Many Congratulations to Paul Ferguson MBE
Liveryman Paul Ferguson has been honoured with an MBE in the New Year’s Honour list for services to carving, gilding and conservation.
Paul became a Freeman of the Turners’ Company in December 1998, sponsored by Past Master Ilan Krieger, and was quickly admitted to the Livery in 2000.
Paul is a wood carver and gilder proud to be part of the continuing European wood carving and gilding tradition. Paul Ferguson established the Workshop in 1978 after five years studying design at art school followed by a further five years training as a wood carver in the West End of London at the Paul Levi Studio, picture framer extraordinaire, under the guidance of master carver Edward Desave. In 2012 the Workshop became incorporated as Fine Wood Carving & Gilding Ltd. Alongside designing and making new commissions to client specification, restoration/conservation of carved and gilded furniture and frames, architectural details and other specialist objects are all an important part of the services he offers.
His extensive knowledge of the craft allows him to survey and write conservation reports both pre and post the project and reports for insurance valuations. Contracts have been carried out for a wide variety of clients, ranging from royal palaces, stately homes, government buildings and public museums to architects, antique dealers, interior designers and private individuals.
One of the most prestigious and challenging projects Paul has undertaken was the carving and gilding of one of the Carlton House Trophies for the Windsor Castle fire restoration. At the request of one of the Royal Family, Paul was asked to sign the carving. It is now the only panel of the set signed by the carver. The Carlton House Trophies are a set of 38 carved and gilded panels that decorate the doors in the drawing rooms at Windsor Castle. They were removed from Carlton House before it was demolished in 1829 and installed in Windsor Castle.
Paul Ferguson ACR gained accreditation with the Institute of Conservation in 2007 and the Workshop continues to be listed on the Conservation Register.
He has been elected Honorary Secretary of the Masters Carver’s Association (MCA) annually since 1992. Between 1999 and 2001 he was also elected President of the Association, the only time in the Association’s long history, established in 1897, that the membership have voted the two positions to the same man.
Paul is also chair of the National Working Group for carving and under the auspices of the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB). The group has developed the National Occupational Standards (NOS) for wood and stone carving. The MCA is presently progressing in establishing a Vocational Qualification (VQ) that will enable the setting up of an apprenticeship scheme for both wood and stone carvers.
Paul and his team at the Cutty Sark Restoration project.