Details of Sculptor

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Surname	Wildsmith	Alternative Surname
First Name	John	Initial of Surname	W
Year of Birth/Baptism		Flourished	1760-69
Year of Death
Biographical Details	Gunnis suggests he may have been an apprentice of Thomas Carter, presumably Thomas Carter II. He was responsible for a number of chimneypieces, particularly for the 6th Earl of Coventry, who also ordered exotic tables from him (2-4, 14-16). Binney states that he was one of the master masons at Gorhambury, Herts, built in 1777-84 to the designs of Sir Robert Taylor, which seems an unlikely departure, particularly since he became bankrupt in 1669 and was obliged to sell his stock in trade. The sale catalogue described him as a carver and mason, and the auction took place at his yard and premises in Piccadilly, near the church of St James. It included models of chimneypieces and ‘curious carvings’. Literary References: Gunnis 1968, 432; Binney 1984, 86 Archival References: GPC Auction Catalogues: Wildsmith 1769