Gillows Early Victorian Mahogany Davenport

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 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.