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Gillows of Lancaster & London Desks

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.

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Creator: Gillows of Lancaster & London
Very Fine George IV Mahogany and Ebony Partners Desk by Gillows
By Gillows of Lancaster & London
Located in Greenwich, CT
Very fine George IV mahogany and ebony partners desk by Gillows of Lancaster, circa 1825, the tooled double border leather top with cross banding an...
Category

1820s English Antique Gillows of Lancaster & London Desks

Materials

Leather, Ebony, Mahogany

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 ...
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Early 19th Century English Regency Antique Gillows of Lancaster & London Desks

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 Desks

Materials

Walnut

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...
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1790s English George III Antique Gillows of Lancaster & London Desks

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...
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19th Century English Early Victorian Antique Gillows of Lancaster & London Desks

Materials

Amboyna

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...
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1850s English High Victorian Antique Gillows of Lancaster & London Desks

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 ...
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Late 18th Century English George III Antique Gillows of Lancaster & London Desks

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Hardwood

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Gillows Of Lancaster & London desks for sale on 1stDibs.

Gillows of Lancaster & London desks 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 desks, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original desks by Gillows of Lancaster & London were created in the Victorian style in united kingdom during the 19th century. Prices for Gillows of Lancaster & London desks can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $8,975 and can go as high as $95,000, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $25,906.

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