Beschreibung:

A George IV mahogany secretaire bookcase attributed to GillowsCirca 1825, with reeded and channelled angles, the moulded cornice above a plain frieze with rosette carved block angles, over a pair of glazed panelled doors each inset with a brass lozenge shaped grill centred by rosettes, enclosing three adjustable shelves, above a secretaire drawer and a pair of doors each with twin moulded panelling and projecting angles, the secretaire enclosing eight mahogany-lined drawers of various proportions and four pigeon holes, over a pair of doors enclosing six short mahogany-lined drawers and three long mahogany-lined drawers, on lobed feet, 117cm wide x 59cm deep x 211cm high, (46in wide x 23in deep x 83in high)FootnotesA closely related secretaire bookcase, likewise attributed to Gillows, sold Sotheby's London, 13 June 2001, lot 127 and another George IV bookcase by Gillows sold Bonhams, New Bond Street, 16 July 2008, Fine English Furniture, lot 123. Whilst a secretaire cabinet with a comparable lower section to that of the offered lot, but one actually stamped for Gillows of Lancaster, sold Sotheby's, London, 12 February 1999, lot 155. A number of designs for similar bookcases to the present example appear in the Gillows Estimate Sketch Books, but among these three designs are of particular note. A mahogany cabinet supplied by the Gillow firm to James Adam is listed in 1814 in the Sketch Books under reference number 1945. Another model, which was made by Robert and John Lawson upon behalf of Ferguson and Co., was provided to A.J.C. Baker. The drawing for this dates to 1833, featuring under reference number 3964, and incorporates closely related paterae blocks, pilasters and lobed feet to the above. Finally a comparable design for a further secretaire bookcase appears illustrated in the Estimate Sketch Books, dated 1817, subsequently made by Ferguson and Co. for Miss Edwards, reference number 2063.