Driscolls Antiques – Antique Furniture Blog

Here are a few of the best antique furniture designers and cabinet makers. If you buy antique furniture that has one of these names stamped on it then you know you are buying a quality piece and they will be a good investment for the future.

Antique Furniture by Gillows.

Gillows of Lancaster furniture or later know as Waring and Gillow produced some of the finest pieces of English antique furniture. They were established from 1731

founded by Robert Gillow. He served his apprenticeship as a joiner and cabinet maker. When he died his firm was taken over by his two sons Richard and Robert Gillow and they expanded the business to London. They had a reputation of supplying superb quality furniture, using only the finest materials and their own unique designs. They participated in many international exhibitions and furnished many important houses and supplied several Royal homes.

In 1903 Gillows joined forces with the company Waring of Liverpool and the firm became known as Waring and Gillows.

The stamp GILLOWS LANCASTER first appeared on furniture in the 1780s. By ca.1850 GILLOW is found stamped on pieces. By the end of the 19th Century GILLOW & Co is often found, and Waring and Gillow was continued up to the 1950’s. Some pieces that were not made for a special order would be stamped with the letter L for Lancaster and would follow numbers.

Antique Furniture by Edwards & Roberts

The antique furniture cabinet makers and restorers Edwards and Roberts were among the best English antique furniture cabinet makers in the 19^th century. The company was founded in 1845 and was trading as ‘Edwards and Roberts’, 21 Wardour Street, Antique and Modern Cabinet Makers and Importers of Ancient Furniture’. They became one of the leading London cabinet makers and retailers and the firm produced high quality antique furniture, as well as good copies of the 18th and 19th century English and French furniture. They also adapted and restored the finest antique furniture and there are many examples of their earlier furniture with later embellishments bearing their stamp. There workmanship included pieces with satinwood marquetry and favoured the Georgian designs. They were known for restoring and adapting older pieces of antique furniture.

Antique Furniture by Howard and Sons

The antique furniture cabinet makers and upholsterers, Howard and Sons were among the best English antique furniture makers in the 19^th century. Howard and Sons were founded in 1820 by John Howard who started trading at 24 Lemon St, London. By 1854 Howard and Sons was established at Berners St, London as ‘Cabinet Maker, Upholsterer and Decorator’. Howard and Sons became one of the most fashionable and successful cabinet makers of the 19^th century. They participated in many international exhibitions and furnished many important houses and supplied several Royal homes. They were as well known as the antique furniture makers Gillows, and Howard and Sons worked together with Gillows and Maple and Co on several occasions.
Howard and Sons were mainly well known for antique upholstered furniture such as easy armchairs and sofas. They only used the finest materials and made their chairs for comfort.

Robert H & James Simpson, 18 Nicholas Street, Lancaster 1865-87

We often have pieces by these makers and they are some of the best investments as they are by such good makers. I will be writing on other cabinet makers shortly so please keep checking my newly added blogs.

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