Human world
Athena
The core of the classical collection is of importance because of its Mayer origins. There is Etruscan metalwork, jewellery and pottery; Roman pottery, gems, metalwork, ivory and glass; Greek pottery and sculpture. Acquisitions in this area have usually been of small but significant groups. Examples are the Nelson collection in 1953 (this included Roman jewellery and sculpture), the Danson collection in 1973 (including 50 items of Greek painted pottery), and items from the Wellcome collection in 1980 (these included a wide range of Greek ceramics).
Probably the two most important groups are the late antique and early Christian ivories from the Mayer collection and the Ince Blundell collection of classical sculpture which was donated in 1959 and is split between World Museum Liverpool and the Walker Art Gallery.
The collection is not large (5,000 items) and is variable in quality but outstanding small groups, such as the ivories and the sculptures, are only surpassed in quality by the Victoria & Albert, the British Museum, and key museums abroad.
Relief of a seated deity