Object Type
This design is typical example of the interiors executed by Gillow & Co. The flattened elevations of all four walls allow the whole room to be viewed together on one sheet. Producing a design in this form allowed the client to visualise the finished room. It also allowed the designers to create and place furniture within the room setting.
People
Gillow & Co. had many wealthy and famous clients. This design was undertaken for Sir Benjamin Heywood, a member of a Manchester banking family.
Design & Designing
These designs were intended to be shown to the customer. They would have been shown along with separate, more detailed sketches and designs of the individual pieces of furniture.
Trading
Gillow & Co. was originally founded in Lancaster in 1730. The London branch was opened in 1775. This drawing was produced by the London office. In the period 1813-1820 the Gillow family gradually withdrew from personal involvement with the business, and possibly this design was created after that phase. In 1897 Gillow & Co. merged with a Liverpool firm and they henceforth traded as Waring & Gillow.
Physical description
Design for the furniture and interior decoration of a room, with elevations of the walls and details of woodwork, curtains etc.
Place of Origin
Great Britain, UK (made)
Date
1806-1831 (made)
Artist/maker
Gillow & Co. (designer)
Materials and Techniques
Drawing in pen and ink, and watercolour
Marks and inscriptions
'GILLOW & Co. 176 OXFORD STREET'
'B. Heywood Esq'
Dimensions
Height: 41.5 cm paper, Width: 58.8 cm paper
Descriptive line
Design, from a set of 94, for furniture and interiors, made in the studio of Gillow & Co., London, 1806-1831.
Bibliographic References (Citation, Note/Abstract, NAL no)
Victoria and Albert Museum Department of Prints and Drawings and Department of Paintings, Accessions 1952. London: HMSO, 1963.
The full text of the entry is as follows:
“GILLOW & Co.
Sheets (94) of designs for furniture and the decoration of rooms, showing elevations of walls and details of woodwork, curtains etc. Made in the studios of Gillow & Co., 176 Oxford Street, London. Many of the drawings are on Whitman paper watermarked 1806 to 1831.
E.17 dated July 30th 1819. E.102 dated 1825. Other sheets inscribed with notes and names and addresses of clients and some inscribed on the back with clients’ names, partially obscured by subsequent mounting on linen. Some numbered on the backs.
Pen and ink and wash and water-colour.
Average size of sheets 53.3 x 76.2 cm.
E.12-105-1952
Given by the Directors of Messrs. Waring and Gillow Ltd.
Drawings bearing inscriptions relating to clients and their houses:
E.30 Earl Grosvenor Eaton [probably Richard Grosvenor, Earl Grosvenor (1795-1869), who succeeded as 2nd Marquess of Westminster in 1845. The drawing shows the plan of the carpeting in the dining-room, saloon, drawing-room etc. at Eaton Hall, Cheshire, the house built by William Porden between 1803 and 1815 and demolished in 1870].
E.31 Mr. Silitoe Denbigh [on paper watermarked 1806].
E.32 F. Constable Esqr.
E.33, 34 Honbl Mrs Ramsay
E.35 B. Heywood Esqr. [possibly Sir Benjamin Heywood, 1st Bart. F.R.S. (1793-1865)].
E.46 F. Constable and [cut off le Esqr [cut off] cliff Yorks.
E.51, 52 Mrs Douglass.
E.54 [?]alkes Esqr.
E.64 R. O. Ga[remainder illegible].
E.65 Ld. Hawarden [Cornwallis Maude, 3rd Viscount Hawarden (1780-1856)].
E.77 Longston Esqr [possibly James Longsdon (1786-1827) of Longstone, Derbyshire, who succeeded his father in 1821, the drawing being on paper watermarked 1821].
E.84 Sir G. Clark [sic] Bt. [possibly Sir George Clerk, 6th Bart. (1787-1867)].
E.98 [Design for curtains bearing on the pelmet a heraldic achievement, probably that of Charles Chetwynd-Talbot, 2nd Earl Talbot, K.G., F.R.S., F.S.A. (177701849) impaling on the arms of his wife Frances Thomasine Lambart (1782-1819)].
E.102 Earl Cornwallis Linton dining room 1825 [James Mann (formerly Cornwallis), 5th Earl Cornwallis (1778-1852)].”
Labels and date
British Galleries:
This watercolour is an example of the complete interior design service offered by the large-scale furniture manufacturer, Gillow & Co. It was produced for the Manchester banker and philanthropist, Sir Benjamin Heywood (1793-1865). Although originally based in Lancaster, Gillows increasingly ran their business through their London showroom in Oxford Street. [27/03/2003]
Materials
Watercolour; Ink
Techniques
Drawing
Subjects depicted
Furnishings; Interior
Categories
Furniture; Designs; Interiors
Collection code
PDP
