A Fine Regency Parcel Gilt and Gilt Metal Mounted Rosewood Library Writing Table in the Manner of Gillows of Lancaster Circa 1810

the rectangular top with inset corners and semi-circular ends, with cross-banding and a leather lining, the edge in gilt metal, above a conforming frieze with pearl beaded moldings, each long side with two mahogany-lined drawers with leopard-mask handle, supported on carved giltwood monopodia headed by finely modeled leopards' heads above palmette scroll ornament and panels with a pendant stylized leaf, the legs naturalistically modeled, the paw feet below with collars in the form of coronets. Regilt.

Sold, Sotheby's, London, May 26, 1967, lot 104, from the collection of Peter Wilson
Partridge Fine Arts PLC, London
Hotspur Ltd., London

Recent Acquisitions 1997, Partridge Fine Arts PLC, London, pp. 58, 59

Related literature:
Clifford Musgrave, "Puzzles of Regency Furniture," Country Life, June 14, 1962, pp. 1410-1412, fig. 2
The Connoisseur, September to December, 1964, "The firm of Gillow at Blair Castle," Anthony Coleridge, p. 91
Margaret Jourdain, Regency Furniture, 1965, p. 58, fig. 109, p. 78, fig. 181
Desmond Fitz-Gerald, Georgian Furniture, Victoria and Albert Museum, 1969, pp. 156, 157

In good restored condition – the original leather top with a lateral crack following the line of construction which requires some stabilization from below and slight touching-in to the small losses on the edges. – the cross-banded edge with some areas of water damage to the polish – other wood surface with good waxed finish and color close to illustration - legs re-gilt and with small losses and rubbing to gilding overall and some small areas of repair and touching-in particularly to the faces and toes – has modern glass top. Letter top with two long cracks and scuffs to leather. Chips and losees to noses of lions heads, in need of leather restoration.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

This fine library writing table with its monopodia finely carved with leopards' heads and feet and subtle palmette ornament clearly illustrates the influence of antique Greek and Roman forms during the Regency period. Similar legs are to be seen on a rectangular Library Table illustrated by George Smith in his Collection of Designs for Household Furniture and Interior Decoration, published in London 1808, plate 87, first published in 1804, which are ornamented with leaf-ornamented ovals, but lack the coronet collars to the ankles. The form and profile of these legs were almost certainly derived from the Etchings, Representing the Best Examples of Ancient Ornamental Architecture; Drawn from the Originals in Rome, and Other Parts of Italy During the Years 1794, 1795, and 1796, by Charles Heathcote Tatham, 1799. Tatham illustrates in this work an "Antique Tripod of oriental Alabaster from the Collection in the Museum of the Vatican," the three monopodia legs with leopard heads and paws but lacking the carved ornament to the knees and ankles.

A number of related tables are recorded including one of identical form but supported on a rosewood veneered platform (See: Jourdain, Regency Furniture, p. 78, fig. 181), another of this latter form but larger, in the Collection of the Earl of Harrowby, Sandon Hall, Staffordshire, and another circular example, the legs bended at the knees and similarly raised on a veneered rosewood platform. The last two examples have distinctive handles with star-form back-plates, and anthemion ornamented escutcheons, the designs of which also seem to be peculiar to Gillows' recorded work. This includes a rosewood "commode with a dove marble top," which was one of three supplied by Gillow to the Duke of Atholl in 1806 for 7 Portman Square (See: The Connoisseur, "The firm of Gillow at Blair Castle," Anthony Coleridge), and an octagonal work table supplied to Wilbrahim Egerton of Tatton Park (See: Furniture History 1970, pp. 14-15, pl. 23A). The Coronet-form collars above the paw feet also seem to be peculiar to Gillow's work being found on a suite of carved giltwood seat furniture including twelve armchairs and two settees which was supplied by Gillows in 1805 to Colonel Hughes of Kinmel Park, Denbighshire. The legs of the suite are similarly naturalistically modeled and have leopard heads and anthemion ornaments found on the present lot (See: Fitzgerald, Georgian Furniture, no. 136).