Archibald Knox (1864-1933), designer of the London Liberty store, was the fifth child of cabinetmaker William Knox and Ann Carmichael. The family settled on the Isle of Man, the entire infrastructure of which is connected with the sea and fishing. William went to work for a company that made herring nets and canvas. William was a good businessman and later founded his own firm, William Knox’s Engineering Works, in the steamboat and ferry business, powering the local fishing fleet.
Knox was a pioneer in industrial electric lighting on the Isle of Man and the first car on the island was owned by the Knox family. The eldest sons followed in the footsteps of their father, and only Archibald devoted himself to art. However, the family’s engineering skills influenced Knox’s style of work, and his designs were often made in the style of ready-made blueprints.
Gold pendant with rubies and diamonds height 6.3 cm designed by Archibald Knox for LIBERTY Co.
Knox attended the Douglas School of Art on the Isle of Man. From childhood and throughout his life, he showed an interest in the early history of the island and Celtic art, studied carved Celtic and Scandinavian stone crosses on the Isle of Man, which date from about 500 to 1200 AD. Knox began teaching at the Douglas School of Art in 1884 while still an undergraduate. On Sundays, Knox went out of town to paint.
In 1896 or 1897 Knox worked and studied with the innovative designer Christopher Dresser in London. And in 1897, Knox began teaching at the Redhill School of Art. And in the same year, he began working at Silver Studio, which was engaged in design for the famous Liberty store. In Knox’s work you will see both nature motifs and Celtic ornaments – all that reflected his deep interest in the natural world in relation to spiritual life, history and early Manx Celtic art.
Jewelry by Archibald Knox
Enamelled silver buckle 7 cm wide designed by Archibald Knox for LIBERTY Co 1901.Horn comb diadem in gold setting with fire opal and stained glass enamel 9.5 cm wide, 1900.Buckle in silver with enamel 11 cm wide, 1906-1907.Necklace in platinum with aquamarine and diamonds.Silver buckle with mother of pearl width 7 cm, 1904.Velvet evening bag with enamelled Celtic style silver clasp, 1905-1906.Celtic style gold necklace with turquoise and freshwater pearls, circa 1900.Enamelled silver buckle width 6.8 cm, 1906.Gold pendant with opal and garnet height 5.7 cm.Necklace with turquoise and blister pearls, 1900.Gold necklace with fire opal and diamonds, circa 1900.Gold necklace with turquoise and pearls probably, circa 1902-1905.Opal gold brooch 3.5 cm long.Gold pendant with opal and mother of pearl height 5.5 cm.Gold brooch with mother of pearl and enamel h 4.3 cm.Buckle AVOCA in silver and enamel height 10.3 cm, 1900.Moonstone and enamel gold brooch.Brooch in silver with enamel width 3.3 cm, 1908.Pendant with moonstone and diamonds h 4.7 cm.Silver pendant with enamel MURRLE BENNETT height 4.2 cm.Silver Cymric buckle 6 cm high, 1901.Cymric buckle with Celtic motifs in silver and enamel 6 cm wide, 1905.Enamelled silver buckle 10.3 cm wide, 1900.Cymric stylized flower buckle in silver 10.3 cm wide, 1903.Commemorative buckle in sterling silver enameled with the stylized monogram ER commemorating the coronation of Edward VII width 7.4 cm, 1905.FENELLA stylized flower buckle in silver and enamel width 7.2 cm, 1907.Buckle in silver with enamel and mother of pearl width 7.7 cm, 1903.
