Stone, Nicholas (1587–1647). English sculptor and architect. He worked for Isaac James (fl.1600—after 1624–5), sculptor, of Southwark, London, and then Hendrick de Keyser in Amsterdam from 1606, whose daughter he married. He settled in London in 1613 and established his reputation as a monumental sculptor, much influenced by the Antique. He was also a master-mason, and was employed by Inigo Jones to build the Palladian Banqueting House, Whitehall (1619–22). In 1626 Stone was appointed Master-Mason and Architect at Windsor Castle, and in 1632 Master-Mason to the Crown. His works include the impressive gateways at the Botanic Gardens, Oxford (1632–3), and the remodelling of the north front of Kirby Hall, Northants. (1638–40). He may have designed the York Water Gate on the Embankment, London (1626), but his connection with the Baroque south porch of St Mary's Church, Oxford (1637), is tenuous, as it is now known to be by John Jackson. His primary sources came from the works of Serlio. He possibly designed Lindsey House, Lincoln's Inn Fields, London (c.1640). He made (1617) the punning monument of William Curl (d. 1617), Auditor of the Court of Wards to Queen Elizabeth I, shown curled up in his shroud in the Church of St Etheldreda, Hatfield, Hert. (1617).

Bibliography

AH, xiv (1971), 30–9;
Bullock (1908);
Colvin (1995);
Harris et al. (1973);
Jane Turner (1996);
Walpole Society, vii (1918–19);
Whinney (1964)

Nicholas Stone, 1586–1647, English sculptor and mason, b. Devonshire. He rose to a position of highest importance as a decorative sculptor, working after designs by Inigo Jones. His independent productions include the gate at St. Mary's, Oxford, and numerous tombs, such as that of the Viscount Dorchester, Westminster Abbey. His notebook and account book are preserved in the Soane Museum, London, and give much information about his trade. He also wrote a work on fortifications (1645).