An impressive late 19th century Stephen Webb designed desk chair in his distinctive inlaid renaissance revival style. Manufactured by Collinson and Lock and retailed by Waring and Gillows. The property of a London stockbroker called Thomas, bequeathed to his niece, and then by descent to her granddaughter.
The firm of Collinson and Lock was established in London in the third quarter of the 19th century and quickly achieved both commercial success and a leading position in the field of design. In 1871 the firm issued an impressive illustrated catalogue of ‘Artistic furniture’, with plates by J. Moyar Smith, assistant to Christopher Dresser, and in 1873 was trading from extensive newly built premises in St Bride Street. The firm continued to produce very high quality items of furniture and soon began to experiment with new materials and designs, becoming especially renowned for their intricate Italianate arabesques, traditional figures and scrolling foliage. This form of decoration clearly points toward the involvement of Stephen Webb, Collinson and Locks chief designer who was later appointed Professor of Sculpture at the Royal College of Art.
