For the next few days, skilled furniture restorer Fergus Purdy will be working on cleaning and restoring one of Paxton House’s oldest pieces of furniture, the Hercules Cabinet.

It is an Italian cabinet in the Naples style made in about 1530 in rosewood and ivory for the Albertoni family of Cremona and Milan. The cabinet bears their coat of arms and, in small carved and inscribed ivory panels, tells the story of the exploits of Hercules centred on a small ivory figurine of Hercules. Its many drawers, some secret, were used to store precious objects from mediallions and exotic shells to scientific instruments that would demonstrate the collecting skills and renaissance education of its aristocratic owner. The cabinet was bought in Rome by the builder of Paxton House, Patrick Home, in the 1750s.

The restoration programme will take approximately 10 days and visitors may be able to watch Fergus in action in the Picture Gallery as part of a house tour. Book here.

Please note that there is no guarantee that Fergus will be at work when you arrive in the Picture Gallery, his work programme may vary.

The restoration programme is supported by the Leche Trust, the Pilgrim Trust and Museums Galleries Scotland.