E G Punnett for Liberty & Co. A Walnut side chair with inlaid floral decoration.
About the Item
- Creator:Liberty & Co. (Retailer),William Birch (Maker)
- Dimensions:Height: 38.19 in (97 cm)Width: 16.15 in (41 cm)Depth: 15.75 in (40 cm)Seat Height: 15.36 in (39 cm)
- Style:Arts and Crafts (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:1900-1909
- Date of Manufacture:1901
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:London, GB
- Reference Number:
Liberty & Co.
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.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: London, United Kingdom
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 3 days of delivery.
- Liberty & Co, William Birch, Arts & Crafts Armchair & Two Differing Side ChairsBy Liberty & Co., William BirchLocated in London, GBLiberty & Co retailer, made by William Birch. The three are priced separately. A classic William Birch Arts & Crafts rush seat oak armchair with a wide curved head rest and typical ...Category
Early 20th Century English Arts and Crafts Side Chairs
MaterialsRush, Oak
- William Birch. Liberty & Co retailer. A rare rush seat child's chairBy Liberty & Co., William BirchLocated in London, GBWilliam Birch. Retailed by Liberty and Co. A rare rush seat childs chair with a boy sat on a crescent moon fishing. It is an unusual variation in design to the more common William Bi...Category
Antique Early 1900s English Arts and Crafts Side Chairs
MaterialsOak
- Liberty & Co, by William Birch. A Beech lattice back rush seat child's chair.By Liberty & Co., William BirchLocated in London, GBLiberty & Co, by William Birch. An Arts and Crafts Beech lattice back rush seat childs chairCategory
Antique Early 1900s English Arts and Crafts Side Chairs
MaterialsBeech
- Liberty and Co, A Pair of Arts and Crafts Side Chairs with Finely Rushed SeatsBy Liberty & Co.Located in London, GBLiberty and Co, a pair of Arts & Crafts ladder back side chairs with the original finely laid rushed seats and stylish simple upright details to the fronts, uniting the front stretch...Category
Antique Early 1900s English Arts and Crafts Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsBeech
- Liberty and Co. An Arts and Crafts Wiclif rush seat side chair.By Liberty & Co.Located in London, GBLiberty and Co. An Arts and Crafts Wiclif rush seat side chair. Illustrated in Liberty's Yuletide Gifts catalogue C1898 page 37, and in Liberty's Furniture 1875-1915. The Birth of Mo...Category
Antique 1890s English Arts and Crafts Side Chairs
MaterialsWalnut
- Liberty & Co. Two Moorish Side or Childs Chair with Mashrabiya Turned DetailsBy Liberty & Co.Located in London, GBLiberty & Co. Two good quality Moorish side or child's chair with Mashrabiya turned details to the backrest and on all four sides below the seats, one with a black studded leather s...Category
Antique 1890s English Moorish Side Chairs
MaterialsWalnut
- Pair Antique English Arts & Crafts William Birch Liberty & Co. Rush ChairsBy William BirchLocated in London, GBPair Antique English Arts & Crafts Liberty & Co. Rush chairs attributed to William Birch. circa 1890 Very good condition commensurate of age. Good solid construction.Category
Antique 19th Century English Arts and Crafts Chairs
MaterialsRush, Beech
- 1905 Liberty & Co Mahogany Spindle Chairs - Set of 2By Liberty & Co.Located in Waxahachie, TXCa 1905. Liberty & Co Made in Britain. Gorgeous arts and crafts mahogany chairs. Barrels shaped out of mahogany spindles with feet. Striking statement and conversation piecesCategory
Antique Early 1900s American American Classical Side Chairs
MaterialsWood
- 18th Century Dutch Inlaid Walnut Side ChairsLocated in Los Angeles, CA18th Century Dutch inlaid side chairs. Strong and sturdy, but delicate with different exotic inlaid woods. Ball and claw foot motif. Back...Category
Antique 18th Century Danish Neoclassical Side Chairs
MaterialsWood
- Arts & Crafts Armchair by E G Punnett For William BirchBy William BirchLocated in Petworth, GBIconic Arts & Crafts oak armchair Original rush seat and back panels Stylised ebony floral decorative inlay Designed by E G Punnett For William Birch Circa 1900 Book image cour...Category
Antique Early 1900s English Arts and Crafts Armchairs
MaterialsRush, Ebony, Oak
- Group of Four 18th Century Inlaid Walnut Side ChairsLocated in Los Angeles, CAGroup of four 18th century inlaid walnut side chairs.Category
Antique 18th Century Italian Side Chairs
MaterialsWalnut
- Italian 1800s Walnut Side Chairs with Carved and Gilt Floral Medallions, a PairLocated in Atlanta, GAA pair of Italian walnut side chairs from circa 1800 with carved and gilt floral medallion adorning each back, custom linen upholstery and tapering legs in the front. This pair of It...Category
Antique Early 19th Century Italian Side Chairs
MaterialsUpholstery, Walnut