George III Gillow Mahogany Chest

Extremely rare 18th century George III period mahogany chest attributed to Gillows of Lancaster & London.

The highly figured butterfly quarter cut veneers retain an extraordinary depth of colour with a rarely seen patina that co-exists with the original wax finish. The thumbnail moulding to the rectangular frames the most splendid quarter cut veneers which are deliberate in form to make the most of them. 

The two short and three long graduated full length drawers are oak lined with fine mahogany dove tails, fitted with the original brass locks. The well figured mahogany drawer fronts are fitted with the original chased gilt ormolu rococo swan neck handles and back plates with matching escutcheons. The graduated drawers are flanked and adorned with tapered ring-turned capitals and sit above a thumbnail moulding on plain mahogany sides and are raised on 'Gillow' ogee bracket feet. 

The extravagant rococo handles and ogee bracket feet relate to the John France’s press or ‘large piece of furniture’, 1766. Gillows had a sketch for the piece of furniture that was made in 1766 for John France Junior (d.1817) of Rawcliffe Hall, in the Lancashire Fylde.

Reference: Susan Stuart's book, 'Gillows of Lancaster and London', Plate 598, Westminster Archive Centre.

Dimensions

This object is eligible for a Certificate of BADA Provenance

Condition report

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