The Lady Lever Art Gallery, Wirral, has received £1.2m backing from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) to go towards a stunning redisplay of more than 1,500 items of fine and decorative art belonging to William Hesketh Lever who was the Liberal MP for Wirral from 1906-09.
A Napoleon death mask, exquisite Chinese porcelain and world-renowned Wedgwood jasperware are some of the incredible collections in the gallery, which was opened in 1922.
The grant will also go towards returning the galleries in the South End of the Lady Lever to their former Edwardian glory.
The newly themed displays will feature Wedgwood Rooms to showcase a large group of beautiful ornamental ware purchased by Lord Lever in1905.
There will also be other themed rooms including a an 18th Century Room – including some of the most outstanding examples of English 18th century furniture in the country, a Chinese Room, a Chinoiserie Room and a Napoleon Room with a dazzling display of furniture and artefacts related to Napoleon will be given new life as visitors will be able to get much closer to the objects.
Sandra Penketh, Director of Art Galleries National Museums Liverpool said: “2014 marks the centenary of the laying of the foundation stone [by King George V], so it is especially fitting that 100 years since it began we can continue Lever’s vision for the gallery to inspire a love and understanding of art.
“This level of support from HLF not only endorses the local, national and international significance of the Lady Lever’s collections but also means we can approach the project creatively.”
The total £2.8m scheme will be funded through major grants, donations and corporate sponsorship.
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