ARTISTS are telling the story of how East Cornwall's premier Tudor mansion came into being.

Four artists have been commissioned by the National Trust to show how the past and present of Cotehele House are coming together through works of art.

Their exhibition, called 'Life in the Past Lane: The People of Cotehele', involves four installations placed throughout the house.

Visitors can view them set among the antique tapestries, furniture and other permanent items in Cotehele's collection.

The selected artists are Jilly Edwards, a West Country contemporary tapestry weaver; Carys Davies, a ceramicist from London; Simon Drew, the well known  illustrator and humorist, and Margaret Johnson, a glass artist from Cornwall.

Jennifer Bailey, gallery manager, said: 'It's been a great privilege to curate this exhibition of contemporary art and to work with such inspired and talented artists.'

The works are each inspired by former family members of the house.  Simon's piece, entitled The Tale of Cupid: The Story of Two Georges and a Pig, recounts the stories of King George III, George the 3rd Baron Edgcumbe and his wife Emma's pet pig, Cupid.

Simon's piece has been placed in Cotehele's Old Drawing Room where King George and Queen Charlotte were entertained during their visit to Cotehele in 1789.

Tapestry weaver, Jilly Edwards, has created a three-dimensional tapestry inspired by the River Tamar. Echoes of the Tamar from Mount Edgcumbe to Cotehele draws on the life of Richard 1st Baron Edgcumbe. Jilly's contemporary tapestry is woven from cotton and wool and is on display in the dining room.

Carys Davies's, work, My Safe House at Cuttell, is a series of installations of miniature porcelain made up of diminutive plates, dishes and beakers, each inscribed with poems and quotations from the Civil War.

This installation can be found on the secret stairs leading to the tower roof, on the upper landing windowsill, and in the Red Room respectively.

Margaret Johnson's piece is inspired by the life of Piers, 5th Earl of Mount Edgcumbe. His life was a series of sad events covering two world wars, familial deaths, the burning of his home at Mount Edgcumbe, an ill wife, culminating in his death with no heir in 1944.

Margaret has used glass, Japanese strawsilk paper and precious metal foil to create a plate that reflects his melancholy. This can be found in the kitchen.

The artworks will be on display in Cotehele House until November 4. Some of them will be available for sale at the end of the exhibition.