A pair of Regency mahogany bergere library armchairs, attributed to Gillows, circa 1815-20

A pair of Regency mahogany bergere library armchairs, attributed to Gillows, circa 1815-20, each rectangular back with reed moulded frame, above conforming downswept arms, each loose cushion seat above turned tapering legs, brass caps and casters, each 92cm high, 64cm wide, 75cm deep overall

For a very closely related pair of Regency bergere armchairs, by Gillows and stamped GILLOWS LANCASTER, (Provenance, Mere Hall Cheshire) see Christies, London, Important English Furniture, 4th July 2002, Lot 153, (£83,650)

The caned bergere of this form, named the 'Ashburnham' chair featured in Gillows Estimate Sketch Books, no 1721, dated 1803 (Westminster City Library).

Designed in the French antique manner and appropriate for the classical-style library, related chairs were invoiced in 1811 by Gillows for the library designed by the architect William Atkinson (d. 1839) for Broughton Hall, Yorkshire. A similar pair of mahogany caned library armchairs was sold by the late Colonel Sutton Nelthorpe, Scawby Hall, Sotheby's Olympia, 11 April 2002, lot 96 (£47,000).

Condition Report:
Marks, knocks, scratches and abrasions commensurate with age and use. Some old chips and splits. Some old glued repairs. Caning is replaced but has age and some faults. To the underside there is glue residue to some joints. Leather upholstery in generally fair condition overall. Please refer to additional images for visual reference to condition.