Archibald Knox (1864–1933) was a prolific and innovative designer who helped define the aesthetic of the early twentieth century through his work with Liberty & Co. He was a master of metalwork, jewellery, ceramics, fabric and lettering design.

But it wasn't always this way. During his lifetime and for decades afterwards, Archibald Knox remained largely unknown outside of the Isle of Man – Liberty's policy of not naming their designers suited his preference for working anonymously. His legacy has only been recognised in the last 40 years.

Born on the Isle of Man in 1864, Archibald Knox's early life was shaped by his family's marine engineering business, though he chose to pursue art instead. In 1880, he enrolled at the newly established Douglas School of Art, where he studied under William J. Merritt, John Miller Nicholson and George Sheffield.

Embracing modernist ideas, Knox excelled in his studies. Reflecting on this time in later life, he said: 'We became post-impressionists, cubists, unnamed venturists... twenty-five years before such experiments were known in London.'

Archibald Knox's long fascination with the Isle of Man's history, culture and spirituality profoundly shaped his creativity. Growing up at a time when the Isle of Man was only just discovering the significance of its history, Knox joined a group of 'tenacious patriots' enthusiastic about understanding Manx identity and committed to preserving and celebrating the Island's heritage and culture.

Knox was fascinated with the intricate designs of the ancient crosses and spent many hours documenting and recording them. The sinuous lines and curves of these carvings would influence much of his future work.

Knox the designer: Liberty & Co. and the art of the home

Archibald Knox's design career began on the Isle of Man, where he became friends with the renowned Arts and Crafts architect Mackay Hugh Baillie Scott. This friendship exposed Knox to European design trends and led to his work being featured in influential journals.

In 1896, his close friend and fellow Manx artist Alfred J. Collister was appointed headmaster of the newly opened Redhill School of Art in Surrey. He invited Knox to join him as art teacher, and so his design journey to London began.

Liberty Cymric silver pepper castor 'Thorian'

On arrival in London, Knox soon began supplying designs to the Silver Studio, commercial designers for Liberty & Co. In 1898, he began working on Liberty's new Cymric silverware range, defining the minimalist Liberty aesthetic with its clean lines and modern elegance.

Liberty Cymric silver-covered cup with enamel

By 1900, he was designing exclusively for Liberty, whose search for a distinctively British style aligned perfectly with his Celtic-inspired motifs. Returning to the Isle of Man, Knox focused on design full-time. Over the next five years, he produced thousands of homeware and jewellery designs for Liberty's Cymric and Tudric ranges, always balancing beauty with function. He also designed pottery, textiles, wallpapers and furniture for Liberty.

Sybil Cottage (left), Sulby where Archibald Knox lived and worked from 1902 to 1905

Liberty opened its doors in 1875 when Arthur Lasenby Liberty transformed a modest shop at 218 Regent Street into a vibrant hub for exotic and beautiful goods. His vision was to make stunning items accessible to all, not just the wealthy – creating fashionable and tasteful design for the new middle classes of Britain and Europe.

Liberty Cymric gold brooch with a single opal

Embracing machine production to keep costs down, Liberty launched its own Cymric silver and jewellery collection in 1899. This luxurious line combined machine-made silver with meticulously hand-finished semi-precious stones and enamel. In 1902, the more affordable Tudric range, crafted from pewter, was introduced. Both ranges were manufactured by W. H. Haseler of Birmingham.

Archibald Knox was the lead designer, blending Celtic influences with modernist design to create pieces that are still easily recognisable today. Knox's designs dominated Liberty's output, with an estimated 80 per cent of the silver, jewellery and pewter items from this period attributed to him.

Modernist Liberty Cymric silver and enamel vase

Both the Cymric and Tudric ranges were hugely popular, with pieces available to purchase through Liberty's catalogue or in store. For those with the means, bespoke pieces could be ordered, designed specially by Knox. By 1906, the ranges' popularity had waned, and production ceased.

Knox: the teacher and influencer

Teaching was central to Archibald Knox's life. He was deeply committed to inspiring his students to find their artistic voices. Knox began his teaching career on the Isle of Man at the Douglas School of Art and Douglas Grammar School. Later, he moved to Redhill School of Art in Surrey, where he taught until 1899. He then took a break from teaching to focus on his design work for Liberty & Co. Knox returned to London in 1905 and taught design at Wimbledon (1906–1910) and Kingston Schools of Art (1907–1912).

Knox's teaching style earned him a loyal following. While quiet and reserved outside the classroom, he was animated and deeply engaged when teaching. Rather than giving lengthy lectures, he focused on drawing out the individual spirit of each student, offering brief instructions and personalised guidance.

He focused on helping students 'see' rather than copy, often using his collection of over 3,000 lantern slides to illustrate concepts. These images encouraged students to think critically about design: its purpose, material and functionality. Knox encouraged his pupils to 'aim at order, hope for beauty' and urged them to 'never be ordinary, better be nothing than that'.

In 1912, Archibald Knox suddenly resigned from his post at Kingston School of Art and never taught in England again. In response to his resignation, Knox's students founded the Knox Guild of Design and Craft, headed by sisters Denise and Winifred Tuckfield. The Guild was dedicated to carrying on Knox's artistic ideals, focusing on simplicity and sincerity in design.

Knox Guild of Design and Craft exhibition notice

Over its 25 years, the Guild hosted many exhibitions in London, which showcased Knox's work and that of his former students. The Guild's primary mission was to promote public interest in the design of personal and household items, in line with Knox's teachings.

Capturing the Isle of Man in watercolour

Whilst Archibald Knox's design work is now widely known and discussed, his intensely personal work as a watercolour artist is rarely acknowledged outside the Isle of Man.

Knox painted hundreds of watercolours each seeking to capture the beauty of his island home. These were created not for public display, but, as he once explained, for the 'satisfaction of his own soul'. Rarely signed or dated, his paintings offered him a personal escape from the precision of his design work and became his lifelong passion.

His watercolours focus on the ever-changing landscape of the Isle of Man, with its hills, valleys and endless skies. Rather than aiming for exact representations, Knox sought to capture fleeting moments in nature, responding quickly to the light and atmosphere around him.

Some paintings were completed in less than an hour, while others took much longer, as he waited for the perfect conditions to materialise.

A Manx cultural icon

Archibald Knox returned to live permanently on the Isle of Man in 1913, experiencing a creative resurgence that produced a diverse range of works from illuminated addresses to memorials and graphic designs. His uniquely Manx style of lettering and decoration played a pivotal role in the Island's early twentieth-century cultural revival, and his work continues to influence the Isle of Man today.

A Design for Ramsey Grammar School Certificate for Art

The Deer's Cry is a beautiful example of Archibald Knox's illuminated lettering, showcasing his mastery of Celtic-inspired design. The pages reflect Knox's deep Christian faith and fascination with early Celtic art. The text is an interpretation of 'Saint Patrick's Hymn' or 'The Deer's Cry', a traditional prayer attributed to Saint Patrick.

Knox's work combines intricate interlacing patterns, inspired by Manx crosses and Celtic manuscripts, with subtle, delicate colours. The designs are poetic and fluid, often requiring careful study to decipher their intricate lettering. Each page is a unique composition, blending freedom of expression with masterful balance.

Knox gifted this illustration to Sophia Morrison for her book Manx Fairy Tales (1929). Knox and Morrison, both celebrated figures in Manx culture, were close friends.

Design for Sophia Morrison's 'Manx Fairy Tales'

The image accompanies the story 'Tehi Tegi' and demonstrates Knox's sense of humour: a glamorous 1920s flapper lady is pursued by a crowd of admirers in evening suits rather than the more traditional mermaid and her fishermen. The complete set of illustrations is housed in the Manx National Heritage collections.

Knox's memorials

Archibald Knox designed many memorial stones, all drawing inspiration from the Isle of Man's carved crosses. His distinctive grave memorials, recognisable for their unique design and lettering, can still be seen today, primarily in Braddan and Douglas Borough Cemeteries. His war memorials are located across the island.

Knox worked mainly with Douglas stone mason and sculptor Thomas Quayle, and later with his son and grandson. Knox's designs, often featuring intricate interlacing, evoke the original Manx crosses. His distinctive lettering is often accompanied by sacred heart motifs. Knox created full-scale drawings of the designs, which he sent to Quayle. The stones were then hand-cut, with the complex lettering showcasing the Quayles' exceptional skills.

Archibald Knox's grave, New Braddan Cemetery, Isle of Man

Though Knox never designed a headstone for himself, one of his designs was ultimately used. The headstone reads: 'Here lies Archibald Knox, Artist... A humble servant of God in the ministry of the beautiful.'

'KNOX: Order & Beauty' is a collaborative exhibition led by Manx National Heritage and the Archibald Knox Forum, featuring over 100 pieces from the collections of Manx National Heritage, alongside 100 works from private lenders and museums. It offers a unique opportunity to explore the lasting legacy of Archibald Knox, presenting a comprehensive showcase of his remarkable work. The exhibition will be on display at the Manx Museum on the Isle of Man from 5th April 2025 to 1st March 2026.

Katie King, Curator: Art & Social History at Manx National Heritage

Learn more about the designs and artworks featured in 'KNOX: Order & Beauty' in an accompanying Curation