A Games Table of the George IV Period of Outstanding Quality  
Firmly Attributable to Furniture Makers Gillows of Lancaster. Circa 1820.  
Constructed in a finely figured goncalo alves, the ornate ring turned end supports, with similar detailed cross stretcher, terminating in splayed feet with lavish Acanthus leaf detail carvings, the rectangular platform having re-entrant corners, and a centrally situated removable and reversible slide, revealing the baize lined backgammon and cribbage well, and reverses to provide a chess board, and having a small drawer in the frieze as photo shows. 

Condition: Recently professionally restored to a superb sympathetic standard. 

Height: 28.5" (73cm). Width: 32.75" (83cm). Depth: 19.5" (50cm). 

Gillows of London & Lancaster: 
The founder of the Gillows dynasty, Robert (1704-1772) rose from humble beginnings as a provincial joiner, and evolved into a consummate businessman following a pursuit of excellence throughout his life. Founding his business in 1730 he expanded his furniture making activities to include the direct import of quality West Indian timbers especially the finest mahogany. His talents as both a cabinetmaker as well as innovative designer brought him early success, and, bringing his two sons, Richard & Robert, into the business, he expanded his Lancaster showroom, to include another in London’s Oxford Street. The clientele now included the Government, the aristocracy and the burgeoning middle classes. His furniture had gained its’ reputation for excellence of workmanship, and materials employed, and coupled with his insistence on being at the cutting edge of design kept the company to the fore throughout its’ one hundred and seventy year history from 1730 until its’ amalgamation with Messrs S.J. Waring in 1900. Throughout this period it was the largest manufactory of furniture in England. The fortuitous survival of the Gillows records in their Estimate Sketch Books show over 20,000 designs and are preserved in the City of Westminster Library. Furniture made by Gillows is to be found in Royal collections and museums throughout the world. The recent publication of Susan E. Stuart’s scholarly and invaluable study on the company, published by the Antique Collectors Club is a masterpiece of its type, and a wonderful exegesis of the company.  

Stuart, Susan. Gillows of Lancaster and London, 1730-1840. Woodbridge: Antique Collectors’ Club, 2008; Vol. II, p. 301 (pl. 329). For table of similar form.