Long before Liberty became one of London’s most iconic luxury department stores, shoppers of the late 19th century knew it as Liberty & Co. — purveyors of fine silverware designed in the Art Nouveau style, Arts and Crafts-style furniture and an eclectic assortment of ornaments, fabrics, fashion and other goods from around the world.
British merchant Arthur Lasenby Liberty founded Liberty & Co. in 1875. Liberty dreamed of selling an assortment of fine wares he obtained in the Far East from a ship docked in the middle of one of London’s busiest shopping thoroughfares. However, he could only manage to borrow £2,000 from his father-in-law, so he settled for a small shop on Regent Street.
What began as a modest business grew exponentially over the next few years, and, by 1890, Liberty & Co. occupied most of Regent Street. Meanwhile, Liberty forged relationships with many British Art Nouveau artists and designers who were keen to work with one of the most prestigious retailers in London.
In 1899, Liberty & Co. hosted an exhibition showcasing a collection of silver pieces designed by notable silversmiths like Oliver Barker, Albert Edward Jones and Bernard Cuzner. A line of silverware called Cymric also debuted and was produced in partnership with silversmith W. H. Haseler of Birmingham and Liberty & Co.’s chief designer, Manx artist Archibald Knox. The innovative Cymric collection featured a blend of Art Nouveau with traditional Celtic style, including such pieces as candlesticks, spoons, bowls, tableware and jewelry.
Liberty & Co. also had a furniture workshop in Archway, London, run by Lawrence Turner and which employed carpenters to produce handcrafted, Arts and Crafts-style armchairs, stools, bookcases, cabinets, side tables and other furniture. Most of these high-quality and durable pieces were made of solid wood such as oak, mahogany and walnut. In addition to their own in-house creations, Liberty & Co. also sold furniture by other designers, including chairs by German architect Richard Riemerschmid.
Liberty died in 1917, and Liberty & Co. became Liberty of London after relocating to their iconic location on Great Marlborough Street in 1924. Ironically, the imposing Tudor Revival building is constructed from the timbers of two decommissioned British Navy ships — realizing Liberty’s original “ship-store” dream.
On 1stDibs, discover a range of antique and vintage Liberty & Co. serveware, seating and decorative objects.
Art Nouveau, Liberty & Co., Tudric Hammered Antique Pewter Tazza c1910
By Liberty & Co.
Located in Rothley, Leicestershire
Splendid Art Nouveau antique pewter tazza for Liberty & Co., Regent Street, London Tall, impressive table centrepiece with hand hammered and stylised decoration Circa 1910 Signed...
Pewter
Art Nouveau Footed Tray Made By Liberty & Co., English Hammered Antique Pewter
By Liberty & Co.
Located in Rothley, Leicestershire
Art Nouveau antique pewter footed tray made by Liberty & Co., Regent Street, London Historic household piece of English pewter with hand hammered stylised decoration Circa 1910 S...
Pewter
$675Sale Price|24% Off
Liberty Co Arts and Crafts Tudric Pewter Dish English C. 1903
By Liberty & Co.
Located in Toronto, Ontario
Liberty Arts and Crafts Tudric Pewter Dish, Liberty & Co, English, circa 1903. The two handled hammered dish with stylized cut out handles in a...
Pewter
Archibald Knox designed sterling silver bowl 'The Maya" hallmarked in 1900
By Archibald Knox, Liberty & Co.
Located in London, London
Hallmarked in London in 1900 by Liberty & Co. This fantastic and collectible Antique, Edwardian Sterling Silver Bowl, is a design attributed to Archibald Knox entitled 'The Maya', an...
Sterling Silver
Liberty Tudric Pewter Cake Basket by Archibald Knox c1904
By Tudric, Liberty & Co., Archibald Knox
Located in Tunbridge Wells, GB
Heading : Liberty Tudric pewter cake basket by Archibald Knox c1904 Period : Edwardian Origin : England Decoration : Enamel centre, stylised leaf and fruit pattern. Marked Tudric alo...
Enamel, Pewter
Art Nouveau, Liberty & Co. London. Hammered Antique Pewter Dish c1910
By Liberty & Co.
Located in Rothley, Leicestershire
Art Nouveau antique pewter footed dish for Liberty & Co., Regent Street, London Superb dark pewter patina and hand hammered with stylised edging decoration Circa 1910 Signed Engl...
Pewter
George V Sterling Silver & Enamel Dressing Table Tray by Liberty & Co – 1924
By Liberty & Co.
Located in London, London
Hallmarked in Birmingham in 1924 by Liberty & Co., this elegant, George V, sterling silver and enamel dressing table tray is of rectangular form with rounded corners, decorated w...
Sterling Silver, Enamel
$290
H 7.88 in W 1.25 in D 0.5 in
Antique Austrian Art Nouveau Bronze Elephant Motif Letter Opener, Bergmann 1910
By Franz Bergmann
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A beautiful antique bronze letter opener dating to the 1910s or earlier, crafted by an unknown sculptor, made by Franz Bergmann Vienna Austria. This beautiful Art Nouveau piece displ...
Bronze
Liberty Tudric Pewter Inkwell by Archibald Knox
By Liberty & Co., Archibald Knox, Tudric
Located in Tunbridge Wells, GB
Heading : Liberty Tudric pewter inkwell Archibald Knox c1905 Period : Edward VII Origin : England Decoration : Typical arts and crafts naturalistic lines throughout. Central blue-gre...
Pewter
Silver Centrepiece with Original Cut Crystal Liner, Austria, 1900-1910
Located in Frankfurt am Main, DE
Large silver Art Nouveau period centrepiece/jardinière with original cut crystal glass liner, Austria, 1900-1910. This wonderful and unique centrepiece has an oval form with elaborat...
Crystal, Silver
$13,803
H 3.86 in W 2.05 in D 1.66 in
Sterling Silver Enamel Liberty's 1911 Archibald Knox Miniature Carriage Clock
By Liberty of London, Archibald Knox
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to this exceptionally rare and absolutely stunning fully hallmarked 1911 Liberty’s London sterling silver & enamel miniature carriage clock made by the wonder that is Archibald Knox I am now listing my three liberty’s clocks, I have one Tudric pewter and two miniature sterling silver & enamel fully restored carriage clocks, all listed under my other items and made by Archibald Knox This clock has been fully restored, the case has been straightened and aligned and professionally polished, the movement removed and serviced. Its fully hallmarked with the sideways facing Lion for sterling silver, the ship Anchor for Birmingham, the date letter M for 1911, and lastly L&Co for Liberty and Co Between the years of 1899 and 1910 Archibald Knox was one of the principal designers for the London department store Liberty & Co. He designed for many mediums including metal ware, jewellery, terracotta garden ware, and graphic design. He was responsible for many of the designs in their Cymric silver...
Sterling Silver, Enamel
Swedish Porphyry Tazza, 19th Century
Located in Spencertown, NY
The turned base and stem with shallow bowl top. Shows signs of expert repair.
$3,860
H 6.3 in Dm 12.21 in
Italian 19th Century Neoclassical Marble Bowl on Pedestal - Tazza Centerpiece
Located in Firenze, IT
This Italian 19th century neoclassical marble bowl on pedestal, or tazza centerpiece, is finely carved in Cipollino marble, a highly prized stone already appreciated by the Romans an...
Marble
French Art Nouveau Bronze Card Tray or Pin Tray, Vide - Poche, 1920
Located in Barntrup, DE
French Art Nouveau Bronze card tray or Pin Tray, Vide - Poche, 1920s This absolutely adorable card tray or pin tray, Vide - Poche, is made of bronze ...
Bronze
$8,850Sale Price / set|70% Off
H 9.75 in Dm 5.5 in
Pair of Sterling Silver Cymric Candlesticks, Archibald Knox for Liberty and Co
By Archibald Knox
Located in CHARLESTON, SC
Exceedingly Rare and Important pair of Museum quality old English sterling silver Cymric candlesticks. Exceptional example of silver from the Art...
Sterling Silver
$6,625
H 10.63 in W 9.06 in D 5.12 in
Liberty & Co C F A Voysey style Arts & Crafts oak mantle clock with floral inlay
By Liberty & Co.
Located in London, GB
Liberty and Co. London. An Arts and Crafts oak mantle clock with floral inlay. The dome top and architectural style of the design of this clock point ...
Oak
Italian Neo-Classical Bronze Tazza on Sphinx Figures, Circa 1860
Located in Queens, NY
Italian Neo-classic (19th Cent) "Grand Tour" bronze tazza resting on 4 sphinx figures over a rosso antico marble base.
Marble, Bronze
Tiffany Midcentury Modern Sterling Silver Bowl
By Tiffany & Co.
Located in New York, NY
Midcentury Modern sterling silver bowl. Made by Tiffany & Co. in New York. Shallow and fluted cone with scalloped rim; three ball supports. Fully marked including maker’s stamp and p...
Sterling Silver
Bronze Stack Trays by Henry Wilson
By Henry Wilson
Located in Geneve, CH
Bronze Stack Trays by Henry Wilson Dimesions: W 25 x D 5 x H 10 cm Materials: Bronze The stack trays are sold in a set of three that can be used togethe...
Bronze
Liberty & Co Art Nouveau Silver Pedestal Bon Bon Dish 1912
By Liberty & Co.
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A stylish Arts & Crafts silver pedestal bon bon dish by renowned London retailers Liberty & Co and dated 1912. The bowl-shaped dish stands raised on an oval wave formed foot with a s...
Silver
Archibald Knox for Liberty & Co large Fruit Bowl C.1905
By Liberty & Co.
Located in Toronto, Ontario
Archibald Knox for Liberty & Co large Fruit Bowl C.1905. Typical Knox honesty celtic sinuous decoration, fin handles. Tudric and model number 0318 stamped to base. Measures: 32.50 cm...
Pewter
Stuart and Sons for Liberty Two Colour Peacock Trails Rose Bowl, circa 1910
By Liberty & Co., Stuart & Sons
Located in Tunbridge Wells, GB
Stuart And Sons for Liberty Two Colour Peacock Trails Rose Bowl, circa 1910 One of the most distinctive British Nouveau designs. This example has higher level of contrast between ...
Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass
Large Archibald Knox Centerpiece tudric pewter handled dish
By Archibald Knox, Liberty & Co.
Located in Kingston, NY
Rare Liberty & Co fruit bowl , centerpiece or jardiniere designed by Archibald Knox - fully stamped on base with Liberty marks and shape no. 0755. Circa 1905. Illustrated in new Stephen Martin book on Archibald Knox. Also illustrated in the Arts & Crafts Metalwork exhibition catalog held at Blackwell, The Arts & Crafts House in the lake District (exh 99) page 25...
Pewter
Jacob & Co. is considered expensive for a few reasons. For one thing, the watch collectors of the world know the watchmaker for its multicolored-gemstone designs as well as its oversized and innovative complications. There are substantial costs related to the design, assembly and premium materials associated with Jacob & Co.’s luxury watches, which are painstakingly crafted in Switzerland and sold all over the world. The price tag reflects the brand’s use of meticulously sourced round brilliant cut diamonds and metals such as 18-karat gold. Additionally, only a limited number of timepieces leave the watchmaker's workshops each year, so demand usually far exceeds supply. Find Jacob & Co. watches for sale on 1stDibs.