A Regency brass inlaid hardwood writing table
attributed to Gillows of London and Lancaster
circa 1815
With dark green tooled leather inset top, on recessed casters.
height 30in (76cm); width 43 1/2in (110.5cm); depth 24in (61cm)
Provenance:
Almost certainly supplied to Thomas, 2nd Marquess of Bath (1765-1837) for Longleat, Wiltshire and by descent at Longleat.
Sold Furniture, Porcelain and Silver from Longleat, Christies, London, 13 June 2002, lot 362.

Literature:
1837 Inventory, possibly p. 44, No. 64 Drawing Room, Brass Bound...Writing Table.
1852 Inventory, possibly p. 41, No. 64 Drawing Room, Brass bound Writing Table Green Leather top and Hassock.
1896 Inventory (4th Marquess Heirlooms), possibly, f 47 r No 40 B Bedroom, A 3 ft 8 in...writing table inlaid buhl and brass rim on carved buhl standards.

Footnote:
This writing table was probably supplied to Thomas, 2nd Marquess of Bath, by Gillows of London and Lancaster. Gillows was closely connected to the Wyatt family of architects and it may have been as a result of Sir Jeffry Wyattvilles alterations at Longleat that the Marquess purchased vast quantities of furnishings from Gillows. Their 1819 invoice amounted to £50 9s 10d and included a table desk with double elevation. The table offered here relates to two Sofa table sketches in Gillows Estimate Sketch Books, each table on carved pillars and claws and with foliate carved scrolled feet on recessed casters.

Structurally sound. Very well made and crisply carved. General marks, nicks, scratches, cracks, fading and wear commensurate with age and use. Extensive wear, fading, cracking and losses to top. Some visible in catalogue photos. Some lifting and losses to brass string inlay - particularly to top. With losses to veneer of top - most notable around edges. Each standard with a vertical crack running up from base. Each stabilized with metal braces. Some spotty water staining to standards and legs. Dryness and fading to feet.