Liberty & Co

Liberty & Co.

Liberty & Co. (often just called Liberty) is a famous British luxury brand and historic department store known for its distinctive style and high-quality design.

📜 A quick history

• Founded in 1875 by Arthur Lasenby Liberty

• Located on Regent Street, London

• Became famous for importing exotic goods from Japan, Persia, and India

• Helped popularise the Art Nouveau movement in Britain

🎨 What they’re known for

1. Iconic fabrics

• Floral, paisley, and intricate prints

• Still widely used in fashion and interiors today

2. “Cymric” silver & metalwork

• Designed in the late 1800s

• Often by Archibald Knox

• Features:

  • Celtic-inspired patterns

  • Handcrafted look

• Highly collectable antiques

3. Furniture & decorative arts

• Arts & Crafts and Art Nouveau styles

• Unique, artistic designs rather than mass-produced items

🏛️ The famous store

• The current building (opened 1924) is made from old ship timbers

• Known for its Tudor-style exterior and wooden interior galleries

• Still operating today as one of London’s most distinctive shops

💡 Why “Liberty & Co.” matters in antiques

If you see “Liberty & Co.” stamped on an item, it usually means:

• It’s late 19th / early 20th century

• Designed in Art Nouveau or Arts & Crafts style

• Often more valuable than generic antiques