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.
$630Sale Price|53% Off
Hand Carved Occasional Side End Lamp Table, 1905 Liberty's London
By Liberty & Co.
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Liberty Hand Carved Side Table. Heavily Carved with Large Poppy Flowers. A very good-looking piece, it's hand-carved from top to bottom with floral detailing.
Wood
$1,290
H 26.78 in W 34.26 in D 20.87 in
Liberty's London Three Monkey Hear See Speak No Evil Carved Coffee Side Table
By Liberty & Co., Liberty of London
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this lovely large Liberty’s London 1905 Japanese mahogany side table depicting the three monkeys in the "Hear no e...
Hardwood
$1,493
H 22.64 in Dm 22.05 in
ANTIQUE HAND CARVED LIBERTY'S LONDON MOROCCAN FOLDING TRAY TABLE ZODIAC ETCHINGs
By Liberty of London
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this ornately hand carved Moroccan brass tray table retailed through Liberty's in the 1880-1900's with Zodia...
Brass
$3,700 / item
H 22 in Dm 23 in
Contemporary Side, End or Occasional Table in Carved Walnut with Brass accents
By Vincent Pocsik
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Natural side or end occasional table 001 from Series001 by Vincent Pocsik. Vincent Pocsik finds the balance between old and new fabrication techniques working in conjunction to find an anatomical form that creates its own presence. Series 001 is about finding that point in each piece, personifying it, letting it find itself in the scale and figure, then stopping it at the place where it seems most stabile. All furniture pieces are made inside his shop in Los Angeles. All glass, metal and upholstery work is done with local Los Angeles...
Brass
Tramp Art Sewing Stand/Side Table
Located in Mt Kisco, NY
A hand-carved sewing box stand.
Wood
$536
H 13.39 in Dm 11.03 in
SMALL ENGLISH OAK LIBERTY LONDON STYLE ART NOUVEAU SIDE END LAMP WiNE TABLE
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this lovely and simple English oak circa 1920-1940's side end lamp wine table in the Liberty London taste P...
Oak
$521Sale Price / set|25% Off
H 26.5 in W 22.5 in D 22.5 in
Vintage French Provincial Side End Tables Hand Carved
Located in Lake Worth, FL
For FULL item description click on More Details below. Shipping Quote Information The shipping quote stated in the listing was from 1st Dibs and they normally set all the costs and ...
Wood
$2,376
H 29.93 in W 24.22 in D 18.12 in
Circa 1905 Liberty's London Japanese Hand Carved Side Lamp Table Cutlery Drawers
By Liberty of London
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this exquisitely made original circa 1905 hand made in Japan, retailed through Liberty’s London, cutlery table A ve...
Oak
Pair of Z-Base Side End Occasional Table
By Paul McCobb, Established Lines
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Durable, all about slick lines, minimalistic mid-century modern decor end or side table has a nice heft to it. Solid oiled walnut finish acacia top. Solid stainless steel rod base. T...
Stainless Steel, Chrome
$1,290
H 27.56 in W 26.78 in D 23.23 in
1905s Liberty's London Hand Carved Occasional Side End Lamp Table
By Liberty of London
Located in Pulborough, GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this beautiful Liberty's & Co Hexagonal hand carved end table. Solid and well made, beautifully crafted with floral design. Its hand carved from...
Hardwood
Liberty of London Moorish Green Tilled Top Occasional Table
By Liberty of London
Located in Faversham, GB
A splendid Moorish style hexagonal occasional table made of mahogany. The top is inlaid with a geometrical pattern of two tone emerald coloured tiles offering a perfect juxtapose to...
Ceramic, Mahogany
$746
H 17.72 in W 11.82 in D 11.82 in
RESTORED 19TH CENTURY LIBERTYS LONDON HAND CARVED OCCASIONAL SiDE LAMP TABLE
Located in Pulborough, GB
Antiques of London This exceptional occasional side table dates to the 19th century and is attributed to Liberty’s of London, a name synonymous with refined craftsmanship, artisti...
Oak
$882
H 12.41 in Dm 12.01 in
Fine Carved Burmese Antique Octagonal Side End Lamp Wine Folding Table Liberty
By Liberty of London
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this lovely hand carved from solid Rosewood Burmese side table. A very good looking and decorative table, this would be used as a lamp wine or ...
Hardwood
Sold
H 19.3 in W 27.96 in D 0.79 in
Original Vintage Post Modern Advertising Sign For Memphis Group At Liberty & Co
By Liberty & Co., Memphis Milano, Memphis Group
Located in Bristol, GB
MEMPHIS MILANO ADVERTISING SIGN/POSTER An original point-of-sale sign advertising the Memphis Group that would have been displayed in Liberty & Co. flagship Regent Street, London st...
Natural Fiber, Paper
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.