Lot 599 , Gillows after a design by A.W.N.Pugin. A Victorian gothic revival oak desk, W. 5ft. D. 2ft 6in. H.2ft 6in.

Gillows after a design by A.W.N.Pugin. A Victorian gothic revival oak desk, with nine drawers and chamfered pilasters headed by carved rosettes, the sides with linenfold panels, W. 5ft. D. 2ft 6in. H.2ft 6in.
Estimate £1,200-1,800

Notes: This robust library-desk, with chamferred pillars and handle-plates, romantically flowered and fretted with symbolis 'English' roses, is designed in the Victorian 'Gothic' fashion adopted in 1844 for the furnishings of Charles Barry's New Palace of Westminster by the architect and antiquary Augustus Welby Northmore ( A.W.N. ) Pugin ( d.1852 )
The contracts for the supply of much of the Palace furnishings executed to Pugin's designs were gained by the London firms of Messrs. Holland and Sons and Gillows of Oxford Street; while the Birmingham firm of Messrs. Hardman and Iliffe supplied it's tinned-iron metalwork, which was fitted by the Thames Bank Workshops at Westminster. A Prime Minister's desk of this pattern is illustrated in situ in the early 20th century in P.Atterbury and C.Wainwright, eds.,Pugin: a Gothic Passion, London, 1994, p.233, fig.439.

This desk shows fair wear and tear throughout, colour is of a dark golden oak tone, lighter in some areas from rubbing and sunlight, red skiver looks to be later but is old and now very scuffed, looking at one side there is rubbing around the top and sides of the kneehole having completely stripped away the varnish in some areas, both top drawers are stamped Holland & Sons, handles and escutcheons are oxidised, 6 loop handles are missing, three of them are loose in a drawer, three not present, sides generally in better order than around the kneehole, one end is a little more sunbleached than the other, opposing side of the desk has left hand drawer stamped Holland & Sons, one loop handle missing and one escutcheon missing from the panelled door on the left, overall an honest desk that does require some restoration.


Descriptions provided in both printed and on-line catalogue formats do not include condition reports. The absence of a condition statement does not imply that the lot is in perfect condition or completely free from wear and tear, imperfections or the effects of aging. Interested bidders are strongly encouraged to request a condition report on any lots upon which they intend to bid, prior to placing a bid. All transactions are governed by Gorringes Conditions of Sale.

Sold for £1,200