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Regency Mahogany Metamorphic Library Steps/stool by Gillows Circa 1820
Sold by Kendall House Antiques Ltd.
sold SA1167986
Sorry, but this item has been sold.
Kendall House Antiques Ltd.

Kendall House Antiques Ltd.

Sellingantiques Verified Since May 2022
Browse dealers 148 items
  • About Us
    Kendall house antiques a traditional shop in the north cotswold’s market town of chipping campden.
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Id #SA1167986
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Regency Mahogany Metamorphic Library Steps/stool by Gillows Circa 1820

19th century
Sold 23 November 2025 · Kendall House Antiques Ltd.
This “Regency Mahogany Metamorphic Library Steps/stool by Gillows Circa 1820” found a buyer.

It was listed by Kendall House Antiques Ltd.. Sold pieces stay on Sellingantiques as a record of what has passed through, and the next one is rarely far away.

Find more for sale
19th Century Library StepsAntique Metamorphic FurnitureBrown Wooden Steps Ask the dealer for something similar
Description

Strongly attributed to Gillows (but with no makers mark) The following extract is taken from ‘Gillows of Lancaster and London’ by Susan E Stuart.

….Gillow wrote to Lady Ibbetson of Denton Hall Yorkshire of a similar set “a library stool which also answered “the purpose of step ladder” ………. “in all 3ft tall by which a person may reach full 9ft…… We make other sorts but this is the most approved”…….. “a neat mahogany library stool & step ladder to open out of the inside with hinges made on purpose”…. The estimate sketch book 1784-87 illustrates a window stool and stepladder combined.

3ft Tall in total.

Physical Dimensions
Height
91.5cm (36.02")
Declaration

Kendall House Antiques Ltd. has dated these Regency Mahogany Library Steps to the 1800s.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1167986
Dealers Internal Reference
22083
Dealers Notes

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Please also check spam for our email replies.

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Shop Opening Hours: Thursday – Sunday 10:00am – 4:00pm

Out of hours appointments can be arranged just give us a call.

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Follow us on instagram

https://www.instagram.com/kendallhouseantiques/

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We offer a professional and prompt delivery service within the UK using our own van and driver.

Please contact us for delivery options, plus any shipping enquires.

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Description
Strongly attributed to Gillows (but with no makers mark) The following extract is taken from ‘Gillows of Lancaster and London’ by Susan E Stuart.

….

“
Gillow wrote to Lady Ibbetson of Denton Hall Yorkshire of a similar set “a library stool which also answered “the purpose of step ladder” ……….
Kendall House Antiques Ltd.

“in all 3ft tall by which a person may reach full 9ft…… We make other sorts but this is the most approved”…….. “a neat mahogany library stool & step ladder to open out of the inside with hinges made on purpose”…. The estimate sketch book 1784-87 illustrates a window stool and stepladder combined.

3ft Tall in total.

Height
91.5cm (36.02")
Date of Manufacture

Kendall House Antiques Ltd. has dated these Regency Mahogany Library Steps to the 1800s.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1167986
Dealers Internal Ref
22083
Kendall House Antiques Ltd.
Kendall House Antiques Ltd.
Sellingantiques verified Since May 2022

Kendall house antiques a traditional shop in the north cotswold’s market town of chipping campden.

Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the Kendall House Antiques Ltd. Profile Page

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A dark mahogany metamorphic library step stool featuring turned legs and folding treads. SOLD6+ MONTHS AGO
1 / 8
Archive I A dark mahogany metamorphic library step stool featuring turned legs and folding treads. SOLD6+ MONTHS AGO

Regency Mahogany Metamorphic Library Steps/stool by Gillows Circa 1820

Archive II A dark mahogany metamorphic library step stool featuring turned legs and folding treads. View II
Archive III A dark mahogany metamorphic library step stool featuring turned legs and folding treads. View III
Archive IV A dark mahogany metamorphic library step stool featuring turned legs and folding treads. View IV
Archive V A dark mahogany metamorphic library step stool featuring turned legs and folding treads. View V
Archive VI A dark mahogany metamorphic library step stool featuring turned legs and folding treads. View VI
Archive VII A dark mahogany metamorphic library step stool featuring turned legs and folding treads. View VII
Archive VIII A dark mahogany metamorphic library step stool featuring turned legs and folding treads. View VIII
Enlarged Archival View
Kendall House Antiques Ltd.

Kendall House Antiques Ltd.
Telephone 07880 602715
Location
Kendall House
High Street
Chipping Campden
Gloucestershire
GL55 6AG 7
United Kingdom
Dealer Profile Page sellingantiques.co.uk/kendallhouse
Verified Since May 2022
Items For Sale 148
Items Sold 458
Kendall House Antiques Ltd.
Kendall House Antiques Ltd.
Verified Since May 2022
View Dealer Info
Location: Kendall House, High Street, Chipping Campden, Gloucestershire, GL55 6AG 7, United Kingdom
Profile: sellingantiques.co.uk/kendallhouse
Verified
May 2022
For Sale
148
Sold
458
A dark mahogany metamorphic library step stool featuring turned legs and folding treads.
Regency Mahogany Metamorphic Library Steps/Stool by Gillows Circa 1820
Ref: SA1167986
A dark mahogany metamorphic library step stool featuring turned legs and folding treads.
Detail View 1
Detail View 2
Detail View 3
Detail View 4
Detail View 5
Detail View 6
Detail View 7
Archival Detail

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Cataloguer’s note

Written by Sellingantiques from the dealer’s photographs and listing
  • ObjectLibrary Steps
  • Period19th century
  • StyleRegency
  • MaterialMahogany, Brass
  • ColourDark Brown
  • MotifsTurned legs, Metamorphic folding mechanism, Tread inserts
  • SizeH 91.5 cm (36 in)

FAQs

Regency library steps, often created by prominent cabinet makers such as Gillows of Lancaster and London during the early 19th century, were designed to provide access to high bookshelves in private libraries. These pieces often featured ingenious metamorphic mechanisms that allowed them to transform from a stool or chair into a flight of steps.

These items were predominantly constructed from dense, durable hardwoods such as mahogany, frequently accented with brass hinges, pivots, and occasionally leather or velvet tread inserts to prevent slipping and reduce noise.

Authentic pieces from the Regency era feature period-appropriate joinery, hand-turned legs, original brass or iron mechanical hardware with signs of age-appropriate oxidisation, and dense old-growth timber construction without modern fixings.

Such pieces can be incorporated into traditional study spaces or contemporary living areas as functional accent furniture, serving as a display stand for books or decorative objects when not in use as a seating or climbing aid.

Preservation involves maintaining stable indoor humidity levels to prevent timber splitting, applying microcrystalline wax periodically to nourish the wood, and handling the folding mechanisms with care to avoid straining historical joints.
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