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. Tea Service
By Liberty & Co.
Located in Bronx, NY
This vintage early 20th century tea service with serving tray is designed & produced by “Liberty & Co.”. The high polished pewter pieces are decorated with...
Silver, Pewter
Liberty & Co. Arts & Crafts Period Antique Sterling Silver Teapot - 1914
By Liberty & Co.
Located in London, London
Hallmarked in Birmingham in 1914 by Liberty & Co. this beautiful, Sterling Silver Arts & Crafts Teapot features a hand hammered finish, panelled sections, a dash border and A...
Sterling Silver
$950 / set
English Pewter by Liberty & Co Tudric
By Liberty & Co., Tudric
Located in Chicago, IL
English Pewter pieces (Pair) by Liberty & Co Tudric missing the Rattan/Cane around Handles. Additional photos available upon request
Pewter
Liberty and Co. An Arts and Crafts six piece pewter tudric tea set
By Liberty & Co.
Located in London, GB
Liberty and Co. An Arts and Crafts six piece pewter tudric tea set, consisting of a teapot, water jug, milk, sugar and a tea strainer with base. Stamped to the base, '6, Tudric, Engl...
Pewter
$2,950Sale Price / set|39% Off
Archibald Knox Liberty Tudric Pewter Tea Set and Tray, circa 1905
By Liberty & Co.
Located in Toronto, Ontario
Archibald Knox Liberty Tudric Pewter tea set and tray, circa 1905.Teapot, cream jug, sugar and tray, each with relief whiplash curved Celtic ornament in...
Pewter
Liberty and Co. An Arts and Crafts three piece tea set with floral decoration
By Liberty & Co.
Located in London, GB
Liberty and Co. All three pieces stamped Tudric 025. An Arts and Crafts three piece tea set with floral decoration. Original unpolished condition. Teapot has slight ripple to the bas...
Pewter
Antique Victorian Sterling Silver Miniature Teapot
By Yapp & Woodward
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An exceptional, fine and impressive, miniature antique Victorian English sterling silver teapot in the Chinoiserie style; an addition to our silver teaware collection This exceptional and rare antique Victorian sterling silver miniature teapot...
Sterling Silver
Limoges Tea Set, Service for 6, Plus 1
Located in Vista, CA
Limoges tea set, service for 6, plus 1. Gold Farmhouse collection, France, perfect condition, 7 cups and saucers, coffee/tea pot, creamer and sugar.
Porcelain
Paris Porcelain Tea Service, circa 1860
Located in New York, NY
Comprising 2 pots, creamer (handle restored), covered sugar (finial restored), and 8 cups and saucers.
Porcelain
Nouveau / Arts and Crafts Copper Coffee Set
Located in Bloomfield Hills, MI
fleurdetroit presents for your consideration a wondeeful tea service from the Arts and Crafts period. Dazzle guests with a one of a kind find like this early 20th century coffee/tea ...
Copper
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
$4,509
H 1.26 in W 4.33 in D 1.96 in
Silver Gilded Diamonds Whistle Russian Empire Moscow Lebedkin, circa 1905
Located in Vienna, AT
Whistle made of gilded silver The decoration consists of diamonds covering an anchor. Additionally there is a small handle shaped as a steering wheel. Original casket existing! ...
Sterling Silver
Archibald Nightstand (Single)
Located in Los Angeles, CA
These are the nightstand version of our Archibald case series. Crafted from 100% solid hardwoods ranging from Black or Claro Walnut, White Oak, Cherry, or Maple. Finished in a high q...
Leather, Wood, Ash, Maple, Oak, Walnut
13-Piece Vintage Japanese Tea Set
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage sumatsu serving set hand painted with maple leaves and birds / Made in Japan circa 1960s 1 tea pot, width 7 inches, height 4 inches, depth 6 inches 4 plates, diameter 6.75 in...
Porcelain
$6,500 / set
H 1.5 in W 23.75 in D 16 in
Tiffany & Co. Antique Victorian Silver Plate Coffee or Tea Service Set
By Tiffany & Co.
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous antique Victorian silverplate tea or coffee service set, including: tea pots, sugar, creamer, and large service tray. By Tiffany & Co. USA, Late 19th Century Measuremen...
Silver Plate
$899 / set
H 11.5 in W 6 in D 9.5 in
Antique Aesthetic Movement 7 Piece Silver Plated Tea Set with Floral Decoration
By Meriden Silver Plate Co.
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This antique silver plated tea set was made by the Meridian Company of the United States in approximately 1890 in the period Aesthetic Mo...
Silver Plate
$4,995 / set
H 2.63 in W 30 in D 17.75 in
Tiffany & Co. Antique Repousse Silver Plate Coffee or Tea Service Set
By Tiffany & Co.
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous antique silverplate tea or coffee service set, including: tea pot, sugar, creamer, bowl, and large service tray. By Tiffany & Co. Tray is associated and is marked "Ascot Sheffield Design...
Silver Plate
$6,589
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
Sold
H 10.24 in W 19.3 in D 13.78 in
Arts & Crafts Tea Service by ARCHIBALD KNOX Liberty & Co. Tudric pewter, 1905
By Liberty & Co., Archibald Knox
Located in Bingen am Rhein, RP
Tea Service by ARCHIBALD KNOX Liberty & Co. Tudric pewter, 1905 Four piece Arts & Crafts Tudric pewter tea service designed by Archibald Knox for L...
Tin, Pewter
Antique Sterling Silver Enamelled Teapot by Liberty & Co. 1909
By Liberty & Co.
Located in London, London
Hallmarked in Birmingham in 1909 by Liberty & Co. This exquisite Edwardian, antique, sterling silver teapot is in the Arts & Crafts style. It has been embellished with two bands of enamel and an enameled finial in the Classic liberty blue...
Sterling Silver
Antique Liberty & Co Sterling Silver Four-Piece Tea or Coffee Service, 1930
By Liberty & Co.
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An exceptional, fine antique George V English sterling silver four-piece tea and coffee service / set made by Liberty & Co in the Art Nouveau style; part of our silver teaware collection. This exceptional antique George V sterling silver tea and coffee service consists of a coffee jug, a teapot, a cream jug and a sugar bowl. The pieces of this antique service have a globular form onto a circular spreading foot. Each piece of this fine tea and coffee service has a planished finish. The pieces of this antique tea service are ornamented with bands of chased undulating, scalloped decoration in the Art Nouveau manner. The teapot and coffee jug are fitted with hallmarked sterling silver subtly domed hinged covers. The covers retain the original hexagonal painted wood and fluted silver topped finials. The teapot and coffee jug are fitted with painted wood C-shaped handles with plain scrolling thumbpieces. The coffee jug is fitted with a truncated spout and the teapot has a swan necked spout. This exceptional service was crafted by the renowned and collectable silversmiths Liberty & Co Ltd. Dimensions: Teapot Length from back of handle to tip of spout 25.7cm/10.1" Diameter of body 13.5cm/5.3" Height to top of finial 14.7cm/6.2" Coffee Pot Length from back of handle to tip of spout 16.5cm/6.5" Diameter of body 10cm/3.9" Height to top of finial 17.8cm/7" Cream Jug Length from back of handle to lip 10.6cm/4.2" Diameter of body 8.5cm/3.3" Height to top of rim 8.7cm/3.4" Sugar Bowl Length across handles 12.2cm/4.8" Diameter of body 8.7cm/3.4" Height to top of rim 7.4cm/2.8" Total Weight 40 troy ounces/ 1244g Condition: This antique tea and coffee service...
Silver, Sterling Silver
Archibald Knox by Liberty & Co Pewter Tea Set
By Archibald Knox, Liberty & Co.
Located in Brescia, IT
Archibald Knox Liberty & Co England, 1900-1920 Pewter and original wicker handle Excellent condition Measures: Coffeepot H 23 cm Milk jug 7 cm Sugar bowl h 7 cm Tray 49 x...
Pewter
Liberty and Co. a Sterling Silver Square Tea Caddy, Birmingham, 1919
By Liberty & Co.
Located in London, GB
Liberty and Co. a silver square tea caddy, with trellis decoration to the main body, and a push-on cover with a presentation engraving to it dated 1923 but the Assay mark is for Birm...
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.