Violet Pinwill Collection

This material is held atWomen's Art Library Collections, Goldsmiths, University of London

  • Reference
    • GB 1086 Pinwill
  • Dates of Creation
    • 1874-1957
  • Name of Creator
  • Language of Material
    • English
  • Physical Description
    • 1 box

Scope and Content

Collection of c. 35 black and white and colour photographs showing examples of Violet Pinwill's carving in various churches, not dated. Includes notes and sketches relating to some of the projects.

Administrative / Biographical History

Miss Violet Pinwill was born on 4 February 1874 in Moulton, Lincolnshire, the fifth of seven daughters. Her father was the Reverend Edmund Pinwill. In 1880 the family moved to the then remote parish of Ermington in Devon, where the vicarage and church both needed extensive repairs and refurbishment. The Pinwill family raised funds for the restoration of the church. Three of the daughters received lessons from the head of the wood carving team in the harness room above the Vicarage stables. The three sisters established their own business of wood-carvers under the name of 'Rashleigh Pinwill & Company'. Their first big undertaking was the pulpit of Ermington Church. In 1900 the firm moved to Plymouth for reasons of convenience. Miss Violet Pinwill managed the business and also became an instructress at Plymouth Technical College. During the bombing of Plymouth in the Second World War much of her work in the city was destroyed. Violet Pinwill died in 1957.

Access Information

Access for visitors is by appointment only.

Other Finding Aids

List available at the Library (database)

Archivist's Note

Description by Althea Greenan, MAKE 2002. Submitted to the Archives Hub as part of Genesis 2009 Project.