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. Style of CFA Voysey. A Pair of Oak Rush Seat Ladderback Armchairs
By Charles Voysey, Liberty & Co.
Located in London, GB
Liberty & Co, in the style of C F A Voysey. A pair of oak rush seat ladderback armchairs with circular caps to the tops and wavy ladders to the back, the arms with subtle outward sha...
Rush, Oak
Liberty and Co, Arts & Crafts Nursing or Bedroom Chair with Inlaid Heart Details
By Liberty & Co.
Located in London, GB
Liberty and Co an Arts & Crafts nursing or bedroom chair with inlaid heart details and newly laid rush seat.
Rush, Oak
$1,560Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 29.93 in W 20.87 in D 25.99 in
1860S French Fireside Chair and Matching Footstool
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
A pretty Napoleon III fireside slipper chair, with deep-buttoned back rest, luxurious yellow velvet upholstery and a plush sprung seat. Dating f...
Wood, Velvet
$1,736 / set
H 42.13 in W 21.66 in D 21.66 in
Pair of English Lancashire Ladderback Oak Armchairs with Original Rush Seats
Located in Kastrup, DK
A fine pair of English Lancashire ladderback armchairs crafted from solid oak and retaining their original hand-woven rush seats. The chairs feature the distinctive high ladderback ...
Rush, Oak
Arts and Crafts Style Mahogany Metamorphic Library Chair
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Handsome solid mahogany metamorphic library chair that converts into a step ladder made in the English Arts and Crafts style. The chair is sturdy and solid with brass hardware and lo...
Brass
$302Sale Price|20% Off
H 37.01 in W 16.15 in D 16.15 in
English Antique Inlaid Mahogany Arts & Crafts Side Chair Bedroom Chair
Located in Leicester, GB
An absolutely stunning Arts & Crafts spindle back chair from the early 1900s. Made in England. The chair has delicate legs and shaped spindles on the decorative backrest. The back of...
Mahogany
Pair of French Scroll Armchairs with Rush Seats
Located in Pembroke, MA
Pair of French scroll armchairs with rush seats, saber legs, slat backs. It appears the backs were originally upholstered. The chairs are quite comfort...
Fruitwood, Rush
1 Rare Antique Dutch Oak Rush Seat Armchair
Located in Boven Leeuwen, NL
Very rare beautiful armchair made of solid oak with a wicker woven seat. You see these chairs normally as corner chairs but very rarely as a "normal" chair. Fit perfectly with the ...
Rush, Oak
Ebonized Arts and Crafts Style Dining Chairs
Located in Sheffield, MA
Set of six vintage mahogany dining chairs including two armchairs and four side chairs. Newly re-upholstered in handsome black and white...
Linen, Mahogany
Pair of Mid Century Maple and Rush Seat Armchairs
By Habersham
Located in Germantown, MD
Pair of Mid Century Maple and Rush Seat Armchairs . Measures 21.5" in width, 21.5" in depth, 39.75" in height. Seat height is 17.5. Arm height is 26". Seat interior width is 18" and ...
Rush, Maple
Pair of Rustic French Oak & Rush Armchairs, 1950s
Located in Aartselaar, BE
This elegant pair of French armchairs exudes quiet sophistication through a perfect balance of rustic simplicity and modern restraint. Crafted from solid oak wood with hand-woven rus...
Wood, Oak
$1,670Sale Price|20% Off
H 41.34 in W 21.66 in D 19.3 in
Antique English Arts & Crafts William Birch Liberty & Co. Elbow Chair
By William Birch
Located in London, GB
Antique English Arts & Crafts William Birch Liberty & Co. Elbow Chair. circa1890 Very good solid condition commensurate of age. Later replaced raffia seat.
Raffia, Beech
$331Sale Price|30% Off
H 35.44 in W 16.15 in D 17.72 in
Exceptional English Inlaid Mahogany Arts & Crafts Side Chair Bedroom Chair
Located in Leicester, GB
Exceptional Arts & Crafts chair from the early 1900s. Made in England. The chair has delicate legs on pad feet, a hand carved backrest and the most beautiful floral inlay. The seat i...
Mahogany
$4,900
H 44.5 in W 20.75 in D 29 in
Victorian Walnut & Needlepoint Nursing Chair, United Kingdom, Mid-19th Century
Located in Chatham, ON
High Victorian walnut framed nursing / occasional chair with original needlepoint tapestry and decorative gimp cord - exceptional bench made hand carved quality frame with warm aged patina - featuring tapestry upholstery with flowers and tobacco leaves - finished with the original brass casters with ceramic wheels - polished finish to the frame - United Kingdom - mid 19th century. Excellent / near mint antique condition - minor loss to the seat tapestry...
Tapestry, Walnut
Sold
H 40.25 in W 18 in D 18.5 in
Four Liberty & Co English Arts & Crafts Oak Chairs with Carved Floral Back Slats
By Liberty & Co.
Located in Big Flats, NY
***Reduced In-House Delivery Rates - Click on “Ask Seller” to Request a Quote*** Four Antique Liberty & Co. English Arts & Crafts Oak Chairs with Carved Stylized Floral Back Slats C1...
Oak
Liberty & Co Oak Barrel Back Chair
By Liberty & Co.
Located in Petworth, GB
Liberty & Co “Stanmore” Arts and Crafts oak barrel back chair, solid seat with original dark oak finish. Shaped slatted feet. Illustrated Liberty & Co Yuletide Gifts Catalogue 1900 ...
Oak
Aesthetic Movement Thebes Corner Chair by Liberty & Co
By Liberty & Co.
Located in Petworth, GB
Aesthetic Movement rare ‘Thebes’ walnut corner chair Red velvet seat By Liberty & Co Circa 1875.
Walnut
Sold
H 28 in W 17 in D 17 in
Liberty & Co. Aesthetic Movement ebonized corner armchair from the Argyll suite
By Liberty & Co., Ford Madox Brown 1
Located in London, GB
Liberty and Co. An Aesthetic Movement ebonized corner armchair from the Argyll suite designed in 1884. The design is after a Sussex corner chair designed by Ford Madox Brown for Morr...
Beech, Rush
Sold
H 34.5 in W 17 in D 16 in
Liberty & Co. A Moorish Walnut Side Chair with Thebes Style Slung Leather Seat
By Liberty & Co.
Located in London, GB
Liberty & Co. A Moorish walnut side or bedroom chair with Mouharabieh turnings to the back and a Thebes style slung leather seat with no less than twenty stretchers uniting the ring ...
Walnut
Sold
H 34 in W 17.5 in D 18.5 in
Liberty & Co. Aesthetic Movement Ebonized Side Chair, Style of Ford Madox Brown
By Liberty & Co., Ford Madox Brown 1
Located in London, GB
Liberty and Co. An aesthetic movement ebonized side chair from the Argyll suite designed in 1884, after a Sussex design by Ford Madox Brown for Morris...
Beech
Sold
H 40.5 in W 18 in D 19 in
Liberty & Co Six Arts & Crafts Oak Dining Chairs with Stylized Floral Carving
By Liberty & Co.
Located in London, GB
Liberty & Co. A set of six Arts & Crafts oak dining chairs with stylized floral carving to the backs. Liberty made an almost identical version of this chair with ebony floral inlays...
Oak
Sold
H 38.59 in W 29.14 in
Stunning Liberty's London Ianthe Upholstered Arts & Crafts Reclining Armchair
By Liberty & Co., Liberty of London
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this lovely original Arts & Crafts Liberty’s London reclining armchair upholstered in Liberty Ianthe upholstery A ...
Upholstery, Oak
Sold
H 33.08 in W 20.87 in D 19.89 in
1 of 2 Small 19th Century Morris & Co Liberty London Lathback Armchair Woven
By Morris & Co., Liberty & Co.
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning 1 of 2 Victorian Morris & Co for Liberty London small armchairs with original woven seat As mentioned I have two of these, the oth...
Wood
Sold
H 49.25 in W 23 in D 22 in
Liberty & Co. Set of 14 Gothic Style Arts & Crafts Oak Dining Chairs & Armchairs
By Liberty & Co.
Located in London, GB
Liberty & Co. A rare set of 14 Arts & Crafts oak dining chairs with a subtle Gothic Revival style about them, consisting of twelve side chairs and two armchairs, all with drop in sea...
Oak
Sold
H 33.47 in W 19.1 in D 19.3 in
19th Century Morris & Co for Liberty London Lathback Armchair Rush Seat
By Liberty & Co., Morris & Co.
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning Victorian Morris & Co for Liberty London ¾ size armchair with original rush seat A good looking and highly collectable piece, the ...
Rush
Sold
H 38.98 in W 25.01 in D 31.11 in
Libertys London Ianthe Upholstery Victorian Walnut Library Reading Armchair Lion
By Liberty & Co.
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning Liberty London Ianthe upholstery Victorian Library reading armchair with Walnut frame A truly magnificent piece, the upholstery i...
Fabric, Walnut
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.