A SET OF FOUR GEORGE III GILTWOOD ARMCHAIRS

BY GILLOWS, CIRCA 1785

Details

A SET OF FOUR GEORGE III GILTWOOD ARMCHAIRS
By Gillows, circa 1785
Each shield form padded back within a twisted ribbon frame over bowed seat covered cream floral silk flanked by downswept arms above a fluted seatrail, on turned tapering fluted leaftip-carved legs headed by panelled flowerheads, regilt, one with pencil inscription R Gillow and numbered 1343 (4)

Lot Essay

These shield-back armchairs with leaf-tip-carved frames closely relate to a design from the Estimate Sketch Books of the firm of Gillows of Lancaster and London, established in 1769. The design, dated 25.10.86, was commissioned for Mr. Robert Peel, Esq. and the carving attributed to H. Gibson. The inscription R Gillow to the underside of the chairs presumbably refers to either Richard Gillow (d. 1811) or Robert II (d. 1795), sons of the company founder, Robert Gillow (d.1772). Unlike other firms of the period, Gillows never published a book of furniture pattern designs under their name, however by the third quarter of the 18th century the firm was one of the prinicipal cabinetmaking firms in London.