The Pedestal
Lot 325
A George IV gonçalo alves carved and gilt brass chiffonier side cabinet attributed to Gillows
The shelved superstructure with pierced brass three-quarter gallery and mirrored back, with a central shelf on gilt brass turned support, the breakfront top above pair of double doors with pleated silk ad brass bar grilles, each enclosing adjustable shelves; flanked by trussed moulded supports headed by paterae, on lobed turned feet, 183cm wide, 37cm deep, 138cm high.
The reeded pilasters reflect the antique fashion introduced around 1810 by the cabinet-making firm of Gillows of London and Lancaster. Related library furniture was supplied by Gillows for the Library at Tatton Park, Cheshire. Similar library furnishings were also supplied by Gillows to neighbouring Mere Hall in 1815 (see Christie's house sale, Mere Hall, 23 May 1994, lots 188-192).
Gonçalo alves or Albuera wood, as Gillows named it, was used from the 1780's, prior to 1823 Gillows possibly called it zebra wood. Nearly a hundred pieces in Albuera wood appear in the Gillow's Estimate Sketch Books from 1823 to 1865. See Susan Stuart, Gillows of Lancaster and London 1730-1840, (Vol II) p.140.
A nearly-identical mahogany cabinet was sold without its superstructure, Christies, London, 12 November 2020, lot 154 (realised £37,500 including premium)
