Fine Inlaid Georgian Secretary with Falconer Pediment, Probably by Gillows
About the Item
- Creator:Gillows of Lancaster & London (Cabinetmaker)
- Dimensions:Height: 106 in (269.24 cm)Width: 44 in (111.76 cm)Depth: 24 in (60.96 cm)
- Style:Georgian (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:18th Century
- Condition:Repaired: Fully restored at some point. Wear consistent with age and use. Fully restored at some point in its life. Falconer pediment possibly a 19th century addition.
- Seller Location:Charleston, SC
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU5188126211732
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.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Richmond, VA
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 1 day of delivery.
- 18th Century Irish Mahogany Georgian Secretary with Sunflowers and Irish HoundLocated in Charleston, SC18th century Irish mahogany Georgian secretary with mirrored doors, broken arch pediment and fitted interior. The pediment has Irish eye su...Category
Antique Mid-18th Century Irish George II Secretaires
MaterialsMirror, Mahogany
- 18th Century Georgian Walnut Secretary BookcaseLocated in Charleston, SC18th century Georgian walnut secretary bookcase. Blind paneled doors, bracket feet.Category
Antique 18th Century English Secretaires
MaterialsWalnut
- 18th century Georgian secretary in hand painted blue wedge wood swirl finishLocated in Charleston, SCWonderful 18th century Georgian mahogany secretary with hand painted wedgewood swirl finish by “The Fabulous Things”. This piece is a statement piece that will elevate any room. The ...Category
Antique 18th Century English Secretaires
MaterialsWood, Paint
- Fine early 19th Century Patented Imperial Dining Table by GillowsBy Gillows of Lancaster & LondonLocated in Charleston, SCFine early 19th century patented "Imperial" dining table by Gillows of Lancaster. This table is very similar to the one made in 1813 for Broughton Hall. See page 243 in volume 2 of "...Category
Antique Early 19th Century English Regency Dining Room Tables
MaterialsMahogany
- Very Fine 19th Century Mahogany Console Table Stamped GillowsBy Gillows of Lancaster & LondonLocated in Charleston, SCVery fine 19th century mahogany console table stamped by Gillows. Beautiful form and presence on this signed Gillows piece. The top is cross banded mahogany. Incredible quality hand ...Category
Antique 19th Century English Console Tables
MaterialsMahogany
- Fine late 18th century Georgian Serpentine Inlaid Mahogany SideboardLocated in Charleston, SCFine late 18th century Georgian serpentine inlaid mahogany server or sideboard standing 40” high. The sideboard features a highly figured and crossbanded top, tapered legs, and gorg...Category
Antique 18th Century English Sideboards
MaterialsMahogany
- Satinwood Mahogany Secretaire Bookcase Chest Drawers Gillows Lancaster GeorgianBy Gillows of Lancaster & LondonLocated in Dublin, IrelandA very fine example of a George III Sheraton Period West Indian Satinwood Secretaire Bookcase of museum quality, firmly attributed to Gillows of Lancaster, England. Last quarter of t...Category
Antique Late 18th Century Irish Georgian Bookcases
MaterialsSatinwood, Mahogany
- Fine English Georgian Mahogany Secretary Circa 1780-90Located in Bridgeport, CTAn English Georgian mahogany secretary in three parts. The base opens to a hinged desk revealing a long shallow drawer above 2 short drawers on each side of...Category
Antique Late 18th Century English Georgian Secretaires
MaterialsBrass
- Irish Georgian SecretaryLocated in Greenwich, CTFine and unusual 18th century Irish mahogany bureau bookcase, the pierced gallery top with Gothic details, the pilasters and door with rich and crisply carved shell and foliate desig...Category
Antique 1750s Irish Georgian Secretaires
MaterialsMercury Glass, Mahogany
- Georgian Oak SecretaryLocated in Sheffield, MAVery handsome Georgian lowland oak secretary with walnut trim.Category
Antique Early 19th Century English Georgian Secretaires
MaterialsOak, Walnut
- Georgian Oak SecretaryLocated in Sheffield, MAVery handsome Georgian lowland oak secretary with walnut trim.Category
Antique Early 19th Century English Georgian Secretaires
MaterialsOak, Walnut
- English Georgian Mahogany SecretaryLocated in New York, NYEnglish Georgian mahogany secretary cabinet with a bottom section with drawers and an upper section with 2 lattice glass doors.Category
Antique 19th Century English Georgian Secretaires
MaterialsMahogany