Lot Essay
This table is very closely related to a seven pedestal table stamped GILLOWS which was sold Sotheby's New York, 24 October 1992, lot 245, and to a design in the Gillow archives for a six pedestal table inscribed to 'Lady Blount' and dated August 1798, reproduced here. This design is illustrated in L. Boynton, Gillow Furniture Designs 1760-1800, 1995, no. 55.
Gillows was a prolific firm which was founded by Robert Gillow who had become a freeman in 1728. The firm opened a selling branch in London from 1769 and remained under family supervision well into the 19th Century. It continues to make furniture today. Clarke in his Historical and Descriptive Account of Lancaster of 1807, writes: 'the town has long been famous for the great quantities of mahogany furniture which have been made in it for home-use and exportation...they are said to be the best stocked of any in this line out of the metropollis (G. Beard and C. Gilbert, eds. The Dictionary of English Furniture Makers 1660-1840, 1986, pp. 341-343).
Gillows was a prolific firm which was founded by Robert Gillow who had become a freeman in 1728. The firm opened a selling branch in London from 1769 and remained under family supervision well into the 19th Century. It continues to make furniture today. Clarke in his Historical and Descriptive Account of Lancaster of 1807, writes: 'the town has long been famous for the great quantities of mahogany furniture which have been made in it for home-use and exportation...they are said to be the best stocked of any in this line out of the metropollis (G. Beard and C. Gilbert, eds. The Dictionary of English Furniture Makers 1660-1840, 1986, pp. 341-343).