Question 1

What is the history of Gucci?

Accepted Answer

The history of Gucci begins in 1921, when Guccio Gucci opened a leather goods shop in Florence, Italy. In 1938, he brought three of his sons (Aldo, Vasco and Rodolfo) into the business and expanded it to Rome and later Milan.In the mid-1930s, a League of Nations embargo against Italy pushed Gucci to experiment with alternatives to imported leather. Its woven hemp fabric from Naples, adorned with the brand's signature diamond print, was a hit, especially among A-list celebrities. The use of bamboo for handles and locks originated after World War II, when leather and metal were in short supply. In 1947, the founder used the incredibly durable material for the first time in his Gucci Bamboo bag. In 1953, just 15 days after opening his first store on New York's 5th Avenue, Guccio passed away at 72.The early 1970s saw store openings in Tokyo and Hong Kong, but by the late 1980s, Gucci was floundering. Rodolfo Gucci took charge in 1982, but family drama and lawsuits ensued. In 1993, Rodolfo's son, Maurizio, transferred his shares in the company to Investcorp, ending the family's involvement in Gucci. Dawn Mello, then-president of Bergdorf Goodman, joined as creative director in 1989. But it was Tom Ford, who took over as creative director in 1994, who ultimately revived the brand.The new millennium brought new ownership and a more toned-down vision from Frida Giannini, who became sole creative director in 2006. Alessandro Michele was named creative director in 2015, and the storied brand took a giant leap forward. Michele exited Gucci in 2022 and was eventually replaced by Sabato De Sarno.On 1stDibs, shop vintage Gucci bags, clothing and accessories.

Question 2

What is the history of Kartell?

Accepted Answer

The history of Kartell starts with an Italian chemical engineer named Giulio Castelli and his wife, Anna Ferrieri. The couple founded Kartell in Milan as an industrial design firm, producing utilitarian items like ski racks for automobiles and laboratory equipment designed to replace breakable glass with sturdy plastic. Even as companies like Olivetti and Vespa were making Italian design popular in the 1950s, typewriters and scooters were relatively costly, and Castelli and Ferrieri wanted to provide Italian consumers with affordable, stylish goods. They launched a housewares division of Kartell in 1953, making lighting fixtures and kitchen tools and accessories from colorful molded plastic. Buoyed by its success in the home goods market, Kartell introduced its Habitat division in 1963. Kartell achieved international recognition for its innovative work in 1972, when a landmark exhibition curated by Emilio Ambasz called "Italy: The New Domestic Landscape" opened at New York's Museum of Modern Art. Castelli and Ferrieri sold Kartell to Claudio Luti, their son-in-law, in 1988, and since then, Luti has expanded the company's roster of designers. On 1stDibs, explore a large selection of Kartell furniture.

Question 3

What is the history of Wedgwood?

Accepted Answer

Wedgwood is a fine china and porcelain manufacturer. Established in 1759 by Josiah Wedgwood in England, Wedgwood is known for its unglazed stoneware that features contrasting colors. Find a variety of Wedgwood fine china from some of the world's top sellers on 1stDibs.

Question 4

What are amphorae in history?

Accepted Answer

Historically, amphorae are vessels made of pottery that feature elongated bodies and curved handles on either side of their necks. The Ancient Greeks used amphorae to store grain and liquids like oil, milk and wine. On 1stDibs, shop an assortment of amphorae.

Question 5

What is the history of Dansk?

Accepted Answer

The history of Dansk began with the American couple Ted and Martha Nierenberg. They founded the business in 1954, initially working out of the garage of their Great Neck, Long Island, home. From there, they marketed their serveware, tables, decorative objects and other products largely in the United States. They had a secret weapon: Jens Quistgaard.After demonstrating artistic talent at a young age, the Copenhagen native was gifted a forge and anvil so that he could work in his mother's kitchen. Later, Quistgaard spent years learning from local artisans how to produce wood, metal, ceramic and glass models. His career path solidified during his apprenticeship as a silversmith with the legendary Danish silver firm Georg Jensen.The Nierenbergs discovered the sculptor and designer on their honeymoon, which they'd spent in Europe searching for top-quality goods that might form the basis of a business. After they hired Quistgaard and launched Dansk, their products swiftly came to epitomize the best of accessible Scandinavian design for mid-century American consumers, who fell for the firm's staved-teak salad bowls, colorful casseroles and stainless-steel flatware, all of which managed to look handmade despite being mass-produced. The long-distance relationship flourished for 30 years, during which millions of Quistgaard pieces were manufactured in the company's factories. The designs for Quistgaard's Købenstyle line and other collections during the mid-1950s were revolutionary, with bowls built like barrels and charming, lightweight monochrome tableware in enameled steel.Explore a large selection of Dansk designs on 1stDibs.

Question 6

What is the history of the Knoll sofa?

Accepted Answer

The history of the Knoll sofa began in 1954. The sofa was made during American designer and entrepreneur Florence Knoll’s direction of the Knoll Planning Unit, the company's pioneering "design consultant service" that would define the look of the postwar workplace. The versatile Florence Knoll sofa, with its angular silhouette and tasteful mix of textures, could as easily fit into the glass lobby of a skyscraper as the living room of a home. That same year, Florence Knoll also introduced a companion lounge chair that coordinated with the sofa. Knoll, Inc. continues to produce the Florence Knoll sofa over half a century after it was introduced, and vintage models are still prized for their sturdy construction and timeless qualities. On 1stDibs, find a variety of Florence Knoll sofas.

Question 7

What is the history of Martinsville furniture?

Accepted Answer

The history of Martinsville furniture starts with the founding of the company in Martinsville, Virginia, in 1906 by Ancil Witten and Charles Keesee, a pair of former tobacco farmers. They launched their business with $30,000 in capital and began to manufacture bedroom furniture under the name American Furniture Company. In the 1920s, American Furniture Company expanded its offerings from bedroom furnishings with a range of dining room sets. By the 1950s, the company’s name had been changed to American of Martinsville, and it had gained a reputation for exquisite craftsmanship as well as a variety of furniture styles. Inspired by designers like George Nakashima and Paul László, the brand innovated with wood. Merton Gershun was one of the company's most prolific designers, and he was responsible for some of its most successful modern furniture lines using the richer, darker woods that would become emblematic of mid-century furniture. Gershun's most popular line was Dania, with its sleek walnut credenzas fitted with stylish brass accents and large drawers. Today, American of Martinsville specializes in furniture for the healthcare and hospitality industries. Find a variety of American of Martinsville furniture on 1stDibs.

Question 8

What is the history of crazy quilts?

Accepted Answer

The history of crazy quilts dates back to the late 1800s when people began producing quilts using pieces of irregularly shaped fabric. This style of quilting remained popular into the early 20th century. On 1stDibs, shop a collection of crazy quilts.

Question 9

What is the history of Harmony House?

Accepted Answer

The history of Harmony House begins in 1940, when Sears introduced the brand. From the start, the guiding vision of Harmony House was to create furniture and decorative objects in coordinating colors and styles in order to make it easy for everyday people to decorate their homes. A number of manufacturers produced pieces for Harmony House during the decade that followed. Among them were Magic Float, Bunting, Logan, Schott and Warmack. The Harmony House line continued until the late 1950s. Find a selection of Harmony House furniture on 1stDibs.

Question 10

What is the history of the Plia chair?

Accepted Answer

The history of the Plia chair begins in 1967. It was then that Giancarlo Pirretti unveiled his unique folding chair at the Milan Furniture Fair in Italy. Its combination of a steel frame and polypropylene seat and backrest caught the eye of attendees. After Anonima Castelli s.p.a. began its mass production in 1969, the chair's unique ability to stack and fold quickly made it popular among consumers. Since then, more than four million Plia chairs have been sold. In 1971, the design received the BIO 5 Ljubljana prize, and it won the Gute Form prize in Germany in 1973. During the 21st century, the chair's popularity once again soared, particularly after it was featured in a Yves Saint Laurent commercial. On 1stDibs, explore a diverse assortment of chairs.

Question 11

What is the history of the Fred brand?

Accepted Answer

The history of the Fred brand begins in 1936. That year, a young jeweler named Fred Samuel founded a shop in Paris, France.Samuel was known for his casual yet sophisticated style, working with diamonds, pearls and colored gemstones to create smart jewelry for all occasions. The sign above his storefront on rue Royale initially was branded with the founder's full name, but during the 1940s, the "Samuel" part came down. Samuel created his famous Force 10 bracelet in 1966, and it became one of the brand's signature pieces. Inspired by its creator's love for the sea, the Force 10 bracelet features a braided steel sailing cable and a gold buckle.In 1996, Fred Paris was acquired by the luxury holding company LVMH. Fred Samuel passed away in 2006, but Fred Paris continued his legacy in jewelry. The 2016 Chance Infinie line paid homage to the creativity and playfulness of the company's founder.Find a collection of Fred Paris jewelry on 1stDibs.

Question 12

What is the history of Marbro lamps?

Accepted Answer

The history of Marbro lamps dates back to 1934, when brothers Morris and Elliott Markoff founded the Marbro Lamp Company. The brothers relocated from Chicago to southern California after the end of World War II and set up an assembly plant in the garment district of Los Angeles. Vases and objets d'art sourced from all over the world were used as lamp bases. The brass bases came from India, alabaster from Italy, porcelain from Japan and China and crystal from Germany and France. Murano glass and whimsical bronze figurines were two of the more popular base materials. Marbro lamps were one of a kind and took between 75 and 90 days to complete. Occasionally, they were made from sculptures that customers brought into the factory. Highly skilled woodturners and shade-makers crafted lampshades and wooden bases in Marbro's shop. The company's best-known products were these table lamps, but it also produced a wide variety of decorative objects. The Masco Corporation acquired the Marbro Lamp Company in 1987. Its Los Angeles assembly plant shuttered its doors in 1990. Its equipment and remaining inventory were moved to LaBarge Mirrors — a Masco subsidiary — in Michigan. Shortly after, the production of Marbro lamps ended. On 1stDibs, explore a variety of Marbro lamps.

Question 13

What is the history of a signet ring?

Accepted Answer

Signet rings originated around 3500 BC in Mesopotamia and featured a sign that was used to seal documents by pressing the ring into sealing wax. They could also be used to stamp a family crest and were considered as authentic as a signature. Shop a collection of vintage signet rings from some of the world’s top boutiques on 1stDibs.

Question 14

What is the history of the Eloga watch?

Accepted Answer

The history of the Eloga watch dates back to 1915. That year, Fritz and Hans Spahr established a watchmaking workshop in Lengnau, Switzerland, and named it Eloga. Within a few years, Eloga had a solid reputation for producing finely crafted watches.After his father retired, Fritz Spahr, Jr., became the company's leader. He oversaw the construction of a larger factory in 1941 to meet the growing demand for Eloga watches.Under his leadership, Eloga expanded its lines of men's and women's watches. He died in 1965, leaving the company to his wife, Grety Spahr. She recruited her daughter Gisele to revamp the brand's women's watches, which soon became its primary focus. It was largely Gisele's vision that people most commonly associate with Eloga today — glamorous white, rose and yellow gold watches that dazzle the eye with genuine diamond details.Shop a large selection of watches on 1stDibs.

Question 15

What is the history of Concord watches?

Accepted Answer

The history of Concord watches started in 1908, when a group of five watchmakers founded the company in Biel, Switzerland, with the goal of producing Swiss-made watches with American consumers in mind. Through skilled marketing and a lineup of finely crafted timepieces, the company quickly gained acclaim. In fact, President Harry S. Truman presented Concord watches to Winston Churchill and Joseph Stalin during the peace talks that brought World War II to a close. The North American Watch Company (which would later rebrand as Movado) bought Concord in 1970. Under its new ownership, the company weathered the quartz crisis of the 1970s and ’80s by introducing luxury quartz watches. The maker made headlines in 1979 by introducing the thinnest watch in the world, the Delirium. The 1990s brought declining sales, but in 2007, a major relaunch caused a resurgence in the popularity of the watchmaker. In 2008, Concord won the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève for Best Design of the Year for its C1 Gravity Tourbillon watch. On 1stDibs, shop a selection of Concord watches.

Question 16

What is the history of the Juvenia watch?

Accepted Answer

The history of Juvenia watches began in 1880, when Jacques Didisheim-Goldschmidt established his workshop in Saint-Imier, Switzerland. He named his new watchmaking company after his wife, Juvenia. Shortly after, he relocated his enterprise to La Chaux-de-Fonds, a well-known center for Swiss watchmaking. In 1914, the luxury watchmaker became one of the first to offer a women's wristwatch. During the decades that followed, Juvenia continued to push new boundaries by introducing timepieces with advanced complications and features, such as the Triple Date watch, with built-in day and moon phase calendars, and the Arithmo. This timepiece could function as a desk clock, wristwatch or pocket watch. Asia Commercial Holdings Ltd. of Hong Kong acquired Juvenia in 1998. Today, the luxury watchmaker continues its tradition of producing reliable, innovative watches, such as its popular Slimatic, an ultralight automatic timepiece with a low-profile movement. On 1stDibs, find a variety of Juvenia watches.

Question 17

What is the history of Mappin watches?

Accepted Answer

The history of Mappin watches began in Jonathan Mappin’s workshop in Sheffield, England. He opened it in 1775 with the intent to serve British society with the highest quality silverware ever made. His son and grandson, both named Joseph, carried on his vision until the mid-19th century, when his four great-grandsons incorporated the business into Mappin Brothers Ltd. and embarked on a substantial expansion of the firm. Two of the great-grandsons, William and John Mappin, later left to pursue other opportunities. John opened his own business, Mappin & Company, and his brother-in-law George Webb joined him two years later. Webb died in 1868 — the same year the family formed Mappin & Webb Co. Webb’s name lived on in the company even after 1889 when the company became Mappin & Webb Ltd. In 1897, Mappin & Webb were granted their first Royal Warrant as silversmiths to Queen Victoria. The firm has been a holder of Royal Warrants ever since. Mappin & Webb supplied soldiers in the 1898 Battle of Omdurman with their acclaimed Campaign watch. The company also supported wartime efforts during both World Wars in their enormous factory in Sheffield. Later in the 20th century, Mappin & Webb moved away from manufacturing its own watches and instead focused on carrying luxury timepieces from other makers in its stores. Watches of Switzerland Operations Ltd. acquired Mappin & Webb in 1998 after a series of mergers and acquisitions. On 1stDibs, shop a range of Mappin & Webb jewelry.

Question 18

What is the history of Carven watches?

Accepted Answer

The history of Carven watches can be traced back to 1945, when designer Marie-Louise Carven founded the luxury French fashion house, Carven. During the 1950s and ’60s, Carven began collaborating with Swiss watchmakers to offer luxury timepieces under its brand name. Carven watches became widely known for their precise timekeeping and feminine flourishes, such as glass paste cabochon accents and mother-of-pearl dials. During the quartz crisis of the 1970s and ’80s, Carven's watch sales slumped, and by the dawn of the 21st century, the luxury fashion house had ceased production of its timepieces entirely. Find a range of Carven jewelry and watches on 1stDibs.

Question 19

What is the history of Piaget watches?

Accepted Answer

The history of Piaget watches started in 1874 when Georges-Édouard Piaget began manufacturing handmade timepiece components and movements in a workshop on his family farm in La Côte-aux-Fées, Switzerland. The company expanded into luxury wristwatches and pocket watches under the direction of Georges-Édouard’s son, Timothée Piaget. Later, Timothée’s sons, Gérald and Valentin Piaget, would lead a team of talented craftspeople into a new era of innovation for the brand in both watches and luxury jewelry. The Piaget family name was trademarked in 1943, and a large manufacturing facility was established in La Côte-aux-Fées. There, they would perfect one of their signatures: ultra-thin movements. Valentin urged his design team to “do what has never been done before.” In 1959, the Salon Piaget was opened in Geneva, where Piaget also set up workshops for goldsmithing and gem setting, introducing the company’s inaugural jewelry creations and establishing a creative hub where artisans were encouraged to push the boundaries of their designs. In 1963, Piaget released its first collection of watches with ornamental stones set into their dials. These artful creations caught the eye of such storied tastemakers as Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, Elizabeth Taylor, Andy Warhol and Sophia Loren. In 1967, Yves Piaget collaborated with Salvador Dalí on a collection of pieces featuring the Dalí d’Or gold medals of the artist and his wife, Gala. Piaget’s watches have frequently embodied an inventive approach to design, such as the Piaget Polo watch, which was introduced in 1979, popular for its luxurious refinement, and widely imitated in the 1980s. In 2001, the Piaget Haute Horlogerie was opened outside of Geneva, a facility that advanced its work in watchmaking and jewelry. The Swiss luxury watchmaker and jeweler now operates as part of the Richemont Group. On 1stDibs, shop a wide variety of Piaget watches.

Question 20

What is the history of Fratelli Toso?

Accepted Answer

The history of Fratelli Toso begins in 1854, when the six Toso brothers and their father, Pietro, founded a glassworks on the island of Murano in Italy. Early on, the company focused on producing practical glassware, such as apothecary jars. However, within 10 years, it was producing more ornamental pieces like chandeliers. Following Pietro's death in 1862, his sons took control of the business. In the early 20th century, the glassworks started to focus on manufacturing art glass, selling under the name Antica Vetreria Fratelli Toso. During World War I, the company temporarily relocated to Liverno and then resumed operations in Murano in 1924. Later in the 20th century, Pietro's sons assumed ownership of the company. After facing economic hardships and internal disputes in the 1970s, the company was divided into Antica Vetreria Fratelli Toso and Fratelli Toso International. The latter company closed in 1981 due to bankruptcy, but Antica Vetreria Fratelli Toso continues to produce Murano glass today under the guidance of Pietro's descendants. On 1stDibs, shop a range of Fratelli Toso art glass.

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