Antique English Victorian Mahogany & Brown Leather Chesterfield Attributed to Gillows of Lancaster (Circa 1850)

Summary:
• Item: Chesterfield
• Circa: 1850
• Period: Victorian
• Provenance: England
• Wood: Mahogany
• Attributed to Gillows of Lancaster Cabinetmakers
• Newly upholstered
• Stunning quality full grain brown chestnut leather
• Deep buttoned arms, back, seat and apron
• Pronounced “fan shape” over-hang to arms (sign of quality)
• Horsehair filling
• Hessian webbed underside
• Original screw-on feet (sign of quality)
• Original brass castor cups & mug castors
• Seats 4 persons
• Stunning quality
• Excellent condition
• Very heavy
• Solid in joint
• Free delivery to England, Wales & southern Scotland*
• Free 14 days UK returns policy

Here is a stunning quality antique English Victorian mahogany chesterfield, circa 1850, attributed to Gillows of Lancaster, which has been newly upholstered in deep-buttoned brown chestnut leather hide, and is in excellent condition. The chesterfield has been professionally re-upholstered with horsehair and traditional materials. It incorporates an individual sprung seat, re-webbed with traditional jute webbing and the underside is backed with hessian canvass, which has been hand tacked to the frame. The chesterfield boasts a fantastic design; with a pronounced buttoned “fan shape” over-hang to the back and arms. The seat and and apron are also deep buttoned. The seat is firmly sprung so that you do not sink into the seat, but at the same time is extremely comfortable. The chesterfield can seat between three to four people. The fronts of the arms benefit from leather piped facings. The chesterfield is raised on the original four screw-on mahogany turned legs, which terminate on the original brass castor cups and brown mug castors. Screw-on feet are not only a sign of quality; they serve a practical purpose in allowing easier access through doorways into the house. The chesterfield is extremely heavy to lift. We cannot emphasize the stunning quality and scarcity of this quality of chesterfield. They very rarely appear in the market and the quality of these examples is un-paralleled by anything else in the marketplace.

The chesterfield legs feature a rich mid brown mahogany colour. As they boast the original polish, they have a fantastic colour and patination; this can only be achieved through age and years of care and cleaning it has received.

This item would look great in the living room, study, and library or in any house or office, where you wish to exhibit a stunning example of craftsmanship. This item would compliment any home so don’t miss out your chance to own a lovely unique piece of furniture.

Provenance:
Although not stamped, the design of this worktable is attributable to the well renowned cabinetmakers, Gillows of Lancaster. This chesterfield was most likely made by Gillows of Lancaster as not all of their furniture was stamped.

Gillows of Lancaster and London, also known as Gillow & Co., was a furniture-making firm based in Lancaster, Lancashire, and in London. It was originally founded in Lancaster in about 1730 by Robert Gillow (1704-1772). The family owned Gillows until 1814 when it was taken over by Redmayne, Whiteside, and Ferguson; they continued to use the Gillow name. Gillows furniture was a byword for quality, and other designers used Gillows to manufacture their furniture. Gillows furniture is referred to by Jane Austen, Thackeray and the first Lord Lytton, and in one of Gilbert and Sullivan’s comic operas. In 1903, Gillows merged with Warings of Liverpool to become Waring and Gillow. They were the largest company of its type outside London; where they maintained showrooms and workshops. They had a solid reputation for quality. The company won commissions to furnish and decorate public buildings in Australia, South Africa, India, Russia, Germany, France and the U.S. It provided furniture for aristocratic houses, such as Tatton Hall, where some 150 extant pieces complement the work of the architect Lewis William Wyatt. Details of the commissions can be found in the Pattern Books in the Gillow archives. By 1897, they were over extended and formed an informal partnership with Warings of Liverpool. In 1903 Warings bought them out and the two companies became Waring & Gillows (Source: Wikipedia).

Dimensions:
External Height = 77cm or 30⅜” or 2ft 6⅜”
External Width = 235cm or 92½” or 7ft 8½”
External Depth = 102cm or 40⅛” or 3ft 4⅛”
Seat Height = 45cm or 17¾” or 1ft 5¾”
Seat Width = 150cm or 59” or 4ft 11”
Seat Depth = 64cm or 25¼” or 2ft 1¼”
Arm Height = 77cm or 30⅜” or 2ft 6⅜”
Back Height = 34.5cm or 13½” or 1ft 1½”

Condition Report:
This chesterfield is of exceptional quality and is in excellent condition having just been professionally reupholstered with traditional materials, including horsehair and a top quality full grain brown chestnut leather hide. Therefore, the leather is new, free from wear, damage, rips, and fading. The seat is firmly sprung so that you do not sink into the seat, but at the same time is extremely comfortable. The chesterfield retains its original screw on turned mahogany legs, with the original brass castor cups and brown mug castors. The frame, arms and back are well constructed and are firm. It sits firm on the ground and does not wobble. As the legs the original polish, it has a mellow colour and patination; this can only be achieved through age and the years of care and cleaning it has received. The chesterfield is extremely heavy to lift (this is a sign of quality!). This couch is well constructed, solid in joint overall and is ready to use. We cannot emphasize the stunning quality and scarcity of this quality of chesterfield. They very rarely appear in the market and the quality of these examples is un-paralleled to anything else in the marketplace.

Terms & Conditions:
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Ref. Chesterfield 2