Object Description
A matched set of twelve mid 19th century William IVth (circa 1830) fine quality mahogany dining chairs attributed to Gillows, all twelve chairs identical apart from the front legs of four having a slightly different design.
This set of chairs each consist of a moulded shaped top rail with carved fan and scroll decoration to the corners with shaped uprights and lower back rail.
The deep buttoned backs and seats upholstered in a green water silk fabric in good condition with moulded seat rails below.
This leading down to the front legs, eight chairs having a bulbous turning to the top with a carved and tapered leg with a turned foot below, the remaining four chairs are turned to the top with a tapered and reeded leg with a brass castor below, the rear legs all of outswept design.
Gillows of Lancaster and London, established in around 1730, was an English furniture making company based in Lancaster and also London, it continued under this name until 1903 when it became Waring & Gillow after merging with Warings of Liverpool. Gillows of Lancaster and Waring & Gillow both had a very good reputation and are renowned for producing fine quality pieces of furniture.
Reference: a near identical design of this chair from the ‘1823 Sketch Book’ can be found in the book ‘Gillows of Lancaster & London 1730-1840’ by Susan E Stuart, Page 221 Plate 204
This set of chairs are in very good condition for age, are of stable construction and can go straight into a home, the fabric is in a good condition apart from a few small blemishes – if required these could easily be recovered by an upholsterer once purchased.
Size:
Height: 34.25” / 87cm
Width: 20” / 50.75cm
Depth: 23” / 58.5cm
Seat height: 18.5” / 47cm