About Archibald Knox

A leading light the Art Nouveau movement.

Archibald Knox was born 2 April 1864 at Cronkbourne (Tromode) on Isle of Man his father William Knox was a master machine maker from Ayr in Scotland. During his formative years he attended elementary and grammar schools at the island's capital Douglas and then from 1878 from to 1883 the Douglas School of Art. It was here, under the guidance of the headmaster he became fascinated by the ancient Celtic and Norse crosses which appear all over the Island. Their intertwining designs were to provide the inspiration for the many patterns, which he later used in his designs for Liberty and Co.<

The years that followed were very productive. In 1887 Knox gained 1st Class examination result in 'Principles of Ornament' and Passed an examination in 'Design'. 1884-1888 was spent Teaching Art at Douglas School of Art. On 21 December 1889 Knox Gained his Art Master's Certificate. His next notable achievement was a Group I 1892 Medallist in Historic Ornament (Design). Knox specialised in Celtic ornament. September1893 Knox Published &quot;Ancient Crosses in the Isle of Man&quot; in The Builder.

Click on the Earrings above to view more Archibald Knox Earrings	Click on the Earrings above to view more Archibald Knox Earrings

It was in 1897 that Knox left the Isle of Man to teach at Redhill School of Art in Surrey. Around this time Liberty's began experimenting with pewter production as well as their own line of silver, jewellery and plate. Knox was probably contacted by Liberty around 1893 by Scott who designed fabrics for the company. During the years of his association with Liberty's he produced hundreds of original ideas and seemed at ease with any material that he was working with, be it silver, gold, pewter, enamels, ceramics or textiles. Knox transformed these diverse materials into practical items of exquisite beauty. During his time in the London area Archibald Knox taught at Redhill and also Kingston School of Art and at Wimbledon Art School, Knox left London and returned to Isle of Man in August 1912 after examiners complained about the style of his teaching at South Kensington.

Click on the Brooch above to view more Archibald Knox Brooches	Click on the Necklet above to view more Archibald Knox Necklets

Later that year Knox leaves England for Philadelphia where he was the founder of the 'Knox Guild of Craft &amp; Design'. While living in Philadelphia (1912 -1913) Knox does carpet designs for Bromley &amp; Co and also teaches at Pennsylvania School of Industrial Arts. It was in 1913 that Knox returned to the Isle of Man to commence teaching. During the four war years 1914-1918 Knox worked as a censor in the Aliens' Detention Camp at Knockaloe, near Peel, Isle of Man. After the First World War he painted and taught art at Douglas High School, Isle of Man. Knox spent the summer of 1924 in Ravenna in Italy to studying frescoes. In 1926 National Gallery of Ottawa, Canada hold a one-man exhibition of his paintings. The last years of his life were spent teaching both full and part time at schools in Douglas.

Knox died from heart failure on 22 February 1933 and his gravestone, originally designed by Knox for one of the Quayle family, but because of a family disagreement and Knox's sudden death it was thought fitting to use one of his designs for his own grave.

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