An early Liberty Cymric silver footed bowl by Archibald Knox
Price range: Sold
A rare Liberty & Co Cymric silver footed bowl. Hallmarked Birmingham, 1901. This is an early Archibald Knox design and the bowl is Exhibit 3, in the May 1899 Liberty Cymric catalogue, named the Edwy, and appears in the slightly later illustrated Cymric catalogue as shown in the images, number 3, page 59. The sketch for this bowl is SD8144 at the MoDA Silver Studio archive. Edwy was a Saxon King of England (Mercia) in the 10th century. Images from the catalogues/archives available on request.
The L&Co mark is quite rubbed but legible. Over the years polishing has worn the silver slightly to reveal “broken fire”, where a discolouration of the silver arises. Noticeable to the interior of the bowl but of no significance.
Maker: Liberty & Co
Designer: Archibald Knox
Date : 1901
Marks: L&Co Liberty mark, Birmingham, date latter “b”
Material: Sterling silver
Condition: Excellent
Size: 5.75 cm high, 10.75 cm diameter
Weight : 146 grams, 5.1 oz
Additional Information
See article by myself, Anthony Bernbaum, entitled “Origins of the Liberty Cymric range” in the Archibald Knox Society Journal 2014 Volume III, Page 26. Liberty registered their new London marks in the final week of May 1899, one week before the London date letter changed to “d” for 1899/1900. Thereafter, all Liberty items of this period carry Birmingham marks. Archibald Knox earliest works at this time did not yet carry his trademark modernist style or classic celtic knots.
| Period | Art nouveau, Arts and crafts |
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