Image of Gallery in South Kensington
Request to view at the Prints & Drawings Study Room, level D , Case 94, Shelf I, Box 31

Print

1740-1765 (designed)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This design came to the museum in an album of designs entitled Original Designs by Matts Lock, Carver 1740 - 1765. The album was bought from a descendant, George Lock, and had been exhibited by him at the International Exhibition held at South Kensington in 1862. It seems to have been compiled after Lock's death in 1765 as it includes ephemera from his workshop, designs by Chippendale, and neo-classical designs associated with a later Matthias Lock, probably his son. The presence of Chippendale designs has helped to fuel the idea that Lock and Chippendale collaborated professionally. It has even been suggested that Lock 'ghost' designed for Chippendale, but it now seems more likely that he provided piece-work carving for Chippendale's larger projects.

Matthias Lock was the first to publish rococo designs in England and can be credited with first mastering the rococo style, imparting an 'English' flavour to his designs. Little is known of Lock's life but ephemera in this album helps to date his carving activities as early as 1742-44 based on memoranda for carving work undertaken. Lock published designs of sconces in 1744 and tables in 1746, and A Book of Ornaments in 1747. A New Drawing Book of Ornaments and The Principles of Ornament are undated but stylistically fit with the 1746-7 designs. Another A New Book of Ornaments appeared in 1752 in collaboration with Henry Copland. This included a range of furniture in the rococo style but also chinoiserie motifs. This was the most ambitious book of rococo ornament prior to Chippendale's Director. Roger Sayer published a posthumous collection of Lock's engravings, describing him as 'the famous Mr Matt Lock … who was reputed the best Draftsman in that way that had ever been in England'.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Pencil on paper
Brief description
A design for a rococo armchair, in pencil on paper, from an album by Matthias Lock.
Physical description
A design for a rococo upholstered armchair with scrollwork and acanthus leaves. The cabriole legs have ball-and-claw feet and acanthus leaves to the knees. The arms are similar with scrolled ends and upholstered tops. There are small shell-like cartouches to the seat front and back crest. The drawing is divided vertically down the middle.
Dimensions
  • Height: 176mm
  • Width: 130mm
Style
Production typeDesign
Object history
This is the design for a chair which belonged to the painter Richard Cosway (1742-1821) and appears in three portraits by him, notably that of Elizabeth Draper (1744-1778) in about 1777.
Subject depicted
Association
Summary
This design came to the museum in an album of designs entitled Original Designs by Matts Lock, Carver 1740 - 1765. The album was bought from a descendant, George Lock, and had been exhibited by him at the International Exhibition held at South Kensington in 1862. It seems to have been compiled after Lock's death in 1765 as it includes ephemera from his workshop, designs by Chippendale, and neo-classical designs associated with a later Matthias Lock, probably his son. The presence of Chippendale designs has helped to fuel the idea that Lock and Chippendale collaborated professionally. It has even been suggested that Lock 'ghost' designed for Chippendale, but it now seems more likely that he provided piece-work carving for Chippendale's larger projects.

Matthias Lock was the first to publish rococo designs in England and can be credited with first mastering the rococo style, imparting an 'English' flavour to his designs. Little is known of Lock's life but ephemera in this album helps to date his carving activities as early as 1742-44 based on memoranda for carving work undertaken. Lock published designs of sconces in 1744 and tables in 1746, and A Book of Ornaments in 1747. A New Drawing Book of Ornaments and The Principles of Ornament are undated but stylistically fit with the 1746-7 designs. Another A New Book of Ornaments appeared in 1752 in collaboration with Henry Copland. This included a range of furniture in the rococo style but also chinoiserie motifs. This was the most ambitious book of rococo ornament prior to Chippendale's Director. Roger Sayer published a posthumous collection of Lock's engravings, describing him as 'the famous Mr Matt Lock … who was reputed the best Draftsman in that way that had ever been in England'.
Associated object
W.1-1973 (Object)
Collection
Accession number
2848:149

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Record createdJune 30, 2009
Record URL
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