Flora: hand cast plaster wall frieze inspired by the work of master carver Grinling Gibbons

The traditional wood carvings by Dutch-British sculptor and master carver Grinling Gibbons (1648 – 1721) were the inspiration behind our design for the Flora Plaster Frieze. Widely regarded as one of the finest wood carvers working in England during the late 17th and early 18th century, Gibbons’ work can still be be seen at Windsor Castle, St. Pauls’ Cathedral, Hampton Court Palace and Petworth House, West Sussex.

Gibbons’ distinct still life motifs incorporating garlands of fruits and flowers were the inspiration for our Flora hand-cast plaster frieze.

Flora hand cast wall frieze — Flora: hand cast repeatable wall frieze inspired by the work of master carver Grinling Gibbons

Originally designed and installed to an entrance hall of a private property on the East Sussex coast, our design incorporates flowers, fruits and decorative shellwork, accentuated by an exquisite hand-cast crab peeking over a scallop shell.

Grinling Gibbons inspired design — Flora Detail: incorporating flowers, fruits and decorative shellwork, accentuated by an exquisite hand-cast crab peeking over a scallop shell.

We’ve also subtly featured an open pea pod, which playfully references Gibbons’ use of the closed or open pod in his own carvings – it is said that, if he carved a closed pod, it meant he had not been paid for his work! Thankfully, our client was delighted with their installed frieze and we gratefully received payment!

The fine plasterwork frieze designed by Carmen Evans of Pan’s Lodge Interior Design for the hallway of our coastal Arts and Crafts home is stunning and an absolute triumph. Drawing on a tremendous depth of knowledge of the subject, an original mould was re-modelled, cast and adapted by skilled craftsmen to include exquisite and intricate detailing of shell work and crustaceans. Mrs J, Winchester.

hand cast plaster wall frieze — Flora Detail: an open pea pod playfully references Grinling Gibbons’ own use of the closed or open pod in his wood carvings

Flora is now part of our Plaster Mouldings Collection and is cast as a repeatable frieze or as a decorative wall plaque, with custom sizes and design variations possible.

decorative plasterwork — Detail: Flora installed to an entrance hall of a private property on the East Sussex coast

Our plaster architectural mouldings are hand cast in Hampshire by Philip Oatley, a leading plaster mouldings specialist. We first met over a decade ago when working together on the installation and restoration of plaster mouldings at an important Grade I listed country house designed by the 18th century architect John Nash. Since then, we have collaborated on a variety of restoration projects and challenging design commissions, including strap-work ceilings, ceiling centre roses, wall friezes and individually cast elements such as acanthus leaves and capitals.

flora plaster frieze — Detail: Flora accurately made to the internal corner of the entrance hall

Find out more about our Flora Frieze or our Plaster Mouldings Collection.

Current design work

Continuing to be inspired by the 18th century’s fascination for the natural world and shellwork patterns, we are currently working on a design for a Shell House installation, a number of designs for wall friezes, and a coffered ceiling design incorporating carved and cast shellwork patterns reminiscent of the panels and wall decorations found lining the walls of 18th century Shell houses, pavilions and grottoes… please continue to read our blog over the coming months to see how our designs are progressing…

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