign Mahogany Secretaire Chest Drawers sku 1255 W114 x D49 x H128cmCategory
Antique 19th Century Commodes and Chests of Drawers
MaterialsMahogany
$5,761 Sale Price50% Off - Antique British Colonial Campaign Secretary Chest of DrawersLocated in Palm Beach, FLHandsome 19th century British Colonial Campaign chest handcrafted in mahogany featuring a pullout desk in the top with drawers and niches, three storage drawers below, brass hardware...Category
Antique Early 19th Century English British Colonial Commodes and Chests ...
MaterialsBrass
- ANTiQUE GEORGE III BACHELORS CHEST OF DRAWERS ATTRIBUTED TO GILLOWS OF LANCASTERBy Gillows of Lancaster & LondonLocated in GBRoyal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this exceedingly rare circa 1780 Georgian Bachelors Chest of Drawers with baize lined slip writing desk top ...Category
Antique 1780s Commodes and Chests of Drawers
MaterialsHardwood
- Fine English Late Regency Mahogany Secretaire Bookcase by Gillows of LancasterBy Gillows of Lancaster & LondonLocated in San Francisco, CAA beautifully crafted late Regency mahogany secretaire bookcase in 2 parts, made and signed by Gillows of Lancaster, one of England's finest cabinetmakers for over 200 years. The pie...Category
Antique 1830s English Regency Bookcases
MaterialsMahogany
$5,200 Sale Price38% Off - Original Antique Biedermeier Secretaire Desk Mahogany Veneer, circa 1845-1850Located in Berlin, DEMahogany on solid pinewood. High-right body on padfoot feet. In the articulated front four drawers of different sizes. Straight writing plate with a medaillion-shaped depression. Beh...Category
20th Century German Biedermeier Secretaires
MaterialsWood