A fine pair of English figured mahogany bedside pot cupboards attributed to Gillows of Lancaster, retaining excellent original colour & patina. The well figured break front top and three quarter low gallery both with reeded edge, above a bowed, cock beaded door with a brass knob handle. The door is flanked either side by a flame veneered, cock beaded vertical panel. The cupboard is supported on classic Gillows tapering reeded fluted legs. These fine examples have doors hung in a true pair sense, one left handed and the other right handed, designed to be placed either side of a bed.

Gillows of Lancaster were probably the most celebrated of all English furniture makers. They were established in the early 18th century, and pieces made by Gillows are very desirable and extremely sought after. This model is the same as that supplied in 1813 to William Powlett, 2nd Baron Bolton (1782-1850) for Hackwood and then sold in 1935 to William Berry, 1st Viscount Camrose, later sold in the Christie's dispersal sale of Hackwood, 20-22 April 1998, lot 385. The earliest sketch of this model appears in the Estimate Sketch Books, reference no.1782 and is dated 12 March 1806 (see illustration). Gillows supplied ten of these cupboards to Parlington Hall in 1810 see C.Gilbert, Furniture at Temple Newsam and Lotherton Hall, Bradford and London, 1978, p.380, no.499 and five pairs to Tatton Park in 1813.