London Stone Carving Ltd

London Stone Carving have been selected to design, sculpt and carve two full scale figurative sculptures of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert to be installed above the Hyde Park entrance of the Royal Albert Hall, London. The pieces serve to commemorate the Queen's Platinum Jubilee and the Royal Albert Hall's 150th anniversary. We will posting a photographic and video diary of the entire process from the creation of small scale wax sketches or 'maquettes' (below), to sculpting full scale figurative sculptures in clay and ultimately to the hand carving of the finished monumental stone sculptures and their installation above the Hall's Hyde Park entrance. The carvings themselves are very nearly complete, and it has been an incredible, fascinating and challenging experience as well as a great honour to have been lucky enough to land such an exciting commission. We are really looking forward to sharing the journey here. #jubilee2022 #royalty #figurativeart #queensplatinumjubilee #princealbert #victoria #stonework #hydepark #londonstonecarving

Tom Nicholls carving a gargoyle - some lovely stone carving ASMR here and a beautifully grotesque result! This bat gargoyle was created for Ripon Cathedral, based on the endangered Daubenton’s Bat which is local to the Cathedral on the River Skell. This particular species with large hairy toes and curious dynamic forms on its ears lent itself well to expression in the Gothic Style! #sculpture #stonecarver #stonecarving #stonemasonry #stonework #stoneart #stonecarvings

The beautifully intricate costume we modelled on our Queen Victoria statue that stands in The Hyde Park entrance of the Royal Albert Hall - seen here in the full size clay sculpture that precedes the final stone version. For such intricate details as the lace, working in clay first helps to refine the complex elements of the design, allowing experimentation with depth and textures to ensure the final stone piece has the intended visual impact! #VictoriaandAlbert #clay #ArtisanCrafts #V&A #queenvictoria #hydepark#HandmadeSculpture 

The quarter sized maquette of our Prince Albert statue for the Royal Albert Hall - the initial modelling stages the lead us to the final stone form are always essential to the quality of the final outcome. The modelling of the costume elements of our Queen Victoria and Prince Albert models were important to help refine the folds and drapery. Representing flowing fabrics in stone is incredibly challenging, as you attempt to create an illusion of softness and movement in an incredibly rigid medium! These first modelling stages allow us to experiment with how fabrics might interact with the anatomical forms beneath, wrapping and cascading about the body. It is essential that they look convincing in these earlier stages before we progress the designs to their stone forms. #StoneCarving #HandcraftedArt #LondonArtisans #sculpture #TraditionalCraft #HeritageCrafts #LondonCrafts #ArtisanMade

Beautiful wintery scenes in Somerset this week! The sun setting on our larger than life statues now nearing completion… Having a monumental sculpture set up outside during the 90mph winds we were experiencing over the weekend is more than a little unnerving! Luckily our large ladies braved the storms and all is well!! Made up in Portland stone, they are looking beuatiful against the wintery sky! Portland stone is prized for its warm, creamy white color, which gives buildings an elegant and timeless appearance. This hue develops naturally due to its high calcium carbonate content and fine-grain texture. Over time, the stone's creamy white surface often develops a weathered patina that enhances its appearance. In urban environments, its light color contrasts beautifully with darker materials, making it a favorite for landmark buildings, and the creamy white of Portland stone has defined much of London’s historic skyline, including St. Paul’s Cathedral and the Tower of London. #StoneCarving #somerset #handmadeart #TraditionalCraft #HeritageCrafts #somersetcrafts #ArtisanMade 

Never mind the storm… Sam and Amelia’s turkeys have been wreaking havoc in the Somerset studios this week! Unknowingly making for some excellent seasonal content…. A few Christmas turkey facts for you! The tradition of eating turkey at Christmas dates back to the 16th century when King Henry VIII was one of the first to have turkey as part of his holiday meal. By the 19th century, it became more widespread among the British middle class, as turkeys were seen as a more affordable alternative to other meats like beef or swan. Turkeys became a popular Christmas dish in England during the Victorian era, replacing traditional goose, with Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol cementing the turkey's association with Christmas feasts, as Scrooge famously gifts a large turkey to the Cratchit family. #sculpture #stonecarver #stonecarving #stonemasonry #stonework #stoneart 

Tom working on our Prince Albert sculpture that now stands in the north entrance of the Royal Albert Hall. The chains Prince Albert wore across his chest for the opening of the Great Exhibition in 1851 were part of the ceremonial regalia associated with his position, referred to as collars of office. They symbolise honour, rank, and the unity of the members of the order. Specifically, the collar of the Order of the Garter (being carved in this post) features interlinked gold garters with a central medallion bearing St. George slaying the dragon, representing chivalric ideals. The Exhibition celebrated innovation, industry, and unity, themes that resonated with the ideals represented by such regalia. The chains not only highlighted his personal prestige but also symbolised the broader connection between monarchy, cultural achievement, and global collaboration. #StoneCarving #HandcraftedArt #LondonArtisans #sculpture #TraditionalCraft #HeritageCrafts #LondonCrafts #ArtisanMade #StoneSculpture 

One of our monumental heads in the London workshop, being worked on by @joshlocksmith. Artists' studios are deeply personal and inherently creative spaces. These rooms often brim with character—scraps of materials, well-worn tools, and half-finished works - they feel alive and like art pieces in their own right! Reflecting on this after reading back through an old House & Garden article by Emily Tobin this week, the piece highlights how each studio tells its own story, mirroring the unique personality and artistic vision of its inhabitant. ‘Inside the studios of some of the 20th century's greatest artists’ (2021), Emily Tobin for House and Garden. #StoneCarving #somerset #handmadeart #TraditionalCraft #HeritageCrafts

The delicate process of refining our carving of Queen Victoria. In 2020 we were commissioned to design two life sized statues of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the Royal Albert Hall. The brief was to complete the original architectural intention and to fill two empty niches on the Northern porch overlooking Hyde Park with a new concept and design which would recognise the vision and monarchy of the founding period of the hall. If you are near the Royal Albert Hall Hyde Park park entrance this week look up to see them in position! #sculpture #stonecarver #stonecarving #stonemasonry #stonework #stoneart #stonecarvings #stonedesign #handcarved #sculpture #architecturalstone #naturalstone #handcraftedstone #artisanalcraft #carvedstone #details #history #figurativesculpture #sculptor #artsculpture #sculptureart #details #artdetails #portlandstone #handmadesculpture #sculpting #craft #traditional #queenvictoria #monarchy #V&A #victoriaandalbert

We are running a 2 day weekend stone carving course from our London workshop! Need a break from hectic Christmas activities? Come and join us on the 14th and 15th of December to carve something beautiful in time for the holidays! A stone wreath? A robin relief? Everything needed to produce your carved piece is provided: stone, tools, safety equipment & space.   Students will leave with the basic skills & knowledge needed to continue carving and we are of course happy to give ongoing support and advice after the course is complete! Our classes are friendly open & flexible in their scope, covering all aspects of stone carving for all skill levels. Weekend courses cost £300 per person (including vat) and run from 10am to 4.30pm both days.    Book now and find more details on our website! https://lnkd.in/eSRDGre9 #sculpture #stonecarver #stonecarving #stonemasonry #stonework #stoneart #stonecarvings #stonedesign #handcarved #sculpture #architecturalstone #naturalstone #handcraftedstone #artisanalcraft #carvedstone #details #history #figurativesculpture #sculptor #artsculpture #sculptureart #diycrafts #craftcourse #crafttutorial #learn #crafting #crafts #sculpting #craft #creativelearning