STATUE OF JOSEPH MAYER, (1869) by GIOVANNI FONTANA, ST. GEORGE'S HALL, LIVERPOOL

Extract from publication

NO. 8 JUNE 1982

THE MAYER COLLECTION Part I               Susan Nicholson & Margaret Warhurst

‘. . . . . a tradesman by choice, a gentleman by nature, a scholar by study, a wealthy man by industry, and a modest philanthropist by instinct.'(1)

PREFACE

1986 wiII be the centenary of Joseph Mayer’s death. He came to Liverpool from Newcastle-under-Lyme in 1821, and from then until his death he lived and, worked on Merseyside, contributing through his own skill, interests and patronage to the business, social and cultural Iife and heritage of the area. A biography of Mayer has not yet been attempted so the present article is intended to be a brief introduction to the man and his collection, and to draw attention to him. The collection donated by Joseph Mayer to Liverpool in 1857 consisted of nearly 14,OOO items including prehistoric, Egyptian, Classical, Etruscan, Peruvian and Mexican antiquities, medieval and post medieval manuscripts, ivories, enamels, embroideries, pottery, clocks and watches, arms and armour, and ethnology. (See Anon. 1869) " This collection represents the biggest single donation of objects of art and antiquity to Liverpool museum, and it, placed Liverpool in the front rank of provincial museums both for the scope and the quality of its collections. We would be grateful to hear from anyone knowing the whereabouts of any objects or documentation relating to Mayer 

note the Egyptian Pyramid shape, and the Lotus flower motif. The ancient symbol of rebirth

detail at base of STATUE OF JOSEPH MAYER, (1869) by GIOVANNI FONTANA, ST. GEORGE'S HALL, LIVERPOOL

Copy of a votive from Tomb of Nebamum aprox 1350BC. 

The original was destroyed in the bombing of Liverpool Museum 1941

Bebington Civic Centre and Library - 1972

Note the pyramid shaped roof - a homage to Mayer's love of Ancient Egypt ?