Liberty & Co Overview

Originally a London-based department store, Liberty’s reputation soared in the late 19th and early 20th centuries as it championed progressive design, artisanal craftsmanship, and a bold departure from the ornate clutter of the Victorian era.

The company became synonymous with the Arts and Crafts and Art Nouveau movements, and was instrumental in bringing the work of visionary designers like Archibald Knox to a wider audience. Today, Liberty & Co. pieces are highly collectible and remain some of the most desirable items in early 20th-century decorative arts.

A Platform for Visionary Artists

Liberty & Co. did more than just sell products, it nurtured a design revolution. By offering complete creative freedom to artists and designers, the company helped shape a new aesthetic that celebrated:

• Simplicity and utility

• Organic forms inspired by nature

• Handcrafted beauty over industrial uniformity

• Celtic and Eastern influences

Among the most famous collaborations was with Archibald Knox, whose work for Liberty's Cymric (silver) and Tudric (pewter) ranges redefined modern British design. Other celebrated artists included Rex Silver, Jessie M. King, and Bernard Cuzner.

What Makes Liberty & Co. Pieces So Collectible?

Collectors and curators around the world seek Liberty & Co. items for their:

• Exceptional Craftsmanship: Most items were handcrafted by British artisans, often in limited runs.

• Artistic Innovation: The fusion of historical motifs with clean, forward-thinking design gives Liberty pieces timeless appeal.

• Cultural Significance: Liberty was at the heart of the artistic awakening in turn-of-the-century Britain, making their items true artefacts of design history.

• Rarity and Provenance: Items marked Liberty & Co. or with Cymric/Tudric stamps often indicate direct links to celebrated designers and workshops.
  
  

Submit your item today via our online form or speak directly with one of our Modern Design specialists for confidential advice.

For a free, confidential auction valuation of your collection, to enquire about any of our lots or to enter your own collection into one of our specialist sales, get in touch: james.spiridion@wilson55.com or fill in our online valuation form below. 

Meet the Expert

James Spiridion

Auctioneer and valuer specialising in Modern Design. James has recently returned to the North West after spending the last few years as a valuer in Scotland, during that time James also featured on Paul Martin's Auction Showdown for Channel 5 as a 'Rival Auctioneer'.

Email: james.spiridion@wilson55.com