ANTIQUE MAHOGANY BOW FRONTED SIDE TABLE PROBABLY BY GILLOWS

ANTIQUE MAHOGANY BOW FRONTED SIDE TABLE PROBABLY BY GILLOWS

A mahogany bow-fronted side table in the manner of Gillows of exceptional colour and patination, on reeded square tapering legs terminating in brass castors, having small rectangular panels to the front stiles with ebony mouldings: Gillows have a small number of illustrations of this combination ‘reeded legs with panels above’ in their ‘Estimate sketch books’ dated to the period 1786/87. Surrounding an elongated arched kneehole shaped apron the table has four bow-fronted frieze drawers. The right hand drawer being a double-drawer, all having matched Honduras mahogany veneers strung with ebony. The oak lined drawers having been repapered with faithful pale blue copes of the originals. The edge to the top is cross banded in mahogany and strung with ebony, the top being veneered with a single sheet of flame mahogany, having metamorphosised itself with the aid of time into quality and character of colour and patination that make it such a pleasure to deal in such pieces of period furniture. The colour ranging from a faded pale milky grey on the outside of the top to fabulous rich mahogany tones to the centre. The top also showing dark wave-like veins which have built up with dust and dirt to stand proud in the crevices, caused by veneer shrinkage over the centuries- A table of exemplary antique character, colour and patina.