Mahogany dressing table attributed to Gillows of Lancaster

A fine mahogany dressing table attributed to Gillows of Lancaster, the shaped rectangular top with a central recess above the long concave drawer, flanked four small drawers, on reeded tapering legs and brass caps and casters, English c1810.

This concave-fronted dressing-table is in the antique manner popularised by Thomas Hope’s Household Furniture and Interior Decoration, London, 1807 and George Smith’s Collection of Designs for Household Furniture, London, 1808. The general pattern for this table features in the 1806 Estimate Sketch Book, while a related example appears in their 1811 Account Book as ‘A Handsome Mahogany five drawer dressing Table with rim and on turned reeded legs 6.16.6’. ‘Gillows.Lancaster’ is stamped on a related table supplied in 1811 to Parlington Hall, Aberford (illustrated in C. Gilbert, Furniture at Temple Newsam House and Lotherton Hall, London, 1978, vol. II, p. 380, cat. no. 500) and six of this form were supplied in 1813 to the 2nd Baron Bolton for Hackwood Park, Hampshire, four of which were sold from there, Christie’s house sale, 20-22 April 1998, lots 356, 358, 359 and 360. A further table was sold, the Property of a Gentleman, Christie’s London, 16 September 1999, lot 138 ($6,900).