Why is condition important for antique items and what it tells us about the authenticity of an object?

The more optimal its condition, the more valuable an antique will likely be. If an item is perfectly uniform with no color, this is likely indicative that it is a modern mass-produced reproduction and thus, less valuable. When 1stDibs vets an item, we look for item condition and patina to determine if an item shows signs of age.

Unusual Antique Objects

Bear Antique

Unusual Desk

Antique Writing Box

Antique Imari Japanese Bowl

Early Satsuma

Unusual Glass Vase

Unusual Sculpture

Victorian Hand Painted 19th Century Vase

Category

Mid-19th Century American Victorian Unusual Antique Objects

Materials

Iron

Two 19th Century Cast Iron Coal Irons

$240

Henry G. Bohn, Bookseller Catalogue

By Henry G. Bohn 1

Located in Leeds, GB

been upward of two thousand pounds - an expenditure unusual for the object, but which has been

Category

1840s British Other Unusual Antique Objects

Materials

Paper

Henry G. Bohn, Bookseller Catalogue

$1,130

Sicilian Trinacria Made from Silver Thread

Located in London, GB

, the image of the Trinacria has been reproduced and made by islanders for centuries. The object in

Category

Early 18th Century Sicilian Unusual Antique Objects

Materials

Silver

Sicilian Trinacria Made from Silver Thread

$7,882

17th Century Grand Tour Green Serpentine Specimen Sphere

Located in Richmond, London

like the sculptural quality of this unusual object, evoking classical sophistication of a well

Category

Late 17th Century Italian Grand Tour Unusual Antique Objects

Materials

Serpentine

17th Century Grand Tour Green Serpentine Specimen Sphere

$1,295

Leather Rice Paddy Shoes

Located in New York, NY

Quirky rice paddy clogs from Hunan Province, c. 1920. Fabulous and unusual objects. M108

Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Unusual Antique Objects

Materials

Leather

Leather Rice Paddy Shoes

$290

Unusual Silver Plated Timepiece Carriage Clock

Located in Buckinghamshire, GB

An unusual carriage clock. It has a very heavy silver plated case, with reeded side columns and a

Category

Early 20th Century French Unusual Antique Objects

Materials

Silver Plate

Unusual Silver Plated Timepiece Carriage Clock

$920

Unusual Victorian Quality Brass Banded Oak Box

Located in Stutton, GB

Unusual Victorian quality brass banded oak box in the form of a luggage trunk with a fitted

Category

19th Century European Victorian Unusual Antique Objects

Materials

Oak

Unusual Victorian Quality Brass Banded Oak Box

$801

Very Unusual Clock Included in a Biscuit Rhinoceros

By Manufacture Nationale de Sèvres

Located in Paris, FR

Charming clock included in a biscuit representing a rhinoceros topped with a gilded bronze putti Resting on a gilded bronze base,

Category

19th Century French Napoleon III Unusual Antique Objects

Very Unusual Clock Included in a Biscuit Rhinoceros

$16,390

Unusual Large Antique Giltwood Christian Crusader Statue

Located in Laguna Beach, CA

Christian crusader statue is quite unusual.

Category

17th Century European Gothic Unusual Antique Objects

Materials

Wood, Giltwood

Unusual Large Antique Giltwood Christian Crusader Statue

$12,000

Unusual Victorian Burr Walnut Writing Box

Located in Stutton, GB

Unusual Victorian burr walnut writing box, opens to reveal the original interior, office section

Category

1860s European Victorian Unusual Antique Objects

Materials

Walnut

Unusual Victorian Burr Walnut Writing Box

$500

Very Unusual 19th Century Belgian Tall Case "Fish" Clock from Liege

Located in Antwerp, BE

This extremely unusual tall case clock was made in the last half of the 19th century in Liege

Category

Late 19th Century Belgian Unusual Antique Objects

Very Unusual 19th Century Belgian Tall Case "Fish" Clock from Liege

$8,500

Unusual and Lovely Fibrous Malachite Crystals

Located in Ostend, BE

A fine pair of fibrous malachite crystals. Fibrous malachite is much rarer than the polished variety. From D.R. Congo. Pieces can be sold individually for $1,200 $800. Measures...

Category

15th Century and Earlier Congolese Unusual Antique Objects

Unusual and Lovely Fibrous Malachite Crystals

$2,000

Japanese Ikebana Basket, Meiji Period, Unusual Squat Form Rare

Located in Seattle, WA

Antique Japanese Ikebana basket. Unusual squat abstract form wrapped around a rootwood handle and

Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Unusual Antique Objects

Materials

Bamboo

Japanese Ikebana Basket, Meiji Period, Unusual Squat Form Rare

$1,500

19th Century Swedish Blue Painted Paper Top Hat Box

Located in Antwerp, BE

and unusual decorative object.

Category

Late 19th Century Swedish Unusual Antique Objects

Materials

Paper

19th Century Swedish Blue Painted Paper Top Hat Box

$195

Bronze Fly Objet or Sculpture

Located in San Antonio, TX

One of a collection of fine bronze sculpture and objects. This unusual sculpture is great looking

Category

Early 20th Century Unusual Antique Objects

Materials

Bronze

Bronze Fly Objet or Sculpture

$550

Bronze Repousse Ink Boxes with Seated Buddha

Located in New York, NY

front and striking, elaborate engraving on the back of each box. These unusual and stunning objects work

Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Unusual Antique Objects

Materials

Bronze

Bronze Repousse Ink Boxes with Seated Buddha

$250

Antique Pair of Grand Tour Faux Porphyry Table Lamps

By Thomas Hope

Located in Richmond, London

trapezophoros, decorated to simulate Egyptian imperial porphyry. Why we like them A rather unusual object

Category

Early 20th Century English Grand Tour Unusual Antique Objects

Materials

Metal

Antique Pair of Grand Tour Faux Porphyry Table Lamps

$8,088

Architectural Fragment Terracotta Flame Sculpture

Located in Los Angeles, CA

unusual and wonderful object with loads of character.

Category

1910s American Unusual Antique Objects

Materials

Terracotta

Architectural Fragment Terracotta Flame Sculpture

$2,200

Antique Edwardian Goldsmith s Intaglio Lapis Signet Ring

Located in Sale, Cheshire

Particularly cool Lapis Lazuli signet ring carved with an unusual intaglio crest. The three objects

Category

Early 1900s English Edwardian Unusual Antique Objects

Materials

Lapis Lazuli, 18k Gold

Antique Edwardian Goldsmith s Intaglio Lapis Signet Ring

$1,400

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Unusual Antique Objects For Sale on 1stDibs

There is a range of unusual antique objects for sale on 1stDibs. Each of these unique unusual antique objects was constructed with extraordinary care, often using metal, wood and bronze. Unusual antique objects have been produced for many years, with earlier versions available from the 18th Century and newer variations made as recently as the 20th Century. Victorian, Folk Art and Georgian unusual antique objects are consistently popular styles. Unusual antique objects have been a part of the life’s work for many furniture makers, but those produced by Franz Bergmann, Loetz Glass and Staffordshire are consistently popular.

How Much are Unusual Antique Objects?

The average selling price for at 1stDibs is $2,212, while they’re typically $225 on the low end and $151,365 highest priced.

Finding the Right Decorative-objects for You

Every time you move into a house or an apartment — or endeavor to refresh the home you’ve lived in for years — life for that space begins anew. The right home accent, be it the simple placement of a decorative bowl on a shelf or a ceramic vase for fresh flowers, can transform an area from drab to spectacular. But with so many materials and items to choose from, it’s easy to get lost in the process. The key to styling with antique and vintage decorative objects is to work toward making a happy home that best reflects your personal style.

Ceramics are a versatile addition to any home. If you’ve amassed an assortment of functional pottery over the years, think of your mugs and salad bowls as decorative objects, ideal for displaying in a glass cabinet. Vintage ceramic serveware can pop along white open shelving in your dining area, while large stoneware pitchers paired with woven baskets or quilts in an open cupboard can introduce a rustic farmhouse-style element to your den.

Translucent decorative boxes or bowls made of an acrylic plastic called Lucite — a game changer in furniture that’s easy to clean and lasts long — are modern accents that are neutral enough to dress up a coffee table or desktop without cluttering it. If you’re showcasing pieces from the past, a vintage jewelry box for displaying your treasures can spark conversation: Where is the jewelry box from? Is there a story behind it?

Abstract sculptures or an antique vessel for your home library can draw attention to your book collection and add narrative charm to the most appropriate of corners. There’s more than one way to style your bookcases, and decorative objects add a provocative dynamic. “I love magnifying glasses,” says Alex Assouline, global vice president of luxury publisher Assouline, of adding one’s cherished objects to a home library. “They are both useful and decorative. Objects really elevate libraries and can also make them more personal.”

To help with personalizing your space and truly making it your own, find an extraordinary collection of decorative objects on 1stDibs.

Questions About Unusual Antique Objects

Why is condition important for antique items and what it tells us about the authenticity of an object?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertAugust 26, 2020
The more optimal its condition, the more valuable an antique will likely be. If an item is perfectly uniform with no color, this is likely indicative that it is a modern mass-produced reproduction and thus, less valuable. When 1stDibs vets an item, we look for item condition and patina to determine if an item shows signs of age.