An Extremely Fine Rosewood and Brass Inlaid Writing Table Attributed To Gillows

A highly Important, Regency period mahogany, ebonised and parcel-gilt partners writing table on monopodia legs of exceptional quality and design, in the manner of George Smith, stamped Chas Norman, whom was associated with the work of Gillows. Labelled ‘Morning Room’. English, Regency period, circa 1810-20. Rarely seen, the crescent shaped ended rectangular top, beautifully lined with the original gilt tooled leather writing surface, enclosed by a mahogany cross-banded border and reeded edge. The frieze, containing four finely chosen fiddle-back mahogany drawers, two pairs to opposing sides, each retaining the original gadrooned carved ebonised knob handles. The perimeters having a finely ebonised cockbead, whilst the drawer liners being executed in mahogany retain the original recessed brass locks, which look to have never been removed. Flanking the drawers are bead-moulded ebonised panels which conform to either end above a reeded mould. Raised on four boldly designed and imposing, crisply carved, ebonised and parcel-gilt leopard monopodia supports, of wonderful original waxed condition. The Egyptian leopards mask above a bold breast decorated with carved gilt anthemion and guilloche motifs, finishing on a finely detailed carved leg and paw foot. The condition is excellent, retaining the original hand-dyed and gilt tooled waxed leather writing surface along with original locks, handles and ebonising with gilt-work to the legs. Commissioned for what presumes to be a private collection and due to its condition, being obvious to see, this writing table has been home to an important household. Labelled ‘Morning Library’ to the underside, whilst in this exemplary condition strongly suggests this striking piece of Regency furniture has furnished the library of the said house for the majority of its life. As can be noted, this is an extremely rare, elegant, early Regency writing table of exceptional colour, which corresponds with designs of the celebrated furniture maker and designer George Smith, workmanship of Gillows, being stamped to the underside Chas Norman four times. George Smith (1756 - 1826) was one of the most influential furniture designers of the English Regency Period (1811-1830). Smith, who began his pattern-book in 1804, wrote of ‘the great taste and elegance’ of this design. In 1808 he published his influential and definitive text on Regency interior Design titled ‘ A Collection of Designs for Household Furniture and Interior Decoration’ and classed himself as ‘Upholder Extraordinary to His Royal Excellency the Prince of Wales’…The Prince Regent. Smith was inspired in his designs from his earlier career as an Egyptologist, producing drawings incorporating motifs of Leopards heads and paws, Lions, sphinx’s, anthemia, and griffons amongst others. Charles Heathcote Tatham (1772-1842) published ‘Etchings, Representing the Best Examples of Ancient Ornamental Architecture; Drawn from the Originals in Rome, and Other Parts of Italy During the Years 1794, 1795, and 1796’, in which he illustrated an antique tripod table...

An extremely elegant, rare Regency amboyna and brass inlaid gilt bronze mounted pier table. Provenance Part of Sir William Whitfield Collection. English Regency period, Circa 1815. The raised back with open shelf, surmounted by a pierced anthemion three quarter brass gallery above a rectangular mirror plate, flanked by gilt bronze pierced foliate scrolled supports, over a finely coloured amboyna and banded top above cut brass inlaid frieze drawer decorated with anthemion and flower head motif. The dual tapering scroll supports with palmette lappet surmounts and cut brass inlay terminate on gilt bronze claw feet, flanking a later large mirror plate to the rear, raised on a inverted breakfront plinth base edged with gilt bonze beading. Formerly in the collection of Sir William Whitfield. This elegant Regency pier table is a superb example with its fine quality mounts and distinctive amboyna veneers which are rarely found on furniture of this period. The condition is excellent, having the most wonderful colour and patination to the finest cuts of amboyna that would have been available, during the early 19th century this veneer was thought to be worth more in its weight than gold. This table would have almost certainly been especially commissioned, further research maybe undertaken to find a comparative example and insight to a potential maker. As such pieces in amboyna are far rarer, an example of pier table has yet to be found, but an amboyna sofa table with extremely similar brass inlay and form can be seen in Clifford Musgrave’s book Regency Furniture, published by Faber and Faber in 1961, plate 63. It is from the Royal Collection and the caption includes ‘made about 1816 for Clarement,’ (Claremont) ‘ Esher, Surrey, home of the Princess Charlotte...

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