Long before trend-bucking creative director Alessandro Michele brought his hallucinatory “Utopian Fantasy” campaign to Gucci, it was a modest Italian leather shop. Today, it’s an internationally renowned luxury house with an iconic logo, and vintage Gucci clothing, handbags and shoes are among high fashion's most covetable goods.
Guccio Gucci (1881–1953) admired the stylish suitcases he saw wealthy guests arrive with at the Savoy Hotel in London, where he worked as a bellhop. So, in 1921, after a stint at Franzi, a luggage company in his hometown of Florence, he opened a leather goods shop of his own.
At first, Gucci’s Florence business specialized in equestrian accessories. But as its reputation flourished, particularly among the English aristocracy, so too did its footprint. 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 material was first used on suitcases before finding enduring popularity on handbags. (No list of revered designer purses would be complete without Gucci.)
In the 1950s, Elizabeth Taylor carried one of Gucci’s bamboo-handled tote bags, another adaptation to material rationing. After Jackie Kennedy was seen sporting a slouchy Gucci tote in 1961, it was renamed for the First Lady. Then Grace Kelly, on a visit to the boutique in Milan, inspired Rodolfo Gucci to work with Italian illustrator and Gucci textile designer Vittorio Accornero on the Flora print in 1966. Taking cues from Sandro Botticelli’s Primavera, with its pattern of flora and insects, it was painted entirely by hand and featured no fewer than 37 colors.
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.
Ford’s racy ads, shot by photographers such as Mario Testino, stirred controversy. And his potent vision of sexed-up femininity — with “jewel-toned satin shirts unbuttoned to there,” as Vogue described his breakthrough 1995 runway show — was wildly successful. The new millennium brought new ownership — Pinault Printemps Redoute in 2004 — 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.
Find vintage Gucci clothing and accessories on 1stDibs.
20th Century Italian Silver Plated Fox Stirrup Cups, C.1970
Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Mid-20th century Italian silver plated set of four stirrup cups, the head realistically cast as a fox heads with ears pricked, stirrup cups modelled as foxes are extremely rare and s...
Silver Plate
$2,350 / set
H 6 in Dm 3 in
Six Mauro Manetti Silver Plate Animal Heads Stirrup Goblets Cups, Made in Italy
By Mauro Manetti
Located in Miami, FL
Six Mauro Manetti silver plate animal heads stirrup, goblets, cups, made in Italy. We have the Hunting collection of a German shepherd, Labrador, deer, rabbit, donkey, boar. All ma...
Metal, Silver Plate
$899
H 6 in Dm 3.13 in
Hallmarked Gucci - Italy Silver-Plate Horse Head Stirrup Cup Barware - Hunt Club
By Gucci
Located in St. Louis, MO
Circa 1970s Hallmarked Gucci - Italy Silver-Plated Horse Head hunting Equestrian Stirrup Cup. This drinking / vessel cup can rest on the head or be displayed turned over with the he...
Silver Plate, Metal
$4,600 / set
H 6 in W 5.7 in D 2.5 in
Late 20th Century Set of Six Pewter Stirrup Cups by Forst, Italy
Located in New York, NY
Set of six pewter stirrup cups (marked 95% pewter) made by the Italian manufacturer Forst in the 1970s. Each cup features a finely modeled animal h...
Pewter
Gucci Italy Elegant Silver Metal Salt & Pepper Shakers c 1970s
By Gucci
Located in University City, MO
Gucci Italy Elegant pair of silver metal penguin salt & pepper shakers c 1970s The endearing pair of stylized penguin figures are designed in graduated heights Embellished with ...
$1,696Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 5.91 in Dm 3.15 in
Late 20t Century Set of Six Pewter Stirrup cups Forst Italy
By E.M. Forster 1
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Set of six stirrup cups in pewter. Made in Italy by compny Forst. The original boxes are available. Finely modeled heads showing two horses and four stags. Stamped at the rim 95 for ...
Pewter
$11,000Sale Price|20% Off
H 5.75 in W 4 in D 2.88 in
Henry Chawner English Georgian Sterling Silver Fox Stirrup Cup 1788
By Henry Chawner
Located in New York, NY
George III sterling silver stirrup cup. Made by Henry Chawner in London in 1788. A low and pointed fox head with flexed-back ears and bared teeth expressive of scampering glee. The c...
Sterling Silver
$11,000Sale Price|20% Off
H 5.75 in W 4 in D 3.25 in
English Georgian Sterling Silver Fox Stirrup Cup with Armorial 1782
By Charles Aldridge & Henry Green
Located in New York, NY
George III sterling silver stirrup cup. Made by Charles Aldridge & Henry Green in London in 1782. A fox head with pointed snout and erect folded ears; intense eyes and closed mouth. ...
Sterling Silver
Gucci Italian 1970's Silver Plated Stag's Head Stirrup Cup
Located in Queens, NY
Italian (20th Century) silver-plated stirrup drinking cup with stag head top (missing wooden base) (signed: GUCCI, ITALY) (missing wooden base - small dent on rim of base)
Early 20th Century German Silverplated Brass Deer Stag Goblets
Located in Dallas, TX
Add rustic elegance to your barware collection with this charming set of three vintage silverplated brass goblets, each mounted on a finely cast deer hoof base. Likely crafted in Ger...
Silver Plate, Brass
Set of 6 Italian Silver-Plated Animal Head Stirrup Cups with Decanter circa 1970
By Mauro Manetti, Gucci
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Set of 6 Italian Silver-Plated Animal Head Stirrup Cups with Stag Decanter, Attributed to Mauro Manetti, 1970s An exceptional and rare complete set of six Italian silver-plated anim...
Silver Plate
Pair of Elizabeth II Style Fox Head Stirrup Cups, Pewter & Brass
By Gucci
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Classic Elizabeth II style stirrup cups, is of plain beaker form with a cast foxes head to one end. Set of two playful stirrup cups from the 1970s. Gorgeous stirrup cup adorned with a hand-carved fox head on its base. They balance with the animal heads up or down and can just be used as decorative objects if desired. Traditionally, a stirrup cup is the beverage given to guests just before the very moment of departure, referring to having one's feet in the stirrups. It is also the drink served at the meet before a fox hunt. Mauro Manetti Style Animal Heads Stirrup Goblets...
Pewter, Brass
Silver Stirrup Cup Goblet Antelope Head Hunting Equestrian Barware Decor 1970s
By Gucci
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Vintage Silver Stirrup Cup Goblet Antelope Head Hunting Equestrian Barware Decor 1970s. 1970s Stirrup Cup With The Head of A Deer or Antelope. Silver plated deer head with antlers stirrup cup. The stirrup cup can be displayed on their base and upside down on their antler. Beautifully detailed with textured top, the stirrup cup adorned with a cast deer...
Silver Plate
Mauro Manetti Stirrup Cup, Brass & Silver Plate, Boar Head, 1970
By Gucci
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Mauro Manetti classic style stirrup cup, is of plain beaker form with a cast boar head to one end. Playful stirrup cup from the 1970s in brass and silver plate. Gorgeous stirrup cup ...
Silver Plate, Pewter, Brass
Stag Elk Silver Stirrup Cup Goblet Hunting Equestrian Barware Decor 1970s
By Gucci
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
1970s Stirrup Cup With The Head Of A Stag or Elk. Vintage Silver plated stag head with large antlers stirrup cup. The stirrup cup can be displayed on their base and upside down on their antler. Beautifully detailed with textured top, the stirrup cup adorned with a cast stag head on its base, banded center and semi-gloss bottom. Playful stirrup cup from the 1970s in the style of Gucci. They balance with the animal heads up or down and can just be used as decorative objects if desired. This Classic Elizabeth II style stirrup cup, is of plain beaker form with a cast stag head to one end. Can be displayed as pictured or with the cup upside down, resting on the stag's antlers. This bar favorite stands out for the drink aficionado! Larger than many of the stirrup cups. In the early 19th century, stirrup cups were originally used as a vessel to hold a drink offered to a man on horseback before a hunting departure. Today in England and Europe stirrup cups are still used to serve drinks on horseback to the participants in a fox hunt or steeple chase, the beverage is given to guests just before the very moment of departure, referring to having one's feet in the stirrups. It is also the drink served at the meet before a fox hunt. The Italian fashion house, Gucci, made a very similar set during the 70s. Nowadays, stirrup cups are still commonly connected with hunting but are also used for decorative gifts on any occasion. Stag, Deer or Elk Stirrup Cup. Capacity: 8 oz. Height: 6.25". Diameter of the cup: 3.25" Antlers Width: 4". Made of Silver-Plate Figural English stirrup cup with stag. No maker's mark. Condition: Great vintage condition, minor wear consistent with age and use The Stag Silver...
Silver Plate
Silvered Mercury Glass Candlesticks, British Colonial Style, 1999
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Pair of mercury glass silvered candlesticks. Silvered mercury glass is mouth-blown double walled, then silvered between the layers with a liquid silvering solution. The silvering is ...
Mercury Glass
Created during Alessandro Michele's tenure at the brand, this sparkling, whimsical minaudière feels just right for a night out.
The iconic Italian label’s traveling exhibition has just arrived in London.
