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Lot Essay
This table, with 'Venus' wave-scrolled tray, palm-flowered pillars and foliate dolphin-headed 'claws', is designed in Messrs Gillows' robust George IV 'Grecian' fashion that contrasted with the type of light-framed 'French Work Table' (for the knitting-bag or 'poche') illustrated in Thomas Sheraton's, Cabinet-Maker and Upholsterer's Drawing Book, 1793, pl. 54. Its pattern and manufacturing costs feature in the Gillow Estimate and Drawings and Costings for 1826 (numbers 3480 and 3496 - see illustration). The latter was commissioned by the London partners Messrs Ferguson & Co. of Oxford Street. After the third generation of the Gillows family sold the family business in 1813, the partnership who bought the firm and retained the trading name of Gillows consisted of James William Ferguson, Henry (and possibly Edward) Whiteside and Leonard Redman or Redmayne. The latter appears to have controlled the Lancaster-based side of the business, whilst the firm in London, based in various Oxford Street addresses was directed by the two other partners. Prior to buying into the business, both James William Ferguson and Henry Whiteside had served apprenticeships with Gillows. Between 1813-1840 the partnership was also called Ferguson, Whiteside & Redman, or Ferguson, Redmayne & Co.
Two tables which also follow these designs, were sold anonymously, Sotheby's, London, 9 July 1993, lot 268.
We are grateful to Susan Stuart for her help preparing this catalogue entry.
Two tables which also follow these designs, were sold anonymously, Sotheby's, London, 9 July 1993, lot 268.
We are grateful to Susan Stuart for her help preparing this catalogue entry.