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ID #SA1206955
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Gillows Early Victorian Mahogany Davenport
Camden Antiques
for sale €2,633     $2,858
£2,250
Camden Antiques

Camden Antiques

Sellingantiques Verified Since Jun 2012
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Gillows Early Victorian Mahogany Davenport

19th century
For Sale by Camden Antiques
Description

A superb quality early Victorian period mahogany Davenport by Gillows of Lancaster (not stamped). Of fine construction in solid mahogany with attractive mahogany veneers. With a sliding top, fitted with a three quarters gallery and a sumptuous leather writing surface complete with gilt tooled decorations. The lift up top opens to reveal an interior with 2 short drawers and 2 dummy drawers. The handle to one of the dummy drawers pulls out in order to release the hinged stationary tray. With a pair of pull-out slides and a series of 3 drawers to one side and 4 dummy drawers to the other side. The drawers lock via a locking bar (key supplied). All standing on solid turned bun feet. Cleaned and waxed in our workshops and now offered for sale in excellent condition, with a wonderful colour and patina. One drawer signed and dated in pencil to the underside - Jas Wilcock 1851. Locks stamped.

See Gillows' Estimate Sketch Books pp. 3788 and 3953 for almost identical designs dated October 16th, 1830 and January 5th, 1833 respectively.

See also Bonhams, London, The Gentleman's Library Sale, January 20th, 2010, lot 403 for a similar model

Dimensions:

Width 56cms

Depth 57cms

Overall height 86cms

Height to front 76cms

The firm of Gillow's of Lancaster can be traced back to the luxury furniture and furnishings firm founded by Robert Gillow (1704–72) in 1730. Robert Gillow served an apprenticeship as a joiner. During the 1730s he began to exploit the lucrative West Indies trade exporting mahogany furniture and importing rum and sugar. Following his death in 1772, the business was continued by his two sons, Richard (1734–1811) and Robert (1745–93). In 1764 a London branch of Gillow's was established at 176 Oxford Road, now Oxford Street, by Thomas Gillow and William Taylor. The firm rapidly established a reputation for supplying high-quality furniture to the richest families in the country.

Physical Dimensions
Height
86cm (33.86")
Width
56cm (22.05")
Depth
57cm (22.44")
Declaration

Camden Antiques has dated this Victorian Mahogany Davenport Desk to the 1850s.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1206955
Dealers Internal Reference
18396
Description
A superb quality early Victorian period mahogany Davenport by Gillows of Lancaster (not stamped). Of fine construction in solid mahogany with attractive mahogany veneers.
With a sliding top, fitted with a three quarters gallery and a sumptuous leather writing surface complete with gilt tooled decorations.
Camden Antiques

The lift up top opens to reveal an interior with 2 short drawers and 2 dummy drawers. The handle to one of the dummy drawers pulls out in order to release the hinged stationary tray. With a pair of pull-out slides and a series of 3 drawers to one side and 4 dummy drawers to the other side. The drawers lock via a locking bar (key supplied). All standing on solid turned bun feet. Cleaned and waxed in our workshops and now offered for sale in excellent condition, with a wonderful colour and patina. One drawer signed and dated in pencil to the underside - Jas Wilcock 1851. Locks stamped.

fig 1. An early Victorian mahogany Davenport desk with a sloped leather writing surface and side drawers.
fig 1. Gillows Early Victorian Mahogany Davenport

See Gillows' Estimate Sketch Books pp. 3788 and 3953 for almost identical designs dated October 16th, 1830 and January 5th, 1833 respectively.

See also Bonhams, London, The Gentleman's Library Sale, January 20th, 2010, lot 403 for a similar model

fig 2. An early Victorian mahogany Davenport desk with a sloped leather writing surface and side drawers.
fig 2. Gillows Early Victorian Mahogany Davenport

Dimensions:

Width 56cms

Depth 57cms

Overall height 86cms

Height to front 76cms

The firm of Gillow's of Lancaster can be traced back to the luxury furniture and furnishings firm founded by Robert Gillow (1704–72) in 1730. Robert Gillow served an apprenticeship as a joiner. During the 1730s he began to exploit the lucrative West Indies trade exporting mahogany furniture and importing rum and sugar. Following his death in 1772, the business was continued by his two sons, Richard (1734–1811) and Robert (1745–93). In 1764 a London branch of Gillow's was established at 176 Oxford Road, now Oxford Street, by Thomas Gillow and William Taylor. The firm rapidly established a reputation for supplying high-quality furniture to the richest families in the country.

Height
86cm (33.86")
Width
56cm (22.05")
Depth
57cm (22.44")
Date of Manufacture

Camden Antiques has dated this Victorian Mahogany Davenport Desk to the 1850s.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1206955
Dealers Internal Ref
18396
Camden Antiques
Camden Antiques
Sellingantiques verified Since Jun 2012
Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the Camden Antiques Profile Page

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An early Victorian mahogany Davenport desk with a sloped leather writing surface and side drawers.
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Archive I An early Victorian mahogany Davenport desk with a sloped leather writing surface and side drawers.

Gillows Early Victorian Mahogany Davenport

Archive II An early Victorian mahogany Davenport desk with a sloped leather writing surface and side drawers. View II
Archive III An early Victorian mahogany Davenport desk with a sloped leather writing surface and side drawers. View III
Archive IV An early Victorian mahogany Davenport desk with a sloped leather writing surface and side drawers. View IV
Archive V An early Victorian mahogany Davenport desk with a sloped leather writing surface and side drawers. View V
Archive VI An early Victorian mahogany Davenport desk with a sloped leather writing surface and side drawers. View VI
Archive VII An early Victorian mahogany Davenport desk with a sloped leather writing surface and side drawers. View VII
Archive VIII An early Victorian mahogany Davenport desk with a sloped leather writing surface and side drawers. View VIII
Archive IX An early Victorian mahogany Davenport desk with a sloped leather writing surface and side drawers. View IX
Archive X An early Victorian mahogany Davenport desk with a sloped leather writing surface and side drawers. View X
Archive XI An early Victorian mahogany Davenport desk with a sloped leather writing surface and side drawers. View XI
Archive XII An early Victorian mahogany Davenport desk with a sloped leather writing surface and side drawers. View XII
Archive XIII An early Victorian mahogany Davenport desk with a sloped leather writing surface and side drawers. View XIII
Archive XIV An early Victorian mahogany Davenport desk with a sloped leather writing surface and side drawers. View XIV
Archive XV An early Victorian mahogany Davenport desk with a sloped leather writing surface and side drawers. View XV
Archive XVI An early Victorian mahogany Davenport desk with a sloped leather writing surface and side drawers. View XVI
Archive XVII An early Victorian mahogany Davenport desk with a sloped leather writing surface and side drawers. View XVII
Archive XVIII An early Victorian mahogany Davenport desk with a sloped leather writing surface and side drawers. View XVIII
Archive XIX An early Victorian mahogany Davenport desk with a sloped leather writing surface and side drawers. View XIX
Archive XX An early Victorian mahogany Davenport desk with a sloped leather writing surface and side drawers. View XX
Archive XXI An early Victorian mahogany Davenport desk with a sloped leather writing surface and side drawers. View XXI
Archive XXII An early Victorian mahogany Davenport desk with a sloped leather writing surface and side drawers. View XXII
Archive XXIII An early Victorian mahogany Davenport desk with a sloped leather writing surface and side drawers. View XXIII
Archive XXIV An early Victorian mahogany Davenport desk with a sloped leather writing surface and side drawers. View XXIV
Archive XXV An early Victorian mahogany Davenport desk with a sloped leather writing surface and side drawers. View XXV
Archive XXVI An early Victorian mahogany Davenport desk with a sloped leather writing surface and side drawers. View XXVI
Archive XXVII An early Victorian mahogany Davenport desk with a sloped leather writing surface and side drawers. View XXVII
Archive XXVIII An early Victorian mahogany Davenport desk with a sloped leather writing surface and side drawers. View XXVIII
Archive XXIX An early Victorian mahogany Davenport desk with a sloped leather writing surface and side drawers. View XXIX
Archive XXX An early Victorian mahogany Davenport desk with a sloped leather writing surface and side drawers. View XXX
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Telephone 07887 503 904
Location
Units 20 & 19
The Vinery
Poling
West Sussex
BN18 9PY
United Kingdom
Dealer Profile Page sellingantiques.co.uk/camden
Verified Since Jun 2012
Items For Sale 166
Items Sold 2,461
Camden Antiques
Camden Antiques
Verified Since Jun 2012
View Dealer Info
Location: Units 20 & 19, The Vinery, Poling, West Sussex, BN18 9PY, United Kingdom
Verified
Jun 2012
For Sale
166
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An early Victorian mahogany Davenport desk with a sloped leather writing surface and side drawers.
Gillows Early Victorian Mahogany Davenport
Ref: SA1206955
An early Victorian mahogany Davenport desk with a sloped leather writing surface and side drawers.
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Archival Detail
Every single antique dealer on our platform is individually approved by our internal team. We verify their professional trade history, ethical standards, and photographic quality to ensure a secure, high-standard buying environment. Upon joining, every dealer agrees to a strict 9-point code of conduct. While issues can occasionally arise, our dealers typically resolve them swiftly and directly with the buyer. In fact, since our founding in 2002, Sellingantiques has only had to step in to help resolve an issue on roughly five occasions—a true testament to the quality of our dealers and their dedication to your happiness.
Our dealers are highly experienced in packing and shipping fragile, high-value antiques. Because you are in direct contact with the dealer, you will be able to easily go through all available shipping and insurance options together to ensure your item arrives safely.
Antiques are the ultimate green purchase. By choosing historical pieces over newly manufactured goods, you completely eliminate the carbon footprint of modern mass production while preserving exceptional, timeless craftsmanship.

A Davenport desk is a compact writing desk named after Captain Davenport, who commissioned the initial design in the late 18th century. It features a sloped hinged top opening to a writing compartment, supported by side drawers or decorative supports.

Victorian Davenport desks were built from solid hardwoods such as mahogany, walnut, or rosewood. Writing surfaces were frequently inlaid with gold-tooled or blind-tooled leather, complemented by brass locks and turned wooden drawer knobs.

Authentic pieces feature hand-cut dovetail joints, period brass hardware, and natural timber patination from age. Cabinetmaker stamps on drawer tops or lock plates often verify provenance and era of production.

A Davenport desk functions as a compact workstation in a hallway, bedroom alcove, or living room corner. Positioned alongside clean-lined modern seating or modern lighting, it provides a functional focal point without occupying significant floor space.

Maintain mahogany surfaces by keeping the piece away from direct sunlight and central heating sources to avoid wood movement. Clean with a dry microfibre cloth, apply natural beeswax annually, and treat the leather insert with specialist leather polish.
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