Paxton House, interior. Spiral servants' staircase, view looking down centre of spiral.

Description Paxton House, interior. Spiral servants' staircase, view looking down centre of spiral.

Date 9/2/1998

Collection Records of the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland (RCAHMS), Edinbu

Catalogue Number D 41046 CN

Category Photographs and Off-line Digital Images

Copies SC 765866

Scope and Content Spiral servants' staircase, Paxton House, Scottish Borders This shows the spiral servants' staircase rising from the basement through the ground and first floors. The stair has stone treads and metal uprights that support a timber handrail. The purpose of this stair was to keep servants away from the view of the family and guests. The housemaids would have used this staircase daily as they went about their chores overseen by the housekeeper. The maids opened shutters, cleaned grates and swept and dusted rooms. The maids were also expected to change and make beds, and empty chamberpots and basins from the bedrooms. Paxton House was built in the late 1750s by Patrick Home of Billie for his intended bride Charlotte de Brandt, daughter of King Frederick the Great of Prussia. Patrick Home never married Charlotte de Brandt and she died c.1770. The house was probably designed by John Adam (1721-92) and James Adam (1732-94) and has c.1773 interior work by Robert Adam (1728-92). Ninian Home, Patrick's cousin, bought Paxton in 1773 and his brother George inherited the property in 1795. George fell heir to Patrick Home's picture collection in 1808 and commissioned Robert Reid (1774-1856) to construct the picture gallery and library, built 1811-14. Source: RCAHMS contribution to SCRAN.

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