Richard Ginori Toilet

The striking elegance and craftsmanship associated with vintage Richard Ginori porcelain and ceramics are hallmarks of the distinguished Italian manufacturer's deep heritage. Over nearly 300 years, the company has established a legacy of enduring design — its exquisite handmade serving pieces, tea sets, tableware, vases and more are coveted all over the world.

Richard Ginori traces its long history back to the village of Doccia, Italy, where marchese Carlo Ginori opened the Doccia Porcelain Manufactory in 1735. The factory employed talented Viennese painters and modelers, and although it took time for Carlo to perfect his models and molds, the company eventually became known for its impeccable white porcelain, inspired by Ginori's love of white gold. By 1779, the factory’s refined porcelain decorated palaces and stately residences.

In 1896, the factory expanded and merged with the Società Ceramic Richard of Milan. The new company was named Richard Ginori, and the early 20th century marked a period of artistic revival for the manufacturer.

In 1923, the influential Italian architect, publisher and furniture designer Gio Ponti was appointed as the company's artistic director (a role he held until 1933). He was still a young man at the time, but the now-celebrated polymath was fearless in his efforts to innovate at Richard Ginori — he introduced a contemporary spirit at the manufacturer and integrated ancient Roman art and other neoclassical elements into his richly ornate designs for decorative objects and ceramic vessels. At the 1925 International Exhibition of Modern Decorative and Industrial Arts in Paris — the design fair that brought the Art Deco style into the world — both Richard Ginori and its bold artistic director won a Grand Prix.

In the decades that followed, offerings at the storied porcelain manufacturer showed an adoption of the modern style that had taken shape in furniture design and decorative arts during the mid-20th century. In 1954, the company was renamed Ginori 1735, a reference to its inaugural year. Over time, Richard Ginori has partnered with numerous renowned designers such as Giovanni Gariboldi, Antonio Piva, Franco Albini and Aldo Rossi. In 2013, Gucci purchased the Ginori 1735 brand and factory.

On 1stDibs, find a collection of vintage Richard Ginori serveware and decorative objects.

Choosing the right antique or vintage building and garden elements can prove pivotal when you’re working to beautify any room in your home or just put the finishing touches on a garden or other outdoor area.

It takes time and effort to improve your outdoor space or merely to bring an air of tranquility to an indoor area set aside for private relaxation or gathering with friends. The good news is that 1stDibs can help.

To introduce a sense of timelessness to a back patio or interior common area, choose cast-stone statues or sculptural busts for a dose of drama or select ornate architectural elements such as corbels, plaques or panels made of marble or iron. Elsewhere, find a focal point in your living room and create a “feature wall” by bringing pops of color into a corner with handmade antique ceramic tiles.

It helps when design changes like these have a practical upside too.

Victorian cast-iron stair treads hearken back to a time when adding decorative details to your property was a priority. While lending an attractive appearance to an exterior staircase, these safeguards render the steps slip-resistant for those coming and going. And as one good stylistic choice usually leads to another, pairing your sophisticated treads with a coupling of 19th-century hand-forged andirons would be a thoughtful, durable touch for any courtyard or comfortable lounge space, be they intended for an indoor fireplace or a patio firepit.

Where the garden is concerned, any sophisticated garden ornaments you select should work with nature, not against it. Wrought-iron garden gates will simply refuse to be relegated to the background. Instead, they’ll draw attention to your painstakingly sculpted hedges and colorful flora. When paired with a sparse arrangement of other tasteful additions, such as a stone planter, garden stool or other welcoming pieces of outdoor seating, the effect can be transformative.

On 1stDibs, find a sprawling collection of antique garden furniture and architectural elements that meet every need. Our offerings include everything from sculptural bathroom fixtures to flooring ideas to pedestals and columns designed in a variety of styles and much more.