Details of Sculptor

Surname

Settle

Alternative Surname

First Name

John

Initial of Surname

S

Year of Birth/Baptism

Flourished

1682-92

Year of Death

Biographical Details

A mason-sculptor, he was renter warden of the Masons’ Company in 1682. In 1684 he was paid for ‘a marble stone layd over the grave of Mr. George Papillon’ (1). His most notable monument was to Sir Lumley Robinson (2). It has a bowed inscribed tablet between two Corinthian columns with skulls beneath them. The broken pediment above originally contained a vase and the apron supported an heraldic shield held by a cherub. It was situated between the ‘third and fourth pillars from the cloyster gates westward’, but now lies dismantled (Neale and Brayley). The work is illustrated in Dart’s Westmonasterium. It is described in an anonymous guide to the Abbey, published about 1840: ‘The columns are supported by Death’s heads, and the arms upon the base by a cherub. On the top is a vase and rising to the pediments, enrichments of laurel branches, etc’ (Gunnis 1968, 348).
In 1689 Settle was paid £4 by the 1st Earl Fauconberg for work at his London house, and there are other payments recorded until 1692 (Wombwell Archives in GPC). Settle was paid £214 15s in 1680 for ‘paving worke & stuffe done & used in ye Chapell’ and hall of the Mercers’ Company.
Literary References: Gunnis 1968, 348
Archival References: Masons’ Co, Masters and Wardens; Mercers S & R W Accts; GPC