AN IMPORTANT GEORGE III BREAKFRONT BOOKCASE ATTRIBUTED TO GILLOWS - REF No. 4005

Product Details

H: 113 1/2 in / 288 cm ; W: 167 in / 424 cm ; D: 15 1/2 in / 40 cm

A magnificent George III period seven door breakfront library bookcase. Constructed in the finest quality figured mahogany, having a moulded cornice above seven astragal glazed doors enclosing adjustable shelves, the middle upper section having a slide door action from left to right. The lower breakfront middle section with three beautiful figured mahogany, satinwood and ebony lined oval panelled doors revealing adjustable shelves accompanied by five graduated drawers to either side flanked again by two oval panelled doors enclosing adjustable shelve interior, terminating on a moulded plinth base.

Condition: Excellent. Outstanding color and patination. Both its size, style and exceptional quality of timber would suggest it to have been created as a special commission.

Circa 1790

English

Provenance: Private residence, Rome, Italy.

Artists Biography:

The Gillow 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 Gillow 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.