Object Description
A superb pair of George III polychrome decorated open armchairs, attributed to Gillows, Circa 1785 in date.
Each is superbly decorated with hand painted garlands, ribbon tied foliate trails, patera, bellflower pendants and demi-lune fan medallion. The chairs have shield shaped back with vertical medallion splats raised on square tapering front legs and splayed rear legs.
They are beautifully upholstered in a cream floral patterned and buttoned fabric.
Footnotes:
A virtually identical mahogany open armchair, albeit one with carved rather than polychrome detailing to its frames, is illustrated in S. Stuart, Gillows of Lancaster and London, 1730-1840, Vol. I, 2008, Woodbridge, pl. 124, p. 165. A closely comparable design appears alongside, with the description: ‘The five-splat chair with a ‘camel back stay rail’ made for Mrs Chadwick in December 1785′. This Gillows model was then published in the renowned cabinet maker’s Estimate Sketch Books in January of the following year, Ibid, pl. 123, p. 165. A slightly more simplified version of this design, dated circa 1785, which is also directly related to the offered and aforementioned chairs is in Gillow Furniture Designs, 1760-1800, introduction and ed. by L. Boynton, 1995, Royston, fig. 260. This same drawing appears again in S. Stuart, Gillows of Lancaster and London, 1730-1840, Vol. I, 2008, Woodbridge, fig. 1, p.134. This latter example is evidently one of a group of reproductions, also dating to circa 1785, taken from the ‘Journeymen’s Price Agreement’ which is therein described as: ‘Camel Back Stay Rail, 5 splat escutcheon or shield’.
There is no mistaking their beautiful and stylish design, which is certain to make them a treasured addition to one of the rooms in your home.
Condition:
In excellent original condition having only been beautifully wax polished in our workshops, please see photos for confirmation.
Dimensions in cm:
Height 98 cm x Width 57 cm x Depth 53 cm
Height 45 cm – Seat Height
Dimensions in inches:
Height 3 foot, 3 inches x Width 1 foot, 10 inches x Depth 1 foot, 9 inches
Height 1 foot, 6 inches – Seat Height
Gillow & Co.
was originally founded in Lancaster in 1730. Gillow’s of Lancaster was a household name in Victorian Britain, and the firm exported furniture throughout the Empire. Key to the company’s success was the dynamic father and son team at its core.
The London branch was opened in 1775. Among Gillow’s most successful pieces during this period were those made in the Neoclassical style from original drawings by Robert Adam. In the period 1813-1820 the Gillow family gradually withdrew from personal involvement with the business.
In 1897 Gillow & Co. merged with a Liverpool firm and they henceforth traded as Waring & Gillow.
Our reference: A4130