A pair of Victorian Aesthetic satinwood cabinets on stand circa 1880, by Gillows, the design in the manner of Bruce James Talbert

the spindle-galleried tops with turned ball finials and crenellated dentilled mouldings above a pair of panelled doors inlaid with amboyna, each painted with female figures, enclosing a shelf with two drawers below, stamped L 4967, on stands with turned legs and two shelves, the inside of the backboard of the cornice on one cabinet bearing the pencil inscription `William Miles'

Both cabinets are in very good condition. The colour and patination is good. They are of exceptional quality.
"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. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

The design for these cabinets is preserved in the Gillows archive under the date 21 August 1877 ( see illustration online) and clearly shows the influence of the architect and designer Bruce Talbert, who frequently worked with Gillows at this period and whose published designs include a cabinet of similar form illustrated in Fashionable Furniture, issued after his death in 1881 which was a collection of his designs. Talbert worked in association with several other principal furniture makers of the period, including Holland & Sons, Marsh Jones & Cribb, Lamb of Manchester and the Coalbrokedale Company and also established professional links with other key designers such as Richard Norman Shaw and George Edmund Street.

The pencilled inscription to the cornice is of a type commonly found on furniture by Gillows and almost certainly gives the identity of the cabinet-maker.