Satinwood Mahogany Secretaire Bookcase Chest Drawers Gillows Lancaster Georgian

Description

A very fine example of a George III Sheraton Period West Indian Satinwood Secretaire Bookcase of museum quality, firmly attributed … more A very fine example of a George III Sheraton Period West Indian Satinwood Secretaire Bookcase of museum quality, firmly attributed to Gillows of Lancaster, England. Last quarter of the Eighteenth Century.

The secretaire drawer front folds and opens to reveal an arrangement of central pigeon holes flanked by sets of four drawers with later green baise writing surface, above three graduated drawers, complete with original ornate polished pull handles, supported on four splayed legs.

The upper section fitted with a pair of glazed doors with stylish geometric glazing bars and surmounted by an inlaid Gothic style dental separate pediment

Condition: Excellent for such an early piece. Minor restorations, waxing. Writing surface has been replaced, nicely done.

Height: (entire) 82” (205.5cm). Width: (handle to spout) 37" (94cm). Depth: (upper) 12.5” (32cm). Depth: (lower) 20.5” (52cm).

Location: Dublin City, Ireland.

Provenance: Private collection Northern Ireland.

The Gillows family of Cabinet Makers and Upholsters came to prominence with Richard Gillow (1733 – 1811), the son of Robert Gillow, founder of the firm. Gillow’s reputation as one of the leading British cabinet making firms of the 18th and 19th centuries was established by contributions from some ten members of the family over three generations.

During the 18th century, the Gillows firm established a reputation for producing the highest quality furniture, made by competent workmen from the best woods, in elegant but practical styles. These sometimes-incorporated ingenious devices. Gillows produced good, solid well- made furniture and were the only 18th century cabinet makers to establish and maintain a branch in both London (opened 1770) and the provinces. The Gillow Archives (now in the City of Westminster Archives Centre) comprise mainly the business records of the Lancaster branch from about 1728 to 1932 and include estimate sketches and memorandum books from 1759 to 1905.

They are the longest and largest cabinet maker’s records to have survived in the world.

The social status of members of the Gillow family changed as their wealth and influence increased, progressing from successful artisan craftsmen in the 1740’s to established members of the squirearchy by the early 19th century.

We are pleased to offer this example of their fine workmanship on-line in good condition. less