It would be difficult to find an antique furniture enthusiast or collector unfamiliar with the name Gillows of Lancaster and London. The British furniture company — which has earned references in the writings of Jane Austen and elsewhere in literature — is renowned for its exceptional quality craftsmanship, and attracted designers such as Thomas Chippendale, Thomas Sheraton and George Hepplewhite in its heyday.
The firm was founded circa 1730 by Robert Gillow (1704–72), who worked as a joiner, housebuilder and overseas merchant before making furniture for homes and export. Gillow established his business in his home city of Lancaster. However, the company later expanded into London in the 1750s after Robert entered into a partnership with his son, Richard, who apprenticed with a London architect and learned the merchant trade in Barbados. Richard had entrepreneurial aptitude — he managed apprenticeships at the firm, ensured that quality materials were a priority, navigated economic hardships, and designed furniture, too. He created seating based on sketches drawn by his cousin, James Gillow, in London.
London’s wealthy upper class took notice of the Gillows’ high-quality furniture, which came to include bedroom furniture, cabinets, a range of seating and other pieces made of rosewood or rich mahogany imported from the West Indies and Jamaica. By the end of the 18th century, the manufacturer was one of the leading furniture makers in Britain. Gillows designed its own furnishings and worked with significant designers; they had in-house upholsterers and cabinetmakers and employed decorative techniques such as “japanning” in their designs.
Gillows of Lancaster and London became Gillow & Co. in 1813 after selling to Redmayne, Whiteside and Ferguson. The company continued to thrive throughout the Georgian era and into the Victorian period, a time that yielded well-known collaborations with Scottish architect and designer Bruce Talbert on a regular basis. High-brow clients of the manufacturer clamored for their inventive and functional designs for tables and writing desks, many of which incorporated whimsical elements such as secret and pop-up drawers. There was also demand for earlier Gillow designs such as Baroque and Gothic Revival pieces as well as adaptations of Chippendale works.
Despite their success, Gillow & Co. entered into financial hardship during the late 1800s with the advent of mass-produced furniture. By 1903, they merged with Waring of Liverpool to become Waring and Gillows and, in 1980, were taken over by Maple & Co. to become Maple, Waring and Gillow. Today, many Gillows of Lancaster and London pieces are in museums throughout the United Kingdom, New Zealand and Australia.
Find antique Gillows of Lancaster and London furniture on 1stDibs.
A Large Carved Wood & Gesso Fireplace by Gillows of London & Lancaster
By Gillows of Lancaster & London
Located in GB
A large hand carved and gesso fire place with over mantle, faux painted marble columns and frieze. With central plaque with Adams urn and foliate detail , th...
Plaster, Softwood
$1,444Sale Price|40% Off
Stamped Gillows of Lancaster Walnut Height Adjustable Fire Screen, circa 1850
By Gillows of Lancaster & London, Gillows of Lancaster & London, Waring & Gillow
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this very rare original Gillows Lancaster circa 1850 height adjustable walnut fire screen A very good looking and well made screen from pretty m...
Walnut
$1,450
H 58 in W 85 in D 7.5 in
Unfinished Wood Fireplace Mantel with Carved Sunburst and Fluted Pilasters.
Located in Stamford, CT
Unfinished reproduction wood fireplace mantel with carved sunburst and fluted pilasters. This particular mantel exhibits decorative carving, including a central sunburst motif and fl...
Wood
$4,800
H 29.25 in W 29 in D 9.25 in
American Wrought Iron Ball Top Freestanding Fire Place Screen, Circa 1820
Located in Charleston, SC
American wrought iron free standing fire screen with flanking ball finials, decorative scrolled centered panel with interior lined mesh, tapered supporting columns, and terminating o...
Wrought Iron, Wire
Wood Fireplace Mantel with Columns and Large Opening
Located in Stamford, CT
This is a very nice wood fireplace mantel with large round columns and a opening perfect for large fireplaces 47" x 72". I believe this mantel was made by a carpenter or builder from...
Wood
Magnificent Antique Carved Fireplace Mantel
Located in Atlanta, GA
A large and impressive mahogany fireplace mantel with carvings. The piece is of American origin, circa late 19th century to early 20th century. Carved out of solid grained mahogany, ...
Mahogany
$7,500
H 30 in W 22.5 in D 8 in
French Brass Cherub and Decorative Foliage Fire Place Screen, Circa 1830
Located in Charleston, SC
French brass freestanding fire place screen with a decorative floral handle, a centered swinging cherub foliage medallion, flanking floral borders, and...
Brass, Iron, Wire
Large Antique Neoclassical Wooden Fireplace
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A large antique neoclassical wooden fireplace. This impressive, large scale fire surround is crafted in hardwood and ornately decorated with composition embellishments, including fl...
Wood, Hardwood, Paint
Aesthetic Movement Polished Steel Fire Screen Circa 1890
Located in London, GB
An Aesthetic Movement polished steel fire screen with barley-twist detail to frame on scrolled support feet. The screen features a densely latticed mesh riveted to the frame and a sh...
Steel
Marie Suri "Celestial" Fire Screen
By Marie Suri
Located in New York, NY
Marie Suri The celestial fire screen fire screen with scattered 4” steel medallions with bronze decoration. Mesh backing makes these an excellen...
Bronze, Steel
French Brass Free Standing Fire Screen. Circa 1820-30
Located in Charleston, SC
French brass free standing fire screen with centered floral handle, swag finial motif, foliage motif, and terminating on scrolled block feet. Early 19th Century
Marie Suri "Cirque" Fire Screen
By Marie Suri
Located in New York, NY
Marie Suri "Cirque" fire screen Fire screen with scattered brass disks mounted on brass rods. Mesh backing makes these an excellent choice for wood-burning fireplaces. Custom inquiri...
Brass, Steel
$5,542
H 45.25 in W 36.5 in D 13.5 in
Antique Gothic Fire Screen w. Handpainted Earth Angle, Saints and Carved Knights
Located in Lisse, NL
Stunning firescreen with a famous earth angle, two famous saint paintings and more. With meaningful 'religious art' from centuries-past being one of our specialities we were amazed, not only to find this rare and marvelous fire screen, but also because of its excellent condition. But then again, we think we see that more often, because true beauty, quality and meaningful antiques radiate something that was already there when it was created. This 'something' commands respect and this is why most people take very good care of very special pieces. Since much of what we know now about Christianity and about monastic life in its various 'forms' was given shape since the life of Christ, but possibly mostly so in Gothic / Medieval times, much of this is expressed in European Gothic Art of the past circa 8 centuries. This rare and beautiful fire screen from the early 1800s, which can also be used as a small room divider or a unique work of (decorative) art, is one of those unique Gothic antiques. The hand-carved knight sculptures are 'fun' and meaningful at the same time, because one of them looks a little desperate and the other looks more at piece and in prayer. The hand-carved winged angel in the middle/ on top seems to be overlooking this 'Gesamtkunstwerk'. What makes this antique really stand out and what also makes it complete are the three hand-painted panels inside this screen. Each of the figures portrayed here have dedicated their lifes to doing good, giving love and hope and thus healing people. In the centre is a glorious painting (in medieval style) of Earth Angel St. Raphael and the boy Tobias. The lady Saint on the right, we feel, is Elizabeth of Hungary (1207-1231) and the Saint on the left, we feel, is either Francis de Sales...
Oak, Paint
Antique Oak Georgian Style Carved Wood Fireplace Surrounds
Located in Edinburgh, GB
An elegant, and quite large wooden fireplace surround in the Georgian manor in rich home grown Scottish figured oak. The frieze of bolection ...
Oak