Liberty of London Furniture
The Liberty of London department store, located in the fashionable west end of London in the United Kingdom, has been selling luxury items since 1875. From leather footstools in the shape of a hippo to elegantly hand-carved Moroccan coffee tables, there’s something to please every discerning collector. And while it became a reputable retailer over time, the original Liberty & Co. was a pivotal force in the development of the Aesthetic, Art Nouveau and the Arts and Crafts movements. As the champion of eclectic design throughout the centuries, Liberty continues to collaborate with designers to produce covetable interior fashion and accessories.
Arthur Liberty was born in 1843 in Buckinghamshire, England. His father, a draper, encouraged him to apprentice as a draper at age 16. Instead, he took an offer to work at Farmer and Rogers, a women’s fashion store. After ten years, he decided to strike out on his own. In 1875 he borrowed money from his father-in-law and leased a small store on the very prominent Regent Street, naming it the East India House.
Liberty’s store was very eclectic. It served as an emporium for Eastern imports, with a wildly varied collection of ornaments, fabrics and objects d’art — including imported antiques — on offer. In London, there was already a demand for and an interest in imported goods from India and elsewhere, so his business concept was an immediate success. He repaid his loan in less than two years and continually expanded by buying up all the buildings on his side of the street. His company was so successful that even the original Victoria and Albert Museum purchased Eastern textiles for its collection from his store.
By 1890, the firm came to be known as Liberty & Company. Liberty died in 1917, but the business continued to thrive. In 1924, the current iteration — and now world-famous — of the store was constructed. It was built in the Tudor Revival style and the structure's frame was made of wood salvaged from two British warships. In the 1950s and '60s, the store, now known as Liberty’s, helped spark the counterculture youth movements of the era as beatniks and hippies purchased fabrics and furnishings from this iconic store.
On 1stDibs, find antique Liberty of London tables, decorative objects, seating and more.
Early 1900s Chinese Edwardian Antique Liberty of London Furniture
Hardwood
Early 20th Century Chinese Ming Liberty of London Furniture
Bamboo, Wood
Late 19th Century Chinese Qing Antique Liberty of London Furniture
Hardwood, Elm
20th Century Chinese Qing Liberty of London Furniture
Wood, Lacquer
20th Century Chinese Qing Liberty of London Furniture
Rosewood
19th Century Chinese Qing Antique Liberty of London Furniture
Elm
Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Liberty of London Furniture
Elm
19th Century Chinese Ming Antique Liberty of London Furniture
Wood
Early 1900s Chinese Qing Antique Liberty of London Furniture
Rosewood
Early 20th Century Chinese Ming Liberty of London Furniture
Elm, Rattan
19th Century Chinese Qing Antique Liberty of London Furniture
Rosewood
19th Century Chinese Qing Antique Liberty of London Furniture
Wood
19th Century Chinese Qing Antique Liberty of London Furniture
Wood
Early 1900s Japanese Edwardian Antique Liberty of London Furniture
Hardwood
Liberty Of London furniture for sale on 1stDibs.
- What is a Liberty print?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertFebruary 27, 2024A Liberty print is a pattern featured on fabrics made by the British company Liberty Fabrics. More than 45,000 of these prints have been unveiled since the founding of the brand in 1875. The company was initially called Liberty & Co. before the world came to know it as Liberty of London. Although they vary, Liberty prints typically share some similar characteristics, such as featuring natural motifs like flowers and leaves, flowing curved lines and patterning all over. Find a collection of vintage Liberty fabrics and furniture on 1stDibs.
- Where is Liberty fabric made?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2024Liberty fabrics are made near Lake Como, Italy. Every Liberty fabric begins with a pattern hand-drawn by in-house designers located in London. A team of skilled technicians oversees the production of the fabric, and Liberty Fabrics unveils around 150 new materials each year. On 1stDibs, shop an assortment of Liberty of London pieces.
- 1stDibs ExpertMarch 15, 2024To identify Liberty furniture, check discreet areas for a maker's mark. Most Liberty pieces feature a diamond-shaped tag made of ivorine or enameled brass that bears the Liberty name. Early pieces may feature a red or white paper label, while furnishings from select lines may feature an oval-shaped brass tag with the model and maker names. If you need help determining if a particular piece is a Liberty, a certified appraiser or knowledgeable antiques dealer can assist you. On 1stDibs, explore a variety of Liberty furniture.
- What is a London blue topaz?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertFebruary 22, 2021London blue topaz is actually not from London. London refers to a specific shade of blue that London blue topaz bears. It's lighter than aquamarine but darker than a rich sapphire stone.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Peter Max's connection to the Statue of Liberty is that he created multiple paintings of the famous landmark. He made the first one for America's Bicentennial on July 4, 1976. You can shop a range of Peter Max art on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022The font used on London street signs is usually Univers Bold Condensed. However, local councils have the freedom to choose their own fonts, so you may see variations from the usual typeface in some places. You'll find a large collection of typographic art on 1stDibs.