Irish

circa 1826 - 1831

An exceptional large scale breakfront serving table.

The carved upright mouldings to the gallery are decorated with stretched 'Grecian' scrolls, up-turned carved shells above fielded moulded and gadrooned panels, flanked by upright reeded capitals.

The breakfront top with shaped sides is made with a single well figured veneer with a moulded thumbnail edge above a highly figured inverted breakfront frieze, with a central tablet that conceals a split centre mahogany lined drawer, making two middle frieze drawers. The middle section is decorated with a gadrooned moulding above the legs.

The six legs have been carved in the solid and are impressively crisp with leaf decoration and fine ring-turned and tapered reeded legs that terminate on 'egg & dart' moulded toes.

Between 1804 and 1806 John Gillington moved from 51 to 43 Stephen Street. Samuel Gillington (who we presume was John's son) finished his apprenticeship and was made a Freeman in the summer of 1806. Sometime between 1809 and 1811, the Gillingtons moved north of the River Liffey to 119 Abbey Street which was to remain their address. At this date the company changes name to be listed as Gillington (John & Sons), showing that Samuel's brother was also involved.

In 1815, John either retired or died as the name changes once more to Gillington (Samuel & Son). The following year the business is listed as Gillington (Samuel & George). In 1817 George married Clarissa Hime. In 1824 there seems to have been a change in the head of the company. At this date, under different listings, they are noted as Gillington (S & G), but George is also listed separately at the same address of 119 Abbey Street. After this date the business is only listed as George Gillington and so we can deduct that Samuel has retired or died.

George carried on with the business and in 1835 added the address of 118 Abbey Street to his business. The previous year James Phillips, a painter and paper hanger, had been resident there. In Dublin Directories and Trade Labels by The Knight of Glin (Furniture History Society Journal 1985), further addresses of 180 Abbey Street for George and Samuel (1815-20) and 34 College Green (until 1838) are given. There are some doubts over the College Green address as the 1834 Pettigrew and Oulton directory lists Norwich Union Assurance, J.C. Roose (attorney) and George Home here but not Gillingtons.

The business ended with the death of George Gillington in 1838. In 1840 Mrs Gillington is still listed at 118 Abbey Street with no entry for 119.

There is no doubt that the company produced some exceptional furniture. Their selection of timbers and quality of cabinet work is high. The vast majority of their known work is domestic furniture.

Although they are recorded as having made a set of 14 mahogany Klismo Chairs for Euseby Cleaver, Archbishop of Dublin, they could also turn their hand to plainer furniture. In 1833 they made a set of 6 oak Chairs for the Quaker Society of Friends and repaired 4 others.

Known domestic items by the company, with reference number where known, include an amboyna Centre Table (5916), Canterburys (5582 & 12773), a Drop Leaf Table, a Side Table (5552), a Sofa Table, carved Hall Benches (D6516 & D7861), Klismo Chairs, Library Table, Serving Table (4762 & 3425), Secretaire Cupboard and a Collectors Cabinet.

They were contemporaries of Mack and Gibton, and operated from addresses on Abbey Street, producing pieces such as mahogany bookcases and secretaires. The family business had earlier roots, likely starting in the 1790s with John Gillington, who is listed as an upholder and auctioneer in 1803.

Dimensions

Height 95.00cm (37.4 inches)

Width 287.00cm (112.99 inches)

Height Framed 119.00cm (46.85 inches)

Stock No: 11749