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Robert Gillows II 1790 Writing Library Hardwood Chest of Drawers Leather Slope

$11,144.51
$13,930.6420% Off
£8,000
£10,00020% Off
€9,468.47
€11,835.5820% Off
CA$15,132.57
CA$18,915.7220% Off
A$16,963.50
A$21,204.3720% Off
CHF 8,846.08
CHF 11,057.6020% Off
MX$207,931.05
MX$259,913.8120% Off
NOK 112,094.67
NOK 140,118.3420% Off
SEK 106,571.93
SEK 133,214.9120% Off
DKK 70,647.02
DKK 88,308.7720% Off
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About the Item

We are delighted to offer for sale this very rare circa 1790 Georgian writing Library chest of drawers with desk secretaire by Gillows of Lancaster and London A rare find, looking through Gillows of Lancaster and London 1730-1840 I've found a selection of similar examples, the drawer linings and dovetail joints are correct, as detailed in Volume I page 279 you can see the exact same fold drop mechanism for the drawer front, on page 282 you can see the exact same leather writing slope, the lock is correct, stamped PATENT under the Crown for King George III, these locks were used by Gillows between 1784-1797 as detailed again on Chapter 7 page 337 Volume II. The timber is correct for the period, Cuban or Havana mahogany, a very detailed extract reads as follows. Adam Bowett has pointed out that Cuban Mahogany was first bought into England after the capture of Havana in 1762 and during the subsequent British occupation The desk has been sympathetically restored to include being lightly waxed and polished, the leather inserts are new, the original had totally perished, otherwise it is in stunning condition for a 220+ year old chest of drawers Dimensions: Height 98cm Width 125cm Depth 64cm Please note all measurements are taken at the widest point. Gillows of Lancaster and London, also known as Gillow & Co., was an English furniture making firm based in Lancaster, Lancashire, and in London. It was founded around in Lancaster in about 1730 by Robert Gillow (1704–1772) Gillows was owned by the family until 1814 when it was taken over by Redmayne, Whiteside, and Ferguson; they continued to use the Gillow name. Gillows furniture was a byword for quality, and other designers used Gillows to manufacture their furniture. Gillows furniture is referred to by Jane Austen, Thackeray and the first Lord Lytton, and in one of Gilbert and Sullivan's comic operas In 1903 Gillows merged with Warings of Liverpool to become Waring and Gillow and although the furniture remained of a high quality it was not as prestigious. This item is available for collection from our Wimbledon warehouses. Condition Please view the very detailed pictures as they form part of the description around condition Please note vintage period and original items such as leather seating will always have natural patina in the form of cracking creasing and wear, we recommend regular waxing to ensure no moisture is lost, also hand dyed leather is not recommended to sit in direct sunlight for prolonged periods of time as it will dry out and fade.
  • Creator:
    Waring & Gillow (Cabinetmaker),Gillows of Lancaster & London (Maker, Cabinetmaker)
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 38.59 in (98 cm)Width: 49.22 in (125 cm)Depth: 25.2 in (64 cm)
  • Style:
    Georgian (Of the Period)
  • Materials and Techniques:
  • Place of Origin:
  • Period:
    1790-1799
  • Date of Manufacture:
    1790
  • Condition:
    Refinished. Replacements made. Wear consistent with age and use. Minor fading.
  • Seller Location:
    West Sussex, GB
  • Reference Number:
    1stDibs: LU2823313601982

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