Gentleman's wardrobe
manner of Gillows of Lancaster
Category
Furniture
Date
circa 1800 - 1820
Materials
Mahogany, softwood, brass, iron, maple, canvas
Measurements
117 x 213 x 58 cm
Place of origin
England
Order this imageCollection
Erddig, Wrexham
NT 1147175.1
Summary
A mahogany dwarf press, or dwarf wardrobe, English, in the manner of Gillows of Lancaster, circa 1800-20. Of breakfront form, the top with reeded edge above a frieze with applied beading to its lower edge. The ends of the press of solid mahogany; the carcase of softwood. Centred by a pair of doors veneered in figured mahogany and applied with 'panel' beading with a square tablet at each corner, and enclosing four slides. The doors fitted with a sprung catch. Flanked to either side by a bank of three drawers, two upper short drawers and a deep bottom drawer faced as two. The drawers with cockbeading, brass thread escutcheons and knob handles. The drawer fronts of softwood veneered with mahogany, the sides of maple sides and the baseboard of softwood. The bottom drawer to the proper left end with a shoe rack made of softwood and canvas strap divisions.
Full description
There is another of these gentleman's or dwarf wardrobes (NT 1147136) at Erddig, and several pieces of bedroom furniture - dressing tables and full height presses - which closely match. The impression given is that several of Erddig's bedrooms were re-furnished in the first part of the 19th century. Presses or dwarf wardrobes of this type were made by Gillows of Lancaster.
Provenance
Given by Philip Yorke III (1905-1978) along with the estate, house and contents to the National Trust in 1973.
Makers and roles
manner of Gillows of Lancaster , cabinet-maker