Original by Robert

Original nutcrackers were made for the express purpose of cracking nuts. The most common design was a simple vise grip, which are still produced today. Decorative nutcrackers in the shapes of kings and soldiers weren’t designed until around the 17th century. On 1stDibs, shop a collection of antique and modern nutcrackers from some of the world’s top sellers.

An original lithograph is a print made by way of a specific printing method (one of the most commonly used methods in the 20th and 21st centuries). With respect to lithography, the process begins by drawing on or painting on a stone surface with an oil-based substance, such as a greasy crayon or tusche (an oily wash). The stone is then covered with water, which is repelled by the oily areas. Oil-based ink is then applied to the wet stone, adhering only to the oily image. The stone is then covered with a sheet of paper and run through a press.

No, a lithograph is not an original. Lithographs are prints, which are authorized reproductions of works produced by artists. To produce a lithograph, an artist applies an image to a stone. Then, they treat the stone with chemicals to impart the image into it. Finally, they apply ink and transfer the image onto paper or another medium. Shop a large selection of lithographs on 1stDibs.

Amphorae originated along the coasts of what are now Syria and Lebanon. From there, the vessels used to store oil, wine, grains and other foods and drinks spread to Phoenicia and Greece. On 1stDibs, shop a collection of amphora vases from some of the world’s top sellers.

The gong originates from East Asia, but the exact place where it was first made is unknown. Texts from sixth-century China describe gongs as coming from both Tibet and Burma, which is now known as Myanmar. On 1stDibs, find a collection of gongs.