W.R. Harvey & Co. (Antiques) Ltd

Regency Period Mahogany Secretaire Gentleman’s Press By Gillows Of Lancaster (c. 1811 England)

There is an undeniable Gillow’s house style and quality which one sees repeatededly on documented pieces. The outstanding timbers and quality of construction of this Press lead one to suppose this could be by them and the inscription on the bottom of the lowest drawer “T Atkinson May 1st 1811” helps to confirm this. There are several Atkinsons who worked for Gillows at the end of the 18th. and early 19th. Centuries and Thomas is recorded by both Lindsay Boynton and Susan Stuart. Indeed, illustrations Nos 145 in Boynton’s book of a “Secretary and Bookcase” and 161 “Bookshelf with drawers” both have the Tuscan Cornice and are both documented by T. Atkinson. This Cornice is a recurring theme, (136 Wardrobe dated 1799,139 Bureau and Bookcase dated 1788, 166,167,168 ThreeLibrary Bookcases dated 1787, 1792 & 1797 all in Boynton’s book)

In Susan Stuart’s book on Gillows, Atkinson, T., is recorded in folios 1578, 1619 and 1901 indicating dates during the first quarter of the 19th. Century, equally Atkinson, T. Esq., 4050 suggests prior to 16th. Feb. 1835 and Atkinson, Thomas, 1718 & 1894 implies the first decade of the century. Thomas Atkinson was named in the PCB on 30.3.1789 when he received 1gn. he was also recorded in the PL 1802-04 (344/69, 344/78, fs 183-184).
In Stuart’s book, plates B47 & 48, pp294 & 295, Vol II illustrates a Breakfront Bookcase made by Henry Walker of Lancaster with very similar details to the Press in the cornice, frieze, secretaire drawer and drawer front. HW was a Gillow’s apprentice who was employed by them from the early 1790s as a cabinetmaker and carver. He started his own company in 1805 and apparently continued working on both his own account and for gillows until declared bankrupt in 1831.
Lit: Gillows of Lancaster & London 1730 – 1840 by Susan Stuart, 2 vols.
Gillow Furniture Designs 1760 – 1800 by Lyndsay Boynton.

A superb Regency Period Mahogany Secretaire Gentleman’s Press by Gillows of Lancaster, the moulded “Tuscan” cornice with flame figured panel above a crossbanded frieze and highly figured panelled doors opening to reveal four sliding trays, the secretaire drawer front with a central oval flame figued panel flanked by rectangular cross banded panels and opening to show an arrangement of 9 drawers retaining the original gilt brass lions head knobs around an arcade of 5 pigeon holes all above three further full width graduated drawers, the whole raised on bracket feet and retaining the original lions head gilt brass handles. Ca.1811