Skip to main content

Gillows of Lancaster & London

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.

Find antique Gillows of Lancaster and London furniture on 1stDibs.

Average Sold Price
$7,832
Styles
Materials
Related Creators
Bruce Talbert, stamped Gillows. An Aesthetic Movement upholstered oak armchair.
By Gillows of Lancaster & London, Bruce James Talbert
Located in London, GB
Bruce Talbert attributed, stamped Gillows. An Aesthetic Movement oak armchair. It was professionally re-upholstered in a light blue Damask.
Category

1880s English Aesthetic Movement Antique Gillows of Lancaster & London

Materials

Oak

Petite Antique 19th Century English Adams Style Accent Table By Gillow & Co
By Gillows of Lancaster & London
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
Dimensions: Height: 24 1/4 in Diameter: 12 in This English 19th century Adams paint decorated accent table end table by Gillow & Co is made of the highest quality! If you look at t...
Category

19th Century English Adam Style Antique Gillows of Lancaster & London

Materials

Wood, Satinwood

Gillows London Gentleman's Cabinet / Clothes Press
By Gillows of Lancaster & London
Located in Dallas, TX
A stunning quality Georgian Revival breakfront mahogany gentleman’s wardrobe/press. The cornice has a broken pediment with a carved laurel wreath in center and two inlaid garland motifs. The central twin doors open to reveal five oak dressing trays...
Category

Early 19th Century English Georgian Antique Gillows of Lancaster & London

Materials

Mahogany

Amazing Stamped Gillow Open Arm Chair
By Gillows of Lancaster & London
Located in Budleigh Salterton, GB
We have brought this chair back to life with a full overhaul, new upholstery, Linwood butterfly palm print. Woodwork lovingly waxed, 1 rear leg historically replaced Original stamp ...
Category

Late 19th Century English Antique Gillows of Lancaster & London

Materials

Oak

Amazing Stamped Gillow Open Arm Chair
Amazing Stamped Gillow Open Arm Chair
H 32.29 in W 25.99 in D 36.23 in
A fine George IV mahogany wine cooler attributed to Gillows
By Gillows of Lancaster & London
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
A fine George IV mahogany wine cooler attributed to Gillows, in the form of a classical urn with everted lip and boldly gadrooned sides, set upon a flaring, flanged support with flut...
Category

1810s English George IV Antique Gillows of Lancaster & London

Materials

Mahogany

18th Century George III Secretaire Library Bookcase by Gillows of Lancaster
By Gillows of Lancaster & London
Located in Petworth,West Sussex, GB
A magnificent late 18th century, George III period six door breakfront library bookcase. Constructed in the finest quality figured mahogany, having a moulded cornice above six astrag...
Category

18th Century British George III Antique Gillows of Lancaster & London

Materials

Wood

A W N Pugin, probably made by Gillows of Lancaster A Gothic Revival oak armchair
By Gillows of Lancaster & London, Augustus Welby Northmore Pugin
Located in London, GB
A W N Pugin, probably made by Gillows of Lancaster for the House of Lords London. A Gothic Revival oak armchair with carved rosettes to the headrest, and each side of the arms, and u...
Category

1860s English Gothic Revival Antique Gillows of Lancaster & London

Materials

Oak

A W N Pugin Gothic Revival oak armchair by Gillows of Lancaster or Holland & Son
By Gillows of Lancaster & London, Augustus Welby Northmore Pugin
Located in London, GB
A W N Pugin, probably made by Gillows of Lancaster or Holland and son, for the House of Lords in Parliament Square London. A Gothic Revival oak armchair. Professionally re-upholstered.
Category

1860s English Gothic Revival Antique Gillows of Lancaster & London

Materials

Oak

Browse all Furniture from Gillows of Lancaster & London
Shop Now

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.

Recently Viewed

View All