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.
Art Nouveau Footed Tray Made By Liberty & Co., English Hammered Antique Pewter
By Liberty & Co.
Located in Rothley, Leicestershire
Art Nouveau antique pewter footed tray made by Liberty & Co., Regent Street, London Historic household piece of English pewter with hand hammered stylised decoration Circa 1910 S...
Pewter
Art Nouveau, Liberty & Co. London. Hammered Antique Pewter Dish c1910
By Liberty & Co.
Located in Rothley, Leicestershire
Art Nouveau antique pewter footed dish for Liberty & Co., Regent Street, London Superb dark pewter patina and hand hammered with stylised edging decoration Circa 1910 Signed Engl...
Pewter
Liberty & Co. An Arts & Crafts Pewter Inkwell with Violet Enamel Decoration.
By Liberty & Co.
Located in London, GB
Liberty & Co. Regent Street. London. An English Arts & Crafts Pewter Inkwell with violet-colored enamel decoration to the top, and to each of the circles at the four corners. Stamped...
Enamel, Pewter
Liberty & Co. An Arts & Crafts Pewter Inkwell with Violet Enamel Decoration.
By Liberty & Co.
Located in London, GB
Liberty & Co. Regent Street. London. An English Arts & Crafts Pewter Inkwell with violet-colored enamel decoration to the top, and to each of the circles at the four corners. Stamped...
Pewter
Liberty Tudric Pewter Inkwell by Archibald Knox
By Archibald Knox, Tudric, Liberty & Co.
Located in Tunbridge Wells, GB
Heading : Liberty Tudric pewter inkwell Archibald Knox c1905 Period : Edward VII Origin : England Decoration : Typical arts and crafts naturalistic lines throughout. Central blue-gre...
Pewter
French Art Deco Palisander and Pewter Inkwell
Located in Queens, NY
French Art Deco palisander and pewter inlaid inkwell with 2 crystal wells.
Crystal, Pewter
Art Nouveau Bronze Inkwell with an Owl
Located in Stockholm, SE
An Art Noveau or Jugend patinated bronze pen and inkwell with an owl sitting in the center. The owl have inset glass eyes. Made ca.1900. Possibly Swedish. Symbolism of the owl: The...
Bronze
$13,861
H 3.86 in W 2.05 in D 1.66 in
Sterling Silver Enamel Liberty's 1911 Archibald Knox Miniature Carriage Clock
By Archibald Knox, Liberty of London
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to this exceptionally rare and absolutely stunning fully hallmarked 1911 Liberty’s London sterling silver & enamel miniature carriage clock made by the wonder that is Archibald Knox I am now listing my three liberty’s clocks, I have one Tudric pewter and two miniature sterling silver & enamel fully restored carriage clocks, all listed under my other items and made by Archibald Knox This clock has been fully restored, the case has been straightened and aligned and professionally polished, the movement removed and serviced. Its fully hallmarked with the sideways facing Lion for sterling silver, the ship Anchor for Birmingham, the date letter M for 1911, and lastly L&Co for Liberty and Co Between the years of 1899 and 1910 Archibald Knox was one of the principal designers for the London department store Liberty & Co. He designed for many mediums including metal ware, jewellery, terracotta garden ware, and graphic design. He was responsible for many of the designs in their Cymric silver...
Sterling Silver, Enamel
French Art Nouveau Bronze Card Tray or Pin Tray, Vide - Poche, 1920
Located in Barntrup, DE
French Art Nouveau Bronze card tray or Pin Tray, Vide - Poche, 1920s This absolutely adorable card tray or pin tray, Vide - Poche, is made of bronze ...
Bronze
$8,850Sale Price / set|70% Off
H 9.75 in Dm 5.5 in
Pair of Sterling Silver Cymric Candlesticks, Archibald Knox for Liberty and Co
By Archibald Knox
Located in CHARLESTON, SC
Exceedingly Rare and Important pair of Museum quality old English sterling silver Cymric candlesticks. Exceptional example of silver from the Art...
Sterling Silver
$1,600
H 4.34 in Dm 4.34 in
Joseph Reinemann Jugendstil Pewter Novelty Bird Desk Inkwell, Germany c1902
By Arts and Crafts Company, Martin Brothers, Robert Wallace Martin
Located in Buenos Aires, Olivos
Joseph Reinemann Jugendstil Pewter Novelty Bird Desk Inkwell, Germany c1902. Joseph Reinemann, Munich, a Jugendstil silvered pewter novelty desk inkwell in the form of a grotesque bi...
Pewter
$1,019
H 2.37 in W 12.21 in D 5.12 in
CG Hallberg Pewter Double Inkwell, Sweden, 1931 – Art Deco Scandinavian
Located in Stockholm, SE
An elegant and architecturally refined double inkwell by renowned Swedish silversmith CG Hallberg, dating to 1931. Executed in richly patinated pewter, this sculptural desk accessory...
Pewter
$446Sale Price|30% Off
H 3.55 in W 10.24 in D 7.88 in
Antique French Brass Double Inkwell with Foliage Decoration
Located in Sofia, BG
Double inkwell made in brass with detailed and very beautiful foliage decoration. France, circa 1900.
Brass
$290
H 7.88 in W 1.25 in D 0.5 in
Antique Austrian Art Nouveau Bronze Elephant Motif Letter Opener, Bergmann 1910
By Franz Bergmann
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A beautiful antique bronze letter opener dating to the 1910s or earlier, crafted by an unknown sculptor, made by Franz Bergmann Vienna Austria. This beautiful Art Nouveau piece displ...
Bronze
$2,744Sale Price / set|48% Off
H 6.3 in W 15.95 in D 10.12 in
A Regency Hand Crafted Rosewood Writing Slope With Secret Compartments
Located in Reading, Berkshire
A Stunning Regency Era Rosewood Hand-Crafted Writing Slope. With Purple Velvet Interior, Secret Compartments. Befit With The Original Brass Topped Square Glass Inkwells. Decorated ...
Brass
Bronze Stack Trays by Henry Wilson
By Henry Wilson
Located in Geneve, CH
Bronze Stack Trays by Henry Wilson Dimesions: W 25 x D 5 x H 10 cm Materials: Bronze The stack trays are sold in a set of three that can be used togethe...
Bronze
Roycroft Arts & Crafts Hammered Brass Over Copper Inkwell
By Roycroft
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Arts & Crafts period brass finished hand hammered copper inkwell By Roycroft (signed with impressed orb and cross mark) USA, Early 20th Century Measures: 3.5"W x 3.5"D ...
Brass, Copper
Sold
H 16.15 in W 23.82 in D 0.87 in
Nos Liberty's London Brown Leather & Silk Desk Tidy Set Pen Pot Filing Note Pad
By Liberty of London, Liberty & Co.
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning new old stock Liberty’s London handmade in Italy brown leather and silk desk stationery organizer set A very good looking and well made set from the 1970s, handmade in Italy and depicting world maps. Every piece is stamped made for Libertys, some made in Italy, the leather is all in excellent order as is the silk backing The is a new old stock set, its around 50 years old and never been used Writing comforter dimensions: Height 41cm Width 60.5cm Depth 2.2cm Upright document holder dimensions: Height 13cm Width 25.3cm Depth 12.3cm Pen pot...
Leather, Silk
Archibald Knox for Liberty & Co Pewter Inkwell, circa 1903
By Liberty & Co.
Located in Toronto, Ontario
Archibald Knox for Liberty & Co pewter inkwell, circa 1903. Tapered circular form, whiplash interlaces design, original clear glass liner. S...
Pewter
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.