Catherine Mawer facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

Quick facts for kids Catherine Mawer
Self-portrait of Catherine Mawer aged about 53 years
Born	1803 Bilton, Harrogate
Died	11 April 1877, aged 74 7 Oxford Place, Leeds
Resting place	Former St Mark's churchyard, Woodhouse, Leeds
Nationality	British
Notable work	Mawer memorial, 1854 Architectural sculpture at: St Mark's, Low Moor, 1857 Mechanics Institution, Halifax, 1857 Holy Innocents, Dewsbury, 1858 Leeds Town Hall, 1858 Font at: St Peter, Barton, 1859
Style	Gothic Revival Neoclassical
Movement	Aesthetic movement Romanticism Gothic Revival Neoclassicism
Spouse(s)	Robert Mawer

Memorial(s)	Mawer memorial

Catherine Mawer (born 1803 – died 1877) was a talented sculptor. She created amazing stone carvings for buildings. She first worked with her husband, Robert Mawer.

After he passed away in 1854, Catherine took over their family business. She became a master sculptor in Leeds, England. Her company was known as "Mrs Mawer." Her nephew, William Ingle, helped manage the stone yard.

Catherine also trained young artists. Her apprentices included Matthew Taylor, Benjamin Payler, and her own son, Charles Mawer. All of them later became successful sculptors themselves.

Catherine was a founding member of the Mawer Group. This group included all the sculptors from her Leeds workshop. They were known for making very lifelike portraits. These carvings often showed people with lots of expression and movement. This special style of work stopped after Catherine's death in 1877. This suggests it was her unique artistic touch.

About Catherine's Life
Catherine's Career as a Sculptor
Recognizing Her Work: Blue Plaques
Important Works by Catherine Mawer
See also

About Catherine's Life

Catherine Mawer was born in Bilton, Harrogate in 1803. Her father, Anthony Scriven, ran an alehouse. Her mother was Elizabeth Scriven.

Catherine was baptised in Knaresborough in February 1804. She had a sister named Mary Ann.

In 1837, Catherine married Robert Mawer in Ripley, North Yorkshire. They had a son, Charles Mawer.

Catherine passed away on April 11, 1877, at age 74. She died in Leeds after being sick for a few days. She was buried next to Robert in the churchyard of St Mark, Woodhouse, Leeds.

Catherine's Career as a Sculptor

A portrait of Catherine (around 1851) by Robert Mawer.

A later portrait of Catherine (around 1873) by Benjamin Payler.

Catherine was a top sculptor, working with her husband Robert. She was also a partner in the company Mawer & Ingle.

Newspapers praised her work, especially her carvings in Caen stone. This was between 1854 and 1859.

In 1856, Catherine had a legal case with one of her apprentices, Matthew Taylor. He was very skilled but refused to work away from home. The case showed how apprentices worked back then.

The court decided that apprentices should get money for expenses when working away. Since Matthew didn't get enough, he wasn't punished. This case highlights the importance of fair treatment for workers.

Recognizing Her Work: Blue Plaques

A blue plaque honoring Catherine Mawer and the Mawer Group.

On July 11, 2019, Leeds Civic Trust honored Catherine Mawer. They placed two blue plaques in Leeds. These plaques celebrate her work and the Mawer Group. You can find them at Moorlands House and 30 Park Place.

Important Works by Catherine Mawer

Mawer Memorial in Woodhouse (After 1854)

The Mawer memorial in 2015, with parts missing.

This memorial is in the churchyard of St Mark, Woodhouse, Leeds. It honors Robert and Catherine Mawer. It is a Grade II listed monument, meaning it's historically important.

Catherine likely created this memorial after Robert's death. Her son Charles was too young to have made such a detailed piece. Parts of the memorial, like the urn and angel heads, have been removed over time.

Susannah Blesard Monument in Woodhouse (1856)

A carved initial on the Blesard memorial.

This monument is inside St Mark's church in Woodhouse. The church itself is a Grade II listed building. Catherine Mawer was responsible for carving the Susannah Blesard tomb in 1856.

The monument is made of Caen stone. It features detailed carvings, including flowers and the initials "S.B." It also has angels kneeling and biblical texts. Newspapers at the time praised its beauty and craftsmanship.

Former St Mark's Church, Low Moor, Bradford (1855−1857)

The font carved by Catherine Mawer at Low Moor.

This church in Bradford is also a Grade II listed building. Catherine Mawer did all the stone carving throughout the church.

She carved a beautiful doorway with a lion symbol. She also created the church's font. The font is shaped like a goblet and stands on dark grey marble pillars. It has a scripture carved into it. Newspapers praised her excellent work here.

New Hall for Halifax Mechanics Institution (1855−1857)

Marlborough Hall, formerly the Mechanics Institution.

This building in Halifax is a Grade II* listed building. It is now called Marlborough Hall. Catherine Mawer was paid for the "Ornamental masonry work" here.

She carved decorative brackets on the ground floor. She also created detailed carvings around the arched windows on the first floor. These carvings include fancy designs and columns with Corinthian tops.

Church of the Holy Innocents, Thornhill Lees (1858)

A portrait of Queen Victoria on the church porch.

This church in Thornhill Lees, Dewsbury, was consecrated in 1858. Catherine Mawer did all the stone carving for this building.

She carved the arch over the main entrance. She also created the font, which is made of Caen stone with marble pillars. Catherine also made the elaborate reredos, a decorative screen behind the altar.

Leeds Town Hall (1853-1858)

A portrait of Robert Mawer with a feather in his cap on Leeds Town Hall.

Leeds Town Hall is a very important building, a Grade I listed building. It was opened by Queen Victoria in 1858.

Catherine Mawer was responsible for much of the general carving work. This included the huge Corinthian capitals and decorative turrets on the roof. Her husband, Robert, worked on the large "mythical heads" before he died.

Catherine's carvings on the main entrance show children with a fleece. They also feature symbols of power, justice, and trade.

Memorial Tablet, John the Baptist Knaresborough (1859–1860)

The Samuel Powell memorial.

In 1859, Catherine Mawer's company was chosen to create a memorial tablet. This tablet honored Samuel Powell and was placed in the parish church.

Catherine was likely the main sculptor for this project. Her son Charles was still an apprentice at the time. The tablet is made of Caen stone with white marble. It features beautiful carvings of lilies, vines, and passion flowers.

St Peter, Barton-upon-Humber, Restoration (1859)

A delicate carving on the font at St Peter, Barton.

St Peter's Church, Barton-upon-Humber is a very old and important church. It was restored in 1859. Catherine Mawer's company created the carvings for this restoration.

She made the pulpit, which is hexagon-shaped and stands on a Caen stone base. Catherine also carved the beautiful font. It is octagon-shaped and features symbols of the Four Evangelists. An inscription around the top reads, "Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit he cannot enter the kingdom of God."

St Stephen's Church, Bowling Old Lane (1859–1860)

The apse of St Stephen's Church, West Bowling.

This church in Bradford is a Grade II listed building. Catherine Mawer's company was responsible for the carvings here.

A weather-worn portrait of Robert Bickersteth by Catherine Mawer.

She created the font, which is made of Caen stone and has marble pillars. It is decorated with symbols of the Four Evangelists. An inscription around its base says, "As many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God."

Since Robert Mawer had passed away and Charles was still learning, Catherine likely carved this font herself.