A 19th Century inlaid chess table by Collinson & Lock

A superb quality 19th Century rosewood marquetry inlaid chess table by Collinson & Lock, with the original chess figures,

London, date circa 1890
Height 74 cm, width 72 cm, depth 54 cm

The firm of Collinson & Lock was established in London in the third quarter of the nineteenth century with the partnership of F.G. Collinson and G.J. Lock, former employees of Jackson & Graham. The company quickly achieved both commercial success and a leading position in the field of design. Influential designers of the 'Art Movement' including T.E.Collcutt, J Moyr-Smith and Stephen Webb were employed by the company and E.W. Godwin was held on a retainer to produce exclusive designs for the company from 1872 to 1874.
In 1871 the firm issued an impressive illustrated catalogue of 'Artistic Furniture', with plates by J. Moyr-Smith, assistant to Christopher Dresser, and in 1873 was trading from extensive newly built premises in St Bride Street.
As well as providing furniture for important commissions such as the Law Courts and the Savoy Theatre, they exhibited at many of the International Exhibitions of the period. At the Paris Exposition Universelle in 1878, they exhibited a number of items designed by E. W. Godwin. International recognition for their use of fine rosewood and intricate Italianate arabesques was to soon follow. This form of decoration clearly points toward the involvement of Stephen Webb, Collinson & Locks chief designer who was later appointed Professor of Sculpture at the Royal College of Art. The firm was taken over by Gillows in 1897.