English George III Mahogany Breakfast Table Made by Gillows of Lancaster
View Similar Items
English George III Mahogany Breakfast Table Made by Gillows of Lancaster
About the Item
- Creator:Gillows of Lancaster & London (Cabinetmaker)
- Dimensions:Height: 29.5 in (74.93 cm)Width: 64.5 in (163.83 cm)Depth: 54 in (137.16 cm)
- Style:Sheraton (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:circa 1810
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Barrington, IL
- Reference Number:Seller: ES2410021stDibs: LU5192218723522
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.
- Rare Gillows Lancaster 1789-1795 George III American Walnut Dining TableBy Gillows of Lancaster & LondonLocated in GBWe are delighted to offer for sale this sublime fully restored circa 1789-95 Gillows Lancaster George III dining table in American Walnut A very rare and highly collectable table,...Category
Antique 1780s English George III Dining Room Tables
MaterialsWalnut
- Regency Mahogany Extending Dining Table Attributed to Gillows of LancasterBy Gillows of Lancaster & LondonLocated in Bradford-on-Avon, WiltshireA fine Regency mahogany dining table attributed to Gillows of Lancaster: good model with shallow frieze, rectangular tablets at the top of the legs, elegant slim turned and reeded le...Category
Antique Early 1800s English Regency Dining Room 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
- Victorian Dining Table Extending Mahogany Gillows of Lancaster 1880Located in Potters Bar, GBOpulent Victorian dining table in mahogany that extends We date this to circa 1880 and it is in the Gillows manner Extends via the windup mechanism and has three leaves (each measuri...Category
Antique 1880s Victorian Dining Room Tables
MaterialsMahogany
- 19th Century English Mahogany Dining Table, likely by GillowsBy Gillows of Lancaster & LondonLocated in Charleston, SCImpressive size and scale on this period 19th century English mahogany dining table, likely by made by Gillows in the 1st half of the 19th century. The table comes together similarly...Category
Antique 19th Century English William IV Dining Room Tables
MaterialsMahogany
- George III Mahogany Rent Desk by Gillows of LancasterLocated in Essex, MAWith rectangular top with inset red leather and banded edge, over a long drawer opening to A-Z lidded compartments. The pedestals below each with three drawers. All with classic Gill...Category
Antique 1770s George III Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsBrass