1790 Gillows Cuban Hardwood Library Secretaire Desk Writing Table I Bramah Lock

A rare find, looking through Gillows of Lancaster and London 1730-1840 I’ve found a selection of similar examples, the drawer linings and dovetail joints are correct, as detailed in Volume II Chapter 7 page 111, the lock is correct, stamped I BRAMAH PATENT under the Crown for King George III, these locks were used by Gillows between 1784-97 as detailed again on Chapter 7 page 337 Volume II. The small white handles used on the internal drawers are also correct as seen in Volume II Chapter 7 page 28 and on many other desks and bookcases. Lastly, two examples can be seen in Volume II page 283 and 284 of two desks which have similar secratiare drawers with the exact same writing slopes raised. Both have exactly the same easel backs

The timber is correct for the period, Cuban or Havana Mahogany, a very detailed extract reads as follows. Adam Bowett has pointed out that Cuban Mahogany was first bought into England after the capture of Havana in 1762 and during the subsequent British occupation

The desk has been sympathetically restored to include being lightly French polished, there were two splits to the top which has been restore, the left handle turns a little, the leather insert is new, the original had totally perished, otherwise it is in stunning condition for a 220+-year-old desk

Dimensions

Height 76 cm

Width 91 cm

Depth 48 cm

Please note all measurements are taken at the widest point

Gillows of Lancaster and London, also known as Gillow & Co., was an English furniture making firm based in Lancaster, Lancashire, and in London. It was founded around in Lancaster in about 1730 by Robert Gillow (1704–1772)

Gillows was owned by the family until 1814 when it was taken over by Redmayne, Whiteside, and Ferguson; they continued to use the Gillow name.

Gillows furniture was a byword for quality, and other designers used Gillows to manufacture their furniture.

Gillows furniture is referred to by Jane Austen, Thackeray and the first Lord Lytton, and in one of Gilbert and Sullivan’s comic operas

In 1903 Gillows merged with Warings of Liverpool to become Waring and Gillow and although the furniture remained of a high quality it was not as prestigious.

This item is available for collection from our Wimbledon warehouses

Condition

Please view the very detailed pictures as they form part of the description around condition

Please note vintage period and original items such as leather seating will always have natural patina in the form of cracking creasing and wear, we recommend regular waxing to ensure no moisture is lost, also hand dyed leather is not recommended to sit in direct sunlight for prolonged periods of time as it will dry out and fade.