Billiard table
probably Gillows of Lancaster
Category
Furniture
Date
circa 1785 - circa 1795
Materials
Oak, deal, mahogany, baize, linen, brass
Measurements
97.5 x 373.5 x 190 cm
Place of origin
Lancaster
Order this imageCollection
Nostell Priory, West Yorkshire
NT 959715
Summary
A rare mahogany-framed billiard table, English, probably by Gillows of Lancaster, circa 1785 - 1795. The bed of seasoned oak, covered with mahogany lined with baize. The cushions of linen stuffed with sand, and with brass ball hoops supporting net. The frieze deep and with simply shaped spandrels, and on four tapering square-section legs terminating in moulded square feet. Several features of this table, including its tapered legs with moulded feet (called 'term' legs) and the brass caps covering the bolts to the legs, conform to drawings in the Estimate Sketch Books of Gillows of Lancaster. No order or payment, however, has been found in the Gillows documentation. Gillows produced billiard tables in Lancaster, and dominated the market for them for several years. This room was turned into a Billiard Room in 1819 by Charles Winn (1795 - 1874) and the table was moved here from the Lower Hall, where it was listed in inventories of 1806 and 1818.
Provenance
Listed in inventories taken at Nostell in 1808 and 1816. Thence by descent, until accepted by HM Treasury in lieu of death duties on the estate of Rowland Winn, 4th Baron Oswald (1916 - 1984), 1986.
Makers and roles
probably Gillows of Lancaster , cabinet maker
References
Stuart, Susan 'Gillows of Lancaster and London 1730 - 1840' (2008) 2 vols., Volume I, pp. 415 - 417, illustrated Plate 518