Regency Brass-Mounted Mahogany Breakfront Bookcase

This incredibly rare Regency breakfront bookcase exhibits the superior caliber most closely attributed to the famed Gillows of Lancaster. Measuring over 11-feet wide, this monumental cabinetry masterpiece combines luxurious materials with the expert craftsmanship of one of the most prestigious firms of the period. The case is crafted of sumptuous Cuban flame mahogany, which displays an attractive grain and has aged to a rich and highly desirable patina. A model specimen of design and proportion, the breakfront’s rectangular molded cornice and plinth base are at once impressively striking, while its exquisite brass mullioned doors with original glass panes add a sense of delicacy to this stately creation. Intricate ribbon inlays and parcel-ebonized elements add to its overall elegance, and the inclusion of shelving in the upper cabinet and adjustable storage behind the lower paneled doors make this breakfront as functional as it is beautiful.

Founded in 1703 by Robert Gillow, the Gillows firm operated successfully as a family-owned business well into the 19th century. Originally operating from Lancaster, England, Gillows was especially noted for their quality of workmanship and innovative designs. No other firm in the country had managed to gain as far-reaching and prestigious a level of patronage than that of the Gillows firm, primarily due to the quality and classic nature of their furnishings. The Gillows firm was especially popular with the English nobility and with powerful religious figures throughout the country. Clients included the Earl of Wilton, the Duke of Norfolk, the Earl of Surrey and the Archbishop of York. Today, Gillows furnishings are held in the highest esteem and prized now more than ever for their unmatched quality and style.

Circa 1810

133” wide x 20” deep x 104” high