A study of woodcarving from the earliest times to the Georgian period, with an emphasis on the role of carvers and their work for the Crown over several hundred years. The central figure is Grinling Gibbons, who is exemplified by his work at St Paul's Cathedral, Windsor Castle, Petworth House, Hampton Court Palace and other historic houses. It includes his business dealings with Sir Christopher Wren and John Evelyn, and is illustrated with reproductions of contemporary documents, photographs of period carvings and drawings of ornamental carving styles.