Lot 395: Edwin Lutyens (British, 1869-1944) The Archer,

Edwin Lutyens (British, 1869-1944) The Archer, hand painted enamelled metal shop sign for Cockington village, 57cm high. In the early 1930's Sir Edwin Lutyens was requested to design an extension to the village of Cockington in Devon, in keeping with the existing picturesque thatched cottages. It was planned to include a country inn, shops and living accommodation. Mainly due to the Second World War, only the village inn was ever built. However, the village shop signs were also made. The signs themselves were made in the old village forge, by the blacksmith, Mr Bill Bradford. Lutyens first grooved out onto a plain sheet of metal the designs and then passed them onto the blacksmith. Using a fretsaw and a drill Bradford painstakingly cut out the designs, before they were sent to be painted.