LIBERTY & CO.: HISTORY & VALUATIONS

A History of Liberty & Co. 

Arthur Lasenby Liberty originally started out selling ornaments and miscellaneous objects from the Far East in a shop in Regent Street in London. The shop was called Liberty & Co. The objects that were sold in the shop – metalwork and teaspoons – were from a mixture of different popular styles. The importation of these goods meant that they required a trademark for sale, which was procured in 1894. By this point, Liberty & Co. was taking up multiple premises on Regent Street, and Arthur Lasenby Liberty was quickly building relationships with British artists affiliated with the Art Nouveau movement. As such, the company quickly became key to the movement’s progress. 

Liberty & Co. was one of the most prestigious shops in London, selling ornaments, furniture, and bespoke silks and satins notable for their bright colours and designs. The products at the shop were eclectic and oriental, earning the shop the nickname “East India House”. 

Cymric was a range of silverware produced by Liberty & Co., an idea seemingly thought up by Director and Head of the Silk Department, John Llewellyn. Maker’s marks were registered in London and Birmingham in 1899. The range was produced in partnership with Birmingham silversmith W.H. Haseler. 

The range was influenced by the Art Nouveau style that Arthur Lasenby Liberty was so supportive of. The silverware was designed specifically as an Art Nouveau interpretation of Celtic style. The pieces were presented as high-quality and original. 

The Silver Studio was commissioned to provide the designs that were shown in the exhibition that launched the range. This exhibition was held in Regent Street in May 1899. The Silver Studio was well established at the time, providing material for many manufacturers. Some of the artists that were involved in the production include Rex Silver, Harry Napper, John Illingworth Kay, and principal designer Archibald Knox. 

Knox was relatively unknown at the time. However, despite his name not appearing on any of his pieces, the Cymric range made his name a recognisable one. This was due to the originality of his designs. His Celtic Revival style soon became synonymous with Liberty & Co., and today Archibald Knox is recognised as being one of the most influential designers in the industry at the time. 

In October 1899, Liberty & Co. held another exhibition showing pieces of silver designed by artists such as Oliver Barker, Bernard Cuzner, and Albert Edward Jones, all based in Birmingham. Oliver Barker’s work was shown to John Llewellyn in the late 1890s, with Llewellyn subsequently deciding that this designer’s work must be in the collection. 

In the 1900s catalogue, there are plenty of examples of Arts and Crafts influences on the silverware. These include hand-hammered finishes, and semi-precious stones simply set in silver. Designs by Oliver Baker often included rustic strapwork. Bernard Cuzner’s work was simply but beautifully finished with trees and natural patterns. 

The pieces included things such as cigarette boxes, trinkets, spoons, and belt buckles. The designs by Silver Studio are believed to have been handmade in Soho, London. As demand increased, as well as price, production became part-machine, part-hand, with every piece being hand-hammered for finish. 

From 1901 onwards, all Liberty Cymric designs were made in Birmingham by William Hair Haseler. All items after this date carry the Birmingham maker’s mark. 

Arthur Lasenby Liberty was focused on promoting his brand rather than the individual designers of the silverware. Company policy dictated that all goods had to be marked with “Designed by Liberty & Co.” rather than the name of the designer. These names were only required when the work was displayed by publications. 

This has caused some headaches for collectors of Liberty & Co. silver, who are desperate to know who designed particular pieces. 

Liberty & Co, silver is highly valued and collectable. The designs are considered to reflect the height of British Art Nouveau and Arts and Crafts, immortalising the influence of both of these movements on British design.