Thomas Carlyle's reading chair
Gillow & Co
Category
Furniture
Date
circa 1830 - circa 1860
Materials
mahogany, beech, burr walnut, leather, brass
Measurements
108 x 83 x 82 cm
Place of origin
London
Collection
Carlyle's House, London
NT 263504
Summary
A mahogany and beech armchair, English, by Gillow & Co., circa 1830-60, upholstered in close-nailed, buttoned green leather, on tapering and turned front legs and plain curved rear ones, all on brass castors. Each side of the chair with a vertical arrangement of two brass loops through which a rod supporting a swiveling reading slope could be fitted. The mahogany and burr walnut reading slope with a ratchet fitting to the rear and hinged ledge to the lower edge. Stamped 'GILLOW 11647' to the rear left leg and 'GILLOW' to the rear right leg.
Provenance
The chair is reported to have been a gift to Thomas Carlyle from his friend John Forster on the 4th December 1875 to mark Mr. Carlyle's 80th birthday. The chair can be seen in Helen Allingham's watercolour painting of 1879 showing Thomas Carlyle using the chair in the drawing room of his Chelsea home. The painting is with National Galleries Scotland. By descent, Presented to the house by Mr. A. Carlyle between 1896 and 1937.
Marks and inscriptions
Left and right rear legs (inner side): 'GILLOW 11647' and 'GILLOW'
Makers and roles
Gillow & Co , manufacturer Gillow & Co., retailer