1720 was founded by Kerstin Rice after she discovered that the more than 400-year-old chairmaking tradition of the Ore Mountains of Saxony was on the verge of becoming extinct. 1720 is dedicated to preserving and promoting rare crafts and their intangible cultural heritage through a combination of awareness campaigns, policy advocacy, networking initiatives and educational efforts.

By creating limited-edition pieces that highlight traditional skills in a modern context, 1720 raises awareness through exhibitions at venues like Staatsschauspiel Dresden and public museums. Public awareness and education are key pillars of 1702, as demonstrated by its presentation of the German concept of voluntary service for monument preservation at a recent industry meeting in London.

1720 is also a founding partner of the Alliance for Rare Crafts Heritage (ARCH), which works to safeguard these traditions globally.