Six Sconces
Print
1744 (first published)
1744 (first published)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Object Type
This print is an etching, which uses the action of acid to create lines on a metal printing plate. This sheet is a printed plate from a pattern book entitled Six Sconces, published by Matthias Lock in 1744. This pattern book consists of a set of six plates of designs for wall-mirrors, some with sconces (brackets for holding candles). It was the first Rococo carver's pattern book to be published in Britain.
Subject Depicted
The print shows a design for a pier glass, which is a tall narrow mirror designed to be attached to the wall between windows. The extreme asymmetry of the design is deceptive, as the print was probably intended to show two designs, each of which could be seen in its entirety by placing a small frame-less mirror down the centre. The eagle at the top and the winged head at the bottom of the mirror are copied from French Rococo prints.
People
Matthias Lock (active from about 1710 to1765) was a furniture designer and carver who worked in the Rococo style. He was also one of a number of designers to publish pattern books. Like this book, they were essentially collections of illustrations, which ensured the rapid spread of the style.
This print is an etching, which uses the action of acid to create lines on a metal printing plate. This sheet is a printed plate from a pattern book entitled Six Sconces, published by Matthias Lock in 1744. This pattern book consists of a set of six plates of designs for wall-mirrors, some with sconces (brackets for holding candles). It was the first Rococo carver's pattern book to be published in Britain.
Subject Depicted
The print shows a design for a pier glass, which is a tall narrow mirror designed to be attached to the wall between windows. The extreme asymmetry of the design is deceptive, as the print was probably intended to show two designs, each of which could be seen in its entirety by placing a small frame-less mirror down the centre. The eagle at the top and the winged head at the bottom of the mirror are copied from French Rococo prints.
People
Matthias Lock (active from about 1710 to1765) was a furniture designer and carver who worked in the Rococo style. He was also one of a number of designers to publish pattern books. Like this book, they were essentially collections of illustrations, which ensured the rapid spread of the style.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Title | Six Sconces (suite title) |
| Materials and techniques | Etching |
| Brief description | Matthias Lock (after), plate 3 from 'Six Sconces', London, 1744. |
| Physical description | Etching print on paper |
| Dimensions |
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| Marks and inscriptions | Plate from 'Six Sconces' |
| Gallery label | British Galleries:
This design for a mirror by Matthias Lock is from the first Rococo carvers' pattern book published in Britain. Prints like this ensured the rapid spread of the Rococo style. Lock etched the mirror in the brittle, restless manner introduced by the engraver Henry Copland. He copied the eagle and mask from a French source.(27/03/2003) |
| Object history | Etched in London by Matthias Lock (born in London, about 1710, died there in 1765) |
| Summary | Object Type This print is an etching, which uses the action of acid to create lines on a metal printing plate. This sheet is a printed plate from a pattern book entitled Six Sconces, published by Matthias Lock in 1744. This pattern book consists of a set of six plates of designs for wall-mirrors, some with sconces (brackets for holding candles). It was the first Rococo carver's pattern book to be published in Britain. Subject Depicted The print shows a design for a pier glass, which is a tall narrow mirror designed to be attached to the wall between windows. The extreme asymmetry of the design is deceptive, as the print was probably intended to show two designs, each of which could be seen in its entirety by placing a small frame-less mirror down the centre. The eagle at the top and the winged head at the bottom of the mirror are copied from French Rococo prints. People Matthias Lock (active from about 1710 to1765) was a furniture designer and carver who worked in the Rococo style. He was also one of a number of designers to publish pattern books. Like this book, they were essentially collections of illustrations, which ensured the rapid spread of the style. |
| Bibliographic reference | Heckscher, M., "Lock and Copland: A Catalogue of the Engraved Designs," Furniture History 15 (1979) |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | 27811:6 |
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| Record created | March 27, 2003 |
| Record URL |
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