Arts and culture experts from across the UK will gather at Duff House next month to share research about the historic Georgian mansion.
The conference at one of the north-east’s most popular tourist destinations will take place over two planned study days in October and will consider the 3,000 objects which form the house’s Dunimarle Collection.
The collection is on long-term loan to the National Galleries of Scotland from the Mrs Magdalene Sharpe Erskine Trust and has been on public display at the manor house since 1995.
Visitors will have an opportunity to learn more about the mansion and its contents from the panel of experts through a series of short talks.
Key pieces, which will be part of the talks, include furniture from the Napoleon Room at Dunmarle Castle as well as chairs which belonged to Napoleon himself.
The event will also shed new light on the collection of books on the shelves in the Duff House library.
Research discovered that 11 editions within the collection are thought to be the only recorded copies in the world.
One flyer to a flea circus act in Edinburgh, dating back to 1834, was found among the pages along with a patient admission form to a French hospital during the Napoleonic Wars.
Rona Walker, Historic Environment Scotland’s collections manager for Duff House, said: “In an exciting first for Duff House, this event will bring together experts working across a number of different fields, and their research findings, into a truly special and significant collection of fine ceramics, sculpture, paintings and furniture.
“This event is a fantastic opportunity for visitors to hear from our panel of speakers and discover more about some of the
objects and their history. It promises to make for an exciting event.”
The panel will be made up of six experts including Dr Tico Seifert, who is the managing curator for Duff House, and Anne Buddle, who was involved in bringing the collection to Banff two decades ago.
The Dolphins, Tulips and Napoleon: The Dunimarle Collection talks will be held on October 12 and 13.
For further event information, to view the full programme or to book tickets, visit www.historicenvironment.scot/whats-on
