Archibald Knox Silver
Archibald Knox silver brings the bold lines of the Celtic Revival and Arts & Crafts movement straight into your hands.
Archibald Knox Silver
When you search for archibald knox silver, you encounter distinctive metalwork rooted in the Arts & Crafts and Celtic Revival styles. The pieces on this page span the Edwardian era, 1900, 1910, and 1930.
You are most likely to meet utilitarian and decorative items such as pendants, caddy spoons, candlesticks, clocks, and jugs. Many designs were produced for Liberty & Co.
The selection ranges from sterling silver tablewares to Tudric pewter and Cymric silver items, frequently accented with enamel, abalone shell, or glass.
Materials and methods
Makers utilised sterling silver, silver, and pewter, often shaping them through hammered techniques that left subtle surface textures.
Vitreous enamel and stones such as abalone shell, chrysoprase, and citrine add colour highlights to the metallic surfaces.
Craftsmen applied Celtic knotwork motifs and stylized floral patterns to domestic objects and jewellery.
Listings feature items from the Edwardian period, 1900, 1910, and 1930, utilising pewter, enamel, sterling silver, abalone shell, and cane.
Assessing quality
Quality rests on the crispness of the casting or hammering and the preservation of the delicate enamel work.
The integration of stones like abalone and chrysoprase into the silver or pewter frame dictates the finesse of the piece.
Liberty & Co·Murrle Bennett·W H Haseler
The Archibald Knox Silver Glossary
- Cymric
- Liberty & Co's trademarked name for their silver and enamelled ware produced during the early twentieth century. It often incorporates Celtic-inspired motifs.
- Tudric
- The trade name used by Liberty & Co for their range of pewterware, frequently designed by Archibald Knox. It utilises similar aesthetic principles to the Cymric silver line.
- Vitreous Enamel
- A material made by fusing powdered glass to a metallic substrate by firing. It provides vibrant colour in green, blue, and peacock hues on pendants and napkin rings.
- Quaiche
- A traditional shallow two-handled drinking vessel of Scottish origin. Liberty produced these in Tudric pewter.
- Festoon Necklace
- A necklace featuring draped chains or links hanging in curves. Knox designs utilised silver, enamel, and stones in this format.
Archibald Knox Silver: Frequently Asked Questions
What is Cymric silver?
Cymric is the trade name given by Liberty & Co to their high-end silver and enamel range launched around the turn of the twentieth century.
These pieces draw heavily on Celtic Revival motifs and frequently showcase the design work of Archibald Knox alongside makers like W.H. Haseler.
How do I identify Tudric pewter?
Tudric is the brand name used by Liberty & Co for pewter items, typically stamped with a model number such as 0222 or 0254 on the underside.
Many of these pewter domestic items and clocks were designed by Archibald Knox and often feature stylized floral or interlaced Celtic patterns.
What materials accompany the silver?
Archibald Knox designs for Liberty commonly incorporate vibrantly coloured vitreous enamel in blues and greens.
Other materials seen alongside the silver and pewter include abalone shell, chrysoprase, glass, and citrine.
What objects did Knox design?
The range of objects spans personal adornment and household utility, including pendants, necklaces, belt buckles, and sovereign cases.
Larger and functional domestic pieces comprise candlesticks, mantle clocks, carriage clocks, caddy spoons, jugs, tankards, and napkin rings.