How was it made? Carving Grinling Gibbons’ cravat | V&A

Grinling Gibbons’ limewood cravat was carved during the baroque period, over 300 years ago. Celebrated for its amazing realism and the exquisite detailing of lace, it is a landmark work by Britain’s most famous carver. This film follows carver Clunie Fretton as she partially recreates the cravat in her studio using traditional tools. Watch as a fresh block of limewood is meticulously measured, outlined, and then painstakingly shaped over a two-week period. Using a variety of razor-sharp chisels, the complex form of the cravat is reproduced, along with the astonishing detail of its opulent needle lace. As she works, Clunie explains her approach and understanding of Gibbons’ extraordinary achievement. Find out more about Grinling Gibbons: See the cravat in Explore the Collections: