Unknown Curiosities

Wildly whimsical Spanish doll created in the 1950's by Klumpe Roldan for the tourist market. This highly animated doll depicts a traveler laden with luggage, sporting goods, handbag...

Art Deco sleek red & black enamel unisex cigarette case c 1940s The elegant cigarette case is designed with a striped enamel lid cover with bold red & black geometric lacquered pane...

Circa 1925 Germany Rare cloche hat or capote made of woven straw and colored Rafia embroidery dating from the Modernist Bauhaus period in Germany. Collect...

This whimsical 1970's signed brass foot shoe horn is by Taste Sellar Sigma as shown in the photos. The company is Taste Setter by Sigma. It is unisex and in...

Victorian era brass button hook in the form of an ornate sword with a polished agate handle. Perfect accessory for your favorite swashbuckler! No maker's...

Circa 1875 - 1895 France or Europe Small Bustle cage to refine the Silhouette called Queue d'écrevisse in scarlet cotton twill dating from the late 19th century. Nine metal hoops co...

Late 18 th century France Rare Large wool tapestry travel bag dating from the 18th century. White calf skin covered with an embroidered and knotte...

Circa 1790/1820 France Beautiful collectible pair of Orientalist mules shoes dating from the early nineteenth century. Square-tipped upper in fawn leather embroidered with tulips i...

Sleek pair of Italian molded resin stylized equine clothing hangers The elegant pair of Italian molded resin hangers are designed with a pair of smoot...

Wonderful novelty Victorian Silver Figural Skirt Holder of likely European origin. Beautifully detailed with a chickadee which slides along hol...

It is difficult to imagine in our world of plentiful gadgets that at one time, a tape measure was a rare and expensive commodity to the everyday sewing basket. Their accuracy was important and in the Victorian era through the early 20th century the ribbon tape was hand marked to ensure precision. These whimsical wooden tape measures would have been a fun and functional collectible in their day and continue to be a fascinating curiosity that would be a wonderful addition to a cottage decor or even a folk art collection. Each is similarly constructed though they all vary in age and design. The set of four includes: a painted house with the tape edged to resemble a flag and the roof opening to reveal cotton for needle storage, a painted and pierced container with celluloid ring and handles, a tartan dome printed 'Wallace', a rosewood container...

Pull the string, put the tree on your table, and listen to the magic of Christmas Rare and Gorgeous Christmas Ball Music Box Pull the hook, a string will come out and go into the ...