Gillows

1780 - 1950

Gillows (later Waring and Gillows) made high quality furniture crafted in both London and Lancashire using superb craftsmanship and fine quality materials. The company flourished from the early 18th century until the 1950s, and their furniture was very popular with the upper classes, furnishing many stately homes, international exhibitions and royal palaces. Gillow's furniture can be dated by their stamp. The GILLOWS - LANCASTER mark first appeared in the 1780's but by the 1850's this had been shortened to GILLOW. From around the 1890's this had changed to GILLOW & Co., with a further change to Waring and Gillow in the early 20th century.
Robert Gillow (1704 - 1772) was born in Lancashire and founded the company in 1731. Gillow had served an apprenticeship as a joiner and cabinet maker and had also sailed to the West Indies as a ships carpenter. Following Robert's retirement in 1769 the company was taken over by his sons, Richard and Robert, who expanded into London. Richard was an architect of some note, and he is credited with originating the telescopic dining-table and the first English billiard-table.

2 ITEMS