OK, sorry for dredging this up, but I was talking to my cousin in Ireland and we talked of the family for a bit. The conversation reminded me of you because of this thread. So I looked at your profile and it says to ask you about artfaggery and things that happened long ago. So here 'tis:
My great grandfather, Thomas Holmyard, a.k.a "Mad Thos.", was [primarily] a stone carver way back when in Southampton and thereabouts. There is apparently a mirror frame carved out of rosewood by him in Tudor House. He also apparently received commisions privately or was commisioned by the U.K. to carve many gravestones in the area after World War 1 and possibly 2.
Is it possible you have heard of him or may know anything about his carvings? I don't know that he was well sought after or not or even if he was particularly famous. I'd gather he was not. Can you shed any light, possibly?
I would like to go to Jersey to see whether the passing years have made it more visible. Also to see them all together: I made them in batches of three & sent them, so I've never seen them all together.
It was one of a commission of twelve "Prayer Nuts", on permanent display at Mont Orgueil castle in Jersey. The nuts are featured on the castle's website, immediately above "The Medieval Wheel of Urine".
That particular carving had a hairline crack which I backed with a slip of wood. I believed it was an invisible repair, so I submitted a photo to the scrutiny of the possie, who were not able to agree on where the crack was, so I guessed it was OK and posted it off with a batch. No comment was made and the ball is on exhibition with the rest of the series.