Arthur Eric Rowton Gill ARA was an English sculptor, typeface designer and printmaker. Following Chichester Technical and Art School, Gill moved to London in 1900 to train with the ecclesiastical architect W.D. Caröe. Finding architecture somewhat pedestrian, he took stonemasonry lessons at Westminster Technical Institute and calligraphy lessons at the Central School of Arts and Crafts, coming under the influence of Edward Johnson, the designer of the London Underground's typeface. In 1903, he ceased his attempts to become an architect, instead of becoming a monumental mason, letter-cutter and calligrapher.
Based in Ditchling, Gill began direct carving of stone figures, the semi-abstract figures taking their influence from medieval statuary, mixed with influences from Classical statuary from the Greeks and Romans, with a little Post-Impressionism added in. Gill was offered major commissions from Westminster Cathedral for its Stations of the Cross (1914); a series of war memorials including the Grade II* memorial in Trumpington; three of the sculptures for Charles Holden's 1928 headquarters of London Underground at 55 Broadway, St James's; and a series of sculptures for the new 1932 Broadcasting House — the list continues. Never one to rest on his laurels, he was at the same time engaged in typographical adventures.
Gill had collaborated with Edward Johnson on the latter's initial thoughts on his London Transport typeface, but in 1925, Gill designed Perpetua on his own, and Gill Sans between 1927–30. For the Golden Cockerel Press, he created, in 1929, a bolder typeface to complement wood engravings. And of course, Gill was publishing decorated books. His 1929 Canterbury Tales was an epic work, with a whole series of beautiful wood engravings.
Eric Gill (1882 - 1940) Alphabet
By Eric Gill
Located in London, GB
A rare Eric Gill (1882 - 1940) alphabet panel in plaster. In 1909 Gill collaborated with Eric Johnston on Manuscript & Inscription Letters for the Use of Craftsmen, a loose‑leaf por...
Plaster, Oak
Empire Double Headed Eagle Wall Mirror in Bronze, Spain 1940s
Located in Barcelona, ES
Two Headed Eagle Bronze Wall Mirror, Spain, 1930s-1940s. Spectacular bronze wall mirror with a crowned double headed eagle surrounding a shield shaped beveled glass. This stunning br...
Bronze
Neoclassical French Plaster Wall Relief of Dionysus, Circa 1920-1940
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A large vintage rectangular wall relief in French Plaster, from the Parthenon to Neoclassical style, in good condition. Hand crafted bas-relief of the Parthenon temple, on the Athen...
Plaster
$2,625
H 25.8 in W 15.8 in D 3.7 in
Large Hand-Carved Oak Modernist Crucifix with Stylized Youthful Christ, ca 1940
Located in Lisse, NL
Meaningful and highly expressive hand-carved wooden crucifix, dating from approximately 1930–1950. The beautifully stylized figure of Christ is entirely hand carved from solid oak a...
Oak, Wenge
$2,720Sale Price|20% Off
H 12 in W 7.5 in D 0.5 in
"Jump Shot, " Model for Art Deco Bronze Basketball Award Plaque, 1940s
By Fred Torrey
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Perhaps because it depicts its figures more as Greek athletes rather than modern players, this bronze Art Deco plaque is very rare, or possibly unique. The artist, Fred Torrey, depicts a Classic jump shot, with two virtually nude basketball players leaping up for the ball. Best known for his "Lincoln Walks at Midnight" sculpture which premiered at the 1939-1940 New York World's Fair (now displayed near the West Virginia state...
Bronze
$3,033
H 23.63 in W 22.45 in D 4.34 in
Spanish Galleon Sailing Ship Wall Sconce / Wall-Mounted Sculpture, 1940
Located in Barcelona, ES
Spanish galleon or sailing ship wall sconce, gilt iron. Spain, 1950s In the style of Gilbert Poillerat. This stunning spanish galleon wall lig...
Metal, Gold Leaf, Iron
Black Forest Antique Roe Deer Trophy on Carved Plaque 1940s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Black Forest Antique Roe Deer Trophy on Carved Plaque 1940s A vintage roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) trophy on a wooden carved plaque. The trophy was shot in the 1940s in Germany. G...
Antler, Wood
Set of Six Vintage French Hand-Painted Masks, 1940s, 3D Paper Art
Located in Stamford, CT
Very animated face masks from the 1940s. Three dimensional.
Composition
$6,800Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 66 in W 28.25 in D 2 in
1940's Lucite Dimensional Racetrack Sculptural Panels Custom Framed Pair Of
Located in North Miami, FL
This pair of absolutely stunning tall dimensional, sculptural and textural 1940s Lucite panels are newly custom framed. The lucite panels look and feel like textural running water. T...
Linen, Lucite, Wood
$2,600Sale Price|20% Off
H 8.5 in W 5 in D 0.75 in
"Nude Shepherd Playing Pipes, " Unique Art Deco Sculptural Panel, 1940
By Jolan Cser
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Somehow naively charming and sophisticated at the same time, this pierced sculptural panel by Jolan Cser, a Hungarian artist, depicts a nude shepherd youth playing the pipes, accompa...
Ceramic
$284Sale Price|70% Off
H 11.42 in W 7.09 in D 0.79 in
Vintage Brass Wall Sculpture Of Naked Woman, Circa 1940
Located in Zohor, SK
Beautiful and elegant wall art sculpture in brass. Produced probably in Czechoslovakia circa 1940s. The art work portraits a nude woman. Unknown autho...
Brass, Copper
Spanish Key Shaped Key Wall Hanger in Gilt Wrought Iron, 1940s
Located in Barcelona, ES
Key Shaped Wall Key Hanger, Spain, 1940-1950. Eye-catching vintage midcentury key holder with key shape hanging from a chain and 5 hangers. Hand forged...
Iron, Wrought Iron
Midcentury Industrial Glove Hand Mold or Cutter, 1940s
Located in Newfoundland, PA
Industrial glove cutters right out of a New York State glove factory that closed down years ago. They range in measurements. Measures: 5.5 in to 7 in high, 3 in to 4-3/8 in wide, 5/8...
Metal