A George IV mahogany mechanical escritoire attributed to Gillows

The overhanging rectangular top with rounded corners veneered almost entirely in amboyna with a wide crossbanding of rosewood. Under the top is a narrow frieze, and the table is supp...

An unusual George IV specimen marble backgammon table attributed to Gillows. This rectangular table is strongly attributed to Gillows. It has a rectangular top inlaid with a central chess board flanked by two backgammon fields, all inlaid with a multitude of specimen marbles. One edge carved and gilded with the Latin motto ‘Turpe est in patria vivere et patriam ignorare’. The oak base has a drawer for cards and playing pieces, all raised on a square section support with four splayed legs and the original brass castors. English, circa 1830. Provenance: Geoffrey Bennison Ltd, London, November 1983 The Mermaid House Collection, St. John’s Wood, London Property of a gentleman Private American collection The form of the base of this table is related to several known Gillows commissions from the late Regency period and the quality of the cabinet work also suggests that firm attribution to the firm. Backgammon tables, rather than more general games tables, are unusual at this date and the use of inlaid specimen marbles in the top suggests a client of wealth. Additionally, the Latin text on the edge of the table provides further clues. The text, Turpe est in patria vivere et patriam ignorare, translates as “it is shameful to live in your homeland and not know it”. This phrase dates back to antiquity but rose to prominence once again in the mid-18th century when used by the botanist and key Enlightenment figure Carl Linnaeus in his work on the native flora of Sweden. The combination of this phrase and the use of native English timbers and marbles is promoting English raw materials and craftsmanship at a time when the noble and the wealthy were focussed on European pietra dura tables. Mermaid House in St John’s Wood was re-designed by Chester Jones...

The circular tilt top has a central field of book-matched, figured rosewood within a broad band of cut brass inlay. The edge is boldly carved with an acanthus and dart border. The central support is hexagonal in section with a broad central flange, raised on three powerful and ornately carved legs. The knees are presented as bold acanthus carved and gadrooned volutes. The lions’ paw feet have clearly defined knuckles and claws and enclose the original brass castors. English, circa 1825. See also S. Stuart, Gillows of Lancaster and London 1730-1840, Antique Collectors’ Club, Woodbridge, 2008, Vol II, pl. E.5, which shows a pattern for this table in a drawing room layout designed for G.Bamford about 1820-30. The drawing also shows a pair of bergères and a sofa which correspond to a suite supplied by Gillow & Co. in 1824 to Thomas Wynn...

A striking Goncalo Alves (Albuera wood) writing table attributed to Gillows and Bullock, the rectangular leather-inset top with a wide band of paired ivy leaves and double borders in...

Attributed to Gillows A superior quality late 18th/early 19th century mahogany Davenport Desk The leather-lined top with brass gallery, lifting to ...

Fine George IV period mahogany library/writing table, the tablet-shaped top in dense, rich mahogany over two working and two false (one each side) drawers standing on curule molded s...

An 18th century mahogany desk or sometimes called architects desk, with fitted top drawer containing a baize lined wiring surface below which is a fitted section contains alphabet inlaid letter boxes The double top drawer slides out on hidden rollers and the baize section then slides back. Original swan neck brass handles and fine flame mahogany. finished with dummy drawers to the back making this a free standing desk. A model is in the Gillow design...

A FINE REGENCY MAHOGANY LIBRARY TABLE ATTRIBUTED TO GILLOWS, CIRCA 1820. With original blind-tooled coral-red Morocco leather top, the frieze with three mahogany-lined drawers to ei...