A George III inlaid mahogany library secretaire-bookcase attributed to Gillows circa 1785

in two sections, the breakfronted upper section surmounted by an arched cresting above a pair of glazed doors opening to adjustable shelves, flanked by two cabinets to either side each fitted with a glazed door opening to adjustable shelves, the conforming projecting lower section centered by a central frieze drawer opening to reveal a baize-lined panel sliding back to a compartmentalized interior flanked by hinged lidded compartments inlaid with letters of the alphabet before secret compartments, and flanked by two frieze drawers on either side, two of which open to reveal a sliding baize-lined panel, all above cupboard doors opening to adjustable shelves, raised on a molded plinth; the side of one cabinet to the upper section with an inked inscription Clayton (?) / Bentham / 5.

Please note that the end sections to the breakfront bookcase appear to be later added; however, they appear to be made within the same period of time as the central case and appear to have been added at that time. The quality of manufacture and use of materials is consistent with the central case. Overall good restored condition; with a glossy finish;very good quality; the far left upper section with an old repaired break to the left side cornice; sun fading to door front; the upper left section with a patch to the top left corner of the cornice; the central upper section with an inpainted patch to either corner of the arched cornice, inpainted scuffs around the outside frame of each door at the center, replaced glass panel to center of right door; extensive inpainting to bottom right corner of right door; the right upper section with inpainted patch to upper right corner of cornice; the far right upper section with inpainted age crack to frieze of right side over lines of construction; sun-fading to the door-front. The lower section: Far left cabinet with old repaired and inpainted breaks to the left molding to top, the projecting lower section with a long patch to the veneer at join with the right section; left side frieze with age cracks; large patch to back left corner of side panel approximately 5 inches by 1 inch, patch to the back edge of the plinth, sun-fading to drawer and door fronts; patch to front left corner of plinth and small patches to bottom edge of plinth with some age cracks and inpainting; the central section with old repaired break to vertical molding of left side panel at join with left cabinet and lock; chip to left molding; door fronts slightly warped; patch to the center of the plinth, the right side of the plinth with some inpainted patches; baize-lining replaced; veneer to projecting top probably all replaced; the far right section with replacements to veneers of right side of top next to the top molding; door front with old repaired breaks to the right edge now with plugs to the side and with infilled chips; sun-fading to door front; repaired break to molding. Overall with old marks, scratches, scuffs and bruises and with infilled nicks and chips.
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.

The Lancaster firm of Gillows produced a design in their Sketch Books for a secretaire-bookcase with a 'Tuscan cornice' in March 1784, fitted with the 'new sort of writing drawer' introduced several years earlier, with a baize-lined panel sliding back to reveal six hinged compartments inlaid with four letters of the alphabet and two boxes behind; see Susan Stuart, Gillows of Lancaster and London 1730-1840, Woodbridge: Antique Collectors' Club, 2008, vol. 1, pp. 367-369, pls. 434-436.  The present library bookcase is very similar in design to this secretaire-bookcase, with an arched (but not inlaid) cornice, identical ogee-arched glazing bars to the doors, the 'new sort of writing drawer' and oval-inlaid panels to the doors of the lower section.  Lindsay Boynton, Gillow Furniture Designs 1760-1800, Royston: The Bloomfield Press, 1995, p. 166, illustrates a design from the Sketch Books for a library bookcase dated May 1787, a writing drawer in the center, as with the present bookcase.  The oval drop handle with oval patera in the center was much used by Gillow starting about 1786; see Stuart, op. cit., vol. 1, p. 335, pl. D9.

Gillows of Lancaster and London was one of the leading English cabinet making firms of the 18th and 19th centuries. Robert Gillow (1704-1772) founded the firm circa 1730. His eldest son, Richard, became a partner in 1757 and Robert junior, the youngest son moved to London in 1776, where he ran the warehouse and showroom, which had been opened in 1769. Much of the firm's patronage encompassed the Northern and Scottish gentry, including the Duke of Atholl and the Earls of Stafford and Derby.  In the second half of the 18th century, Gillows became the first English cabinet-makers to adopt the practice of stamping their furniture.