Antique Regency Mahogany Secretaire Desk Chest of Drawers Gillows of Lancaster
Antique English Regency Flame Mahogany Secretaire Desk Bureau Chest of Drawers by Gillows of Lancaster (Circa 1830). This is a stunning quality antique English Regency flame mahogany Gillows Secretaire desk incorporating a chest of drawers below, circa 1830, by Gillows of Lancaster, which is in very good condition and completely original, having been constructed from the finest materials. Signed by Richard Irvin (Gillows cabinetmaker).
Original working lock (with original key). Original ink wells holders & pen tray.
Original dark navy blind tooled leather. Original brass hinged arm supports with locking mechanism. Decorative quarter veneered insets (top drawer). 8 large Internal graduated document drawers. Original flush brass military campaign handles. Featuring a mahogany gallery above a moulded top, the flame mahogany drawer, which retains its original working brass lever lock (and key) and original turned rosewood knobs, slides out and folds down (by unlocking the original brass mechanism on the drawer linings) to reveal a compartmentalized desktop interior. The interior comprises of four pigeonholes, flanked by ten small mahogany drawers, all of which are mahogany lined and hand dovetailed. The internal drawers retain their original rosewood turned knobs on mahogany drawer fronts; with the finest quality hand dovetailed mahogany linings.The bottom right drawer retains two original inkwells holders and pen tray. The writing surface boasts the original dark green blind-tooled inset leather. The top drawer of the Gillows Secretaire desk is decorated with double "D" mouldings and the original turned rosewood knobs and the ornate squares are inset with quarter veneers, on a flame mahogany veneered background. The carcass incorporates vertical reeded columns, below carved rosettes. Further below, there are two flame mahogany doors also exhibiting matching "D" mouldings with quarter veneers, which open up to reveal a bank of eight graduated internal campaign style drawers.
The doors retain their original working brass lever lock and original key. Please note, only the best quality pieces of furniture had doors, which enclosed the drawers. The drawers retain their original brass inset military campaign handles; they are also mahogany lined and constructed to the highest standard with fine hand dovetail joints. The Gillows Secretaire desk is raised on its original melon turned bun feet below a breakfront-moulded frieze, the carcass retains its original panelled backboards. This is an extremely heavy piece of furniture, which is testament to the quality construction and the finest materials used at the time.
The Gillows Secretaire desk displays a mellow brown mahogany colour. As it boasts the original polish, it has a fantastic colour and patination; this can only be achieved through age and years of care and cleaning it has received. This Gillows Secretaire desk would look superb in a variety of rooms, from the library to the office and it would certainly grace either a traditional or contemporary home.
So don't miss out your chance to own a lovely piece of furniture. Interestingly, one of the drawer bottoms are signed by the cabinetmaker, Richard Irvin, who was an employee of Gillows of Lancaster workshop between the years 1821 - 1841. There is reference to Richard Irvin's work in possibly the most authoritative books on Gillows furniture, called "Gillows of Lancaster & London, 1730 - 1840" written by Susan E.
Although this Secretaire is not stamped Gillows of Lancaster, it was most likely privately commissioned for a wealthy customer, rather than being "retailed". However, not all of their furniture was stamped. It should be noted that this piece was sourced from a private residence, where it had been in situ since it was built.
Items that were "retailed" by the Gillows of Lancaster usually bore the stamp on one of the drawer linings. It is worth noting the same designs were used in other Gillows pieces of furniture, which can be viewed at the historic stately home of Tatton Park in Cheshire, England.
Gillows of Lancaster and London, also known as Gillow & Co. Was a furniture-making firm based in Lancaster, Lancashire, and in London. The family owned Gillows until 1814 when it was taken over by Redmayne, Whiteside, and Ferguson; they continued to use the Gillow name. Gillows furniture was a byword for quality, and other designers used Gillows to manufacture their furniture. Gillows furniture is referred to by Jane Austen, Thackeray and the first Lord Lytton, and in one of Gilbert and Sullivan's comic operas.In 1903, Gillows merged with Warings of Liverpool to become Waring and Gillow. They were the largest company of its type outside London; where they maintained showrooms and workshops. They had a solid reputation for quality. The company won commissions to furnish and decorate public buildings in Australia, South Africa, India, Russia, Germany, France and the U. It provided furniture for aristocratic houses, such as Tatton Hall, where some 150 extant pieces complement the work of the architect Lewis William Wyatt.
Details of the commissions can be found in the Pattern Books in the Gillow archives. By 1897, they were over extended and formed an informal partnership with Warings of Liverpool. In 1903 Warings bought them out and the two companies became Waring & Gillows. External Height (Including Gallery) = 109.5cm / 43? External Width = 114.5cm / 45? External Depth = 59cm / 23¼" / 1ft 11¼". Gallery Height = 5.1cm / 2. Base Height = 104.4 / 41? Writing Height = 75cm / 29½" / 2ft 5½". Writing Width (Back) = 94cm / 37" / 3ft 1".Writing Width (Front) = 99cm / 39" / 3ft 3". Writing Depth = 46cm / 18?
Knee Height = 72cm / 28? Nominal old use marks to the corners and leading edges, including old use marks to the top of the Secretaire within the galleried area (see photos), but nothing significant considering the age of the item. The item retains all of its original drawer knobs, working locks, keys, leather, drawer linings, pen tray, brass handles & hinges, feet, backboards and polish. It is very rare to see a piece of furniture of this quality in completely original condition.The Gillows Secretaire desk retains its original working locking mechanism. All drawers close flush to the frame and feature the original working locks (with a key). The item stands on its original feet and incorporates the original backboards. As it boasts the original polish, it has a fantastic mellow colour and patination; this can only be achieved through age and years of care and cleaning it has received.
It is extremely rare to see a piece of furniture of this quality in good original condition. All items are professionally packaged and fully insured in transit, therefore, we can assure you, your items will be securely protected in transit and arrive safely with you. Before placing your order(s) please make sure this is the item for you. CINOA is the world association of Art & Antique dealer associations. All LAPADA & CINOA members abide by their strict code of practice by adhering to reputable standards of quality, expertise and integrity. Yola Gray has dealt in fine art and antique furniture for over 45 years. Yola Gray has a special interest in colonial furniture, specifically colonial four poster beds. Yola Gray also provides a variety of fine English antique furniture, art and fabrics to clients in the UK, Europe and further afield.