Antonio Fattorini was born in Italy near Lake Como in 1797. In the early 19th century, during the aftermath of the Napoleonic wars, Italy was in turmoil and much of the North was under the sovereignty of the Austrian Empire. Because of this many Italians left their native country for more peaceful lands; the young Antonio and many of his contemporaries came to England to make a new start. Antonio moved north and settled in Leeds where he traded in what today would be classed as Bric-a-Brac.

In 1831, Antonio and his wife moved to Harrogate and took premises at 14 Regent Parade. During the Regency period it had become the practice for families of wealth to rent a house at a fashionable resort such as Harrogate for the summer months. It was to take advantage of this summer trade that Antonio opened his shop 'The Oriental Lounge' and advertised in the 'Harrogate Advertiser' to attract custom. The winter months he spent in Leeds.

Antonio and his wife raised a family, who, as they grew older, moved away from home. Of their sons, Lawrence went to Lancashire, Innocent to Skipton and John and Edward to Bradford. Antonio died in 1859.
However, another son, Antonio had remained in Harrogate and about 1875, influenced by the growth of the town, decided to move to new premises at No.2 Royal Parade, near to the busy Crown Hotel and Pump Room. The new premises were known as 'A. Fattorini The Jeweller'. Harrogate itself continued to prosper and expand and in 1884 it was again decided that new premises should be acquired in a more prominent position. 'A. Fattorini The Jeweller' moved to its present site 10, Parliament Street. In the same year Harrogate was incorporated as a borough and A. Fattorini had the privilege of supplying the Mayoral chain.

At the turn of the century Antonio, a bachelor, was joined by his sister Maria and her family, her husband being John Tindall. When Antonio died in 1912 his sister Maria carried on the business with her son John who during the Great War of 1914 - 1918 served in the Royal Flying Corps. His son, Edward, joined the business in 1933.

During those many years leading up to the start of the Second World War in 1939, Harrogate had remained a fashionable summer resort, attracting many visitors to take the Spa waters. However the war years changed the character of Harrogate and thus influenced the business itself. John Tindall's son, Edward, joined the Royal Air Force and was away until 1946. The conditions of war and the consequent difficulties experienced in obtaining stock forced the shop onto a four day week. It also radically altered the lives and attitudes of the public who were no longer attracted to 'Spa Waters' as a holiday resort, and the seasonal trade in Harrogate began to decline. It was necessary, therefore, to promote a new image of Harrogate to attract more people and thus regain the prosperity the town had always enjoyed.

Amongst its great assets were the many substantial hotels, capable of accommodating large numbers of people, and the quiet beauty of the town itself, with its carefully tended gardens, and its lovely architecturally interesting old houses. Harrogate's revival as a Conference Centre and major shopping town began. Its success was such that in 1965, 10 Parliament Street expanded to incorporate No.12 and the whole premises were modernised. Edward Tindall was joined by his son Charles, who was followed into the business by his brother Anthony several years later.

At the present time 'A. Fattorini The Jeweller' is being directed by the great, great grandsons of the founder. Today, as in 1831 when Antonio founded the business, the aim of the partners and staff remains the same - to sell goods of the highest quality, beauty and finish and to maintain the excellent service to all. They hope that this aim will be achieved for many more years to come.