George Bullock (1777/78-1818): was an influential early nineteenth century cabinet maker, sculptor and marble-mason who had a remarkable career during his short life. He was trained by his mother, who exhibited wax models at 29, Bull Street, Birmingham between 1794 and 1798 and, in 1797, ‘Mrs Bullock and Son’ offered modelling and drawing lessons at their premises. Bullock worked in wax, rice-paste and plaster, and developed a reputation as a noteworthy artist. George’s brother, William Bullock, was a Museum Promoter in Church Street and had a notable career as an entrepreneur and showman, opening his first ‘museum’ at Portugal House in Birmingham in 1800, where he exhibited a variety of curiosities. He moved his museum to Liverpool in March 1801, and George followed his brother there, lodging at the premises at 24, Lord Street. In 1804, George Bullock was working in Liverpool: ‘Bullock, George, Modeller and Sculptor, Lord Street’ (‘Gore’s Directory for Liverpool and its Environs’, Liverpool, 1804) where he attracted a number of important patrons for his sculptural work, which he exhibited at the Royal Academy in London. By 1805 Bullock had entered into a partnership with a looking-glass maker called William Stoakes, advertising as: ‘Bullock & Stoakes Cabinet Makers, General Furnishers and Marble Workers 48 Church Street’ (‘Gore’s Directory for Liverpool and its Environs’, Liverpool, 1805). Their showrooms were named the ‘Grecian Rooms’, and were housed: ‘at Mr Stokes Looking Glass Manufactory … this day re-opened where are the most extensive collection of Bronze and Bronzed Figures … Marble Tables, Chimney Pieces … see the Rich Gothic Furniture, Armour &c which he has designed and executed for … Cholmondeley Castle’ (Liverpool Chronicle, 4 September 1805). This is the first furniture known to have been designed and made by Bullock. He was renowned for the speed at which he produced furniture and for the quality of his work, especially his marquetry.

In Bullock’s short career he undertook a number of major furnishing commissions, which included Tew Park in Oxfordshire (at a cost of £4000); Blair Castle; Cholmondeley Castle; Battle Abbey in East Sussex; and his clients included Sir Walter Scott and the manufacturer Matthew Boulton.