A majestic side cabinet made by the illustrious Gillows of Lancaster has sold as one of the many highlights in a US auction of Fine Furniture and Decorative Arts, which was held February 11.
 Mounted with gilt bronze, the ebonised and Japanned side cabinet sports a fine marble top |
The Japanned and ebonised cabinet sold for $32,500, providing some of highest bids seen in the sale. In total, the auction achieved over $1.7m, with 92% of all lots sold.
Robert Gillows (1704-1772) began making furniture in the north of England in 1730 and his firm served as one of the longest standing of its kind, after establishing a popular shop on London's famous Oxford Street.
Having produced cabinets for the Houses of Parliament, Gillows' furniture saw high demand from the richest families in the country and became one of the most prestigious names in English furniture, rivalled only by the likes of Chippendale or Hepplewhite.
It is said that the firm's popularity has only waned in comparison to its contemporaries because it kept its pattern books - known as the Estimate Sketch Books - a secret and therefore, its most popular designs have been forgotten.
Paul Fraser Collectibles has a Goncalo Alves cabinet made by Gillows of Lancaster for sale, which was crafted circa 1825 and is in superb condition.
The top lot of the auction was an Italian marble figural group made by Donato Barcaglia (1849-1930) which sold for $86,500.
We offer some of the finest English furniture for sale, including a spectacular John Linnell commode, a Holland & Sons card table and a fantastic set of steps that were made for a library at Cambridge University.
