Gillows of Lancaster & London Furniture
It would be difficult to find an antique furniture enthusiast or collector unfamiliar with the name Gillows of Lancaster and London. The British furniture company — which has earned references in the writings of Jane Austen and elsewhere in literature — is renowned for its exceptional quality craftsmanship, and attracted designers such as Thomas Chippendale, Thomas Sheraton and George Hepplewhite in its heyday.
The firm was founded circa 1730 by Robert Gillow (1704–72), who worked as a joiner, housebuilder and overseas merchant before making furniture for homes and export. Gillow established his business in his home city of Lancaster. However, the company later expanded into London in the 1750s after Robert entered into a partnership with his son, Richard, who apprenticed with a London architect and learned the merchant trade in Barbados. Richard had entrepreneurial aptitude — he managed apprenticeships at the firm, ensured that quality materials were a priority, navigated economic hardships, and designed furniture, too. He created seating based on sketches drawn by his cousin, James Gillow, in London.
London’s wealthy upper class took notice of the Gillows’ high-quality furniture, which came to include bedroom furniture, cabinets, a range of seating and other pieces made of rosewood or rich mahogany imported from the West Indies and Jamaica. By the end of the 18th century, the manufacturer was one of the leading furniture makers in Britain. Gillows designed its own furnishings and worked with significant designers; they had in-house upholsterers and cabinetmakers and employed decorative techniques such as “japanning” in their designs.
Gillows of Lancaster and London became Gillow & Co. in 1813 after selling to Redmayne, Whiteside and Ferguson. The company continued to thrive throughout the Georgian era and into the Victorian period, a time that yielded well-known collaborations with Scottish architect and designer Bruce Talbert on a regular basis. High-brow clients of the manufacturer clamored for their inventive and functional designs for tables and writing desks, many of which incorporated whimsical elements such as secret and pop-up drawers. There was also demand for earlier Gillow designs such as Baroque and Gothic Revival pieces as well as adaptations of Chippendale works.
Despite their success, Gillow & Co. entered into financial hardship during the late 1800s with the advent of mass-produced furniture. By 1903, they merged with Waring of Liverpool to become Waring and Gillows and, in 1980, were taken over by Maple & Co. to become Maple, Waring and Gillow. Today, many Gillows of Lancaster and London pieces are in museums throughout the United Kingdom, New Zealand and Australia.
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Creator: Gillows of Lancaster & London
19th Century Gillows of Lancaster Walnut & Leather Upholstered Library Arm Chair
By Gillows of Lancaster & London
Located in Shrewsbury, GB
A 19th century Gillows of Lancaster walnut and leather upholstered library arm chair, with exceptional overall condition and colour. The button down ...
Category
Mid-19th Century British Victorian Antique Gillows of Lancaster & London Furniture
Materials
Leather, Walnut
19th Century English Victorian Burl Walnut Marquetry Credenza by Gillow
By Gillows of Lancaster & London
Located in Chelmsford, Essex
For sale is a fine and rare Victorian burr walnut, amboyna, goncalo alves, pearwood, burr yew and harewood marquetry credenza stamped "Gillow & co". Having a diamond form parquetry t...
Category
Mid-19th Century English Victorian Antique Gillows of Lancaster & London Furniture
Materials
Brass
Crocodile Mahogany Side Table by Gillows of Lancaster & London, circa 1820
By Gillows of Lancaster & London
Located in Kinderhook, NY
An extremely fine circa 1820 side or writing table by legendary English cabinetmaking firm of Gillows of Lancaster and London of rectangular form having an exquisitely grained solid ...
Category
Early 19th Century English Regency Antique Gillows of Lancaster & London Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Nest of Regency Specimen Wood Tables by Gillows of Lancaster
By Gillows of Lancaster & London
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
A nest of Regency specimen wood tables by Gillows of Lancaster, each with a rectangular top and rosewood edge, the largest decorated with an amboyna field within rosewood banding, th...
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1810s English Antique Gillows of Lancaster & London Furniture
Materials
Rosewood
Bruce Talbert for Gillows Aesthetic Movement Exhibition Quality Walnut Sideboard
By Bruce James Talbert, Gillows of Lancaster & London
Located in London, GB
Bruce Talbert. for Gillows of Lancaster.
An outstanding Aesthetic Movement exhibition quality Walnut sideboard with double horizontal dentil cornice, the central original bevelled m...
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1880s English Aesthetic Movement Antique Gillows of Lancaster & London Furniture
Materials
Oak, Walnut
Bruce Talbert, Gillows, Two Rare Gothic Revival Oak Armchair in Blue Upholstery.
By Bruce James Talbert, Gillows of Lancaster & London
Located in London, GB
Bruce Talbert. Gillows of Lancaster.
Two rare Gothic Revival armchairs.
*The two with dark and light blue upholstery shown here are available, the one with brown upholstery is now s...
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1860s English Gothic Revival Antique Gillows of Lancaster & London Furniture
Materials
Oak
Bruce Talbert for Gillow. A Walnut, Amboyna, Ebonized and Gilt Bedroom Suite.
By Gillows of Lancaster & London, Bruce James Talbert
Located in London, GB
Bruce Talbert (1838-1881) for Gillow and co., a rare and important walnut, amboyna, ebonized, and gilt bedroom suite, each with differing carved rosettes, comprising: a triple mirror door wardrobe, 208cm high, 208cm wide, 58cm deep; a pair of bedside lockers, 85cm high, 38cm wide; and a pair of single bedsteads, 124cm wide Provenance: The famous Argentinian writer and suffragette Victoria Ocampo (1890-1979), bought from her estate and shipped back from Argentina. Bruce James Talbert originally trained as a carver and then an architect, and he became an influential and very successful furniture designer. He served an apprenticeship in Dundee and had his own carving business for two years where he learned the skills to apply carved details to furniture and then joined the architectural offices of Charles Edward. In 1856 he moved to Glasgow and worked for the architects W. N. Tait and Campbell Douglas. He moved to Manchester in the early 1860s, where he gained employment with the cabinetmakers Doveston, Bird, and Hull, which was short-lived, then moved to Coventry gaining work with Skidmore's Art Manufactures. In 1863 he won the competition to design the masthead for 'The Building News and in the mid-1860s moved to London, where he started designing furniture for Holland and Sons. His 'Pericles' Gothic sideboard was displayed on their stand at the Paris Exposition Universelle of 1867 where it was the Grand Prix winner. It was at this point that his most prolific period began and also when he started designing furniture for Gillows of Lancaster in 1868. in the same year, he published his very influential first book 'Gothic Forms Applied to Furniture, Metal Work and Decoration for Domestic Purposes', which he dedicated to George Edmund Street. This was followed in 1876 by 'Examples of Ancient and Modern Furniture, Metalwork, Tapestries and Modern Furniture' and in 1881 by 'Fashionable Furniture. Other companies he designed for were Marsh, Jones and Cribb, Jackson and Graham, and for a short time, was a partner with Daniel Cottier. He designed textiles for Templeton's, Warner's, Cowlishaw, and Barbour and Miller; carpet designs for Templeton's and Brinton and Co.; and his wallpaper designs were printed by Jeffrey and Co. He also designed church metalwork and furniture for Cox and Sons...
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1880s English Aesthetic Movement Antique Gillows of Lancaster & London Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Rare Gillows Lancaster 1789-1795 George III American Walnut Dining Table
By Gillows of Lancaster & London
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this sublime fully restored circa 1789-95 Gillows Lancaster George III dining table in American Walnut
A very rare and highly collectable table,...
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1780s English George III Antique Gillows of Lancaster & London Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Thomas Jeckyll by Gillows, Aesthetic Movement, Rare Set of Ten Oak Dining Chairs
By Thomas Jeckyll, Gillows of Lancaster & London
Located in London, GB
Thomas Jeckyll, made by Gillows of Lancaster.
Aesthetic Movement. A rare set of ten oak dining chairs.
This set are identical to the chairs Jeckyll designed for the industrialist Edward Green...
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1870s English Aesthetic Movement Antique Gillows of Lancaster & London Furniture
Materials
Oak
Early 19th Century George IV Pair of Chairs by Gillows of Lancaster and London
By Gillows of Lancaster & London
Located in Dublin 8, IE
Early 19th century George IV pair of occasional chairs by Gillows of Lancaster and London, the curved top rail with centred flower head...
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1820s English George IV Antique Gillows of Lancaster & London Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Gillows, 19th Century Walnut Kidney Shaped Desk
By Gillows of Lancaster & London
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A fine quality 'Gillows' kidney shaped figured Walnut pedestal desk, having inset tooled leather top, eleven graduating mahogany lined drawers with their original brass ring drop han...
Category
19th Century English Antique Gillows of Lancaster & London Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Very Rare Gillows of Lancaster Regency Hardwood Harpist Height Adjustable Chair
By Gillows of Lancaster & London
Located in GB
We are delighted to this stunning and very rare original Gillows of Lancaster Rosewood height-adjustable Harpist musician stool
A very good looking ...
Category
Early 19th Century English Regency Antique Gillows of Lancaster & London Furniture
Materials
Wood, Beech
Gillows Gilt Bronze-Mounted Inlaid Table
By Gillows of Lancaster & London
Located in Cheshire, GB
Gillows gilt bronze-mounted walnut table the inlaid to of oval form, raised up on four slender cabriole legs with gilt bronze-mounted sabots (Stamped Gillows to the underneath)
Di...
Category
19th Century English Victorian Antique Gillows of Lancaster & London Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Early 19th Century Regency Pair of Hall Chairs by Gillows of Lancaster & London
By Gillows of Lancaster & London
Located in Dublin 8, IE
Early 19th century Regency pair of mahogany hall chairs by Gillows of London & Lancaster, the carved moulded back with centred armorial shield surmount...
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1810s Irish Regency Antique Gillows of Lancaster & London Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Fine Pair of George III Mahogany Wine Cisterns Attributed to Gillows
By Gillows of Lancaster & London
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
Each cistern is in the form of a fluted vase on a rectangular pedestal. The lead-lined vases have brass handles, removable lids with pineapple finials and taps. The crossbanded pedestals have cupboard doors enclosing slatted shelves for warming plates in one and a lead-lined slops drawers, a tambour fronted shelf and a cellaret in the other.
Susan Stuart, 'Gillow of Lancaster and London', 2008 vol 1 p308-315 illustrates many pedestal urns including the drawings for Workington Hall, Cumbria, dated 1788. PLates 342 and 343 show pedestals with a similar arrangement of shelves and drawers. Thomas Sheraton explained the functions of dining room pedestals in his 'Drawing Book' of 1793: 'IN spacious dining rooms the sideboards are often made without drawers of any sort, having simply a rail, a little ornament...
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19th Century English George III Antique Gillows of Lancaster & London Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Stamped Gillows of Lancaster Walnut Height Adjustable Fire Screen, circa 1850
By Waring & Gillow, Gillows of Lancaster & London, Gillows of Lancaster & London
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this very rare original Gillows Lancaster circa 1850 height adjustable walnut fire screen
A very good looking and well made screen from pretty m...
Category
1850s English Victorian Antique Gillows of Lancaster & London Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Charles Bevan, Gillows & Co. An Aesthetic Oak Cabinet with Carved Birds & Fish
By Charles Bevan, Gillows of Lancaster & London
Located in London, GB
Charles Bevan for Gillows & Co.
An Aesthetic Movement oak Canterbury, music or side cabinet with four carved panels, the upper pair depicting birds at dinner time, beaks full. The bo...
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1870s English Arts and Crafts Antique Gillows of Lancaster & London Furniture
Materials
Brass
Late Regency Gonçalo Alves Two-Door Side Cabinet Attributed to Gillows
By Gillows of Lancaster & London
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
A late Regency Gonçalo Alves two-door side cabinet firmly attributed to Gillows, of rectangular form with two glazed doors retaining the original brass trelliswork centred on rosette...
Category
1820s English Regency Antique Gillows of Lancaster & London Furniture
Materials
Wood
Original Rare Gillows Lancaster circa 1789-95 Hardwood Fold Over Game Card Table
By Gillows of Lancaster & London
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this very rare circa 1789-1795 Gillows Lancaster mahogany games card fold over table
A very rare and well made pi...
Category
1780s English Georgian Antique Gillows of Lancaster & London Furniture
Materials
Hardwood
Stamped Gillows Lancaster Double Sided Twin Pedestal Partner Desk Figured Oak
By Gillows of Lancaster & London
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning and exceptionally rare Gillows Lancaster twin pedestal double sided partner desk in panelled figured oak
An exceptionally rare exa...
Category
19th Century English Early Victorian Antique Gillows of Lancaster & London Furniture
Materials
Amboyna
Rare 1794 George III Gillows of Lancaster Double Sided Postmasters Sorting Desk
By Gillows of Lancaster & London
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning and exceptionally rare 1794 George III Gillows Lancaster twin pedestal double sided postmasters desk i...
Category
1790s English George III Antique Gillows of Lancaster & London Furniture
Materials
Hardwood
Early 19th Century Regency Specimen Table by Gillows of Lancaster and London
By Gillows of Lancaster & London
Located in Dublin 8, IE
Early 19th century regency marble top specimen centre table made by Gillows of Lancaster and London, the statuary white marble top with central stylized neoclassical motif depicting a temple and star surrounded with inlaid radiating specimens of rare and ancient stones such as Giallo Antico, Verde Antico, Rosso Antico, Sienna, Jasper and Portoro set within carved gadrooned, cabochon and bead border supported on turned baluster pod with barley twist and acanthus motif on trefoil base raised over cabriole leg with acanthus motif on knee terminating on paw foot.
Provenance: Torridon House
Torridon House is situated on the northern shore of upper loch Torridon, beneath the dramatic mountain ridges of Beinn Alligin and Liathach, the house was built by Duncan Darroch in 1876 on an estate bought from the McBarnets and previously the possession of the Lords of the Isles. The architect was Alexander Ross, who built inverness cathedral. Constructed from the famous Torridon red sandstone, it was designed for family living, as well as to support parties during the shooting and fishing seasons. In the early 20th century it changed hands several times until it was bought by the 4th Earl of Lovelace in 1960. The Lovelaces had previously lived at Ben Damph on the south side of the Loch, which had been in their possession since 1886. Torridon is currently the home of the 5th earl and his wife.
The Lovelace title belongs to the King family, who trace their history back to Exeter. Sir Peter King (circa 1669-1734) was the maternal nephew of the philosopher John Locke...
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Early 19th Century English Regency Antique Gillows of Lancaster & London Furniture
Materials
Marble
Fine Quality Victorian Kidney-Shaped Desk in Richly Figured Walnut by Gillows
By Gillows of Lancaster & London
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
A fine quality Victorian kidney-shaped desk in richly figured burr walnut by Gillows, the leather-inset top, above three drawers in the frieze and four graduated drawers in each pede...
Category
1850s English Victorian Antique Gillows of Lancaster & London Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Late Regency Giltwood Centre Table Attributed to Gillows
By Gillows of Lancaster & London
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
A very attractive antique late Regency giltwood centre table attributed to Gillow of Lancaster and London, inset with an Italian Pietra Dura top,
The central turned baluster supp...
Category
Early 19th Century English Regency Antique Gillows of Lancaster & London Furniture
Materials
Giltwood
Robert Gillows II 1790 Writing Library Hardwood Chest of Drawers Leather Slope
By Waring & Gillow, Gillows of Lancaster & London
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this very rare circa 1790 Georgian writing Library chest of drawers with desk secretaire by Gillows of Lancaster and L...
Category
1790s English Georgian Antique Gillows of Lancaster & London Furniture
Materials
Leather, Hardwood
Very Rare Gillow Breakfront Library Desk Brass Gallery Burr Amboyna Wood
By Gillows of Lancaster & London
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning and exceptionally rare Gillow Library breakfront desk with brass gallery in Burr Amboyna timber, circa...
Category
1850s English High Victorian Antique Gillows of Lancaster & London Furniture
Materials
Burl
1790 Gillows Cuban Hardwood Library Secretaire Desk Writing Table I Bramah Lock
By Gillows of Lancaster & London
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this very rare circa 1790 George III Library writing desk secrataire by Gillows of Lancaster and London
A rare find, looking through Gillows of ...
Category
Late 18th Century English George III Antique Gillows of Lancaster & London Furniture
Materials
Hardwood
English 19th Century Cabinet by Gillows of Lancaster
By Gillows of Lancaster & London
Located in London, GB
A cabinet stamped by Gillows of Lancaster
Constructed in thuyawood and walnut, rising from lobed and castored feet: over, a single long drawer, stamped with the maker’s mark ‘Gill...
Category
19th Century British Victorian Antique Gillows of Lancaster & London Furniture
Materials
Brass
19th Century Shaped Centre Table with Inlay and Gilt Metal by Gillows
By Gillows of Lancaster & London
Located in London, GB
An Antique Shaped Centre Table by Gillows
Constructed in Circassian walnut, with specimen woods inlays, and gilt metal adornments; rising from a castor sho...
Category
19th Century British Victorian Antique Gillows of Lancaster & London Furniture
Materials
Metal
Gillows & Co, Thomas Jeckyll Attr An Anglo-Japanese Marquetry Corner Cupboard
By Gillows of Lancaster & London, Thomas Jeckyll
Located in London, GB
Thomas Jeckyll attributed, for William Henry Tate 1842-1922.
Gillows & Co of Regent St. London.,
An Anglo-Japanese corner cupboard with open upper shelf and exquisite Marquetry door...
Category
1870s English Anglo-Japanese Antique Gillows of Lancaster & London Furniture
Materials
Boxwood, Fruitwood, Rosewood
Large and Impressive Gillows Hall Stand
By Gillows of Lancaster & London
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very large and impressive late 19th century 'Gillows' hall stand or mirror backed console. Having ebonized banding and carved decoration, Amboyna veneered panels, carved Greek godd...
Category
Late 19th Century English Neoclassical Revival Antique Gillows of Lancaster & London Furniture
Materials
Ebony, Amboyna
19th Century 'Gillows' Credenza/Cabinet
By Gillows of Lancaster & London
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A fine quality mid-19th century figured walnut, sycamore and thuya marquetry crossbanded credenza, stamped 'Gillow & Co.'
The top having diamond pattern parquetry inlay, fine 'Linke...
Category
1880s English Victorian Antique Gillows of Lancaster & London Furniture
Materials
Ormolu
Fine Pair of Late 19th Century Bronze and Sevres Porcelain Cabinets by Gillows
By Gillows of Lancaster & London
Located in New York, NY
A very fine pair of late 19th century gilt bronze and Se`vres Style porcelain mounted kingwood cabinets.
The upper section with a pair of doors with Sevres style porcelain plaques painted with a flower filled urn, the lower section with a frieze drawer with floral decorated plaques, raised by four legs joined by a "X" stretcher.
Stamped on the wood Gillows.
Robert Gillow established his company around 1730. It was widely considered one of the most important British cabinet making firms. Trading first...
Category
Late 19th Century English Belle Époque Antique Gillows of Lancaster & London Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Early 19th Century Regency Mahogany Chiffonier
By Gillows of Lancaster & London
Located in Dublin 8, IE
Early 19th century Regency mahogany chiffonier. The three quarter gallery superstructure with shelves, the projecting lower section with outset corners, the twin doors with pleated f...
Category
1810s Irish Regency Antique Gillows of Lancaster & London Furniture
Materials
Brass
Gillows Of Lancaster & London furniture for sale on 1stDibs.
Gillows of Lancaster & London furniture are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of wood and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Gillows of Lancaster & London furniture, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original furniture by Gillows of Lancaster & London were created in the Victorian style in europe during the 19th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider furniture by Howard and Sons, Howard & Sons Ltd, and Bevan Funnell Ltd.. Prices for Gillows of Lancaster & London furniture can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $1,450 and can go as high as $323,824, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $8,615.
Creators Similar to Gillows of Lancaster & London
Questions About Gillows of Lancaster & London Furniture
- 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022To identify Gillows furniture, look for the brand's mark. Most pieces feature one, but locations vary. Look under the tabletop, along the edges of the drawers and on the backs of legs and bases. Typically, the mark appears as a stamp, but the company's artisans sometimes drew it in pencil. Find a variety of expertly vetted Gillows furniture on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022Gillows furniture was made in Lancaster and London, UK. The company is best known for producing ornate wood tables, cabinets and desks. Furniture-maker Robert Gillow started the company around 1730. You can find a selection of Gillows furniture on 1stDibs.
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