Walnut Pembroke Bedside Cupboard from Gillow, 1870

Details

Description

Stamped “Gillow & Co”.

Dating from the latter part of the 19th century, this superb little bedside cupboard is an … Read more Stamped “Gillow & Co”.

Dating from the latter part of the 19th century, this superb little bedside cupboard is an exceptionally good quality and particularly unusual example, having been cleverly designed in the form of a diminutive Pembroke table and constructed by the highly regarded firm of Gillow & Co.

The quality of timber used throughout is particularly impressive, with wonderfully figured burr walnut veneers to the top, drop flaps and cupboard front, retaining a lovely warm colour and surface. with both flaps raised the proportions change completely and the piece takes on the appearance of a charming little Pembroke table, providing considerably more surface area when required.

Perhaps the most interesting feature however is the cleverly disguised storage. What initially appears to be a conventional arrangement of drawers to the front is in fact a fall-down cupboard door, whilst corresponding false drawer fronts to the reverse ensure that the piece remains attractive from either direction. The original turned wooden knobs have also survived and complement the simplicity of the design particularly well.

The elegant turned and fluted legs are exceptionally well executed and typical of the quality one would expect from Gillow, terminating on the original brass castors which allow the table to be moved easily alongside a bed or chair.

The Gillow & Co stamp is particularly significant. Gillows were amongst the most celebrated English cabinetmakers of the 18th and 19th centuries, with workshops in Lancaster and London and a reputation for exceptionally high standards of construction, timber selection and design. The firm used a variety of marks throughout its long history, with forms incorporating “Gillow & Co” associated with its mid & later 19th-century productions.

Although clearly conceived as a bedside cupboard, its unusual form makes it considerably more versatile than most. It would of course work perfectly alongside a bed, but could equally be used as a small occasional or lamp table beside an armchair or settee, particularly with the drop flaps providing additional surface area whenever required.

As with all items which we offer for sale, this bedside cupboard has been attended to in our workshops by our highly skilled and traditional antique furniture restorers, where it has received a natural wax polish before being offered for sale. It is therefore ready to place straight into the home.

Circa 1870.

Height 29.25in.
Width 17.5in (flaps down).
Width 34.5in (flaps up).
Depth 16in. See less