BY GILLOWS, EARLY 19TH CENTURY

Details

A PAIR OF REGENCY MAHOGANY SIDE CABINETS
BY GILLOWS, EARLY 19TH CENTURY
Each with moulded rectangular top above a plain frieze with rosette corners, above a pair of doors with panelled beaded borders and acanthus-filled spandrels, enclosing a fitted interior with three adjustable reeded shelves, between reeded pilasters with acanthus volutes, on a moulded plinth, five acanthus spandrels replaced
48 in. (122 cm.) high; 34½ in. (88 cm.) wide; 18¾ in. (47.5 cm.) deep (2)

Provenance

Supplied to Thomas Langford-Brooke (d. 1815) for the Library at Mere Hall, Knutsford, Cheshire, and by descent to
Mrs Helen Langford-Brooke, Mere Hall; Christie's house sale, 23 May 1994, lot 188.

Special notice

No VAT will be charged on the hammer price, but VAT at 17.5% will be added to the buyer's premium which is invoiced on a VAT inclusive basis This lot is subject to Collection and Storage charges

Lot Essay

These cabinets or window pier 'commodes' are designed in the early 19th century 'antique' manner with pilasters inset with reeded panels, at either end with acanthus-wrapped 'truss' brackets and capped by flowered 'patera' tablets. Their design evolved from bookcases which Gillows provided under the direction of the architect Lewis Wyatt (d. 1853) for the neighbouring property at Tatton Park in 1811 (N. Goodison and J. Hardy, 'Gillows at Tatton Park', Furniture History, Leeds, 1970, pls. 6-8). Gillows had a long-standing association with the Wyatt family of architects, Mere being rebuilt circa 1813 to designs by Samuel Wyatt, reworked by his nephew, Lewis Wyatt, with Gillows providing the furniture.
A detailed account of the making of Thomas Langford-Brooke's Library furniture in May 1815 is provided by Gillows' Estimate Sketch Books in the Westminster City Archives.

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