We are delighted to announce launch of Amersham Museum’s collections online, kindly funded by the Marie-Louise von Motesiczky Charitable Trust. Delving into our object stores and displays, we have curated a wonderful and eclectic group of objects highlighting the breadth and depth of what we collect and care for here at Amersham Museum. And now this new digital content is just a mouse click or two away!
Whilst some of these items, including the Metro-land Door Handle and Taxidermy Cockatoo, are currently on display within our physical galleries and can be seen when visiting the Museum, several of the objects now available to view online could previously only be seen by prebooked appointment.
These include the Arthur Tyrwhitt Drake’s Fob Seal, a beautiful gold watch chain charm commissioned in memory of the young man who died suddenly on his wedding day, and an extensive set of Goya recipes comprising handwritten and typed notes made by Ernest G Joyner, parfumier at the local Amersham-based cosmetic company.
A further collection of photographs, taken over decades by the Duparc family, show the passage of time though an incredible personal archive. A rich record of family life from the 1890s to 1960s, much of which was spent in Little Chalfont, these photographs touch on themes and histories of liberal Judaism, Metroland, class and family.
Paintings by Marie-Louise von Motesiczky completed during the 1940s and 1950s in Amersham are a cornerstone of our collection. The seven paintings we care for comprise important portraits and landscapes painted by Motesiczky, an emigre artist from Austria with an international reputation. These, along with a bust of the artist, were acquired by the museum with the kind support of the Marie-Louise von Motesiczky Charitable Trust.
Collections Manager Emma Treleaven said “It is thrilling to be able to offer more of our wonderful collection to visitors via our website. This is just the first stage of exciting plans to make our fascinating stories and rich history available to as many people as possible.”