Eric Aumonier

Eric Aumonier
"The Archer" at East Finchley tube station
Born	1899 Northwood, Middlesex
Died	1974 Ashburton, New Zealand
Nationality	British
Education	Slade School of Art
Known for	sculpture
Notable work	"The Archer"
Patron(s)	London Underground

Eric Aumonier (1899–1974) was a British sculptor.

Aumonier was born in Northwood, Middlesex (now northwest London); his family name is Huguenot (French Protestant). Eric's grandfather, William, founded the Aumonier Studios in 1876, an architectural sculpture firm in London, initially located at New Inn Yard off Tottenham Court Road, then at 84 Charlotte Street. His son, also called William, continued the firm into the 1930s. William (junior) studied at West London School of Art. He exhibited at the Royal Academy of Art in 1899-1900 and was responsible for the architectural decorations of the Victoria Law Courts, Birmingham, in the late 1880s.

Two of his sons, Whitworth and Eric himself, were sculptors. Eric studied at the Slade School of Art. By 1931, Eric and Whitworth were running the studio as W. Aumonier & Sons, with Eric responsible for artistic output.

In 1929, Aumonier was commissioned with five others to carve one of a set of relief sculptures of the four winds for 55 Broadway, the new Underground Electric Railways Company of London headquarters in St. James's, London, designed by Charles Holden. Aumonier carved the South Wind on the west side of the North wing (not visible from ground level).

In 1932 Aumonier designed two Art Deco relief sculptures in the foyer of the Daily Express Building in London. He also designed a young horse, in white porcelain, for Royal Worcester.

Another commission for the London Underground, The Archer at East Finchley Underground station, is his most iconic work, the only three-dimensional statue on the system. The contract for the work was placed on 8 June 1939, with an estimated cost of £245. The architect for the station was once again Charles Holden. The sculpture was unveiled on 22 July 1940.