Antique William IV Mahogany Linen Press by Wilkinson & Son Circa 1840

This is a beautiful antique William IV flame mahogany linen press by Wilkinson & Son, Old Bond Street, London, circa 1840 in date.

It features a pair of panelled doors that enclose five linen slides above a pair of half-width drawers over a full-width drawer, and it stands on elegant turned fluted feet.

It is stamped Wilkinson & Son, Old Bond Street on the top left-hand drawer and is in original complete condition.

Complete with original locks, handles, and key with tassel.

It is a very decorative piece which is sure to attract attention wherever placed.

Condition:

In really excellent condition, having only been beautifully cleaned, polished, and waxed in our workshops; please see photos for confirmation.

Dimensions in cm:

Height 190 cm x Width 124 cm x Depth 58 cm

Dimensions in inches:

Height 75 inches x Width 49 inches x Depth 23 inches

Wilkinson & Son

Antique furniture by the cabinet makers Wilkinson & Son is usually a sign of quality. Wilkinson & Son was first established by Joshua Wilkinson as cabinet makers, upholsterers, carpet sellers and a looking glass warehouse, in 1766 in 7 Broker's Row, Moorfields in the City of London. Joshua Wilkinson died in 1790, and by this time his son William Wilkinson and cousin, Thomas Wilkinson, were in partnership running the company. They became specialists in extending tables, breakfast tables and Card Tables. The partnership of William and Thomas Wilkinson ended in 1808 when William set up on his own at an old established firm of Quentin Kaye at 14 Ludgate Hill and Thomas continued at 10 Broker's Row until 1828.

William Wilkinson was very successful going forward with his business. Some of his first furniture was stamped 'WILKINSON LUDGATE HILL'. In 1825, William brought his three sons, William, Ayscough and Charles, into the partnership and after this date furniture was stamped 'WILKINSON & SONS 14 LUDGATE HILL'. William Wilkinson died in 1833 and after this date his sons changed the furniture mark to W & C WILKINSON 14 LUDGATE HILL. After William's death, his widow sold her share to his brother Charles, who then moved the business to 8 Bond Street, London, in 1855. Most stamped furniture from this period onwards would be stamped Wilkinson & Son, 8 Old Bond Street. In 1871, the business was passed to Charles' eldest son, Frederick. The building at 8 Bond Street was demolished in 1909 and the company was renamed Hindley & Wilkinson. They moved to 70/71 Welbeck Street, London. They were eventually absorbed by Marshall & Snellgrove in about 1918.

Flame Mahogany

Thomas Sheraton - 18th-century furniture designer, once characterized mahogany as "best suited to furniture where strength is demanded as well as a wood that works up easily, has a beautiful figure and polishes so well that it is an ornament to any room in which it may be placed." Matching his words to his work, Sheraton designed much mahogany furniture. The qualities that impressed Sheraton are particularly evident in a distinctive pattern of wood called "flame mahogany."

The flame figure in the wood is revealed by slicing through the face of the branch at the point where it joins another element of the tree.

Our reference: A5471