Liberty and Co
Originally Liberty and Co was founded by A.L. Liberty. Consequently is now seen as a pioneer in the Art & Crafts movement. A. L. Liberty was born Arthur Lasenby Liberty in Buckinghamshire in 1843, and decided to start his own business in 1874. After working for Farmer and Rogers in Regent Street for over ten years, opening up his first shop in 1876.
The shop was noted for selling exotic goods from the East. Therefore became an extremely popular establishment quickly. With its reputation growing swiftly, offering decorative furnishings to scores of appeased clients. Consequently A Paris branch was opened in 1890. And they began to stock a line of “Cymric” jewellery nine years later. Which was Celtic in style. This jewellery was mass produced and was designed by leading A&C figures such as Arthur Gaskin.
Liberty and Co Paris
The Paris arm of the company became extremely influential upon the tastes of the local clientele. Because the items were mass-produced, they were affordable. Consequently leading to Liberty & CO being lauded for making such items accessible to the public.
These jewels were noted for their hand-hammered surfaces. Also the way in which they were produced with a commercial audience in mind. Consequently without quality being always good. It was seen as extremely innovative. Distinctive details included Celtic knots and whiplash lines. Liberty travelled the world to seek out inspiration for his designs, and his ethos remains apparent in the work that Liberty & Co continues to produce today.
The End Of An Era Or Was It
A.L. Liberty died in 1917, but his company continued to go from strength to strength after his passing. Another branch was built in the 1920s to cater for the renovation work that was taking place at the Regent Street store and was distinctive due to its Tudor stylings.
It was designed by Edwin T and Edwin S. Hall, the son of the former. It was constructed from the timbers of HMS Impregnable and HMS Hindustan. However by the 1950s, Liberty & Co were fusing together the best characteristics of contemporary and classic design. Along with various designers being cherry-picked for their ability to stay true to the ideals of the company’s founder.
Old designs from the company’s archive were revived with a modern twist. Consequently breathing new life back into them. Eastern influences came back to the fore in the 1960s, and when the company reached its centenary in 1975. Therefore this was marked by a high-profile exhibition at the Victoria and Albert Museum.
The Future of Liberty and Co
Today, Liberty & Co continues to take the best elements from traditional and modern artistic movements to create designs that are truly unique. Even in their earliest days, Liberty & Co were importing seminal antiques from all around the world. Treasures such as enamels, ceramics and bronzes as well as sword guards, arms, armour. Along with focussing on Jacobean furniture.
Arthur L. Liberty also organised a number of different exhibitions, showcasing various antique embroideries. Things such as Eastern prayer rugs. Unsurprisingly, various items that were imported as well as designed by the company still change hands for vast sums of money today.
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