The House of Liberty

From its founding in 1875, the firm of Liberty has been a byword for high-quality design. Arthur Lasenby Liberty, its founder, set out to transform the appearance of dress and interior decoration; that sense of energy and excitement remains integral to the house, making Liberty a world-recognized name. This account and celebration is divided into chronological sections. It begins with the early emporium and ends with a survey of the institution's influence on post-war aesthetics and design. The Arts and Crafts Movement found Liberty's associated with leading craftsmen-designers. After World War I its textiles continued the famous lines of prints. Now, in keeping with its role as innovator, the firm continues to commission designers and to promote both traditional and avant-garde furniture and artifacts. This history of a unique enterprise reflects in microcosm major developments in taste from the late 19th-century to the present.