H.W. Batley Gillows & Co an Aesthetic Movement Walnut & Gilt Secretaire Bookcase
View Similar Items
H.W. Batley Gillows & Co an Aesthetic Movement Walnut & Gilt Secretaire Bookcase
About the Item
- Creator:Gillows of Lancaster & London (Manufacturer)
- Attributed to:Henry William Batley (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 82.5 in (209.55 cm)Width: 39.5 in (100.33 cm)Depth: 20.5 in (52.07 cm)
- Style:Aesthetic Movement (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:1900-1909
- Date of Manufacture:1900
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Minor losses. In good original condition throughout retaining the original tooled leather inside and out. Some minor losses to the outer leather.
- Seller Location:London, GB
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU2243311366371
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.
- Gregory & Co, H W Batley Attri, an English Walnut Aesthetic Movement SideboardBy Henry William Batley, Gregory & Co. 1Located in London, GBGregory and Co. Regent Street. London. Stamped mark to a door, and no. 1479. H W Batley attributed. An English walnut Aesthetic Movement sideboard with a t...Category
Antique 1870s English Aesthetic Movement Sideboards
MaterialsBrass
- Aesthetic Movement Mahogany Secretaire Bookcase with Gilt Brass MountsLocated in London, GBAn aesthetic movement mahogany secretaire bookcase with gilt brass mounts and lower tambour front.Category
Antique Late 19th Century Aesthetic Movement Secretaires
MaterialsMahogany
- Gillows attr, An Aesthetic Movement octagonal walnut eight leg centre tableBy Henry William Batley, Gillows of Lancaster & LondonLocated in London, GBGillows attributed, in the style of H W Batley. An Aesthetic Movement octagonal Mahogany eight leg centre table with shaped supports below the top and four ...Category
Antique 1880s English Aesthetic Movement Side Tables
MaterialsMahogany
- Henry W Batley attr. An Aesthetic Movement walnut armchair with sinuous touches.By Henry William BatleyLocated in London, GBHenry Batley Attributed. An Aesthetic Movement walnut armchair with sinuous touches, curled finials, and a spray of elongated turned details to the back. The shaped arms have curvace...Category
Antique 1880s English Aesthetic Movement Armchairs
MaterialsMahogany
- H W Batley attri, Jas Shoolbred An Aesthetic Movement Mahogany ArmchairBy Henry William BatleyLocated in London, GBHenry William Batley (attributed) Jas. Shoolbred., a mahogany armchair, with stylised floral carved details to the back supports, the curved arms with elbow pads on fluted supports, ...Category
Antique Late 19th Century English Aesthetic Movement Armchairs
MaterialsMahogany
- Lamb of Manchester, An Aesthetic Movement Walnut Writing Desk.By Lamb of ManchesterLocated in London, GBLamb of Manchester. An Aesthetic Movement walnut and leather writing desk with a bank of four graduating drawers to the left and a large upper drawer to the right with turned and flu...Category
Antique 1880s English Aesthetic Movement Desks
MaterialsLeather, Walnut
- Aesthetic Movement Mirrored Cabinet Attributed to Henry William BatleyBy Henry William BatleyLocated in Savannah, GAIn an unusual pentagon shape, this fine Victorian example of the Aesthetic Movement is constructed of burled walnut and ebonized wood. Features include a raised beveled mirrored ba...Category
Antique 1870s English Aesthetic Movement Sideboards
MaterialsWood, Walnut
$5,213 Sale Price24% Off - 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
- 18th Century Mahogany Secretaire Bookcase China CabinetLocated in Lymington, GBA 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 quality. Measures: 42" wide (107 cm) 23" deep 58.5 cm) 95" high (241 cm) - without cartouche. A related antique bureau cabinet...Category
Antique 1740s English Cabinets
MaterialsMahogany
- Fine George I Burr Walnut Secretaire CabinetLocated in Lymington, GBA fine English George I-period burr (burl) walnut secretaire cabinet. Early-18th century, ca 1720. The top section separates from the base and opens to reveal numerous fitted drawers, behind doors with original bevelled arched mirror plates. The base contains a fall-front fitted secretaire with small drawers, two of which have secret drawers. Engraved mounts are contemporary if not original. All locks and cross-grained mouldings are original. Beautiful colour throughout with superb matched burr veneers within herringbone lines. Bun feet are original. Lined throughout in best quality English oak. The well-patinated green, gilt-tooled liner in the writing surface appears original. Very much in the style of John Old & William Ody. One of the most original early-18th century pieces of English walnut cabinet...Category
Antique 18th Century English George I Cabinets
MaterialsWalnut
- 18th Century British Regency Bureau Chiffonier in Manner of GillowsBy Gillows of Lancaster & LondonLocated in Dallas, TXFantastic piece in impeccable condition. Regency exotic hardwood bureau or secretaire desk or cabinet of lovely proportions. From circa 1790. The top portion consists of an open columned pelmet and shelf with a series of drawers underneath. All made of rosewood. The bottom section is a double door cabinet with double shelving inside. The façade of the doors consist of glorious gilded latticework frames with rose shaped connectors and with brown silk blinds...Category
Antique Late 18th Century English Regency Cabinets
MaterialsRosewood
- Impressive 18th Century Italian Venetian Walnut SecretaireLocated in San Francisco, CAAn impressive and unusually tall Venetian black walnut and burled walnut secretary. The mirrored top cabinet doors opening to reveal a multi dr...Category
Antique 18th Century Italian Rococo Secretaires
MaterialsMirror, Walnut
$16,185 Sale Price35% Off