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.
| Average Sold Price |
| $1,974 |
| Styles |
| Materials |
| Related Creators |
1890-1900 Liberty & Co "Thebes" Wood Stool
By Liberty & Co.
Located in Brescia, IT
CIRCA 1890 Curved seat frame on four turned legs united by stretchers, with interlaced seat Excellent condition.
Wood
$6,620
H 67.33 in W 66.15 in D 0.99 in
Liberty & Co. Glasgow style Arts & Crafts walnut three fold screen
By Liberty & Co.
Located in London, GB
Liberty and Co. A Glasgow Style Arts and Crafts walnut three fold screen with pink roses and green leaf decoration to the upper three stain glass panels. See Liberty's Furniture 1875...
Walnut
Liberty & Co. A Moorish corner cabinet
By Liberty & Co.
Located in London, GB
A Moorish corner cabinet by Liberty and Co. Circa 1890. Height 71 1/2, Width at the front 25 1/2, Depth from back corner to front 13".
Oak
$937
H 30.32 in W 15.56 in D 7.09 in
Liberty & Co., An Arts & Crafts Oak Walking Stick & Umbrella Stand
By Liberty & Co.
Located in London, GB
Liberty & Co. An Arts and Crafts oak walking stick and umbrella stand with a single pierced heart to the half moon top, with a shaped apron to the upper front and slatted sides with ...
Oak
$1,172
H 33.47 in W 18.51 in D 18.51 in
Liberty & Co. An Arts & Crafts rush seat armchair with wavy shaped back slats
By Liberty & Co.
Located in London, GB
Liberty and Co. An Arts and Crafts rush seat armchair, with wavy shaped back slats running down past the seat to the back leg stretcher.
Rush, Walnut
$7,746
H 33.5 in W 3.5 in D 1 in
A 32nd degree Scottish Rite Masonic staff. Signed Liberty & co. UK, 1900.
By Liberty & Co.
Located in Milan, IT
Scottish Rite Masonic L, 32nd degree walking stick. The handle is in the shape of a milord in black onyx, with an openable 14kt gold and enameled coat of arms in the shape of a cross...
Onyx, Gold, Silver
$2,482
H 28 in W 52 in D 20 in
William Birch for Liberty & Co. an Arts & Crafts Oak Fold Over Card Table
By Liberty & Co., William Birch
Located in London, GB
William Birch for Liberty and Co. A good quality sturdy Arts & Crafts oak fold over card table with precise mitred corners to the top on splayed ring turned legs united by an H-stre...
Oak
$4,827
H 2.37 in W 4.73 in D 3.55 in
Liberty and Co. An Arts and Crafts pewter box with an enamel maiden to the lid.
By Liberty & Co.
Located in London, GB
Liberty and Co. Stamped Tudric 0586. A pewter box with an enamel inset into the lid depicting a Pre-Raphaelite Maiden in electric blue colours. The hinge on the sides of the lid has been removed and shortened all the way around, and it has been made into a push on lid. Representations of the human figure are quite rare in Liberty Tudric pewter...
Pewter, Enamel
| Sold Date | Sold Price | Category | Material | Creation Year | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| $1,974 |
Average sold price of items in the past 12 months |
| $550-$6,800 |
| Sold price range of items in the past 12 months |
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.