4th Dec, 2025 10:30
Winter Specialist Sale
Attributed to John Barrow for Gillows of Lancaster - George IV walnut open arm library chair
Attributed to John Barrow for Gillows of Lancaster - George IV walnut open arm library chair, circa 1830, in the early George II manner, of curved shield back design with green hide-covered oval drop-in seat between open 'shepherd's crook' arms, raised on four cabriole supports, the scroll-backed front pair with anthemion carved knees over foliage, terminating in claw and ball feet, the oval seat frame stamped J. B. beneath, 64.5cm across arms x 90.5cm high
Private collection, North Somerset - consigned by the same family as the stamped Gillows table in this sale.
Literature: see Stuart, Susan E., 'Gillows of Lancaster and London 1730-1840', ACC, 2008, Vol. I, p. 231 pl. 225 for a comparable oak "open armed library chair in the Old English style, an identical chair was drawn in the Estimate Sketch Book on 13th June, 1827, made in yew, but Gillows made the same pattern in a variety of woods including mahogany, walnut, yew and elm. The boldly carved knees and massive lion claw feet were carved by Rigby, and Robert Lawson made both the chair illustrated in the Estimate Sketch Book and this example, and Rigby probably also carved this chair". See also plates GG15, GG16, B21 and B22.
Ibid Vol. II p. 215 records: "John Barrow, son of William Barrow, was apprenticed to Leonard Redmayne on 26.9.1826. His indenture was witnessed by Richard Wilcock and James Moon". It is likely that, as an apprentice when this chair was made, he would not have been permitted to use the firm's stamp and that the chair was not intended for commercial sale.
A pair of yew wood chairs sold Christies, 27th May 2010 lot 55, "one with brass plaque inscribed 'Pair Walnut 'Hogarth' Chairs from Portman Collection, Buxted Park Exhibited Loan Exhibition Georgian Art 1931 illustrated in catalogue page 53 Illustrated Macquoid's Dictionary of English Furniture Page 237, fig. 91".
See also a single mahogany example, Christies, 31st October 2012 lot 116, and a burr elm example Christies 15th April 2021 lot 279.
Sold for £1,900
Attributed to John Barrow for Gillows of Lancaster - George IV walnut open arm library chair, circa 1830, in the early George II manner, of curved shield back design with green hide-covered oval drop-in seat between open 'shepherd's crook' arms, raised on four cabriole supports, the scroll-backed front pair with anthemion carved knees over foliage, terminating in claw and ball feet, the oval seat frame stamped J. B. beneath, 64.5cm across arms x 90.5cm high
Private collection, North Somerset - consigned by the same family as the stamped Gillows table in this sale.
Literature: see Stuart, Susan E., 'Gillows of Lancaster and London 1730-1840', ACC, 2008, Vol. I, p. 231 pl. 225 for a comparable oak "open armed library chair in the Old English style, an identical chair was drawn in the Estimate Sketch Book on 13th June, 1827, made in yew, but Gillows made the same pattern in a variety of woods including mahogany, walnut, yew and elm. The boldly carved knees and massive lion claw feet were carved by Rigby, and Robert Lawson made both the chair illustrated in the Estimate Sketch Book and this example, and Rigby probably also carved this chair". See also plates GG15, GG16, B21 and B22.
Ibid Vol. II p. 215 records: "John Barrow, son of William Barrow, was apprenticed to Leonard Redmayne on 26.9.1826. His indenture was witnessed by Richard Wilcock and James Moon". It is likely that, as an apprentice when this chair was made, he would not have been permitted to use the firm's stamp and that the chair was not intended for commercial sale.
A pair of yew wood chairs sold Christies, 27th May 2010 lot 55, "one with brass plaque inscribed 'Pair Walnut 'Hogarth' Chairs from Portman Collection, Buxted Park Exhibited Loan Exhibition Georgian Art 1931 illustrated in catalogue page 53 Illustrated Macquoid's Dictionary of English Furniture Page 237, fig. 91".
See also a single mahogany example, Christies, 31st October 2012 lot 116, and a burr elm example Christies 15th April 2021 lot 279.
Auction: Winter Specialist Sale, 4th Dec, 2025
Our Winter Specialist Sale of Fine Furniture, Modern Design, Paintings, Prints, Silver, Jewellery, Watches, Ceramics, Glassware & other Collectors items.
The auction will open the doors to one of London’s most imaginative interiors. From the private home of the influential interior designer David Carter, 40 Winks - An Eye for Design will take centre stage in our Winter Specialist Sale on Thursday 4 December, a rare opportunity to acquire pieces from a world that blurred the line between art and theatre.
Other highlights will feature a Rose Hilton oil on canvas of St Michael's Mount, an old cut solitaire diamond ring 2.31ct approx, and a fine selection of wines and spirits, including vintage port, rare whiskies, and a selection of champagne.
Full catalogue online in late November
Viewing
Wednesday 3rd December- 10am till 5pm
