A superb quality George III mahogany secretaire bookcase attributed to Gillows of Lancaster. The rectangular cavetto moulded cornice above two astragal glazed doors, the base with a moulded top above two long false drawer fronts forming a deep secretaire drawer fitted with a gilt tooled green leather sliding writing surface concealing a deep well flanked by six lidded boxes and further secret compartment, with a pair of panelled purplewood banded doors below enclosing further drawers and cupboard space and raised on splayed feet joined by shaped apron.Very unusual and attractive geometrical design to the upper doors which enclose three adjustable shelves to each side which slide into slotted channels (much easier than using support bars or pins). The sophisticated secretaire drawer, with the slide and lidded compartments, is of the type introduced by Gillow firm in 1782 replacing their old pattern of secretaire which had been in use since the 1750s. This form of secretaire is dis...