Object Description
A fine quality ‘Gillows’ kidney shaped figured Walnut pedestal desk, having inset tooled leather top, eleven graduating mahogany lined drawers with their original brass ring drop handles, Bramar locks the central frieze drawer. A hinged pilaster locking system either side, free standing, figured walnut veneered all around and with open bookshelves, raised on a plinth base.
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 circa 1730 by Robert Gillow, (1704-1772).[1]
Batch 43 57378 UKYDKN
Library table, made by Gillow to a Chippendale design, on display in the Judges’ Lodgings, Lancaster.[2]
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.[3][a] In 1903 Gillows merged with Warings of Liverpool to become Waring and Gillow and although the furniture remained of a high quality.