Homo Faber

PRESS EN Languages Account Follow us Newsletter
Subscribe to our newsletter
|
Presented by logo Homo Faber by Michelangelo Foundation
Explore Artisans Museums & Galleries Experience Itineraries About
©All rights reserved
©All rights reserved
©All rights reserved
©All rights reserved
©All rights reserved

Clunie Fretton

Clunie Fretton Woodcarver
©All rights reserved

Contemporary ornamental carving

  • • Clunie grew up in a country full of ornamental carving
  • • She loves accuracy and technique in her profession
  • • She handles chisels as woodcarvers did hundreds of years ago

Clunie Fretton started practicing carving with her partner Felix Handley in 2016 and quickly became interested in a variety of traditional techniques. People usually think that carving is a ‘male dominated’ craft, but the gender demographic is according to her actually fairly equal, especially in the younger generations. She handles chisels in the same manner as woodcarvers did hundreds of years ago and uses the same materials and methods for gilding, restoration and sculpting, that have been used for centuries. Clunie always wanted to work in a traditional craft. Ornamental tradition that prized accuracy and technique rather than simply artistic concepts is exactly the direction she took when choosing her profession. She finds this tradition the most beautiful and you can definitely sense it from her work.

Read the full interview

Works

  • ©All rights reserved
  • ©All rights reserved
  • ©All rights reserved
  • ©All rights reserved
  • ©All rights reserved
Photo: ©All rights reserved
Acanthus leaf

An ornamental carving of a Rococo-esque acanthus leaf, in warm-toned lime wood. The carving follows an ‘S-scroll’ shape, with the acanthus emerging from a scroll and wrapping around an accompanying ‘C-scroll’ shaped marine detail.

Length 27 cm
Width 19 cm
Height 4.5 cm

Photo: ©All rights reserved
Coat of Arms

A coat of arms carved for the City of London livery company, The Worshipful Company of Basketmakers, and housed in a bespoke display case made by furniture maker Chris Ward. The carving features the company's coat of arms of two griffin supporters and numerous charges featuring baskets or basketmaking tools. The coat of arms is richly painted in azure (blue) and gilded in argent (silver).

Length 32 cm
Width 26 cm
Height 4 cm

Photo: ©All rights reserved
Coat of Arms

A coat of arms for a private client carved in lime wood, featuring an escutcheon draped with a cloak, richly ornamental mantling, a lion crest, and a standard with forked ends. The carving was photographed in the bare wood prior to being painted and gilded.

Length 72 cm
Width 52 cm
Height 11 cm

Photo: ©All rights reserved
Coat of Arms

A coat of arms carved for the City of London livery company, The Worshipful Company of Joiners & Ceilers. This coat of arms was left unpainted, in order to highlight the company’s historic connection with carving, carpentry and joinery. It features as supporters two boys holding a carpenter's square and a woman crowned with a castle respectively, and its crest features a ‘wild man’ figure armed with a spear.

Length 30 cm
Width 30 cm
Height 3 cm

Photo: ©All rights reserved
George III Coat of Arms

A large royal coat of arms carved from lime wood, representing the arms of King George III. It shows the lion and unicorn supporters and rose and thistles, symbolising England and Scotland, and has been painted and gilded.

Length 112 cm
Width 24 cm
Height 82 cm

You may also like

Download the app

Find all the Homo Faber Guide content at hand, save, like and much more!