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GILLOWS: Lots 373-381 (Also see lots 100, 101, 108, 122, 127, 186, 240, 248, 308, 342, 469 and 496) The following nine lots are all associated with the firm of Gillows of Lancaster. This famous firm of cabinet-makers, founded around 1730 by Robert Gillow in his native Lancaster, produced high quality furniture in the second half of the eighteenth century and throughout the nineteenth century. The firm's zenith was reached in the Regency period, and continued to prosper after the departure of the Gillow family from the business in 1813. The firm continued trading under their original name and received the Royal Warrant in 1863. Major commissions the firm carried out for country houses included Glynllifon, Caernarvonshire for the Barons Newborough, Hackwood Park, Hampshire for the Barons Bolton, Tatton Park, Cheshire for the Egertons and Sheffield Park, Sussex for the Earls of Sheffield. Gillows' designs are painstakingly recorded in the City of Westminster Archives. They begin in 1784 and continue to 1899 and comprise some 20,000 patterns for furniture. These designs were never published. The firm jealously protected their designs in order to guard their innovation and preserve the fashionable designs of their patrons. The style associated with Gillows is distinctive. They developed a coolness and restraint in their designs, which some have perhaps unfairly interpreted as 'austere'. Yet this has not prevented the firm's work being highly revered. Gillows' sober and restrained designs, their many multi-purpose pieces, the exceptionally high quality of timber and workmanship and the exclusivity of their patterns have ensured the firm's long lasting reputation as the quintessential English cabinet-making firm of the late 18th and 19th century.

A REGENCY MAHOGANY BEDSIDE CUPBOARD

IN THE MANNER OF GILLOWS, EARLY 19TH CENTURY

Details

A REGENCY MAHOGANY BEDSIDE CUPBOARD
IN THE MANNER OF GILLOWS, EARLY 19TH CENTURY
The rectangular top with a shaped gallery above a hinged flap supported by downward curved solid arms with pierced carrying handles, above a further hinged lid enclosing a chamber pot ring, with associated lid, the pot missing, with solid sides and ribbed tapered legs, with brass caps and castors, stamped beneath the hinged lid at the front with spurious 'GILLOW' stamp
40¼ in. (74 cm.) high; 21½ in. (54.5 cm.) wide; 20 in. (51 cm.) deep

Special notice

No VAT will be charged on the hammer price, but VAT at 15% will be added to the buyer's premium which is invoiced on a VAT inclusive basis.

Sale room notice

The description and illustration are both incorrectly marked as lot 373 in the catalogue and should read 375.

Lot Essay

An identical bedside cupboard by Gillows, stamped 'GILLOWS.LANCASTER' was sold anonymously, Christie's, London, 11 July 1991, lot 162, (£1,870).

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