The inscription and stylised foliate carving on
the sides of this roller would strongly suggest a close connection
with the studio established in Ditchling Common by Eric Gill
in 1913.
Arthur Eric Rowton Gill ARA RDI, 22
February 1882 – 17 November 1940 was an English sculptor, typeface
designer, and printmaker, who was associated with the Arts and
Crafts movement.
He was born in Brighton and grew up in Chichester.
In 1900 he began his career as a draughtsman in an architect’s office in
London. In the evenings he studied lettering classes taught by Edward Johnston and
masonry. In 1905 Gill and Johnston moved with their families to the Arts &
Crafts community in Hammersmith and Gill set up as an ‘inscription carver and
calligrapher’.
Gill moved to Ditchling in 1907. Initially he and his
family lived in Sopers in the High Street until 1913. They then moved to
Ditchling Common to be more self-sufficient.
The same year, he and Hilary Pepler converted to Roman
Catholicism. In 1914 Gill was commissioned to carve the Stations of the Cross
at Westminster Cathedral, a job considered important enough to exempt him from
war service until its completion in 1918. He was a founder member of The Guild
of St Joseph & St Dominic which was formally constituted in 1921. Gill was
named a Royal Designer for Industry. He was also an Associate of the Royal Academy
of Arts.
Other stone rollers by Eric Gill are known,
including one carved with similar foliage to this one
and inscribed with typical Gill calligraphy and another carved
in relief with an embracing Adam and Eve, literally taking a roll in the
garden. The wrought iron frame is also typical of the Arts and crafts
blacksmith made examples of the time. By family
repute this piece was purchased at an Eric Gill
exhibition about 30 years ago.
Garden Ornament
