ATTRIBUTED TO GILLOWS, SECOND QUARTER 19TH CENTURY

Gillows supplied a writing-table of a slightly more elaborate form to John Cust, 1st Earl Brownlow (d. 1853) for Belton House, Lincolnshire and Carlton House Terrace, London. It was sold by the Lord Brownlow at Christie's house sale, Belton House, Lincolnshire, 30 April - 2 May 1984, lot 88. Gillows supplied another writing-table designed in the 'antique' manner with twin plinth supports and further elaborate decoration to Thomas or Peter Langford-Brooke (d. 1840) for Mere Hall, Cheshire. It was sold from the collection of the late Mrs. Helen Langford-Brooke, Christie's house sale, Mere Hall, 23 May 1994, lot 105. A very similar library-table to the Mere one appears in a coloured room plan by Gillows preserved at the Victoria and Albert Museum (Victoria and Albert Museum, Department of Drawings, no. E47-1952).
Similar trestle ends appear on a writing-table stamped 'GILLOWS LANCASTER', sold anonymously, in these Rooms, 8 February 1996, lot 387. A related rosewood writing-table was sold by the late Sir Frederick Richmond, Bt., in these Rooms, 29 November 2001, lot 260 (£14,100).