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.
H 50.79 in W 47.25 in D 19.3 in
Huge 51 Inch Tall Liberty of London Leather Elephant
By Liberty of London
Located in Hastings, GB
A stunning leather elephant, attributed to Liberty of London, this incredible item was the largest leather elephant that Liberty made standing over 4 feet 2 inches tall and almost 4 ...
Leather, Glass
H 27.17 in W 27.56 in D 7.49 in
Leather Horse Sculpture 27" Attributed to Liberty of London, 1930s
By Liberty of London
Located in COLMAR, FR
A rare and striking medium-size leather horse sculpture, dating to the 1930s and sourced in France, this finely modeled piece stands 27 inches tall and is covered in genuine leather ...
Leather
H 18.9 in W 39.77 in D 11.82 in
20th Century Liberty Of London Style Leather Tiger
By Liberty of London
Located in Hastings, GB
A large scale liberty style leather tiger, mid 20th century, modeled in a prowling pose, with teeth bared and long trailing tail. Height approx: 48 cm x Length approx: 101 cm x Wi...
Leather
H 12.6 in W 25.79 in D 9.85 in
COLLECTABLE LIBERTY's LONDON OMERSA BROWN LEATHER HIPPOPOTAMUS FOOTSTOOL HIPPO
By Liberty of London
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this absolutely sublime very rare and original, 1930’s Liberty’s London Omersa brown leather hand dyed Hipp...
Leather
H 7.29 in W 12.41 in D 5.12 in
SMALL INFANT LIBERTY's LONDON OMERSA BROWN LEATHER HIPPOPOTAMUS FOOTSTOOL
By Liberty of London
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this absolutely sublime very rare and original, small sized 1930’s Liberty’s London Omersa brown leather han...
Leather
H 7.09 in W 16.93 in D 3.94 in
Mid Century Leather Panther Statue Liberty of London 43cm
By Liberty of London
Located in Poperinge, BE
Beautiful and rare mid century panther statue made of papier maché, filled with straw and covered with black leather, yellow glass eyes and white plasti...
Leather
H 6.89 in W 5.12 in D 12.6 in
Small Infant Liberty's London Omersa Brown Leather Hippopotamus Footstool
By Dimitri Omersa, Liberty of London
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this absolutely sublime very rare and original 1930’s Liberty’s London Omersa brown leather land dyed infant Hippo stool or footstool with original glass eyes. These come in varying sizes, this is the small sized infant, I have the matching medium sized male and female listed under my other items, I also have the extra large bench...
Leather
H 7.09 in W 16.15 in D 5.12 in
Mid Century Leather Rhino Statue Liberty of London 41cm
By Liberty of London
Located in Poperinge, BE
Beautiful and rare mid century rhino statue made of papier maché, filled with straw and covered with brown leather, glass eyes, completely in the style of Liberty of London, circa 19...
Leather
H 2 in W 12.3 in D 14.5 in
A collection of 10 fabric printing blocks Liberty of London
By Liberty of London
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
A collection of 10 fabric printing blocks liberty of london circa 1900. We are pleased to offer this set of 10 hand carved printing blocks, attr...
Brass, Steel
H 51.19 in W 44.89 in D 17.33 in
Stunning Pair of Tall Leather Elephants Probably Retailed by Liberty & Co London
By Liberty & Co.
Located in Petworth,West Sussex, GB
A stunning pair of large (130cm H) 20th century leather elephant sculptures in lovely worn condition. Very sought after item. 1970s. Probably retailed by Liberty & Co of London. Superb quality! The dimensions are: height: 130cm (51.2in) width: 114cm (44.9in) depth: 44cm (17.3in) This pair of leather sculpture elephants probably retailed by Liberty & co are in good antique condition throughout with some signs of age and remain in good, clean condition. Overall, a good example. Great quality! Our workshops inspects, repairs, and restores all our items, so you can have full confidence that what you buy from us is ready for your home! I'm Anthony from Anthony Short...
Leather
Antique Cast Bronze Elephant Hunt Scene with Lion Antonio Amorgasti Belgium 1925
By Antonio Amorgasti 1
Located in Portland, OR
A large antique Animalier bronze sculpture group: lion hunting with elephants by Antonio Amorgasti 1880-1942, Belgium, titled "Mahout", circa 1925. The term "Mahout" is a Hindu word...
Marble, Bronze
Antique Sterling Silver Wine Baby Porringer Engraved "Ann" Ellmore Co. 1930
By Ellmore Silver Co.
Located in Portland, OR
A good antique American sterling silver wine or baby porringer by Ellmore Silver Co., New York, circa 1930, engraved with the name "Ann". The porringer of circular form and in the co...
Sterling Silver
Antique 19thC Pair of Staffordshire Whippets Greyhounds Hunting Dog Figures 1860
Located in Portland, OR
An attractive and large pair of antique 19th century Staffordshire pottery whippets or greyhounds, circa 1860. This very attractive pair of Staffordshire dogs are most likely representing dogs from the ancient hunting technique of "coursing", where dogs would be used to chase and catch hares or rabbits. This pair of figures depict such dogs: one with a hare in its mouth the other with a captured hare to the ground, each dog stands on a naturalistic base above a cobalt blue plinth with a single band of gilding. Condition of both figures is excellent, this very handsome pair of antique Staffordshire dogs...
Pottery
Antique Art Deco Bronze Nude Female Statue Sculpture Lamp Demetre Chiparus 1925
By Demetre Chiparus
Located in Portland, OR
A very rare original Art Deco bronze statue lamp modeled as a beautiful nude dancer, by Demetre Haralamb Chiparus (1886-1947), circa 1925. The bronze is raised on a black & white var...
Marble, Bronze
Antique French Animalier Bronze Marble Greyhound Sculpture Desk Paperweight 1900
By Emmanuel Fremiet
Located in Portland, OR
A very handsome antique French Animalier bronze greyhound sculpture, paperweight, circa 1900. The bronze in the style of Emmanuel Fremiet, mad...
Marble, Bronze
Antique Catholic German Renaissance Carving Bust Stephan Rottaler Landshut 1500
Located in Portland, OR
An exceptionally rare antique German Renaissance carving by Stephan Rottaler (1581-1533), Bavaria circa 1500. The carving is by Stephan Rottaler, Landshut, Germany, an architect who ...
Gesso, Wood
