Fattorini & Sons

http://fattorini.co.uk/

The business was founded by Antonio Fattorini (1797-1860), an Italian who in 1829 was listed in Leeds as jeweller & hardware dealer at 18 Bazaar, Central Market.
In 1831 he set up a shop in Harrogate, Yorkshire, dubbed "Oriental Lounge" trading in jewellery and bric-a-brac. Later he moved to Bradford, taking a large building at 28 Kirkgate trading under the style "Fattorini & Sons".
During and slightly beyond Antonio's lifetime, the activity was advertised as "Fattorini & Sons, goldsmiths, Skipton, Harrogate and Bradford". The branch of Skipton was opened in 1848 by Innocent Fattorini (1830-74), continuing the activity of his father-in-law Baldassarre Porri (another Italian, who began his activity in 1827. Much later and when active in Birmingham, Fattorini Skipton branch referred to 1827 as its founding date.
Harrogate was managed by Antonio (II) Fattorini (1837-1913) and Bradford by John (1832-1909) and Edward Fattorini (1844-1913).
Innocent Fattorini died young and the business was continued by his widow until his son Thomas Fattorini (1864-1934) decided to use his own name changing the style of the business to "Thomas Fattorini (founded 1827)".
In 1903 Thomas Fattorini (of the Skipton stem) opened a branch in his name at Bolton, Lancs, transforming in 1919 in a limited company under the name Thomas Fattorini (Lancashire) Ltd. Meantime the original Skipton shop became Thomas Fattorini (Skipton) Ltd. After the death of Thomas Fattorini the business was continued by his son Wilfred. Around 1960 the business was sold to the United Drapery Group and in 1975 ceased to exist under the name of Fattorini.
In 1919 was created Thomas Fattorini (Birmingham) Ltd at Trafalgar Works, 5 Hockley St., Birmingham to serve the business for medals and trophies of Skipton jewellery shops. In 1928 the name changed to Thomas Fattorini Ltd (Regent Street Works, Birmingham).
Harrogate shop was at 14 Regent Parade and from the death of Antonio (II) Fattorini was managed by his sister (Mrs Maria Tindall), her son John Tindall, her nephew Edward H. Tindall and later by her great-grandchildren Charles and Anthony Tindall.
The Bradford stem continued its retail jewellery activity designing articles for sale over the counter or to special orders. In 1909 the five partners (all surnamed Fattorini) created the Fattorini & Sons Ltd. In 1915 they acquired a firm active in Birmingham, the Joseph Moore medal works at 13 Pitsford St, changing the business in Joseph Moore Ltd. In 1958 the firm became Fattorini & Sons Ltd, Bradford Works., 36 Barr St, Birmingham.
In the 1970s the Fattorini family abandoned the firm. In 1978 the old Joseph Moore business was bought by Alan Jones who managed the firm with his wife, maintaining the Fattorini style company name and address, and concentrating on high level production. In 1984 the business was acquired by Thomas Fattorini Ltd, returning again into the hands of another stem of Fattorini family.
Another Fattorini firm ( the third) was active in Birmingham in the production of medal and similar items. This was the Frank Fattorini & Son Ltd, 30 Spencer St., Birmingham. It was incorporated in 1945 and was active in the period 1940-1970. It was managed by Francis (Frank) Fattorini, grandson of another of the sons (Frank) of the founder of the dynasty. The firm ceased production c. 1971 when the business was acquired by Fattorini Bradford stem.
In 2008 Thomas Fattorini Ltd was granted of the Royal Warrant by HM The Queen.