Liberty & Co. a Pair of William Birch Arts & Crafts Oak Rush Seat Dining Chairs
About the Item
- Creator:Liberty & Co. (Retailer),William Birch (Maker)
- Dimensions:Height: 39.5 in (100.33 cm)Width: 16.5 in (41.91 cm)Depth: 17.5 in (44.45 cm)Seat Height: 18.5 in (46.99 cm)
- Sold As:Set of 2
- Style:Arts and Crafts (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1895
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:London, GB
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU2243322354252
Liberty & Co.
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.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: London, United Kingdom
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 3 days of delivery.
- William Birch, retailed by Liberty & Co. Pair of Arts & Crafts oak dining chairsBy Liberty & Co., William BirchLocated in London, GBWilliam Birch of High Wycombe. Liberty & Co retailer. A pair of Arts & Crafts rush seat oak dining or side chairs with a wide curved headrest and ring turned legs and front stretche...Category
Antique Early 1900s English Arts and Crafts Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsOak
- William Birch for Liberty & Co. a Set of Sixteen Arts & Crafts Oak Dining ChairsBy William Birch, Liberty & Co.Located in London, GBWilliam Birch made furniture for Liberty and Co. A rare set of sixteen Arts & Crafts oak ladderback dining chairs, including a pair of matching armchairs...Category
Antique 1890s English Arts and Crafts Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsOak
- Liberty & Co. a Set of Six Arts & Crafts Oak Arrow Head Rush Seat Dining ChairsBy Liberty & Co.Located in London, GBLiberty and Co. A set of six Arts & Crafts oak rush seat dining chairs with arrow head details to the tops and turned legs united by a H-stretcher. Consisting of two armchairs and four singles. Last two images, show a variation of the same chairs from:- The Pictorial Dictionary of British 19th...Category
Antique 1890s English Arts and Crafts Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsRush, Oak
- Liberty & Co Four English Arts & Crafts Walnut Chairs with Mother Of Pearl inlayBy E. G. Punnett, Liberty & Co.Located in London, GBLiberty & Co. Attributed. In the style of E G Punnet. A good set of four English Arts & Crafts Walnut dining or side chairs with stylized floral Mother-Of-Pearl and fruitwood inlays to the headrests, three shaped backrests with upholstered seat and subtle tapering front legs from square to round...Category
Antique Early 1900s English Arts and Crafts Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsMother-of-Pearl, Fruitwood, Walnut
- William Birch. Liberty & Co retailer. A rare rush seat child's chairBy Liberty & Co., William BirchLocated in London, GBWilliam Birch. Retailed by Liberty and Co. A rare rush seat childs chair with a boy sat on a crescent moon fishing. It is an unusual variation in design to the more common William Bi...Category
Antique Early 1900s English Arts and Crafts Side Chairs
MaterialsOak
- Liberty and Co, A Pair of Arts and Crafts Side Chairs with Finely Rushed SeatsBy Liberty & Co.Located in London, GBLiberty and Co, a pair of Arts & Crafts ladder back side chairs with the original finely laid rushed seats and stylish simple upright details to the fronts, uniting the front stretch...Category
Antique Early 1900s English Arts and Crafts Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsBeech
- Pair Antique English Arts & Crafts William Birch Liberty & Co. Rush ChairsBy William BirchLocated in London, GBPair Antique English Arts & Crafts Liberty & Co. Rush chairs attributed to William Birch. circa 1890 Very good condition commensurate of age. Good solid construction.Category
Antique 19th Century English Arts and Crafts Chairs
MaterialsRush, Beech
- Antique English Arts & Crafts William Birch Liberty & Co. Elbow ChairBy William BirchLocated in London, GBAntique English Arts & Crafts William Birch Liberty & Co. Elbow Chair. circa1890 Very good solid condition commensurate of age. Later replaced raffia seat.Category
Antique 19th Century English Arts and Crafts Chairs
MaterialsRaffia, Beech
- Ladder Back Dining Room Armchair with Rush SeatLocated in Sheffield, MAClassic English ladder back dining, kitchen or desk armchair with turned bobblns at the top of each side rail. Double stretchers on three sides adds structural soundness.Category
Antique Late 19th Century English Georgian Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsWood
- Set of 14 Antique English Victorian Arts & Crafts Oak & Leather Dining ChairsBy Liberty & Co.Located in Glasgow, GBA super original set of 14, 19th century Arts & Crafts golden oak dining chairs probably by Liberty’s or Wylie & Lochhead. Comprising 12 side ...Category
Antique Late 19th Century English Arts and Crafts Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsMetal, Brass
- Pair of Arts & Crafts Oak Back Pierced Hall Chairs with fabric by Morris & CoLocated in London, GBA Pair of Arts & Crafts Oak, back pierced hall chairs with re upholstered in Willow Bough Tomato Olive by Morris & Co from the Queen Square fabrics by Ben Pentreath...Category
Antique 1890s English Arts and Crafts Chairs
MaterialsFabric, Oak
- Liberty & Co Athelstan Arts And Crafts Oak ArmchairBy Liberty & Co.Located in Norwich, GBA Liberty & Co ‘Athelstan’ oak and rush seated armchair. Circa 1898. Cabinetmaker's stamp: 'R Bowler' to the wooden underside of the rush seat, and the inside of the seat frame. Th...Category
Antique 1890s English Arts and Crafts Armchairs
MaterialsRush, Oak