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.
A Liberty Tudric Patinated Pewter Cigar or Cigarette Box, c1910
By Tudric, Liberty & Co.
Located in Tunbridge Wells, GB
A Liberty Tudric Patinated Pewter Cigar or Cigarette Box, c1910 Additional information: Date : c.1910 stamped 0125 beneath Period : Edward VII - George V Origin : London England Dec...
Pewter
$1,995
H 6.25 in W 3.25 in D 0.5 in
Large Antique Komai Style Japanese Damascene Cigarillo, Cigar or Cigarette Case
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This large antique damascene styled tobacco case is unsigned, but presumed to have originated from Japan and dating to approximately 1920 and done in a Anglo-Japanese style. The case...
Metal
Art Nouveau Pewter Box by Just Andersen, 1910s, Denmark
By Just Andersen
Located in Værløse, DK
Art Nouveau Pewter Box designed by Just Andersen in the late 1910s. * Round hammered pewter box with lid with flower knop and floral chasings * Designer: Just Andersen * Manufactur...
Pewter
$280
H 2.25 in W 9.5 in D 5.88 in
Beautiful Hand Crafted Cigar Humidor Box Catchall Antique Austria, 1910s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A cigar or desktop catchall box from Austria in the 1900s, made of patinated brass and wood, sounds like a unique and valuable antique. The fact that this particular box is an antique from the early 1900s adds to its value and collectability. Depending on the condition and other factors such as the brand or maker, it could be worth a significant amount of money to collectors of antique smoking...
Metal
$1,619
H 2.13 in W 3.63 in D 7.09 in
Art Deco Sterling Silver Box 1933 Cigar Cigarette Cedar Lined Vintage
Located in London, GB
An elegant Art Deco solid silver cigar box of shaped rectangular form, the hinged lid finely decorated with a striking engine-turned geometric design characteristic of the period. Th...
Sterling Silver
Art Deco Swedish Pewter Cigar Box by GAB, Dated 1935
By GAB Guldsmedsaktiebolaget
Located in Stockholm, SE
Elegant Swedish pewter cigar box produced by GAB (Guldsmedsaktiebolaget), dated 1935. This refined Art Deco piece features a clean rectangular form with a subtly stepped lid and deco...
Pewter
Art Nouveau Pewter Box by Just Andersen, 1910s, Denmark
By Just Andersen
Located in Værløse, DK
Art Nouveau Pewter Box designed by Just Andersen in the late 1910s. * Round hammered pewter box with lid with flower knop and floral chasings * Designer: Just Andersen * Manufactur...
Pewter
Art Deco Walnut Cigar / Cigarette Box, c1930
Located in Devon, England
Wonderfully styled Art Deco cigar box with a internal concertina three tier cigar/ cigarette dispenser with chrome accents. Originates from France, in good vintage condition with no ...
Brass
$3,766Sale Price|20% Off
H 5.5 in W 9.25 in D 5.25 in
Smart English Silver Art Deco Cigarette or Cigar Box, 1937
Located in Bath, GB
A truly iconic Art Deco double-lidded cigarette or cigar box with the most fantastic shaped handle to the top. The box is entirely engine-turned and stands on four elegant feet. T...
Sterling Silver
$1,404
H 3.94 in W 8.47 in D 5.52 in
Swedish Art Deco Pewter Cigar Box by GAB Guldsmedsaktiebolaget, 1934
By GAB Guldsmedsaktiebolaget
Located in Stockholm, SE
An elegant Swedish Art Deco pewter cigar box crafted by GAB Guldsmedsaktiebolaget, dated 1934. This refined rectangular form exemplifies the restrained sophistication of Scandinavian...
Pewter
Cigar Box
By Giordano Viganò
Located in Milan, IT
This elegant cigar box in ebony Macassar wood, with its distinctive dark brown stripes, is decorated with horn accents around its perimeter. The lid is linke...
Ebony, Animal Skin, Wood
Liberty & Co. An Arts & Crafts ceder lined pewter jewelry box
By Liberty & Co.
Located in London, GB
Liberty & Co. An Arts & Crafts ceder lined pewter jewelry box with an Abalone blue semi-precious stone to the lid. Tudric 082 stamped to base. Lib...
Pewter
$355Sale Price|20% Off
H 3.75 in W 6.5 in D 4.93 in
Silver-Plated Cigarette or Cigar box Humidot With Cedar Filling circa 1900s
Located in Lucenec, SK
Silver-plated cigarette or cigar box with cedar filling, decorated with fine relief. It stands on four spherical legs and probably dates back to the end of the 19th or the first half...
Silver, Silver Plate, Brass
Liberty & Co Hammered Polished Pewter Box, C.1920
By Liberty & Co.
Located in Toronto, Ontario
Liberty & Co hammered polished pewter box, C.1920, marked on underside Tudric 01021 Made in England. The box of rectangular shape with hinged dome shap...
Pewter
Sold
H 2.5 in W 8.5 in D 5.5 in
Large Liberty Arts and Crafts Humidor Box Designed by Archibald Knox, circa 1905
By Liberty & Co.
Located in Toronto, Ontario
Large Liberty Arts and Crafts humidor box, designed by Archibald Knox, circa 1905. The box of rectangular polished hand planished pewter, with ...
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.