Lady Lever Art Gallery

Art Gallery. 1914-22. By William and Segar Owen. Reinfored concrete with Portland stone cladding. Rectangular block with entrance projections to all sides, those to north and south with concave re-entrants. Cruciform top hamper and saucer domes to ends. Richly moulded base with some small windows, entablature and parapet, balustraded to entrance projections. East projection has recessed Ionic hexastyle porch between chanelled-rusticated bays. Windows have rich architraves, aprons and cornices, those to outer bays with trophy crests. West projection similar, with attached colonnade. North and south bays have recessed Ionic hexastyle porches, flanking windows as above with fielded panels over. Porches have fielded panels. Projection to south has inscription “THE LADY LEVER ART GALLERY” to frieze. Entrances have paired panelled doors; steps flanked by marble bases, those to south have urns. In north west angle a male figure, L’opprime (the oppressed) sculpted by A. Guilloux, 1913. Interior: Central hall flanked by 1st floor balconies, with wider ends. Flat pilasters and barrel vaulted glazed roof. Ionic columns, paired in depth at each end of central part. Balconies have antae; entrances below have architraves, pilasters, friezes and consoled pediments. Ends have similar details. Entrance halls are octagonal with circular Ionic colonnade with paired columns and glazed dome; niches alternate with entrances. One room contains c.1730 panelling from house near Chatham; another contains 1571 panelling from Lambourne Hall farm, Essex; a third contains Adam-style panelling, 1925, by Percy MacQuoid. Built to house Lord Leverhulme’s art collection.