Gillows of Lancester Aesthetic Movement Amboyna Burr Walnut Writing Table Desk
View Similar Items
Gillows of Lancester Aesthetic Movement Amboyna Burr Walnut Writing Table Desk
About the Item
- Creator:Gillows of Lancaster & London (Maker)
- Dimensions:Height: 28.75 in (73 cm)Width: 45.28 in (115 cm)Depth: 24.41 in (62 cm)
- Style:Aesthetic Movement (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:19th Century
- Condition:Refinished. Wear consistent with age and use. Minor fading.
- Seller Location:GB
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU2823323423252
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.
- Very Rare Gillow Breakfront Library Desk Brass Gallery Burr Amboyna WoodBy Gillows of Lancaster & LondonLocated in GBWe are delighted to offer for sale this stunning and exceptionally rare Gillow Library breakfront desk with brass gallery in Burr Amboyna timber, circa...Category
Antique 1850s English High Victorian Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsBurl
- Gillows of Lancaster Aesthetic Movement Amboyna Burr Walnut Occasional TableBy Gillows of Lancaster & LondonLocated in GBRoyal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this very rare, fully restored, super quality Gillows of Lancaster & London Amboyna wood & burr walnut eboni...Category
Antique 1880s English Aesthetic Movement Tables
MaterialsWalnut
- 1790 Gillows Cuban Hardwood Library Secretaire Desk Writing Table I Bramah LockBy Gillows of Lancaster & LondonLocated in GBWe are delighted to offer for sale this very rare circa 1790 George III Library writing desk secrataire by Gillows of Lancaster and London A rare find, looking through Gillows of ...Category
Antique Late 18th Century English George III Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsHardwood
- Restored Gothic Revival Desk Side Bookcases Drawer Writing Slope Pugin GillowsBy Pugin, Gillows of Lancaster & LondonLocated in GBWe are delighted to offer for sale this exceptionally rare Gothic Revival circa 1840 solid oak partner desk with top drawer writing slope and side bookcases made by either Gillows of Lancaster or Pugin Where to begin, this desk has been on a journey, when I first received the piece it looked like it had been French polished and waxed around 20 times, it had a very clumpy sticky finish, my restorers have stripped back all that horrible guck, they have then lightly stained and French polished it the correct way which has kept all the period patina and simply made it golden, The leather top and writing slope top has been replaced with fully aniline natural cattle hide leather that was plain, I’ve then had my leather polishers dye it this gorgeous whisky brown colour. Lastly there was various small timber repairs which have been done with antique timber...Category
Antique 1840s English Gothic Revival Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsLeather, Oak
- Gillow's of Lancaster Regency Military Campaign Kidney Desk Brass Gallery RailBy Waring & Gillow, Gillows of Lancaster & LondonLocated in GBWe are delighted to offer for sale this stunning and exceptionally rare Gillow's of Lancaster circa 1815 Military Campaign Kidney desk with brass gallery rail and removable barley twist legs An exceptionally rare example of a High Victorian Library desk...Category
Antique 19th Century English High Victorian Desks
MaterialsBrass
- Rare 1794 George III Gillows of Lancaster Double Sided Postmasters Sorting DeskBy Gillows of Lancaster & LondonLocated in GBWe are delighted to offer for sale this stunning and exceptionally rare 1794 George III Gillows Lancaster twin pedestal double sided postmasters desk i...Category
Antique 1790s English George III Desks
MaterialsHardwood
- Victorian Burr Walnut Davenport Writing Table Desk - C. 1870Located in Wisbech, CambridgeshirePresenting an exquisite Victorian Burr and Figured Walnut Davenport Writing Table Desk dating back to approximately 1870. This charming piece exudes age and character, making it a ra...Category
Antique 19th Century British Victorian Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsWalnut
$2,043 Sale Price20% Off - 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
- William IV Inlaid Mahogany Desk Attributed to GillowsBy Gillows of Lancaster & LondonLocated in Kittery Point, METhe rectangular cocuswood cross-banded satine top above a central frieze drawer flanked to either side with three further drawers around a recess on foliate-carved cabriole legs with...Category
Antique 19th Century English William IV Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsMahogany
- George III Period Mahogany Fitted Desk Attributed to Gillows of LancasterBy Gillows of Lancaster & LondonLocated in Lincolnshire, GBAn 18th century mahogany desk or sometimes called architects desk, with fitted top drawer containing a baize lined wiring surface below which is a fitted section contains alphabet inlaid letter boxes The double top drawer slides out on hidden rollers and the baize section then slides back. Original swan neck brass handles and fine flame mahogany. finished with dummy drawers to the back making this a free standing desk. A model is in the Gillow design...Category
Antique 18th Century English Desks
MaterialsBrass
- Burr Oak Regency Galleried Writing Desk, Circa 1820Located in Lincoln, GBThis unusual regency burr oak writing desk is of exceptionally fine quality. The skiver raises towards you for ease of use. The piece is extremely rare due to the burr oak and in gre...Category
Antique Early 19th Century Regency Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsOak
- E W Godwin attr for Collinson & Lock. An Aesthetic Movement walnut writing tableBy Edward William Godwin, Collinson & LockLocated in London, GBCollinson and Lock. Attributed to E W Godwin. An exceptional quality walnut writing table with five upper drawers each with swan neck handles standing on eight finely turned legs, ea...Category
Antique 1880s English Aesthetic Movement Desks
MaterialsWalnut
