Matthias Lock

Matthias Lock was one of the leading lights in mid 18th century wood carving and design. A close follower of Thomas Chippendale, Lock published a series of drawings, in collaboration with Henry Copeland entitled A New Drawing Book of Ornaments; A New Book of Ornaments, dated 1768. A master draftsman, his drawings were compared favourably to those of Thomas Chippendale although in many circles deemed better and more substantial in nature. Like Chippendale, his carving work was heavily influenced by the French Rococo taste that had swept through Britain after the austere, earlier works of William Kent. Lock worked closely with Chippendale until his style and taste was dramatically alerted by a meeting with Robert Adam. It is his earlier works for which is he is best known and ranks among the best of the mid to late 18th century woodcarvers.