Inscriptions

Reference articles are in English.

Close view of ornate carved calligraphy on a Swithland slate headstone. — Lettering on a mid-eighteenth-century Swithland slate headstone in Stoughton, Leicestershire, signed by William Kirk. Source

Description

An inscription records words on a building, object or independent stone. It can identify, commemorate, dedicate or form an artwork. Composition includes letterforms, spacing, line breaks and the relation between the text and its surrounding surface.

History

Stone inscriptions belong to architectural and commemorative traditions. Historic letterforms remain part of the letter carver’s vocabulary, while original designs continue to be made for particular words, places and patrons.

Commissioning

The complete text should be checked for spelling, dates and punctuation before the final layout is approved. Incised or relief letters, texture and any colour or gilding should be agreed. The size of the panel should be developed around the composition.

In the Atlas

A tall granite boulder inscribed with scripts and symbols by Peter Randall-Page in Pearson Square, London. — The One and The Many
Scripts and symbols cover a tall granite boulder, with closely spaced carved lettering following the stone’s irregular oval outline above a rectangular plinth. Its disciplines include Sculpture. Related services include Public monuments and Inscriptions.
Sculpture by Peter Randall-Page.
2015 | Pearson Square, London
Source & credits
Sculpture: Peter Randall-Page. Photograph: AndyScott. Photo source | CC BY-SA 4.0
The One and The Many

A granite globe carved with doves above the pale stone wall of the Bali Bombings Memorial in London. — Bali Bombings Memorial
A granite globe carved with doves stands on a circular inscribed base, bringing repeated bird outlines and memorial lettering together in the central sculptural element. Its materials include Limestone and Portland limestone. Related services include Memorials and Public monuments.
Designed by Gary Breeze. Carved by Martin Cook.
2006 | Horse Guards Road, London
Source & credits
Design: Gary Breeze. Project management and carving of the lettering and doves: Martin Cook Studio, in collaboration with Gary Breeze. Photograph: Ethan Doyle White. Photo source | CC BY-SA 4.0 | Design and collaboration — Gary Breeze
Bali Bombings Memorial

People

Inscriptions Services

References

Lettering Arts Trust — Commissioning service
Reference image: Lettering on a mid-eighteenth-century Swithland slate headstone in Stoughton, Leicestershire, signed by William Kirk. — Daveleicuk · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Original photograph; no changes. Resized for display without cropping; full original available.