Evelyn's Diary. 18 Jan 1671. Of this young artist (age 22), together with my manner of finding him out, I acquainted the King (age 40), and begged that he would give me leave to bring him and his work to Whitehall Palace [Map], for that I would adventure my reputation with his Majesty (age 40) that he had never seen anything approach it, and that he would be exceedingly pleased, and employ him. The King (age 40) said he would himself go see him. This was the first notice his Majesty (age 40) ever had of Mr. Gibbon (age 22).

Evelyn's Diary. 18 Jan 1671. This day I first acquainted his Majesty (age 40) with that incomparable young man, Gibbon (age 22), whom I had lately met with in an obscure place by mere accident, as I was walking near a poor solitary thatched house, in a field in our parish, near Sayes Court, Deptford [Map]. I found him shut in; but looking in at the window, I perceived him carving that large cartoon, or crucifix, of Tintoretto, a copy of which I had myself brought from Venice, where the original painting remains. I asked if I might enter; he opened the door civilly to me, and I saw him about such a work as for the curiosity of handling, drawing, and studious exactness, I never had before seen in all my travels. I questioned him why he worked in such an obscure and lonesome place; he told me it was that he might apply himself to his profession without interruption, and wondered not a little how I found him out. I asked if he was unwilling to be made known to some great man, for that I believed it might turn to his profit; he answered, he was yet but a beginner, but would not be sorry to sell off that piece; on demanding the price, he said £100. In good earnest, the very frame was worth the money, there being nothing in nature so tender and delicate as the flowers and festoons about it, and yet the work was very strong; in the piece was more than one hundred figures of men, etc. I found he was likewise musical, and very civil, sober, and discreet in his discourse. There was only an old woman in the house. So, desiring leave to visit him sometimes, I went away.

Evelyn's Diary. 19 Feb 1671. This day dined with me Mr. Surveyor, Dr. Christopher Wren (age 47), and Mr. Pepys (age 37), Clerk of the Acts, two extraordinary, ingenious, and knowing persons, and other friends. I carried them to see the piece of carving which I had recommended to the King (age 40). Note. Those of Grinling Gibbons (age 22) - see John Evelyn's Diary 1671 January 18.

Evelyn's Diary. 01 Mar 1671. His Majesty's (age 40) Surveyor, Mr. Wren (age 47), faithfully promised me to employ him. I having also bespoke his Majesty (age 40) for his work at Windsor Castle [Map], which my friend, Mr. May (age 49), the architect there, was going to alter, and repair universally; for, on the next day, I had a fair opportunity of talking to his Majesty (age 40) about it, in the lobby next the Queen's (age 32) side, where I presented him with some sheets of my history. I thence walked with him through St James' Park [Map] to the garden, where I both saw and heard a very familiar discourse between ... and Mrs. Nelly (age 21), as they called an impudent comedian, she looking out of her garden on a terrace at the top of the wall, and ... [Note. the elipsis here is John Evelyn being coy about the King's (age 40) conversation with Nell Gwyn.] standing on the green walk under it. I was heartily sorry at this scene. Thence the King (age 40) walked to the Duchess of Cleveland (age 30), another lady of pleasure, and curse of our nation.

Evelyn's Diary. 01 Mar 1671. I caused Mr. Gibbon (age 22) to bring to Whitehall [Map] his excellent piece of carving, where being come, I advertised his Majesty (age 40), who asked me where it was; I told him in Sir Richard Browne's (age 66) (my father-in-law) chamber, and that if it pleased his Majesty (age 40) to appoint whither it should be brought, being large and though of wood, heavy, I would take care for it. "No", says the King (age 40), "show me the way, I'll go to Sir Richard's (age 66) chamber", which he immediately did, walking along the entries after me; as far as the ewry, till he came up into the room, where I also lay. No sooner was he entered and cast his eyes on the work, but he was astonished at the curiosity of it; and having considered it a long time, and discoursed with Mr. Gibbon (age 22), whom I brought to kiss his hand, he commanded it should be immediately carried to the Queen's (age 32) side to show her. It was carried up into her bedchamber, where she and the King (age 40) looked on and admired it again; the King (age 40), being called away, left us with the Queen (age 32), believing she would have bought it, it being a crucifix; but, when his Majesty (age 40) was gone, a French peddling woman, one Madame de Boord, who used to bring petticoats and fans, and baubles, out of France to the ladies, began to find fault with several things in the work, which she understood no more than an ass, or a monkey, so as in a kind of indignation, I caused the person who brought it to carry it back to the chamber, finding the Queen (age 32) so much governed by an ignorant Frenchwoman, and this incomparable artist had his labor only for his pains, which not a little displeased me; and he was fain to send it down to his cottage again; he not long after sold it for £80, though well worth £100, without the frame, to Sir George Viner (age 32).

Evelyn's Diary. 28 Jun 1678. I went to Windsor [Map] with my Lord Chamberlain (age 60) (the castle now repairing with exceeding cost) to see the rare work of Verrio (age 42), an incomparable carving of Gibbons (age 30).

Evelyn's Diary. 08 Aug 1679. I went this morning to show my Lord Chamberlain (age 61), his Lady (age 45), and the Duchess of Grafton (age 11), the incomparable work of Mr. Gibbon (age 31), the carver, whom I first recommended to his Majesty (age 49), his house being furnished like a cabinet, not only with his own work, but divers excellent paintings of the best hands. Thence, to Sir Stephen Fox's (age 52), where we spent the day.

Evelyn's Diary. 31 Aug 1679. After evening service, to see a neighbor, one Mr. Bohun, related to my son's (age 24) late tutor of that name, a rich Spanish merchant, living in a neat place, which he has adorned with many curiosities, especially several carvings of Mr. Gibbons (age 31), and some pictures by Streeter.

After 29 Sep 1679. Monument to John Manners 8th Earl of Rutland (deceased) and Frances Montagu Countess Rutland. Monument sculpted by Grinling Gibbons (age 31).

Evelyn's Diary. 24 Jul 1680. Went with my wife (age 45) and daughter to Windsor [Map], to see that stately court, now near finished. There was erected in the court the King (age 50) on horseback, lately cast in copper, and set on a rich pedestal of white marble, the work of Mr. Gibbons (age 32), at the expense of Toby Rustate, a page of the back stairs, who by his wonderful frugality had arrived to a great estate in money, and did many works of charity, as well as this of gratitude to his master, which cost him £1,000. He is very simple, ignorant, but honest and loyal creature.

Evelyn's Diary. 30 Jul 1682. Went to visit our good neighbor, Mr. Bohun, whose whole house is a cabinet of all elegancies, especially Indian; in the hall are contrivances of Japan screens, instead of wainscot; and there is an excellent pendule clock inclosed in the curious flowerwork of Mr. Gibbons (age 34), in the middle of the vestibule. The landscapes of the screens represent the manner of living, and country of the Chinese. But, above all, his lady's cabinet is adorned on the fret, ceiling, and chimney-piece, with Mr. Gibbons's (age 34) best carving. There are also some of Streeter's best paintings, and many rich curiosities of gold and silver as growing in the mines. The gardens are exactly kept, and the whole place very agreeable and well watered. The owners are good neighbors, and Mr. Bohun has also built and endowed a hospital for eight poor people, with a pretty chapel, and every necessary accommodation.

Evelyn's Diary. 16 Jun 1683. That which was new at Windsor [Map] since I was last there, and was surprising to me, was the incomparable fresco painting in St. George's Hall, representing the legend of St. George, and triumph of the Black Prince, and his reception by Edward III.; the volto, or roof, not totally finished; then the Resurrection in the Chapel, where the figure of the Ascension is, in my opinion, comparable to any paintings of the most famous Roman masters; the Last Supper, also over the altar. I liked the contrivance of the unseen organ behind the altar, nor less the stupendous and beyond all description the incomparable carving of our Gibbons (age 35), who is, without controversy, the greatest master both for invention and rareness of work, that the world ever had in any age; nor doubt I at all that he will prove as great a master in the statuary art.

Evelyn's Diary. 07 Dec 1684. I went to see the new church at St. James's, elegantly built; the altar was especialy adorn'd, the white marble inclosure curiously and richly carved, the flowers and garlands about the walls by Mr. Gibbons (age 36) in wood; a pelican with her young at her breast, just over the altar in the carv'd compartment and border, invironing the purple velvet fring'd with I. H. S. richly embroider'd, and most noble plate, were given by Sr R. Geere, to the value (as was said) of £200. There was no altar any where in England, nor has there ben any abroad, more handsomely adorn'd.

Evelyn's Diary. 29 Dec 1686. I went to hear the music of the Italians in the new chapel, now first opened publicly at Whitehall [Map] for the Popish Service. Nothing can be finer than the magnificent marble work and architecture at the end, where are four statues, representing St. John, St. Peter, St. Paul, and the Church, in white marble, the work of Mr. Gibbons (age 38), with all the carving and Pillars of exquisite art and great cost. The altar piece is the Salutation; the volto in fresco, the Assumption of the blessed Virgin, according to their tradition, with our blessed Savior, and a world of figures painted by Verrio. The throne where the King (age 53) and Queen (age 28) sit is very glorious, in a closet above, just opposite to the altar. Here we saw the Bishop in his mitre and rich copes, with six or seven Jesuits and others in rich copes, sumptuously habited, often taking off and Putting on the Bishop's mitre, who sat in a chair with arms pontifically, was adored and censed by three Jesuits in their copes; then he went to the altar and made divers cringes, then censing the images and glorious tabernacle placed on the altar, and now and then changing place: the crosier, which was of silver, was put into his hand with a world of mysterious ceremony, the music playing, with singing. I could not have believed I should ever have seen such things in the King of England's palace, after it had pleased God to enlighten this nation; but our great sin has, for the present, eclipsed the blessing, which I hope he will in mercy and his good time restore to its purity.

Evelyn's Diary. 24 Jan 1687. I saw the Queen's (age 28) new apartment at Whitehall [Map], with her new bed, the embroidery of which cost £3,000. The carving about the chimney piece, by Gibbons (age 38), is incomparable.

After 31 Aug 1687 Monument to Richard Legh (deceased) and Elizabeth Chicheley. Unsigned; possibly sculpted by Grinling Gibbons (age 39). St Oswald's Church, Winwick.

Richard Legh: On 07 May 1634 he was born to Reverend Thomas Legh. On or after 31 Dec 1660 Richard Legh and Elizabeth Chicheley were married. In Mar 1679 Andrew Fountaine was elected MP Newton. His wife's brother-in-law Richard Legh controlled the Newton constituency and paid for his election expenses. On 31 Aug 1687 Richard Legh died.

Elizabeth Chicheley: she was born to Thomas Chicheley of Wimpole and Sarah Russell. In 1728 she died.

After 1689 Francis Bird (age 22) studied under Grinling Gibbons (age 40).

On 10 Sep 1698 Theophilus Hastings 7th Earl Huntingdon (age 47) wrote to Laurence Cromp of the Herald's Office about his own monument. In the letter he says: "I have now made a perfect agreement, with Mr Gibbons (age 50) the Carver, in Bow Street for the monument which if made according to the modell, I shall like very well; I therefore desire you, to doe me the kindness to Call on him to see in what forwardnesse it is in, and what your judgement is of itt; particularly as to the armes ....". The Earl then talks about the Hastings Crest Bull's Head. The Earl's own monument does not include a Bull's Head so the letter does not appear to be about this. The wall monument does have a Bull's Head as part of the Hastings coat of arms so it could be this monument which the letter is about. However, the wall monument is similar in style to the chest tomb and so would appear to be of the same date. This would leave unresolved the question of why the Earl wrote at such length about the design of the Bull's Head. It also raises the issue of why there are two monuments to the 2nd Earl considering that the family were heavily in debt at the time. (Richard Parker was paid £20, equivalent to £16,600 today, for a similar chest tomb for the 1st Earl of Rutland). Source Church Monuments Society.

On 05 Oct 1698. Theophilus Hastings 7th Earl Huntingdon (age 47) wrote to Grinling Gibbons (age 50): "I desire you to forbear the carving of the arms till you have finished the rest of the monument, and to not go about them till you first aquaint me".

After 30 May 1701. Hasting's Chapel St Helen's Church Ashby-de-la-Zouch, Leicestershire [Map]. Monument to Theophilus Hastings 7th Earl Huntingdon (deceased) sculpted by Grinling Gibbons (age 53).

Vesta Monumenta. Plate 1.3: Engraving of the Baptismal Font at St. James's, Piccadilly.

Plate 1.3 of Vetusta Monumenta depicts a marble baptismal font at St. James's Church, Piccadilly, presumed to be carved by Grinling Gibbons (age 69) in 1685. Engraving by George Vertue (age 34) after Charles Woodfield. 457 x 283 mm. Published by the Society of Antiquaries of London in 1718. Current location: St. James's Church, Piccadilly, London, UK.