An inspired reflection on creativity and achievement by one of the world's most renowned artisans. Awestruck by the sight of a Grinling Gibbons carving in a London church, David Esterly chose to dedicate his life to the art its physical control, intricate beauty and intellectual demands. Until his death in 2019 he was the foremost practitioner of Gibbons' forgotten technique, which revolutionised ornamental sculpture in the late 1600s. After a fire at Hampton Court Palace in 1986 destroyed much of Gibbons' masterpiece, the job fell to David Esterly to restore his idol's work to its former glory. It turned out to be the most challenging year in Esterly's life, forcing him to question his abilities and delve deeply into what it means to make something well. Exploring the determination, concentration and skill that go into achieving any form of excellence, Esterly breathed life into the world of wood carving. The Lost Carving reveals an astonishing life and deftly illustrates the union of man and material necessary to create a lasting work of art. AUTHOR: David Esterly (1944-2019) devoted his life to wood carving in the style of Grinling Gibbons. He studied at Cambridge University and was a professional wood carver since the 1970's. He curated the V&A Museum exhibition on Gibbons in 1998. He has been profiled in the Economist, Financial Times, New Yorker and New York Times.