Antique Furniture by John Taylor and Son, Edinburgh

John Taylor and Sons

John Taylor and Sons antique furniture is always constructed to a high standard using the finest quality timbers and stylish designs. John Taylor who founded the business started as a cabinet maker in 1825 in West Thistle Street, Edinburgh. He then moved to the more prominent position of 109 to 10 Princes Street Edinburgh when his Son joined the business.  In the Victorian period of 1852 John Taylor and Son were appointed ‘Cabinet makers and Upholsterers to Her Majesty the Queen’. Their Rosemount Cabinet Works at Gardner’s Court were established around 1857 and they continued trading from Princes Street until they went into liquidation in 1945. They were one of the largest cabinet makers in Scotland in the Late Victorian era, employing nearly 300 people.

Finding pieces of by this maker, will mean you have acquired a quality antique. They were very skilled craftsmen and the furniture that they produced was always built o a high standard. If you are interested in buying antiques by this maker or antique furniture in general please visit our antique furniture page here. Below are previous examples that we have sold to show you examples of their work.

This was a Spectacular Arts & Crafts Solid Walnut Antique Single Wardrobe By John Taylor & Son with very unusual metal work.

Spectacular Arts & Crafts Solid Walnut Antique Single Wardrobe By John Taylor & SonJohn Taylor & Son

This Edwardian Walnut Decorative Antique Plant Stand had very unusual scrolled carvings down the legs.

Edwardian Walnut Decorative Antique Plant Stand by John Taylor & Son.scrolled carvings down the leg

This Antique Edwardian Mahogany Occasional Table / What-Not by John Taylor & Son.

Antique Edwardian Mahogany Occasional Table/What-Not by John Taylor & Son.John Taylor Badge

This is a superb example of a Quality Victorian Solid Oak Antique Wellington Chest with the stamp in the drawer.

Quality Victorian Solid Oak Antique Wellington Chest by John Taylor And Son Edinburgh stamp in the drawer of John Taylor Edinburgh

This Spectacular Quality Large Oak Victorian Antique Partners / Writing Desk has the stamp embossed into the wood in the drawer. It was quite difficult to see unless you cought it in the light.

John Taylor Stamp embossed into the wood. Spectacular Quality John Taylor & Son Large Oak Victorian Antique Partners / Writing Desk.

This Dish top Table by John Taylor & Son Edinburgh is more of a traditional design and is ideal as lamp or side table.

Dish Top Antique Table by John TaylorStamp under the top of the dish top

Made from quality mahogany timbers, this eye catching William IV Antique Library Bookcase dates from around 1835.  They really did use the most spectacular grained timber and spent a lot of time to create such attention to detail.

Magnificent Huge Beautifully Figured Mahogany William IV Antique Library Bookcase

This Victorian Burr Ash Writing Table is a lovely example of a true quality piece. It has an early red leather tooled writing insert and the back section has an unusual lift up lid with a stationary compartment and two ink wells.

Spectacular John Taylor & Son Antique Victorian Burr Ash Writing Table stationary compartment and two ink wells. 

This John Taylor And Son Bureau is the work of a true craftsman and is highly unusual as it is made out of satinwood with mahogany cross banded edges and dates from around 1900. The lower section has four long graduating mahogany lined drawers with the original brass swan neck handles.

Superb Quality Satinwood and Mahogany Large Antique Bureau Superb Quality Satinwood and Mahogany Large Antique Bureau

John Taylor Badge

This late 19th Century Superb Quality Mahogany Wine Table / Lamp Table is by John Taylor & son, Edinburgh with a cross-banded edge above four splayed legs and a lower shaped tier.

Superb Quality Mahogany Wine Table / Lamp Table by John Taylor Superb Quality Mahogany Wine Table / Lamp Table by John Taylor

38 Comments. Leave new

  • I wonder if you could give me any information on a chair,it is a John Taylor with a serial number on the bottom S0046.any help would be gratefully accepted

    Reply
    • Hi
      Unfortunately with the serial number i can not be of much help as there is no records
      Sorry about this but maybe if you would like to email some pictures i may be able to help better
      Kind regards
      James

      Reply
  • David McKearney
    September 22, 2016 6:35 pm

    I have recently purchased a bureau desk which I believe to be made in edinburgh but want to know where I would find a makers mark to clarify this….any help appreciated.

    David

    Reply
  • I have been given an old billiard table and assescories to auction off or sell for the charity that I represent. Not sure how to go about this or the value of the table. It is by John Taylor &Son from Edinburgh. We are also based in Edinburgh. Any help would be very much appreciated. Thanks.

    Reply
    • Hi
      Unfortunately we do not deal in billiard tables, but being by John Taylor, it will be of very good quality so i would seek the advice of a good antiques auctioneer

      Reply
  • Hi James
    I have a Taylor sideboard left to me by my Gran. My husband isn’t keen on it 🙁 i thought that if we knew a bit about its history and value he might like it more…
    Can’t see how to send you a photo…

    Reply
  • hi, we have 4 chairs by john taylor, R8161, any idea of any value? can i send you picture? thanks. your input much appreciated.

    Reply
  • Rebecca crawshaw
    September 16, 2017 12:25 pm

    I have a John Taylor and sons cabinet makers of Edinburgh. I’m in the UK so could I get an email address please
    Many thanks A.Lady

    Reply
  • Summer Winegardner
    January 21, 2018 8:41 pm

    I recently purchased what appears to be a large cabinet door or small barn style door which says “John Taylor Upholstery Furniture Repaired Carriage Tops Cushion Backs And Rugs Retrimmed.”It isn’t a furniture piece, but looks to be for advertising in a store or workshop. The nails, patina, & craftsmanship are in line with a very old piece. Would love to know if it is from a Taylor shop & happy to send pictures if you want to take a look.

    Reply
    • Hi
      It does sound like it may have come from John Taylor as they did do restoration and sales of rugs and other home furnishings in their shop also
      Thanks
      James

      Reply
  • Helen Thornton
    March 26, 2018 5:27 pm

    Have a seven and a half foot Victorian mahogany pedestal Sideboard bearing a stamp John Taylor Cabinet Maker STRANRAER. Its in Dublin.

    Reply
    • Hi
      Unfortunately we dont cover Ireland for buying but maybe try a good local antiques dealer or auctioneer
      Thanks
      James

      Reply
  • I have a walnut veneered marble topped cupboard – it has two sliding drawers and a shelf over the marble.
    It’s 38″ wide, 29″ high to the marble and 22″ deep, with a stamp John Taylor & Son Manufacterers Edinburgh.
    I live in Kent. Any ideas who might wish to purchase this item of furniture which is quite a masculine piece?
    Is there any value to such a piece, it might have been owned by Edwin Smith , founder of Arbuckle Smith & Co
    who had a bonded warehouse in Glasgow as I inherited it from his stepson.

    Reply
    • Hi
      Please email us pictures and I will see if it is of interest to us, as we buy from all over the country
      Thanks
      James

      Reply
  • I wonder if you could give me any information on a chair,it is a John Taylor with a serial number on the bottom S0046.any help would be gratefully accepted

    Reply
    • Hi
      Unfortunately with the serial number i can not be of much help as there is no records
      Sorry about this but maybe if you would like to email some pictures i may be able to help better
      Kind regards
      James

      Reply
  • I have been given an old billiard table and assescories to auction off or sell for the charity that I represent. Not sure how to go about this or the value of the table. It is by John Taylor &Son from Edinburgh. We are also based in Edinburgh. Any help would be very much appreciated. Thanks.

    Reply
    • Hi
      Unfortunately we do not deal in billiard tables, but being by John Taylor, it will be of very good quality so i would seek the advice of a good antiques auctioneer

      Reply
  • Hi James
    I have a Taylor sideboard left to me by my Gran. My husband isn’t keen on it 🙁 i thought that if we knew a bit about its history and value he might like it more…
    Can’t see how to send you a photo…

    Reply
  • hi, we have 4 chairs by john taylor, R8161, any idea of any value? can i send you picture? thanks. your input much appreciated.

    Reply
  • David McKearney
    September 26, 2018 8:48 am

    I have recently purchased a bureau desk which I believe to be made in edinburgh but want to know where I would find a makers mark to clarify this….any help appreciated.

    David

    Reply
  • Summer Winegardner
    September 26, 2018 8:48 am

    I recently purchased what appears to be a large cabinet door or small barn style door which says “John Taylor Upholstery Furniture Repaired Carriage Tops Cushion Backs And Rugs Retrimmed.”It isn’t a furniture piece, but looks to be for advertising in a store or workshop. The nails, patina, & craftsmanship are in line with a very old piece. Would love to know if it is from a Taylor shop & happy to send pictures if you want to take a look.

    Reply
    • Hi
      It does sound like it may have come from John Taylor as they did do restoration and sales of rugs and other home furnishings in their shop also
      Thanks
      James

      Reply
  • I have a walnut veneered marble topped cupboard – it has two sliding drawers and a shelf over the marble.
    It’s 38″ wide, 29″ high to the marble and 22″ deep, with a stamp John Taylor & Son Manufacterers Edinburgh.
    I live in Kent. Any ideas who might wish to purchase this item of furniture which is quite a masculine piece?
    Is there any value to such a piece, it might have been owned by Edwin Smith , founder of Arbuckle Smith & Co
    who had a bonded warehouse in Glasgow as I inherited it from his stepson.

    Reply
    • Hi
      Please email us pictures and I will see if it is of interest to us, as we buy from all over the country
      Thanks
      James

      Reply
  • Rebecca crawshaw
    September 26, 2018 8:48 am

    I have a John Taylor and sons cabinet makers of Edinburgh. I’m in the UK so could I get an email address please
    Many thanks A.Lady

    Reply
  • Have a seven and a half foot Victorian mahogany pedestal Sideboard bearing a stamp John Taylor Cabinet Maker STRANRAER. Its in Dublin.

    Reply
    • Hi
      Unfortunately we dont cover Ireland for buying but maybe try a good local antiques dealer or auctioneer
      Thanks
      James

      Reply
  • Fiona Adams
    April 9, 2024 5:33 pm

    Hello my two great Aunty’s husbands worked as cabinet makers for john taylor would you still have names and photos of of people who worked there probably from 1920 onwards.
    Many Thanks
    fiona Adams

    Reply
    • Hi
      I am sorry but we do not have any names or photos and I am unsure where you would find these.
      Many thanks
      James

      Reply

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