A MUSEUM'S campaign to keep an historic piece of furniture on public view has finally succeeded.

The Bowes Museum launched a fundraising appeal in April last year to buy a miniature botanical cabinet, once owned by the last surviving heiress of the famous Bowes family, which founded the museum.

Mary Eleanor Bowes commissioned two cabinets, and the larger version, which dates from 1782, is already on view at the museum, in Barnard Castle, County Durham.

Staff at the museum wanted to reunite the miniature version, which is just 33cm high, with the larger model, so they launched a fundraising campaign.

However, after raising more than £3,000 through public donations, the museum was contacted by the cabinet's current owner, who agreed to donate the piece to put on public display.

Claire Jones, assistant keeper of furniture at the museum, said: "Now that the miniature cabinet is permanently reunited with its larger counterpart, it will be possible to undertake further research, shedding light on the many questions surrounding this wonderful piece."

As yet, nothing is known of its maker or why it was commissioned, but it is believed that it may have been a model for the larger cabinet or made as a gift or souvenir for one of Mary Eleanor's daughters.

Both cabinets are made of oak and have a burr elm veneer and are decorated with medallions.

Ms Jones said: "I would like to take this opportunity to thank all those who supported the acquisition of the cabinet.

"More than £3,000 was raised through public donation and since the cabinet has now been generously gifted by the owner, Carlton Hobbs, this sum has been used to create an Acquisition and Conservation Fund.

"The new fund will help curators acquire additional objects for the Bowes Museum in the future."