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Liberty & Co.

British

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.

Art Nouveau, Liberty & Co., Tudric Hammered Antique Pewter Tazza c1910
By Liberty & Co.
Located in Rothley, Leicestershire
Splendid Art Nouveau antique pewter tazza for Liberty & Co., Regent Street, London Tall, impressive table centrepiece with hand hammered and stylised decoration Circa 1910 Signed 'Tu...
Category

1910s English Art Nouveau Vintage Liberty & Co.

Materials

Pewter

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 1885.  
Category

1870s English Aesthetic Movement Antique Liberty & Co.

Materials

Walnut

Rare Liberty & Co. Circa 1900s Long-Form Thebes Stool.
By Liberty & Co.
Located in Chicago, IL
Extremely rare long form Thebes bench marketed by Liberty and Company, England Circa 1910. Constructed of beech wood and finely woven cane. There are many of these “types” of benches...
Category

Early 20th Century British Egyptian Revival Liberty & Co.

Materials

Cane, Beech

Art Nouveau Footed Tray Made By Liberty & Co., English Hammered Antique Pewter
By Liberty & Co.
Located in Rothley, Leicestershire
Art Nouveau antique pewter footed tray made by Liberty & Co., Regent Street, London Historic household piece of English pewter with hand hammered stylised decoration Circa 1910 Signe...
Category

1910s English Art Nouveau Vintage Liberty & Co.

Materials

Pewter

Archibald Knox. Liberty & Co. A rare & original pair of terracotta Olaf planters
By Mary Seton Watts, Archibald Knox, Liberty & Co.
Located in London, GB
Archibald Knox. Made by Mary Seton Watts for Liberty and Co. A rare and completely original pair of Arts and Crafts terracotta 'Olaf' planters with impressed Liberty makers marks and probably the best examples of Olaf pots I have ever come across. This was one of the first plant pot designs by Knox, a Celtic knot design inspired from ancient Celtic crosses where he grew up on the Isle of Man. The pots were made by Mary Seton Watts of Compton Potteries who was married to the famous painter G F Watts...
Category

Early 1900s British Arts and Crafts Antique Liberty & Co.

Materials

Terracotta

Archibald Knox for Liberty & Co large Fruit Bowl C.1905
By Liberty & Co.
Located in Toronto, Ontario
Archibald Knox for Liberty & Co large Fruit Bowl C.1905. Typical Knox honesty celtic sinuous decoration, fin handles. Tudric and model number 0318 stamped to base. Measures: 32.50 cm...
Category

Early 1900s English Arts and Crafts Antique Liberty & Co.

Materials

Pewter

Liberty &Co 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 1885  
Category

1880s English Aesthetic Movement Antique Liberty & Co.

Materials

Walnut

Liberty & Co Aesthetic Movement Ebonized Corner Chair Style of Ford Maddox Brown
By Ford Madox Brown 1, Liberty & Co.
Located in London, GB
Liberty and Co. Regent St. London. An Aesthetic Movement ebonized corner armchair from the Argyll suite designed in 1884, after a Sussex chair design by Ford Maddox Brown...
Category

1880s English Aesthetic Movement Antique Liberty & Co.

Materials

Beech

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Liberty & Co. furniture for sale on 1stDibs.

Liberty & Co. furniture are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of sterling silver and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Liberty & Co. furniture, although silver editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original furniture by Liberty & Co. were created in the Arts and Crafts style in united kingdom during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider furniture by Shapland & Petter, Mackay Hugh Baillie Scott, and William Birch. Prices for Liberty & Co. furniture can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $465 and can go as high as $1,202, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $964.
Questions About Liberty & Co.
  • 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 27, 2024
    A 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.
  • 1stDibs ExpertMarch 15, 2024
    To 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.
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    Peter 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, 2022
    The legendary American luxury house Tiffany & Co. is currently owned by Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton (LVMH), which completed the acquisition of the company in January, 2021. The firm started out modestly — Charles Lewis Tiffany and John B. Young founded it in Connecticut as a “stationery and fancy goods emporium” in 1837, at a time when European imports still dominated the nascent American luxury market. Upon Charles’ death in 1902, his son Louis Comfort Tiffany took over artistic direction for the brand. On 1stDibs, find authentic Tiffany & Co. pieces from some of the world's top sellers.
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    Yes, any gold jewelry used by Tiffany & Co. is real gold. Tiffany & Co. is a luxury jewelry brand and prides itself on high-quality materials and craftsmanship. Tiffany & Co. pieces are offered in gold, rose gold, platinum and sterling silver. Shop a selection of Tiffany & Co. pieces from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    Tiffany & Co. only uses sterling silver to create their silver jewelry designs. With proper care, the sterling silver of your gorgeous piece will last from generation to generation. You can shop a collection of Tiffany & Co. jewelry from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    No, Tiffany & Co. do not sell their famous blue boxes separately. You do, however, receive a blue box with the purchase of jewelry and goods from Tiffany & Co. Shop a collection of TIffany & Co. jewelry from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertAugust 17, 2021
    A Tiffany & Co. engagement ring can cost as little as $13,000 or as much as $500,000 depending on the center stone’s carat weight, the band material and whether or not there are any side stones. The smaller the stone, the cheaper the ring will be. Find engagement rings designed by Tiffany & Co. on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    Yes, Tiffany & Co. does indeed still make china. A quick glance on their website reveals chic dinnerware sets crafted in bone china in classic designs and patterns. On 1stDibs, find a collection of authentic Tiffany & Co. pieces from some of the world’s top sellers.
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    Yes, Tiffany & Co. uses real pearls in their jewelry. Tiffany & Co. uses a variety of authentic pearl types, including Japanese Akoya, Tahitian, Chinese Freshwater and South Sea pearls. Shop a wide range of pearl jewelry from Tiffany & Co. on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    Yes and no. Tiffany Lamps are still available, but they’re recreations of old designs and not new models. Tiffany & Co. split off from the lamps division a long time ago with Tiffany Studios taking on the lamp design and products. Tiffany Studios closed in 1930 and there are no new designs. Today you can still purchase new Tiffany Lamps based on the old designs. On 1stDibs, find a collection of authentic Tiffany Lamp pieces from some of the world’s top sellers.
  • 1stDibs ExpertJune 30, 2023
    To tell if a Tiffany & Co. bracelet is real, first check the overall quality of the piece. Tiffany is revered all over the world, and the storied American luxury house is known for its immaculate craftsmanship and use of high-quality materials. If the accessory is 18k gold, it will be stamped with the number “750.” If it’s sterling silver, it’ll have a “925” stamp, and if it’s platinum, it will feature a “950” stamp. If the bracelet is set with any gemstones, they should be of high clarity and brilliance and evenly set. Diamonds that are selected for use in authentic Tiffany jewelry uphold GIA grading standards. Experts recommend that you work with an appraiser or jewelry industry professional on matters such as determining the authenticity of a given piece. On 1stDibs, find a collection of Tiffany & Co. bracelets from some of the world’s best sellers.
  • 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 1, 2024
    No, Tiffany & Co. does not usually do Black Friday specials. The luxury jewelry house typically doesn't run sales. However, occasionally, it may have special offers available in its boutiques or online. Since these events do not take place on a regular basis, many people choose to shop for Tiffany & Co. pieces from other sources, such as trusted online platforms like 1stDibs. Explore a wide range of Tiffany & Co. jewelry from some of the world's top dealers on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 1, 2024
    No, Tiffany & Co. jewelry does not typically go on sale. Occasionally, the acclaimed jewelry house will run in-boutique or online specials to coincide with holidays like Christmas or Valentine's Day, but these sorts of sales do not run regularly. You can find Tiffany & Co. jewelry on trusted online platforms, including 1stDibs. Shop a diverse assortment of Tiffany & Co. pieces on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    The “1837” stamp on Tiffany & Co. jewelry pieces is the year Charles Lewis Tiffany founded the brand in Brooklyn, Connecticut. Tiffany & Co. continues to be a popular luxury jewelry brand, even trademarking their signature blue as “Tiffany Blue” in 1998. In 2001 they partnered with Pantone to rename and standardized the color as “1837 Blue.” Shop a collection of Tiffany & Co. jewelry on 1stDibs.

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