Lomax, Francis

Mardol, Shrewsbury, Shropshire; cabinet maker and upholder (fl. c.1723–c. 1750)

Apprenticed in 1723 to Joseph Thomas of Shrewsbury; cabinet maker and joiner. His son George, later to follow his father's trade, was born 10 July 1733.

A George II walnut dressing glass is known bearing his trade label which is probably the earliest usage of this method of publicity in the provincial cabinet trade. The label states that he sold ‘all maner of Cabinet Work and fine Compass Seat Chairs with Upholster'd Seats both in Mohogany and fine Walnut after the newest and best fashion, all sorts of India Back Chairs either with Upholster'd Seats or fine Dutch or matted Bottoms, Cane Chairs and Dutch Chairs both Course and fine, all manner of wood-Work for Beds, Easy Chairs Dressing Chairs and Writing Chairs, Settee Beds, Card, Backgamen and Writing Tables, Buroe Tables, Mohogany work of all Sorts, the best Dineing Tables Dressing Tables Drinking Tables and Handboards both Scollopt and round, Salvers Corner Cupboards and Clock cases both arch'd and plain, Dumb waiters, walnut Bellows with Brushes, the best Dutch Tables, Looking Glasses of all Sizes Sconces both Gilt in Gold and walnut Frames, Chimney Glasses Dressing Glasses Piere Glasses Dressing Glasses with union Sutes, Coach Glasses of all sizes, all manner of Gilt and Stain'd Frames to Pictures, Gilt Balls for Clock Cases with friezes, all sort of Varnish and all other Goods in the Cabinet-makers and Joyners way at Reasonable Rates. N.B. Old Looking Glasses, New Silvered Fram'd Cabinet-work and Glass work Neatly mended and made fashionable’ (illus. Jones, Regional Furniture (1993), p. 27).

Source: DEFM; Jones, ‘An Anthology of Regional Furniture with Maker's Identification’, Regional Furniture (1993).