Who was Joseph Armitage?
Joseph Armitage (1880-1945) was an English wood carver, stone carver, architectural sculptor and teacher.
Whilst studying at the Leicester School of Art, Armitage was elected the first President of the Leicester School of Art Students Union, which was founded in 1901 and is now part of De Montfort Universtiy. Armitage went on to be listed in the school's propectus as a teacher of 'furniture, wood, carving, gilding, inlay and relief design' under B.J. Fletcher, and he taught here from 1906 until 1913.
Armitage was much travelled, and his early works include the carving and design of a coat of arms for the Earl Beachamp's library at Madresfield Court in Worcestershire. Other wood carvings for architectural works stretch across the corners of the country, and include oak pilasters for a dining room by the architect A.A. Givson at Knaresborough; wood carving for the Marquis of Brute at Old Place, Mochrum; at How Green, Hever, Kent; at the United Free Church in Gulane, as well as wood carvings and plaster work at the Ablemarle Club, London.
In later years Armitage was often commissioned by architects who were members of the Art Workers' Guild including George Jack for the craft work of a new chair for Westminster Abbey. By the 1920's hr had collaborated with architect Leslie Mansfield on the Mac Fisheries chain of shops, and with C.H.N Quennell on the carving of a World War I memorial.
Further works of Armitage inclue decorated carvings at St George's chapel at Windsor Castle, the Bank of England and South Africa House.