Early 1900s Georgian Style Walnut & Burl Inlaid Ladies Secretary Desk by Gillow

Historic furniture manufacturing company Waring & Gillow Ltd. was at the forefront of luxury English furnishings for the better part of a century. Having furnished era-defining ocean liners — including the RMS Lusitania and HMS Queen Mary — the company’s name was synonymous with prestige.

It began as an informal partnership between English furniture companies Gillows of Lancaster and Warings of Liverpool. Gillows had built a reputation in the 18th and early 19th centuries by providing high-end furniture to some of the country’s wealthiest families. In the 19th century, the Waring company had supplied furniture to major hotels and public buildings across Europe.

The two companies formally merged in 1903, becoming Waring & Gillow. With this combined expertise, the company flourished for decades. During the world wars, Waring & Gillow converted their factories to produce protective clothing, glider wings and ammunition chests, among many other products.

In 1953, retail conglomerate Great Universal Stores acquired the company and kept the Waring & Gillow name. In 1960, Great Universal Stores sold off a large share of the operation to the John Peters furniture retailer, while maintaining some of its manufacturing facilities. 

In the 1980s, Waring & Gillow was merged with furniture company Maple and Co. and rebranded as Maple, Waring and Gillow. The spirit of the original Waring & Gillow companies still resonated in the sophisticated designs and quality manufacturing.

On 1stDibs, shop antique Waring & Gillow tables, cabinets and desks.