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ID #SA1243859
FOR SALE
£2,450
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Early 19th Century Antique Library Writing Table by Gillows of Lancaster and London
For sale by The Fine Art Fund
for sale €2,867     $3,112
£2,450

The Fine Art Fund

Sellingantiques Verified Since Feb 2024
Browse dealers 77 items
  • About Us
    We source top quality georgian and regency fine furniture made in the united kingdom by the best cabinet makers of the time.
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Id #SA1243859
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Early 19th Century Antique Library Writing Table by Gillows of Lancaster and London

19th century
Description

Exceptional quality library writing table made by Gillows of Lancaster and London, the construction and timber quality are absolutely first rate, the proportions are great with thin columns and narrow frieze concealing two drawers. The casters are recessed in the feet, the columns are held on with such massive tenons that there is no need for a centre stretcher and the dovetails are excellent as well. The leg design is the classic Gillow leg found in the Gillow pattern books and also illustrated in Susan E Stuart's Gillows books (see photo).

There is a similar table by Gillows in the Victoria and Albert Museum

https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O130335/games-table-gillow--co/

The top has faded to a good dry golden brown ready to be repolished, waxed or left as it is depending on the requirement.

Near pair available!

28" / 71cm deep

48" / 122cm wide

28½" / 73cm high

Date of Manufacture

The Fine Art Fund has dated this Antique Mahogany Library Table to the Regency era.

Physical Dimensions
Height
73cm (28.74")
Width
122cm (48.03")
Depth
71cm (27.95")
Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1243859
Dealers Internal Reference
TF94
Dealers Notes

Please call, text or WhatsApp (instead of email) to get in contact with any questions. We are here to help!

Description
Exceptional quality library writing table made by Gillows of Lancaster and London, the construction and timber quality are absolutely first rate, the proportions are great with thin columns and narrow frieze concealing two drawers.
“
The casters are recessed in the feet, the columns are held on with such massive tenons that there is no need for a centre stretcher and the dovetails are excellent as well.
The Fine Art Fund

The leg design is the classic Gillow leg found in the Gillow pattern books and also illustrated in Susan E Stuart's Gillows books (see photo).

fig 1. An early nineteenth-century mahogany library writing table featuring gadrooned trim along the edge and double turned pedestal supports on trestle feet.
fig 1. Early 19th Century Antique Library Writing Table by Gillows of Lancaster and London

There is a similar table by Gillows in the Victoria and Albert Museum

https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O130335/games-table-gillow--co/

The top has faded to a good dry golden brown ready to be repolished, waxed or left as it is depending on the requirement.

Near pair available!

28" / 71cm deep

48" / 122cm wide

28½" / 73cm high

Date of Manufacture

The Fine Art Fund has dated this Antique Mahogany Library Table to the Regency era.

Height
73cm (28.74")
Width
122cm (48.03")
Depth
71cm (27.95")
Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1243859
Dealers Internal Ref
TF94
The Fine Art Fund
Sellingantiques verified Since Feb 2024

We source top quality georgian and regency fine furniture made in the united kingdom by the best cabinet makers of the time.

Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the The Fine Art Fund Profile Page

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An early nineteenth-century mahogany library writing table featuring gadrooned trim along the edge and double turned pedestal supports on trestle feet.
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Archive I An early nineteenth-century mahogany library writing table featuring gadrooned trim along the edge and double turned pedestal supports on trestle feet.

Early 19th Century Antique Library Writing Table by Gillows of Lancaster and London

Archive II An early nineteenth-century mahogany library writing table featuring gadrooned trim along the edge and double turned pedestal supports on trestle feet. View II
Archive III An early nineteenth-century mahogany library writing table featuring gadrooned trim along the edge and double turned pedestal supports on trestle feet. View III
Archive IV An early nineteenth-century mahogany library writing table featuring gadrooned trim along the edge and double turned pedestal supports on trestle feet. View IV
Archive V An early nineteenth-century mahogany library writing table featuring gadrooned trim along the edge and double turned pedestal supports on trestle feet. View V
Archive VI An early nineteenth-century mahogany library writing table featuring gadrooned trim along the edge and double turned pedestal supports on trestle feet. View VI
Archive VII An early nineteenth-century mahogany library writing table featuring gadrooned trim along the edge and double turned pedestal supports on trestle feet. View VII
Archive VIII An early nineteenth-century mahogany library writing table featuring gadrooned trim along the edge and double turned pedestal supports on trestle feet. View VIII
Archive IX An early nineteenth-century mahogany library writing table featuring gadrooned trim along the edge and double turned pedestal supports on trestle feet. View IX
Archive X An early nineteenth-century mahogany library writing table featuring gadrooned trim along the edge and double turned pedestal supports on trestle feet. View X
Archive XI An early nineteenth-century mahogany library writing table featuring gadrooned trim along the edge and double turned pedestal supports on trestle feet. View XI
Archive XII An early nineteenth-century mahogany library writing table featuring gadrooned trim along the edge and double turned pedestal supports on trestle feet. View XII
Archive XIII An early nineteenth-century mahogany library writing table featuring gadrooned trim along the edge and double turned pedestal supports on trestle feet. View XIII
Archive XIV An early nineteenth-century mahogany library writing table featuring gadrooned trim along the edge and double turned pedestal supports on trestle feet. View XIV
Archive XV An early nineteenth-century mahogany library writing table featuring gadrooned trim along the edge and double turned pedestal supports on trestle feet. View XV
Archive XVI An early nineteenth-century mahogany library writing table featuring gadrooned trim along the edge and double turned pedestal supports on trestle feet. View XVI
Archive XVII An early nineteenth-century mahogany library writing table featuring gadrooned trim along the edge and double turned pedestal supports on trestle feet. View XVII
Archive XVIII An early nineteenth-century mahogany library writing table featuring gadrooned trim along the edge and double turned pedestal supports on trestle feet. View XVIII
Archive XIX An early nineteenth-century mahogany library writing table featuring gadrooned trim along the edge and double turned pedestal supports on trestle feet. View XIX
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The Fine Art Fund
Telephone 07860 350096
Location
Cotswold
Gloucestershire
United Kingdom
Dealer Profile Page sellingantiques.co.uk/fineartfund
Verified Since Feb 2024
Items For Sale 77
Items Sold 18
The Fine Art Fund
Verified Since Feb 2024
View Dealer Info
Location: Cotswold, Gloucestershire, United Kingdom
Profile: sellingantiques.co.uk/fineartfund
Verified
Feb 2024
For Sale
77
Sold
18
An early nineteenth-century mahogany library writing table featuring gadrooned trim along the edge and double turned pedestal supports on trestle feet.
Early 19th Century Antique Library Writing Table by Gillows of Lancaster and London
Ref: SA1243859
An early nineteenth-century mahogany library writing table featuring gadrooned trim along the edge and double turned pedestal supports on trestle feet.
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Archival Detail

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Cataloguer’s note

Written by Sellingantiques from the dealer’s photographs and listing
  • ObjectDesks & Writing Tables
  • Period19th century
  • StyleRegency
  • MaterialMahogany
  • ColourWarm Brown
  • MotifsGadrooned edge, Turned pedestals, Beaded moulding, Trestle base
  • SizeH 73 cm (29 in) x W 122 cm (48 in) x D 71 cm (28 in)

This early 19th-century Regency library writing table comes from the workshop of Gillows of Lancaster and London. Constructed from solid mahogany, the surface displays a warm golden brown timber colour with a polished finish and a faded dry character. Decorative details include a gadrooned edge along the top, beaded moulding running underneath, double turned pedestal columns, and trestle feet. Two concealed drawers sit within the narrow frieze, supported by recessed casters. Measuring 73 cm high by 122 cm wide and 71 cm deep, this desk suits a traditional study or a gentleman's library workspace for everyday writing and administrative tasks.

FAQs

During the Regency and William IV periods in Britain, library tables were central fixtures in country house studies and reading rooms. Cabinetmakers such as Gillows of Lancaster designed these substantial tables with heavy turned pedestals and decorative timber edging to serve both functional writing needs and formal display.

These tables were primarily constructed using dense Cuban or West Indian mahogany, prized for its strength and grain pattern. Construction techniques included hand-cut dovetail joints, blind mortise-and-tenon joinery, and detailed lathe-turned supports with hand-carved gadrooned or beaded mouldings.

Authentic pieces by Gillows frequently feature stamped signatures on drawer edges or undercarriages, such as GILLOWS or GILLOWS . LANCASTER. Other indicators include exceptionally high-grade timber, precise drawer lining fit, and distinctive turned pedestal profiles characteristic of their pattern books.

A dark mahogany library table can serve as a central writing desk in a home office or be placed behind a sofa in a living room as a console table. Pair the rich wood tones with contemporary lighting, neutral upholstery, and minimal desktop accessories to create visual balance.

Dust the wood surface regularly with a dry microfibre cloth and apply a high-grade beeswax polish once or twice a year to maintain the original patina. Position the table away from direct sunlight and central heating radiators to prevent drying, cracking, or timber movement.
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