Cymric is not so much an Art Nouveau subject but brand name associated with Liberty & Co. It describes items with designs equivalent to the pewter Tudric range. It often consists of celtic knots.
Below are some examples and price guides of Art Nouveau antiques with the Cymric design including a lidded box by Archibald Knox and a pair of candlesticks attributed to Rex Silver.
Clock by Archibald Knox for Liberty & Co
A sterling silver mantel clock with a blue green enamel dial. The clock features a celtic knot design on the front two corners and a circular shaped turquoise stone in the centre of the base plate. Hallmarked Liberty & Co Ltd, Birmingham 1902, Cymric silverware. With brass key.
Reference: Museum of Applied Art and Sciences
ARCHIBALD KNOX CYMRIC LIDDED BOX, MODEL NO. 5060 1901 produced by Liberty & Co., London silver, enamel impressed L&C, Birmingham Assay Office marks, and CYMRIC inside on base; impressed Birmingham Assay Office marks on inside of lid; impressed and enameled WL on lid
Sold for 756 USD at Sotheby’s in 2020
Cybell Salt 1898-1899 (made)
Cymric was the name given to a range of original silver and jewellery that A. L. Liberty sponsored in 1898, and which was first exhibited at his shop in the spring of the following year. Although the mark registered at the Goldsmiths’ Company was entered in his name, the majority of the silver and jewellery was made by W. H. Haseler of Birmingham, who became a joint partner in the project, after designs supplied by Oliver Baker and the Silver Studio. Archibald Knox, a Manxman who had worked for Christopher Dresser, was one of the most gifted designers employed by the Silver Studio; he supplied the majority of Liberty metalwork designs between 1899 and 1912.
Reference: © Victoria and Albert Museum
ARCHIBALD KNOX ‘Cymric’ spoon, 1901-2 Silver, enamel. Length 16.5cm Manufactured by Liberty & Co. Impressed L & Co. and CYMRIC with Birmingham hallmarks.
Sold for £ 1,147 inc. premium at Bonham’s in 2020
ARCHIBALD KNOX (1864-1933) A rare ‘Cymric’ frame, circa 1902 retailed by Liberty & Co., London, UK, silver 5 ½ high x 9 ½ in. wide (14 x 24 cm.) stamped with retailer’s mark L & Co, CYMRIC and indistinct assay marks
Sold for GBP 9,375 at Christie’s in 2018
Pair of Liberty and Co. Cymric Pattern Sterling Silver Candlesticks Design attributed to Rex Silver, Birmingham, 1901 The candle holders cast with stylized buds and applied with tapering tendrils joining the stem and terminating in stylized square leaves on circular base. Height 7 1/2 inches, total approximately 15 ounces. The attribution of this design has drifted between Rex Silver and Archibald Knox, or is perhaps a collaboration between the two men.
Sold for $3,750 (includes buyer’s premium) at Doyle in 2017
