Grinling Gibbons’ Freedom (Drapers’ Company Freedom Book 1712-1760)
Creator(s): Worshipful Company of Drapers
Date: Entry for January 1672 (Freedom book dated to 1712-1760)
Accession Number: DR/FA4
Materials: Work on paper (book)
Location: Drapers’ Hall, Throgmorton Avenue, London EC2N 2DQ
Credit Line (copyright notice for material) : © The Drapers' Company
NOTES ON THE ARTWORK
In January 1672 Gibbons became a member of the Company of Drapers, known as being admitted to the ‘Freedom’ of a livery company. This entry into the Drapers’ Freedom Book records that Grinling Gibbons was admitted to the Freedom of the Drapers’ Company by Patrimony as the son of Jacobi (James) Gibbons, Citizen and Draper.
There was no guild for carvers or sculptors, and as Gibbons already had a familial connection – his father had been a Draper himself – he was allowed to enter through Patrimony, which qualified children of Freemen for membership. Being a member of this illustrious guild would have been socially advantageous, helping draw influential figures within Gibbons’ social milieu.
Gibbons' Freedom entry in the Drapers' Company Freedom Book © Drapers' Company
Drapers' Company Freedom Book with entries for 1672 and 1673 © Drapers' Company
