Carving the limewood cravat | Recreating Grinling Gibbons' limewood cravat | V&A

In this video, contemporary engraver Clunie Fretton recreates Grinling Gibbons' limewood cravat in her workshop. This was one of Grinling Gibbons' most famous pieces and it's a cravat which was owned by Horace Walpole. Horace wore the wooden cravat to a party. The limewood cravat was so realistic that guests at the party believed that it was real. The tie is carved from a block of ironwood but weighs less than 150g, no more than an apple.

This is how Clunie Fretton recreate Grinling Gibbons’ limewood cravat:

- A block of fresh ironwood is meticulously measured, sketched and then meticulously shaped over a two-week period.
- Using a variety of razor sharp chisels, the intricate form of the tie has been recreated, along with the astonishing detail of the luxurious needle lace.

While working, Clune also explains her approach and understanding of Gibbons' extraordinary achievement.

Grinling Gibbons (1648 - 1721) was England's most famous woodcarver. Gibbons ironwood tie was carved over 300 years ago. This is his landmark work. Gibbons carefully distinguishes the varied textures of the three elements that make up the tie – deep-worked needle lace draped in heavy pleats, stiff silk bows and fine cotton (muslin) or grass (fine linen). It is a metamorphosis transformation from one material—hardwood—into convincingly soft textiles. The tie is an example of how the hardest ironwood can be carved at a very high level of detail. Gibbons combined his artistic vision with a deep understanding of ironwood qualities and properties, as well as his superb technical mastery.

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