Liver Bird on Mersey Chambers – Liverpool, UK
Posted by: 
dtrebilc
N 53° 24.417 W 002° 59.650
30U E 500388 N 5917541
This bird from the Liverpool Coat of Arms is a less well known version of a pair of iconic birds on the Liver Building on the pier head.
Waymark Code: WMD6R2
Location: North West England, United Kingdom
Date Posted: 11/27/2011
Views: 10
Liverpool was founded by King John in 1207 because he needed access to Ireland.
Ever since then Liverpool has a strong maritime influence and the ‘Liver Bird’ is part of this.
The original Liverpool town seal was the same as King John’s and showed an eagle with a sprig of broom, a bush with yellow flowers.
In 1644 a new seal was made and for some reason the bird was changed into what is thought to be cormorant, a common sea bird of that time. The sprig of broom also turned into some seaweed.
By 1797 Liverpool had become a city and a coat of arms designed incorporating 3 cormorants.
Over the years the bird has become an iconic symbol for the people of Liverpool reinforced by the image of 2 large Liver Birds on the Liver Building on the waterfront.
However this Liver Bird actually pre-dates the more famous versions. In 1882 the shipping company Thos. & Jas. Harrison moved into a brand new building known as Mersey Chambers.
Being a successful, Liverpool shipping company they chose to display a Liver Bird on their building. Because this building is not as high as the Liver Building the details on this white metal bird are easier to make out.
It stands tall with its wings outstretched and head held high, long beak pointing high into the air. The item in its beak seems to have switched back to a sprig of broom rather than seaweed.
All the feathers on both the wings and body can clearly be seen.
The bird and office building overlook the Harrison memorial gardens in the grave yard of the Church or Our Lady and St. Nicholas. The gardens are in memory of one of the joint owners of the company that owned Mersey Chambers.
Name or use 'Unknown' if not known: Liver Bird on Mersey Chambers – Liverpool, UK
Figure Type: Animal
Artist Name or use 'Unknown' if not known: Unknown
Date created or placed or use 'Unknown' if not known: 1/1/1882
Materials used: Metal
Location: Next to the Church of Our Lady and St Nicholas and its memorial gardens.
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