Pair Of Liberty & Co "thebes" Wooden Stools From The 1890s-1900s.

Rare pair of period (1890-1900) "Thebes" stools by Liberty & Co.
Dimensions: Height: 38 cm Width: 37 cm Depth: 37 cm
Black patinated wooden seat frame, caned, curved resting on four turned legs joined by stretchers, with intertwined seat. Wear from use. The rope caning is original and in perfect condition. Long before Liberty became one of London's most iconic luxury department stores, late 19th-century shoppers knew it as Liberty & Co.—a purveyor of fine Art Nouveau silverware, Arts and Crafts furniture, and an eclectic assortment of ornaments, fabrics, fashion, and more. British merchant Arthur Lasenby Liberty founded Liberty & Co. in 1875. What began as a modest business grew exponentially in the following years, and by 1890, Liberty & Co. occupied most of Regent Street. Meanwhile, Liberty had established relationships with many British Art Nouveau artists and designers, eager to work with one of London's most prestigious retailers. Liberty & Co. also owned a furniture workshop in Archway, London, run by Lawrence Turner, which employed joiners to produce handcrafted Arts and Crafts-style armchairs, stools, bookcases, wardrobes, occasional tables, and other furniture. Most of these high-quality, durable pieces were made from solid woods, such as oak, mahogany, and walnut.