GIBBONS, GIIINLING, an artist celebrated for the extraordinary taste and delicacy of execution he displayed in wood-carving, Is supposed to have been of Dutch origin, though a native of London, where he was born in Spur Alley, Strand, in 1648. Having been recommended by Evelyn to Charles II., the king bestowed upon him a place in the Board of Works, and employed him in the chapel of Windsor, where he executed much of the ornamental carving, con elating of such emblematic, objects as doves, pelicans, palm-branches, &c. For the choir of St. Paul's ho likewise did much of the foliage and festoons belonging to the stall-work, and those in lime-tree which decorate the aide aisles of the choir. There is a great deal of his work at Chatsworth—mere ornament indeed, such as foliage, flowers, feathers, &c., but finished with such exceeding delicacy and truth, that the workmanship not only confers value on the material, but also on the subject. Occasionally ho exerted his skill on subjects altogether trivial in themselves, and merely curiosities in art; for instance, feathers and pens that might be mistaken for real ones ; and such productions as the point-lace cravat wrought up in wood, which he presented to the Duke of Devonshire on completing his labours at Chatsworth. At Southwick, in Hants, he did the embellishments of
an entire gallery; and also a room at Petworth, which last has gene rally been considered one of his chief performances. All these works were merely ornamental, and analagous to what is termed still-life in painting, and it is by them that he was distinguished ; yet that Gibbons had talents for those of a higher character is proved by his statue of James II., behind the Banqueting House, Whitehall. In his own peculiar walk Gibbons has probably never been equalled for exuberant fancy and exquisite skill in execution. Unfortunately the wood in which most of his works are carved appears to be suffering from the ravages of insects, but Mr. Rogers, who in our day has almost rivalled the skill of Gibbons in wood-carving, has shown that it is possible to arrest the progress of the evil. He died August 3, 1721.