Jewellery, Watches and Objects of Vertu

A Cymric 9ct gold freshwater pearl and turquoise matrix necklace, circa 1900, Attributed to Archibald Knox for Liberty & Co, composed of three pierced gold pendants, the central larger pendant incorporating a turquoise bead, with baroque freshwater pearl detail, with chain link connections between the two smaller pendants and spaced with further turquoise beads and pearl drops, to slim barrel clasp, the principal pendant stamped to the reverse ‘CYMRIC 9ct’, length 38cm. £1500-2000

Archibald Knox: (1864-1933) was born and trained in the Isle of Man, came to London in the late 1890s and was to become the principal silver and pewter designer for Liberty & Co, from 1899-1912. Steeped in the Celtic tradition of design from his Manx upbringing, he refined and purified the Celtic style to portray a personal version of Celtic ornament which was to be become idiosyncratic with his style. Knox was the key designer for Liberty’s ‘Cymric’ and ‘Tudric’ range, launched in 1899. The Liberty company policy enforced anonymity of its designers, hence no works were personally signed.

For a similar necklace, see page 190, The Designs of Archibald Knox for Liberty & Co by Adrian J Tilbrook, published by Richard Dennis 2005.

For a similar necklace, see The Fine Art Society Exhibition 9-13 November 2015, exhibit 23, showing an example set with citrines.
See page 190, The Designs of Archibald Knox for Liberty & Co by Adrian J Tilbrook, published by Richard Dennis 2005.

Literature:
Liberty Jeweller Sketchbook p 207, (model 8008).
Stephen Martin: Archibald Knox, 2001; page 251, (illustrated).