A Cymric silver and green onyx chalice, 1900

Archibald Knox (1864-1933) was born on the Isle of Man to William Knox, a cabinetmaker, and Ann Carmichael. At age 16, Knox enrolled in the Douglas School of Art, where he developed his interest in Celtic art, such as the medieval stone crosses found in the area, which would greatly influence his later designs. While studying, and later teaching, at the Douglas School of Art, Knox worked with Arts and Crafts architect Baillie Scott, before moving to London in 1896. There he studied under influential designer Christopher Dresser, and began working for the Silver Studio who were designing for Liberty. Established in 1875, this luxury department store became famous for the Arts and Crafts furniture and decorations it sold, including works by Knox, such as the present lot. Knox returned to the Isle of Man in 1900, but continued to produce designs for Liberty in the Cymric and Tudric ranges for the next four years, which reflected Knox's historicist interests as well as his distinctively British interpretation of Arts and Crafts and Art Nouveau styles.
The design for this chalice is illustrated in A. J. Tilbrook, The Designs of Archibald Knox for Liberty & Co., London, 1976, p. 245, as entered by Liberty & Co. into the Public Records Office London Registration Section, no. 370236.