Archibald Knox (1864-1933) is best known as a designer for The Silver Studio and then for Liberty & Co. in the early years of the 20th century, where he designed metalwork, both in silver and pewter, jewellery, ceramics, fabric patterns and wallpaper. However, until the 1970s, the designs were only attributed to Liberty & Co. or The Silver Studio without singling out any particular designer. It was only after the V&A’s 1975 exhibition celebrating 100 Years of Liberty & Co and the subsequent publication of Adrian Tilbrook’s book on Knox, published in 1976, that he became known as a designer in his own right. Since then, his output for Liberty & Co has been highly sought after by collectors and museums.
Archibald Knox is also synonymous with The Isle of Man. He was born on the Isle of Man and returned to live there after some years in London. He was profoundly inspired by the Island’s Celtic and Norse heritage as well as the Island’s natural beauty. It is the motifs of this rich culture, particularly the interlaced Celtic knots based on the ancient Manx crosses that he used in his designs, that help identify Knox as the artist.
The Isle of Man was undoubtedly Knox’s muse, and so it is right that the largest Archibald Knox exhibition is being held at the Manx Museum in Douglas on the Island. It is the largest exhibition of works by Knox to date, with over 200 items, including silver, pewter, jewellery, garden ware, drawings, paintings, furniture and fabrics borrowed from private collectors, museums and The Manx Museum’s own collection, some of which have never been seen in public. Full-height wall cabinets are dedicated to his early silver work for The Silver Studio and Liberty, the Cymric silver range for Liberty, the Cymric jewellery range for Liberty, clocks and the Tudric pewter range. The range and versatility of his designs stand out. The unusual forms, whiplash handles, and enamelled embellishments are a crossover of the Arts & Crafts and Art Nouveau movements with Modernism. Seeing all these pieces together, you get an understanding of how they have been identified as Knox designs – they often have Celtic knots, sinuous handles, set on pronged feet, or corners with cut-outs, yet have a contradictory simplicity to the design. An unusual clock that only came to light through a recent auction in Edinburgh is included—a highly Modernist design resembling a spaceship triangular with an enamelled face and dates from 1901. There is also a section dedicated to what is referred to as The Wonder Room, featuring some of Knox’s most exceptional pieces, including jewellery, jewellery boxes, silver chalices, tobacco jars and bud vases.
My visit included a tour of the Island, which puts Knox’s creative output into context. On the second viewing of the exhibition after the tour, the wall of Knox’s watercolour paintings takes on a different level of appreciation. The presence of the vast sky and clouds over the rugged landscape resonates. His paintings were personal, separate from his work as a designer. A tour of the Maughold churchyard on the site of an early monastic community includes 38 medieval Manx stone crosses, and you instantly see Knox’s inspiration.
Knox was also known for his graphic works. Between 1912 and 1933, he worked on an illuminated manuscript called The Deer’s Cry. The text is an interpretation of St Patrick’s Hymn or The Deer’s Cry, a traditional prayer attributed to St Patrick from the 5th century. Knox’s illuminated lettering showcases his mastery of Celtic-inspired design and shows his deep religious beliefs. Manx crosses and Celtic manuscripts inspire intricate interlacing patterns. Knox was very private, but his legacy shines through his prolific output.
The exhibition is a collaborative effort between Manx National Heritage (MNH) and the Archibald Knox Forum (AKF). It forms part of a wider Isle of Knox campaign, supported by the Isle of Man Government’s Visit Isle of Man Agency, which includes events, walks and talks in 2025 and early 2026. I must say what welcoming hosts they made. There is also a concession shop upstairs run by two significant lenders, Titus Omega and Chris Hobdell, where you can buy original examples of Knox’s metalware.
Archibald Knox: Order and Beauty, Manx Museum, Douglas, Isle of Man, 5 April 2025 – 1 March 2026
Read More about the Archibald Knox Forum Here