Christopher Horsnaile is the name of two British sculptors, who were father and son: Horsnaile the Elder (c. 1658 – 1742) and Horsnaile the Younger (c. 1695 – 1760).

Horsnaile the Elder

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Memorial to Bishop William Fleetwood in Ely Cathedral

He seems to be part of the Horsnaile family from Warfield.[1]

He served his apprenticeship as a stonemason in London and left the Masons Company in 1700 through service with Herbert Paine. He was then living at the Bell (Tavern) in Glasshouse Yard in the Blackfriars district.[2]

From around 1705 he worked in partnership with Edward Stanton and together they worked on Westminster Abbey from 1720 to 1734.[3] After Stanton's death Horsnaile worked on the Abbey alone until 1737.[4]

Known works

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Horsnaile the Younger

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Probably born around 1695 he was apprenticed to his father on 24 January 1708. He served this apprenticeship with William Stanton son of his father's business partner. They both became Freemen of the Masons Company in January 1719.

He lived in St Andrew's Parish in Holborn, London. From 1734 he served as the City Mason.

In 1749 he moved to Weston House on the Arden estate in Bulkington, the house of Richard Hayward.[7]

He died on 31 January 1760.[8] He left over £10,000 in his will (over £2 million in current terms).[9]

Known works

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The Mansion House façade

Family

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His wife outlived him.

He had a daughter Ann and son Christopher.

References

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  1. ^ "Wills index | The Berkshire Record Office". www.berkshirerecordoffice.org.uk.
  2. ^ National Archives: Minutes of the Hon Company of Master Masons 1700
  3. ^ "Stanton, Edward (1681-1734)". apr.org.uk.
  4. ^ Dictionary of British Sculptors 1660-1851 by Rupert Gunnis
  5. ^ "DITCHLEY HOUSE INCLUDING FLANKING PAVILIONS, Spelsbury - 1251422 | Historic England". historicengland.org.uk.
  6. ^ Trust, National. "Results, Maker: "Christopher Horsnaile the elder (London c.1658 - London 1742)"". www.nationaltrustcollections.org.uk.
  7. ^ "Catalogue description Deeds of lease and release to lead the uses of a recovery between Mary Hayward of St..." 21 September 1748 – via National Archive of the UK.
  8. ^ London Magazine 1760 107
  9. ^ "Inflation calculator". www.bankofengland.co.uk.
  10. ^ Middlesex Records Office: Chandos Archives