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Lot Essay
T. Bradley's stamp has been recorded on two chairs from a set supplied in 1823 by Gillows' Oxford Street shop to Thomas John Wynn (d.1832) 2nd Baron Newborough, of Glynillifon, Caernarvonshire, part of a large furniture commission which totalled £3,434.0.9d. Originally a set of 24 chairs, nine from the set were sold Christie's, London, 9 March, 2000, lot 80 (£19,550 inc' prem'), and again 10 March 2005, lot 20 (£12,000 inc' prem'). The stamp also appears on rosewood chairs with caned seats, of circa 1820, in the collection of the Victoria & Albert Museum.
Thomas Bradley was apprenticed to Isaac Greenwood cabinet-maker of Lancaster in 1790 and became a freeman in 1799 - 1800, evidently later moving to London.
`HH' is recorded on many pieces associated with Gillows, including a pair of rosewood sofas supplied as part of the same commission for Glynillifon and sold Christie's, London, 9 March 2000, lot 102 (£32,200 inc' prem'), as well as on a suite of Gillows giltwood furniture commissioned by William, 4th Earl Fitzwilliam (d.1833) for Wentworth Woodhouse, Yorkshire, of which twelve armchairs were sold Christie's, London, 8 July 1998, lot 80 (£287,500 inc' prem'). The true identity of HH however remains elusive.
Both makers are discussed in Susan Stuart, Gillows of Lancaster and London 1730 - 1840, Woodbridge, 2008, vol. II, pp. 221 and 244 respectively.
Thomas Bradley was apprenticed to Isaac Greenwood cabinet-maker of Lancaster in 1790 and became a freeman in 1799 - 1800, evidently later moving to London.
`HH' is recorded on many pieces associated with Gillows, including a pair of rosewood sofas supplied as part of the same commission for Glynillifon and sold Christie's, London, 9 March 2000, lot 102 (£32,200 inc' prem'), as well as on a suite of Gillows giltwood furniture commissioned by William, 4th Earl Fitzwilliam (d.1833) for Wentworth Woodhouse, Yorkshire, of which twelve armchairs were sold Christie's, London, 8 July 1998, lot 80 (£287,500 inc' prem'). The true identity of HH however remains elusive.
Both makers are discussed in Susan Stuart, Gillows of Lancaster and London 1730 - 1840, Woodbridge, 2008, vol. II, pp. 221 and 244 respectively.