A GEORGE III MAHOGANY ARCHITECT'S DESK

BY GILLOWS

Details

A GEORGE III MAHOGANY ARCHITECT'S DESK
By Gillows
The moulded rectangular, hinged and ratcheted top, above a secretaire-drawer enclosing a leather-lined writing-slide, with central ratcheted slope, above a recess with six ebonised and inlaid compartments, two containing inner box concealing a secret drawer and each with four letters of the alphabet, above a panelled arched kneehole door, enclosing a shelf and flanked by three short drawers on each side, on a plinth base, one interior lid replaced, the locks stamped 'I.BRAMAH PATENT' below a crown and the drawer edge stamped 'GILLOWS LANCASTER', the top previously with a removable reading-stop
36 in. (93.5 cm.) high; 49 in. (126 cm.) wide; 23 in. (58.5 cm.) deep

Lot Essay

ost 'You know I fell in love with your Library table and now that The Lady has put crowns into my purse I would willingly treat myself unto the like..'. His desk, described as a 'mahognay beauroe writing table, Double Elevating tops, cupboard in center, compleat writing drawers', gave great satisfaction, so that Scott was to write again to John Morritt (d.1843), 'every one that sees it likes it so much I dare say I shall have some commissions to sent him (Gillow)'. It was later transferred to Abbotsford, where it appears, laden with books, in a view of Scott's study executed in 1832. Clive Wainwright,k The Romantic Interior, London, 1989, fig.162.

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