Christie’s 23rd May English Collector – 500 Years sale, held in London, included a number of pieces by Gillows of Lancaster – among them a pair of bowfront chests and a Georgian antique bookcase.
The Lancashire firm of Gillow’s had an office in London, so it’s no surprise that antique bookcases bearing the Gillows stamp regularly turn up there. Christie’s George IV rosewood example was dated to 1820 – 30, realising £16,250 against an upper estimate of £12,000. It was distinctly different to the Open Bookcases usually seen in Lancashire, being of circular form with four compact banks of adjustable shelves, one of them stamped with the firm’s name.
Also included in the Gillow’s collection was a pair of Regency antique chests, which sold at mid-estimate. A set of specimen-wood quartetto tables of the same period realised £12,500, while a pair of late Victorian X-frame armchairs also sold above their top estimate. A Regency brass mounted ormolu and rosewood occasional table, also attributed to Gillow’s, realised £15,000. Gillows private commissions were frequently left unstamped, if not intended for sale to the general public, and a set of Georgian or early Victorian dining chairs stamped “J.H” realised £18,750, despite only being “probably” made by the firm.
The Gillows prices seem modest compared to the top selling furniture item in the sale; a George II mahogany and marble side table, which realised £240,250 against an upper estimate of £150,000. However, buying or selling at auction incurs high commission fees. If you want a set of Gillows antique dining chairs , a Preston antique dealer will be a better choice.