Exceptional Gillows Davenport in Burr Walnut

No: 11239 An Exceptional Gillows davenport in burr walnut. This rare example is in almost untouched condition and has a spindle gallery to the top above the writing slope retaining the original gilt tooled leather and opening to show two small drawers and two dummy drawers,  the inside of the lid still retains the original braids and pins as well as  the original lock stamped “J Bramah 124 Piccadilly” with a crown over, this whole section sliding forward to provide a kneehole, the left side with  a pull out slide and three dummy drawers, the right hand side with an articulated slide out pen compartment above a pull out slide and three real drawers all stamped “GILLOW” and all retaining the original locks by Bramah. The whole is raised on a moulded base with four reeded bun feet with the original sunken casters. The top left small drawer on the left inside of the desk is signed on the bottom in pencil “ John Herbert” and in Susan Stuart’s books  he is recorded in the estimates sketch books index from 1800 –50 at 344/98, f.1555 and the father and son are  known to have worked there between 1800 and 1840 .  (Vol II Appendix B). The son was apprenticed to Leonard Redmayne This piece also still retains the original ebony turned drawer pulls (knobs) throughout. Lit: “ Gillows of Lancaster and London 1730-1840” Susan E Stuart Vol I, pp: 94-96 Vol II, pp: 31-33, Illustr. Pl: 565, 567,568 & 569. W.R.Harvey & Co. (Antiques) Ltd. SN398K/10296 also "Glorious Gillows" exhibition catalogue, chapter 11.