Pair of Massive Regency Chairs, by Gillows

A highly unusual pair of Baroque revival chairs of late Regency – William IV period, by Gillows of Lancaster.

England, circa 1825–35.

We like their bold, massive scale, with exaggerated, chunky, scrolled legs; these chairs really stand out and hold the ground very well.

Stamped twice Gillows Lancaster.

Provenance

An identical chair, by repute from Westport House, Co. Mayo, Ireland, was sold Christie's London, 25 October 2019, lot 65 (previously supplied by Christopher Hodsoll).

These chairs' neo-baroque design relates to the furniture supplied by Gillows to William, 2nd Baron Bolton for Hackwod Park, Hampshire, in 1813 and to Thomas John Wynn, 2nd Baron Newborough for Glynliffon, Caernarvonshire, Wales in 1824. Between 1813 to 1840 the main focus of Gillows business became the Oxford Street, London premises, where extravagant neo-baroque and neo-rococo decoration became the fashion and it was at this time that Gillows received such prestigious commissions as the magnificent twelve armchairs for Lord Fitzwilliam's Whistlejacket Room at Wentworth Woodhouse in Yorkshire and the giltwood suite of seat furniture for the Red Drawing Room at Tatton Park, Cheshire.