I provide consultancy services, conduct collection audits, and write condition reports and treatment proposals for tender preparation. Additionally, I offer expert advice on restoration and conservation matters within my realm of expertise. My work encompasses both treatments to small-scale objects in my studio and on-site projects.
Throughout my long career, I have worked on various projects involving frames, furniture, architecture, fashion, and pattern making to name a few. My clients have included individuals, companies, architects, interior designers, museums, listed buildings, churches, government buildings, stately homes, and Royal Palaces.
In 1978, I founded The Paul Ferguson Workshop in Mount Pleasant, London WC1, initially employing one trainee wood carver/restorer. By 1980, the business had expanded to larger premises in Wren Street WC1 and the team had grown to nine employees. However, managing the growing workforce limited my ability to focus on my primary skills, leading to a gradual reduction in staff. In 2008, I relocated the workshop to my hometown of Leighton Buzzard, eventually working solo which I continue to enjoy today. The business was incorporated as Fine Wood Carving & Gilding Ltd in 2012 and was dissolved in 2022 when I vacated the commercial premises, I now work from my garden studio as self-employed.
In the 2018 New Year’s Honours List I was awarded the MBE for services to carving, gilding and conservation.
Collection Audits
Examples of audits include the Grinling Gibbons carvings at Hampton Court Palace, The contents under the care of the National Trust at Ascott House, the picture frames at Blenheim Palace.
Carved and Gilded Conservation
Carved and gilded projects include frames for The Royal Collection, Historic Royal Palaces, National Portrait Gallery, furniture for the Cabinet Office, Lancaster House, architectural conservation at Osterley Park House, Palace of Westminster.
Architectural Conservation
Architectural projects include works to the gingerbread on the Cutty Sark Tea Clipper in 1992 and 2008, the conservation of the timber section of Banbury Town Hall clock tower, works at the Palace of Westminster, the four pineapple finials on the towers at Osterley Park House, fire damage to the Wren church of St Magnus the Martyr, City of London.
Windsor Castle Fire Restoration, carvings from Door A
Biography
Paul Ferguson MBE ACR
Since childhood my interests have been in the arts and at 16 I left Grammar School to go to art school although the normal entry age is 18. On finishing and following a few months travelling I was fortunate to be offered a job at Paul Levi’s framing studio in London as a trainee carver. Here I spent another five years learning the art of wood carving and carving restoration from the master carver Ted Desave who was of Huguenot decent; at Paul Levi’s we carved and restored frames for major galleries around the world.
I established my own workshop in 1978 and taught carving and gilding at various times at The London College of Furniture (as was) and Lambeth College. I am a member of the Master Carvers’ Association and was elected annually to the post of Honorary Secretary for 25 years. I gained the ACR in 2007 and in the 2018 New Years Honours was honoured with a MBE for services to carving, gilding and conservation.