Superb quality pair of Gillows William IV rosewood ‘His’ and ‘Hers’ card tables

A superb quality pair of Gillows William IV (circa 1830) rosewood ‘His’ and ‘Hers’ card or games tables.

LVS1525

£8500.00 GBP

Although these card tables are a pair there are some small differences in construction, we believe them to have been purchased or commissioned together, one made for the man of the household and the other for his wife - one table being bolder and more masculine in design with slight differences in decoration with horizontal veneered frieze, bolder base, fluted baluster decoration and slightly larger is proportion.

This pair of tables each consist of fine quality figured rosewood veneered tops with finely carved egg and dart decoration to the edge, the tops opening to reveal an original red baize playing surface to each table in good, original condition.

This leads down to the frieze, one table having a vertical veneered frieze, the other a horizontal veneered frieze with a turned moulding below.

This leads down to the highly sophisticated bases, these consist of baluster carved columns, one reeded, the other fluted, each with acanthus carved baluster with carved gadroon style collar below.

These are supported by four finely carved cabriole legs with acanthus carved decoration to the knee leading down to a scroll foot with acanthus carved decoration with brass castors below.

Although this pair of tables are not stamped we have no doubt they were produced by Gillows given the tables have so many typical Gillows design features such as the carved egg and dart edge, the carved baluster column, the reeded and fluted baluster column, gadroon carving, scroll feet, acanthus carving, the quality of the carving, the fine cabinet work and the choice of timber.

A pair of similar card tables to this design and quality can be found in the book ‘Gillows of Lancaster 1730-1840 Volume 1’ page 263 by Susan E Stewart – this book also contains various other tables with very similar bases and legs such as Gillows work tables.  

Gillows of Lancaster and London set up in around 1730, it was an English furniture making company based in Lancaster and also London, it continued under this name until 1903 when it became Waring & Gillow after merging with Warings of Liverpool - Gillows of Lancaster and Waring & Gillow both had a very good reputation and are renowned for producing fine quality pieces of furniture.

This pair of tables are in very good condition for age, are of stable construction and can go straight into a home or collection – although they are card or games tables they can equally be used as side tables or console tables.

Size:

'His' table:

Height: 29.75" / 75.5cm

Width: 36.5" / 92.75cm

Depth: 18" / 45.75cm

'Hers' table:

Height: 29.75" / 75.5cm

Width: 36" / 91.5cm

Depth: 17.75" / 45cm