A rare silver buckle designed by Archibald Knox for Liberty & Co’s "Cymric" range.
It appears in Dr Stephen Martin’s book “Archibald Knox”, second edition, page 270.
It is in arguably one of Knox’s most accomplished buckle designs and shows the influence of Talwin Morris and the Glasgow School.
Maker: Liberty & Co
Designer: Archibald Knox
Date: 1901
Marks: L & Co, Birmingham, date letter “b”, Cymric
Material: Sterling silver
Size: 5cm wide
Weight : 17 grams, 0.6 oz
Photograph and description courtesy of The Peartree Collection.
This is model 183
“LIBERTY & CO Art-Nouveau Sterling Silver & Enamel Buckle”
The buckle is fully English hallmarked for Birmingham 1906 and the makers mark is “L & Co” for the famous Liberty & Co, it was designed by Archibald Knox and is part of the Cymric range produced by the pair. This buckle is illustrated in Dr. Stephen A. Martin’s book ‘Archibald Knox’ on page 270.
The buckle is typical Art-Nouveau form with intertwined scroll patterns with enamelled motifs. The enamel is the blue and green combination which was commonly seen in pieces of Knox’s work.
The buckle is all one piece, as opposed to traditional “nurses buckles” which are 2 separate pieces. The buckle measures 44mm across x 47mm high and it weighs 16.7 grams.
Photographs and description courtesy of a private collector.
