A magnificent mid 18th century Chippendale period carved giltwood console table attributed to Matthias Lock, retaining most of the original gilding and the original ‘African Breccia’ serpentine shaped marble top with a moulded edge above a profusely shaped frieze carved with C-scrolls, acanthus leaf and draped with floral swags, centred by a pierced pendent cartouche; on two cabriole legs with finely carved female heads, decorated with floral swags and terminating in leaf carved scrolling toes.
Note: This outstanding table, carved with the utmost finesse and attention to detail, originates without doubt from a workshop of the highest quality. The design of the frame is unquestionably inspired by Matthias Lock’s publication ‘Six Sconces’ of 1744. The design follows plate 7b in some detail, although the carved female heads, typical of many of Lock’s designs, do not appear in the 1744 drawing. It is conceivable that this table is from the hand of the master himself, who further improved the original design by adding carved heads. A firm attribution cannot, however, be made. A pair of console tables of almost identical design but with male heads are in the collection at Blair Castle, Perthshire.