CIRCA 1745, IN THE MANNER OF MATTHIAS LOCK

Designed in the French 'Picturesque' manner, with acanthus entwined C-scrolls and floral garlands, this table is inspired by patterns for tables by Matthias Lock, in particular, plate 5, as published in Six Tables (1746). Along with his other publications, these designs epitomise the advanced early rococo style of English furniture, some ten years before Chippendale's first edition (M. Heckscher, ‘Lock and Copland: A Catalogue of the Engraved Ornament’, Furniture History, vol. 15, 1979, plate 9).
Matthias Lock, of Long Acre, London, was one of the outstanding carvers and designers in the rococo style, and was acclaimed by the upholder James Cullen as 'reputed the best draftsman in that way that had ever been in England'. The first of his several published works was issued in 1740, he collaborated with Henry Copland in 1752, and then apparently worked in some form of partnership with Thomas Chippendale. Many of Lock's designs, including furniture for Earl Poulet at Hinton House, Dorset, are preserved in the Victoria and Albert Museum, London and in the Metropolitan Museum, New York.