A&C Hammered Sterling Blue-Green Enamel Two-Piece Buckle by Liberty & Co (Item #AC-libertybuckle)
$725.00
To inquire or purchase, please contact sales@theratstuff.com. Reference Item #AC-libertybuckle.
Rare hammered Sterling art nouveau 2-piece enamel buckle/waist clasp by Liberty & Co, dated 1911 (English). The buckle measures 3 3/8" across and 1 3/4" tall, and features a dimensional hammered, cut out repousse design with a large blue-green raised enamel center in each half. The piece has developed a nice patina from age, and is fully marked on the reverse with the Liberty & Co hallmark, "L & Co (in 3 diamonds)", plus an anchor, lion, and date letter m (for Birmingham, Sterling silver, and 1911). The buckle is in excellent condition, with normal light wear from age. The enamel is intact and original.
Liberty & Co is well known for retailing high quality Art Nouveau/Arts & Crafts enamel jewelry at the turn of the century. The blue-green enamel is typical of the jewelry from this period, and many of the pieces were designed by famous craftsmen of the time (Archibald Knox, Oliver Baker, Jessie M. King). Throughout Europe, much jewelry was produced in the "Liberty style", but this piece is actually from Liberty & Co. Their jewelry is extremely collectible and difficult to find. Examples of Liberty buckles are pictured in plate 259 of "Art Nouveau Jewelry" by Vivienne Becker, and can also be found in the Arts & Crafts chapter of "Silver Jewelry Designs" by Nancy Schiffer.