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.
$6,000Sale Price|20% Off
Rare Liberty & Co. Circa 1900s Long-Form Thebes Stool.
By Liberty & Co.
Located in Chicago, IL
Extremely rare long form Thebes bench marketed by Liberty and Company, England Circa 1910. Constructed of beech wood and finely woven cane. There are many...
Cane, Beech
An Arts & Crafts Oak Settle by Liberty & Co with Mashrabiya turnings to the back
By Liberty & Co.
Located in London, GB
Liberty and Co., an Arts and Crafts oak settle, with capped uprights and sweeping sides with a mashrabiya turned back, with heart shape and further floral cut-outs to the sides and t...
Oak
Liberty & Co. An Arts & Crafts Oak Window or Hall Seat with Large Pierced Hearts
By Liberty & Co.
Located in London, GB
Liberty and Co. An Arts and Crafts oak window or hall seat with large pierced hearts to each end with moulded edges to the seat and an octagonal shaped stretcher.
Oak
Seldom seen William Birch Arts and Crafts Heavy Oak Club Fender, early 1900's
By William Birch, Liberty & Co.
Located in Buffalo, NY
A William Birch Arts and Crafts Heavy Oak Club Fender This very stylish Arts and Crafts Oak and Leather Club Fender was made around 1905 by William Birch for retail by Liberty & Co....
Fabric, Oak
Arts and Crafts Carved Oak Window Seat, Hall Bench
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Arts and Crafts carved oak window seat, hall bench This is a good piece of Arts and Crafts Country Furniture, it has a very thick solid Oak s...
Oak
$932
H 39.77 in W 44.1 in D 24.81 in
Italian Liberty Two-seater outdoor bench in rattan Palazzo Falconi, early 1900s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian Liberty Two-seater outdoor bench in rattan from Palazzo Falconi, early 1900s Two-seater outdoor bench entirely in woven rattan. The backrest is in rattan with brown, white and green wicker weaves finely woven with rectangular patterns. The curved armrests and seat feature the same rattan. The curved rattan legs are finished with green and white wicker parts. This seat is perfect for the garden. Produced in the early 1900s in full Liberty style, this seat holder comes from Palazzo Falconi, a historic building from the 1700s which in the first half of the 1900s was a prestigious Italian hotel...
Rattan
$4,090
H 47.5 in W 77 in D 22 in
Antique Oak Mission Arts and Crafts Gothic Style Bench Settee c. 1900/1930's
By Gustav Stickley, Charles Limbert
Located in New York, NY
Incredible Mission, Gothic, Arts and Crafts style settee, bench, constructed of quarter sawn oak, and oak veneer. The bench features back supports with pyramid form capitals, a drama...
Oak
$2,098Sale Price|20% Off
H 59.26 in W 61.42 in D 18.51 in
Gothic Revival Oak High Back Hall Bench, 1900s
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Magnificent and ultra rare Gothic Revival high back hall bench. Striking Dutch design from the 1900s. Solid oak frame with original hand-carved elements in the back and the sides! Un...
Wrought Iron
$2,400
H 17 in W 15.5 in D 13 in
English Liberty & Co. Walnut Thebes Stool with Tripod Base, Turn of the Century
By Liberty & Co.
Located in Atlanta, GA
An English Liberty & Co. walnut Thebes stool from the Turn of the Century with tripod base. In-curving wooden seat resting on three delicately curving legs. This English Liberty & Co...
Walnut
Antique pine bench, 1900s
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
A charming, authentic Hungarian bench from circa 1900 — a beautiful piece of craftsmanship with character and history. The bench is sturdy, stable, and free of woodworm. An atmospher...
Pine
$1,320Sale Price|20% Off
H 27 in W 34 in D 19 in
Egyptian Revival Gilded Cerule Form Gilded Horse Head Bench Stool
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This exquisite Egyptian Revival bench stool captures the timeless allure of neoclassical design with a bold nod to antiquity. Crafted in a sculptural cerule form, the bench is distin...
Walnut
$4,895
H 20 in W 48.25 in D 12.13 in
Arts and Crafts Hall Bench or Window Seat of Oak with Turned Legs from England
Located in Austin, TX
A fine English hall bench or window seat or stool of oak from the Arts and Crafts period, featuring turned bolsters at opposing ends over a long plank seat and set upon four turned l...
Wood, Oak
Victorian Oak Hall Bench/Window Seat
Located in Sherborne, GB
English Victorian period hall bench with medullary ray figured seat, flanked by raised bold bolster ends resting on turned legs, the bench is a pleasant light honey colour.
Oak
Antique pine bench, 1900s
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
A charming, authentic Hungarian bench from circa 1900 — a beautiful piece of craftsmanship with character and history. The bench is sturdy, stable, and free of woodworm. An atmospher...
Pine
Antique pine bench, 1900s
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
A charming, authentic Hungarian bench from circa 1900 — a beautiful piece of craftsmanship with character and history. The bench is sturdy, stable, and free of woodworm. An atmospher...
Pine
$2,995
H 38.75 in W 57.75 in D 17.75 in
Frank Lloyd Wright Style Antique Mission Oak Arts & Crafts Pew, Circa 1900
By Frank Lloyd Wright
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Mission or Arts & Crafts period solid quarter sawn oak church pew or bench with Gothic influence In the manner of Frank Lloyd Wright USA, Early 20th Century Measures: 5...
Oak
Liberty & Co. Oak Settle, England, circa 1900
By Liberty & Co.
Located in Culver City, CA
Liberty & Co. Oak Settle, England circa 1900. Constructed in solid oak with slatted back featuring geometric inlay and undulating top rail Measures 51"L x 19.25”D x 45”H x 15”s...
Wood, Oak
Liberty & Co. William Birch, an Arts & Crafts Dark Oak Settee with Angular Sides
By Liberty & Co., William Birch
Located in London, GB
Liberty & Co, made by William Birch. An Arts & Crafts dark oak settee or sofa with turned finials, angular sides and turned uprights to the sides and to the back supports, square and...
Oak
Rare Liberty & Co. Long-Form Thebes Stool, circa 1910
By Liberty & Co.
Located in North Miami, FL
This is a very rare Liberty & Co. long form Thebes stool, circa 1910. Finely woven seat top, very strong and sturdy.
Beech
Elegant Liberty & Co. Thebes stool on Four Turned Legs
By Liberty & Co.
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Liberty & Co. Thebes stool on four turned legs. Egyptian revival style. Original (faded) tag under the seat.
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.