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: www.vam.ac.uk/...
See the cravat in Explore the Collections: collections.va...

[@PLuMUK54]

This video shows exactly why I get annoyed when people say things like "oh work like this cannot be done today, we have lost the skills". Gibbons was exceptional in his time, not a run-of-the-mill craftsman. It is the same today, as then, most could not achieve this level of craftsmanship. Yet there are, as the video shows, those with exceptional ability who can match the best of the past. Wood carvers, artists, embroiderers, stained glass artists, even a number of art forgers, and so on, can all be as good as any in history.

[@avian8338]

We can COPY, but not CREATE. v.different

[@bustedkeaton]

@@avian8338 plenty of people can create, but the difference is the ruling class isnt paying them to anymore. Theyd rather it be done fast and cheap by people who cant ask for what the works worth

[@drugbuddy665]

@@avian8338 an artist who had to practice for years to painstakingly carve a delicate wood sculpture in 1601 but was paid by an inbred royal to do so = real artistic creation an artist who had to practice for years to painstakingly carve a delicate wood sculpture in 2021 out of creative passion = just copying, making it completely different than the aforementioned wood carving ??? Ok

[@wtripley]

@@avian8338 in case you never realized, the reason modern art isn’t as realistic and detailed is because we have cameras. We can make an exact copy of an image we see, down to the micro details. Why would anyone pay for a painting of something that a camera can give more quickly and more accurately? Instead, contemporary artists have moved on to the evocation of emotion as the primary effect of art. Stop being so stuck up about what you think art should be and start questioning what art even is...

[@fritula6200]

Brilliant !!!

[@londonhodnet4079]

Love seeing the younger generations keeping these skills alive

[@mscott3918]

It's wonderful to see this fantastic ability being continued by the young generation. Reassuring that restoration work will be able to carry on.

[@jamesaritchie1]

It;s more reassuring to know that original creativity and genius will carry on. I know more about painting than about any type of sculpturing or woodcarving, though I've done a good bit of each. With painting, you learn to be original by first copying the old masters. Learning to paint like da Vinci is easy. Learning how to be both good and original is the place where almost everyone fails. Good is easy, and original is easy, but creating something that is both is, for most, impossible. Even for the true geniuses it can take a lot of failure and suffering. Many give up when faced with this, even if they have the capability. The leading painter in my classes was a man who could create taggering copies of any old master, but who could create nothing original worth looking at. He went on to become an art forger.

[@susanhepburn6040]

I love Grinling Gibbons'work and it's wonderful to see a young woodcarver demonstrating such skill herself. Thank you very much for sharing this!

[@europamacmillan9498]

I have worked with my hands all my life since I was a little child and I am full of admiration for this woman -especially because she has no scars on her hands-Very careful and methodical

[@markmiller3279]

I'm sure she has cut herself, especially when first learning such extraordinary skills. Those chisels are incredibly sharp and make very clean cuts that can heal without scarring. I did it a few times myself trying to learn some basic skills, and have no scars.

[@littlejuicebox]

The patience and control of the wood carver is mind blowing

[@kristinedunkleman8767]

What beautiful workmanship. The hours that it takes to make the wooden Cravat. She is so confident as she carves. ❤

[@juliancoulden1753]

Wow, I am in awe at the skill and mastery of this extraordinary young woman. Absolutely superb. Spell binding!

[@monicacall7532]

I’m in awe of this artisan, especially for trying to replicate Gibbon’s exquisite bow and lace cravat. Brava!

[@melissahauke8682]

wow from the thumbnail I thought it's about conserving lace. Also it's so satisfying seeing such beautifull piece of plain wood, so well seasoned and so dense and carving like butter. The choice of wood and having good and sharp tools are key here.

[@MTMF.london]

She used limewood which is a very light and soft wood, not dense. Because of its texture it is a used in classical sculpture, alter pieces, intricate carvings (the Gibbons' cravat) and model building.

[@melissahauke8682]

@@MTMF.london by dense I mean that the fibers are so small and compacted. You actually can't see the fibers here as oppese to pine for example.

[@jessejohnson159]

Not only am I super impressed with your carving skills and your patience to do projects like this, your tool sharpening skills must be even greater! BRAVO!

[@MDeLorien]

Holy smokes that's absolutely mind blowing. Love her art 🖤🖤🖤

[@shawnstone72]

Wow! She is so talented. I love watching someone with so much talent share their amazing abilities with others. If KZbin has at least one redeeming quality it’s things like this being shared.

[@barefoofDr]

As a carver I have spent hours looking at photos of Gibbons work. You have executied this to perfection.. It is so nice to see work so well done.

[@debb8152]

Wow wow wow. Amazing work Clunie Fretton. What a challenge.

[@davidcerce]

Amazing craftsmanship of Gibbons from nearly 300 years ago! He was an absolute master! I absolutely applaud this woman for working at this level of art! She is incredible!

[@mjremy2605]

What a labor of love. You invest a piece of your life in every work of this caliber! Marvelous!

[@josephmessner5312]

Wonderful woodcarver with such beautiful work !!

[@LostCylon]

Grinling Gibbons work has amazed people for centuries, and will for centuries to come. Learn more about his works, and be amazed also, I know I was, long ago.

[@Alexander-rq9he]

I’ve never heard of him/his work.. I will..I’m intrigued ❤️

[@markmiller3279]

@@Alexander-rq9he He was in great demand by the builders of stately homes for his ability to carve the most wonderful details.

[@scoochysteve]

Funny thing, I am 52 and only found out about four years ago in a passing conversation with my mum that I am in fact a direct descendent from Grinling Gibbons on my mothers side! We are also quite an artistic family which just shows, creativity definitely is a genetic trait.

[@elizabethclaiborne6461]

Amazing. Both the Grinley and the repro are mind boggling.

[@labj4853]

Very impressive! Thanks for sharing!!

[@WondrousEarth]

Beautiful craftsmanship, your 'replica' of the original is so well made, remarkable how much intricate detail there is.

[@julieenslow5915]

Impressive, by any standard. And so beautiful!

[@SpecialSP]

Absolutely breathtaking! Thank you.

[@massabielle2821]

Ms. Fretton! Exquisite skills, and outstanding piece! I thoroughly enjoyed this presentation, and I thank you for sharing this journey.

[@jacquegazzard4028]

Unbelievably brilliant to see true craftsmanship in action and explained. Massive congrats! I wouldn’t have found you but for Stephanie Jarvis either!

[@TriniceltFilms]

This is beautiful Clunie, incredible work - mind blown! x

[@worldgonemad1977]

Fascinating to watch this process! My father was a monumental mason and watching a lump of stone turn into a thing of beauty is a joy - as is watching this lady do the same with a lump of wood 💖

[@1989kd]

The craftsmanship is absolutely exquisite. 😌

[@amirowild7264]

AH . MAZE . ZING. BRAVO! Or, in fact, BRAVA! This lady is a magician.

[@flamencoprof]

So great to hear of Grinling Gibbons again! When I began a driving tour of Britain in 1996 I had never heard of him. Six weeks later I was looking for his work at every location I visited.

[@englishruraldoggynerd]

That’s absolutely fascinating, and what skill! I hope that they are going to display this next to the original, and show the video, I think people will be as fascinated with it as I was, and the quality of her work is good enough to enter the museum in its own right. 🏳️‍🌈😷👍🏻

[@DipityS]

This young artist is extraordinarily talented and I felt privileged to be able to watch on into her process. I also felt much more like I understood the first artist, as before the video I couldn't even imagine what sort of magic could produce such an exquisitely crafted item. Well, now I know, years and years of dedication and focus and working and hard earned experience.

[@lynnblack6493]

Love it. One video I can watch over and over. So meticulous. ❤

[@camiamy45]

Amazing!! Thank you for sharing Quel incroyable travail, un objet tellement original et magnifique!

[@cynthiavanteylingen7922]

Very cool to see the proces

[@Viky.A.V.]

It's simply unbelievable! What a work...

[@catherinejustcatherine1778]

This is wonderful! Thank you all for posting & doing.

[@jaylittleton1]

In addition to this artist's skill and knowledge, I greatly respect the patience it took. Respect rendered.

[@chrisberry9017]

What an utter joy to watch! I could ‘feel’ every cut that was made! Oh, the delight of working with such super-sharp tools, in such a detailed design. Wondering! Thank you!

[@maureentaphouse5206]

That was incredible to watch. Thank you and thank you to the carver for showing us how it was done.

[@Marykguise]

Wow! Absolutely breathtaking, painstakingly beautiful work!!

[@jenniferstone2975]

Superb! Watching a master craftsman at their craft is a sublime experience. Well done!

[@pleinecampagne4504]

Absolument époustouflant. Quel savoir-faire et quelle habileté ... sans compter le temps et la maîtrise de soi !

[@jimmurphy6095]

I love the idea of leaving it incomplete to show the process. Perfect. Well done indeed...

[@janewhite2331]

Very very skilful

[@k.k.2191]

A gorgeous craftsperson replicating a gorgeous piece. I am amazed with the time and skill invested in this piece.

[@simonswoodcraft6730]

This video is definitely an eye opener. Love the way you approach this project.

[@soniatriana9091]

Beautiful art has been admired, created, & collected by people who are inspired by nature & appreciative of what talents human beings are capable of!

[@warpedweft9004]

When I first saw this video come up, I thought it was actual Venetian Gros Point lace because of how real it looks. VGP lace is made with a needle and thread, buttonholing and/or winding thread over a couched thread outline and creating a webbed mesh with buttonholing to join them together. The raised bits are worked over a padding created with bundles of thread. What makes this so special to me is that the carving is so realistic you can "see" the individual threads as you would if it had been created with a needle and thread. Absolutely amazing!

[@paulmaryon9088]

Wow, oh my what wonderful work, thank you for posting

[@tymz-r-achangin]

Thanks for the video. Very interesting to watch how much effort, time, work, and certainly patience that a person has to produce such intricate things

[@roninnovastar1321]

Absolutely Amazing !! Its a pleasure to watch these high caliber arts & crafts people display there skills.

[@leesharpe3675]

I've been a big fan of GG's work for many years and this is absolutely wonderful - to be able to see how it was done. If I'd known about this sort of thing many years ago, I would have loved to have done it myself, but now too old and arthritic! Clever girl - let's see more. Many many thanks. Ms Lee Sharpe

[@impunitythebagpuss]

Jaw dropping! Then and now! Wow!

[@Casey.seeK.]

Loved the video! Keep them coming.

[@IrishAnnie]

I loved the V&A museum when we went to London two years ago. I would go back in a minute.

[@Little_Red_Riding_Hoodlum]

This is just incredible.

[@chippyshoppe7695]

Clunie that is a fantastic piece of work, and i hope that you will continue to make a video to show the completed piece, skilled crafts person, clever very clever!

[@easterazali9237]

Absolutely stunning and detailed wood art ! 🤩🥰. 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@mirkatu3249]

Watching this was amazing. What a skilled artisan.

[@tomadalove5852]

Wish they had shown how it was worn. Amazing detailed work.

[@vamuseum]

Hi there, you can find out all about lace and fashion (including how cravats were worn) here: www.vam.ac.uk/articles/lace-and-fashion-in-gibbons-carving

[@tomadalove5852]

@@vamuseum Thank You & cheers from Italy.

[@grimmgnarly]

Beautiful. Both pieces. 👏

[@chrismalcomson7640]

Wonderful piece of work! As a marquetry maker I understand completely the way you get into the minds of the original makers. Its interesting when you're using a new technique or style you're learning all the way through the job so its a good idea to start in the least visible place when you're getting your eye in. If you know what your looking at you can often work out where the artist started and finished just by the quality and confidence of the design..

[@wendynordstrom3487]

FANTASTIC!! Now I want to try woodcarving!

[@chrispokorney6801]

Astounding Work !!

[@RDavis-lr1zc]

Truly stunning.

[@jeanhawken4482]

Lovely work

[@jameelawahlgren]

Incredible! And so nice to see female artisans being featured here, in what is so often a male-focused field

[@bigbilly4450]

Art is far from male focused lol

[@bronoun8884]

Don’t talk rubbish

[@graemebrumfitt6668]

Now that is a set of chisels! I have a set of 12 that cost a few bob but this set must have cost a fair few quid! They are in the hands of someone who knows how to use them though, unlike myself :( TFS (thanks for sharing) GB :)

[@elitesflowers-floristshop.3616]

Stunning 😍

[@bri0013]

Breathtaking beauty and precision.

[@richardlane2651]

Fantastic video of an incredible craftsperson at work. A really useful illustration of the different stages the original artist would have worked though to carve the original piece. Thank you.

[@emmelulukn]

This is an amazing piece. The young lady looks like a runway model. Such talent! Bravo!

[@AddisonButts]

who cares how she looks?

[@gloriagavaneli9862]

Wow unbelievable craft.

[@infadeldog13]

I've not heard of Gibbons before but I'm enthralled. What a master and wonderful to see the craft carrying on today. In a world that celebrates mediocrity and worships fools, so good to see something real!

[@lindsayvanniekerk9483]

Beautiful work. I imagine in the past, that tap tap tapping sound could be heard often as people made or fixed everyday things. Doing this work requires a great awareness of touch and sound that we don’t have any use for now.

[@OceanSwimmer]

V & A Museum: Please show more closeup photos of Mr. Gibbon's cravat. The initial thumbnail caught my eye; the detail is so gorgeous --- I'd like to see more. Many thanks from California : )

[@geoffreykeane4072]

There is a link in the description that shows it in detail

[@johngray8249]

Marvellous, lady you are very skilful, I admire and envy your talent. You are blessed with an amazing gift.👍👍👍👍💖💖💖

[@guyvangenechten6484]

Very nice job looking very good!!!💯👌👍

[@robertafierro5592]

I had to watch this AGAIN!

[@deborahduthie4519]

Exquisite wood crafting.

[@zaddymatty24]

Stunning!

[@IrishAnnie]

He made a wooden sign in front of his home that was so fine, it vibrated when coaches passed his house.

[@helenburke9507]

Stunning

[@pacificperiscope8844]

Beautiful wood carving

[@sherryblack7586]

Amazing!

[@betttrbeth]

Stunning.

[@peacheskong2245]

LMAO, I only clicked because I thought this was a knitting tutorial.

[@YY4Me133]

😊

[@littlejuicebox]

That is probably the biggest compliment gibbons can get 😉

[@IrishAnnie]

I thought it was about lace restoration!

[@slowpainful]

The skill and the PATIENCE...! I would never have thought this was possible. What strange and esoteric skills humans have developed. This is like our highest level of thought and ambition. I wish all our achievements were this beautiful and mindful.

[@realityjunky]

David Esterly wrote a lovely book about carving lime wood. I highly recommend it.

[@giovanni5063]

I am completely enamored by this artist, craftsperson and would like to apply for an apprenticeship. I know that I am not qualified but what the heck. Cheers, Gio.

[@melissamohr8985]

Incredible!!!!!

[@52memor]

Superb !!! thanks for sharing

[@taralynn7712]

This is crazy amazing!

[@drusabs]

Amazing skills wish I had kept up my carving work I tried to do in school but back then I had no teacher or references to guide me how to do things

[@2RedCrows]

I wish they’d make the 3D available for sale so we can enjoy it up close, touch it, etc.

[@rosieHolliday5887]

Beautiful x

[@rebeccavalicoff1581]

Incredible

[@helenamcginty4920]

In Fuengirola on the Spanish Costa del sol on the back room of a small museum on the street behind the police station is a collection from a local deceased carpenter. All his tools are there with some examples of his work. Unfortunately my, then young, grandsons didnt want to spend ages looking at it.