Collinge Antiques

Description

Fabulous set of eight oak and leather dining chairs by Gillows of Lancaster, the greatest name in Northern British cabinet making, c.1870. Solid oak frames with arched top cresting rails with carved detail and moulded back stetchers. Upholstered backrest between crisply turned rear stiles topped with ball finials. Good sized seats over moulded rails and raised on turned front legs with castors recessed in the feet and joined with H stretchers. Each of the chairs is stamped on the inside face of one of the rear legs for Gillow together with the serial number 15198, this would seem to date them to around 1870.
Superb upholstery in bottle green leather with beautiful embossed and gilded heraldic device to the backrest. Comprised of shield featuring two ships over a hand with axe, topped with a helmet on which is pearched what looks very much like Liverpool’s famous Liverbird. Below the shield is the Latin motto Fit Via Vi which can be translated as ‘The way is forged by strength’, or alternatively ‘A way is made by labour’ (interestingly the phrase was used in this more industrial context as the motto of the Bishop Auckland & Weardale Railway, incorporated 1867).
In excellent condition, only minor wear to the seats, cleaned and waxed in our workshops.
Dimensions: width 19″, depth 22″, height 39″ (seat height 18″).
Please contact us for more images, delivery and shipping quotes. Alternatively you are welcome to view and collect at our large warehouse showroom in Llandudno Junction, North Wales (approximately 45mins from Chester). We have a large and ever changing selection of genuine good quality antique furniture of all types and have twice been shortlisted for the Home and Antiques Magazine Antique Shop of the Year Award. 01492 580022.