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.
Liberty & Co. Ltd Antique Art Deco Sterling Silver and Enamel Coffee Spoons
By Liberty & Co.
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An exceptional, fine and impressive set of six antique George VI English sterling silver and enamel coffee spoons made by Liberty & Co. Ltd in the...
Sterling Silver, Enamel
Liberty & Co Stamped Made in England Tudric Arts & Crafts pewter Christening mug
By Liberty & Co.
Located in London, GB
Liberty and Co. Stamped Made in England Tudric 0358. An Arts and Crafts pewter Christening mug with swirl decoration and stylized pierced handle.
Pewter
Sterling Silver and Enamel Napkin Rings by Liberty & Co Ltd
By Liberty & Co.
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An exceptional, fine and impressive pair of antique George V English sterling silver and enamel Arts and Crafts style napkin rings made by Liberty & Co Ltd; part of our dining silver...
Sterling Silver, Enamel
Antique Arts & Crafts Style Sterling Silver Pepper Shaker by Liberty & Co. Ltd
By Liberty & Co.
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An exceptional, fine and impressive antique George V English sterling silver pepper Shaker made by Liberty & Co Ltd in the Arts & Crafts style; an addition to our silver cruets or condiments collection. This exceptional antique George V sterling silver pepper Shaker has a tapering, rounded cylindrical shaped form with a swept domed foot. The body of this exceptional pepper is encircled with two applied bands of tiered leaf designs embellished with impressive two-toned enamel, all in the iconic Arts & Crafts style. The pepper is fitted with the original hallmarked screw fit cover with pierced 'pepper' holes to the domed portion. This exceptional example of antique silverware was crafted by the renowned silversmith Liberty & Co Ltd. Condition This antique pepper is an exceptional gauge of silver, exceptional quality and in excellent condition. The enamel is in prefect condition. Full hallmarks struck to the underside of the body are all very clear. The part hallmarks to the surface of the cover have wear in keeping with age and location, but remain legible Dimensions Diameter of rim 2.8cm/1.1" Diameter of foot 4.6cm/1.8" Height 9.3cm/3.7" Weight 2 troy ounces or 63.5g Maker: Liberty & Co Ltd Date: 1910 Origin: Birmingham, England Video: A video of this fine piece is available upon request. Reflections in photographs may detract from the true representation of this antique silver pepper...
Silver, Sterling Silver
$395 / set
H 1.19 in Dm 1.54 in
Pair of Japanese Bamboo Pattern 950 Sterling Silver Reticulated Napkin Rings
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine pair of Bamboo napkin rings. In 950 sterling silver. Likely produced in post-war Japan. With an openwork pattern of bamboo stalks and leaves around the circumference. Mar...
Sterling Silver
Polished Tudric Pewter Butter Dish For Liberty & Co c1900
By Tudric
Located in Tunbridge Wells, GB
Heading : A polished pewter butter dish for Liberty Date : c1900 Origin : England Bowl Features : Arts and Crafts. Polished pewter with arched feet and celtic weave panels. Original ...
Glass
$749
H 3.55 in W 3.94 in D 3.15 in
Ornate William IV Sterling Silver Christening Mug by Edward Barnard made in 1836
By Edward Barnard & Sons
Located in London, London
Hallmarked in London in 1836 by Edward Barnard & Sons this elaborate William IV sterling silver christening mug has a flared rim and is decorated with applied cast and chased flo...
Sterling Silver
$804Sale Price|51% Off
H 0.08 in W 0.99 in D 5.12 in
Exclusive Tea COFFEE SPOONS, 7 pcs. Sterling Silver & Box TEASPOONS & TONGS.
Located in Wembley, GB
A Rare case set of 7 antique valuable sterling silver Spoons. An elegant Vintage Sterling Silver Tea / Coffee Spoon Set. Cased set of 1915 6 x silver trefid teaspoons & tongs by Cooper Brothers & Sons Ltd - 84g. Length 13 cm. Weight 84 grams...
Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Silver
$556Sale Price|57% Off
H 7.49 in W 1.19 in D 1.58 in
Silver Serving Spoon Antique Pair of Decorative Sterling Silver Gilded Spoon
Located in Wembley, GB
Pair of Antique Sterling Silver Serving Spoons Gilded & Ornate Handles A distinguished pair of antique sterling silver serving spoons, exquisitely crafted and richly detailed in the ...
Gold Plate, Silver, Sterling Silver
$3,560 / set
H 0.38 in W 0.88 in D 4.13 in
Christofle Art Nouveau Silver Spoons, French Sterling Silver Spoons Set of 12
Located in Miami, FL
A very fine quality set of 12 antique sterling silver tea, coffee or dessert spoons attributed to Christofle, circa 1890-1930. Stunning design and craftsmanship. The handles have sophisticated Art Nouveau Pattern different decor, flowers, vine leaves, bunch of grapes, foliage, decor dahlias. The mark “925” on the bowl confirms that it’s sterling silver (.925 purity). The handle shows ornate floral and foliate engraving, typical of early 20th-century American or European silver flatware. The pattern style — squared edges with raised floral decoration — closely resembles Art Nouveau to early Art Deco transitional designs (roughly 1890s–1930s). The spoon shape (slightly deep oval bowl, short handle relative to bowl size) suggests a bouillon or cream soup spoon, not a teaspoon. Presented in its original box by Prestigious silversmith: A La Gerbe...
Sterling Silver
$425 / set
H 2.25 in Dm 1 in
Pair of Lebolt Sterling Silver Hammered Salt & Pepper Shakers Arts &Crafts Style
By Lebolt & Co.
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Lebolt & Co. sterling silver salt and pepper shakers in Arts & Crafts style, beautifully handmade and hand-hammered, from the early 20th century. They measure 2 1/4'' in heig...
Silver, Sterling Silver
English Victorian Silver Plate Napkin Ring
Located in Queens, NY
English Victorian silver plate napkin ring with kangaroo figure
Antique Sterling Silver Sugar Shaker
By Cornelius Desormeaux Saunders and James Francis Hollings Shepherd
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
Large Sterling silver sugar caster, beautiful model with beautiful decorations in Regency style. The spreader has hallmarks of the city of Chester, dated 1905. The maker's mark is al...
Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver Art Nouveau Salt Shakers
By J.F. Fradley & Co.
Located in Brooklyn, NY
These lovely sterling silver Art Nouveau salt shakers were made by J.F. Fradley & Company in the early 20th century. They are quintessential Art Nouveau with their floral motif wrapp...
Sterling Silver
$550 / set
H 2.5 in Dm 1.5 in
Lebolt Pair of Sterling Silver Hammered Salt & Pepper Shakers Arts &Crafts Style
By Lebolt & Co.
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Lebolt & Co. sterling silver salt and pepper shakers in Arts & Crafts style, beautifully handmade and hand-hammered, adorned with elegant, geometric motifs, from the ...
Silver, Sterling Silver
$412Sale Price|33% Off
H 4.73 in W 0.79 in D 0.2 in
Exclusive Silver Tea COFFEE SPOONS, 6 pcs. Sterling Silver & Box, Antique Spoons
Located in Wembley, GB
A scarce cased set of 6 antique valuable silver spoons. An elegant Vintage Silver Tea / Coffee Spoon Set. England 1850s. Length 12.5 cm. Weight 175.5 grams. Condition: Excellent con...
Silver, Silver Plate, Sterling Silver, Silver Leaf
Sold
H 2.96 in W 4.73 in L 2.96 in
Liberty Sterling Silver Toast Rack, Arts & Crafts, Bernard Cuzner 1933
By Liberty & Co.
Located in London, London
Hallmarked in Birmingham in 1933 by Liberty & Co., and designed by Bernard Cuzner, this stylish, Sterling Silver Toast Rack, is in the Arts & Crafts taste, and will hold 6 slices of ...
Sterling Silver
Liberty of London, Set Six Silver & Moss Agate Cake Forks, 1924
By Liberty & Co.
Located in Bath, GB
A magnificent set of six cake / pastry forks, also perfect as cocktail forks. Made from English Sterling silver by the famous Liberty of London, each marked L&Co and each hallmarked ...
Agate, Sterling Silver
Liberty & Co Ltd Art Nouveau Style Sterling Silver and Enamel Christening Set
By Liberty & Co.
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An exceptional, fine and impressive antique Edwardian English sterling silver and enamel christening set in the Art Nouveau style; an addition to our collection of silver christening gifts. This exceptional antique Edwardian sterling silver and enamel christening set consists of a napkin ring and a spoon. The surface of the napkin ring is encompassed with three embossed Art...
Sterling Silver, Enamel
Antique Art Deco Sterling Silver Tea and Coffee Spoons
By Liberty & Co.
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An exceptional, fine and impressive set of six antique George V English sterling silver tea / coffee spoons made by Liberty & Co Ltd, in the Art Deco style - boxed; part of our collectable silverware collection. These exceptional antique George V English sterling silver tea/coffee spoons have a plain rounded bowl. The chamfered stem of each spoon terminates with a tiered fan style design with a matte texture, in the iconic Art Deco style. These Liberty and Co silver...
Sterling Silver
Sold
H 3.55 in W 10.24 in D 9.06 in
Arts & Crafts Large Sterling Silver Condiment Set by Liberty & Co.
By Liberty & Co.
Located in London, London
Hallmarked in Birmingham, in 1939, by Liberty & Co., this fantastic and collectible sterling silver Arts & Crafts condiment set has the typical features of the period, with hand-hamm...
Sterling Silver
Sold
H 2.1 in Dm 3.6 in
Sterling Silver Bon Bon Dish by Liberty, Arts & Crafts Style, Antique Edwardian
By Liberty & Co.
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A fine antique Edwardian English sterling silver bon bon dish made by Liberty in the Arts and Crafts style; part of our silverware collection This fine antique Edwardian sterling ...
Silver, Sterling Silver
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.