Collectibles and Curiosities
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Collectibles and Curiosities For Sale
Antique English Brass Cased Folding Magnifying Glass c.1920
Located in Bath, GB
A lovely shaped little folding / pocket magnifying glass which folds into a shaped brass case, marked "Made In England".
Dating to c.1920, remaining in excellent condition measuring...
Category
1920s British Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Brass
19th Century Taxidermy Dog Jack Russell by Linsley Brothers of Leeds
Located in Lowestoft, GB
A stern and rotund mid to late 19th century taxidermy Jack Russel, presented standing on a velvet and rope decorated cushion with its perfectly faded verdgris green background.
The c...
Category
Mid-19th Century British Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Velvet, Natural Fiber, Glass, Pine
1970s Stunning Smoking Set By Antonio Imperatore in Murano Glass.
Located in Milano, IT
1970s Stunning smoking set by Antonio Imperatore in Murano Glass. Made in Italy
The items are in excellent condition. The table lighter works perfectly.
This smoking set is gorgeous
...
Category
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Murano Glass
1 Vol. Nathaniel Hawthorne, A Wonder Book. First Trade Edition
Located in New York, NY
1 Vol. Nathaniel Hawthorne, A Wonder Book. First Trade Edition. Illustrated by Arthur Rackham. 23 plates included throughout. Illustrated portrait frontispiece. Marbled endpapers. Al...
Category
20th Century English Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Leather
28 vol.Rudyard Kipling, The Collected Works of Rudyard Kipling.Signed Burwash Ed
Located in New York, NY
28 vol. Rudyard Kipling, The Collected Works of Rudyard Kipling. Signed by Kipling. Burwash Edition, Limited Edition, limited to 1010 sets, 10 for presentation, No. 931/1000 signed s...
Category
20th Century American Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Leather
1 vol. Herman Melville, Moby Dick or The Whale. First Trade Edition, Limited Ed.
Located in New York, NY
1 vol. Herman Melville, Moby Dick or The Whale. First Trade Edition, Limited Edition. Illustrated by Rockwell Kent. Illustrated throughout. Inscribed to Nathaniel Hawthorne. Rebound ...
Category
20th Century American Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Leather
Carl Auböck Model #5732
Hand
Brass Keyring
Located in Glendale, CA
Carl Auböck model #5732 'Hand' brass figurine keyring. Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and sculptural object is hand fabricated in polished brass.
Price is per item....
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Austrian Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Brass
$230 / item
Antique Carved Wood Tobacco Pipe with Excellent Dog and Deer Head Carving
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Carved Wood Tobacco Pipe with Excellent Dog and Deer Head Carving
An antique handcarved wood tobacco pipe with fine carved hunting scenes and a carved dog on the lid. At the...
Category
Late 19th Century German Black Forest Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Wood
Vintage 1960s Blue Pedal Car Convertible
Located in Chicago, IL
Vibrant, sleek and full of character, this vintage pedal car was once the prized possession of children all across America. A popular toy since the late 19th century, pedal cars expe...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Steel
Pinball Rolling Stones Collector 1980s Completely Revised
Located in Paris, FR
Collector pinball, first rolling stones pinball 1980s,
functioning completely revised, in excellent condition.
Exceptional collector piece.
Category
Late 20th Century American Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Steel
Lewis Carroll (Dodgson) - Through The Looking-Glass. 1877 - PRESENTATION COPY
Located in Hillsborough, NJ
AUTHOR: DODGSON, Charles Lutwidge: (Lewis Carroll).
TITLE: Through The Looking-Glass And What Alice Found There.
PUBLISHER: London: Macmillan & Co., 1877.
DESCRIPTION: PRESENTATI...
Category
1870s Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
1930s Entomology Moth
Butterfly Collection Wall Display Rare Extinct Bugs
By Grant Wood 1
Located in Hyattsville, MD
Interesting piece from an Iowan Estate. This piece is unsigned. The folklore I was told by the seller about the piece is that this was originally from the Grant Wood Estate. Howeve...
Category
1930s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Glass
$1,200 Sale Price
20% Off
Aircraft Engine Gold Speaker
Located in Paris, FR
Speaker Aircraft Engine Gold is inspired by radial aircraft engines
from early 20th-century radial aircraft engines. Structure in aluminum
alloy wi...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Aluminum, Gold Plate, Chrome
$51,347
Black Forest Vintage Deer Trophy on Carved Plaque 1943
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Black Forest Vintage Deer Trophy on Carved Plaque 1943
A large vintage deer (Capreolus capreolus) trophy on a wooden carved plaque. The plaque fea...
Category
Mid-19th Century German Black Forest Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Wood, Antler
A Very Rare 19th Century Walking Cane with Watercolours and Brushes
Located in Dublin, IE
A very rare 19th Century well figured gadget walking cane with a built in painters mixing vial, watercolour palette and brushes. This exceptional...
Category
19th Century English Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Brass
Taxidermy Swordfish Bill
Horn Novelty Sword 19th Century
Located in Nottingham, GB
In good condition
From a private collection
Free international shipping
Swordfish Bill & Horn Novelty Sword 19th Century
Category
19th Century Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Horn
1970 Seiko Blue and Tobacco Retro Vintage Industrial Antique Steel Quartz Clock
By Seiko
Located in Leicester, Leicestershire
Seiko super tanker slave clock original aqua blue finish
A reclaimed and restored maritime slave clock.
These clocks were used in great numbers on super tankers, cargo ships an...
Category
1970s Japanese Industrial Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Steel, Cut Steel
Rare Columbia Film Studios Motion Picture Reel Case with 35mm Movie "Tarzana"
Located in San Diego, CA
An extremely rare Columbia Studios motion picture reel case with three reels of 35mm movie "Tarzana", circa 1969. The case was manufactured by Goldberg...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Steel
Rihanna Book: Limited Edition
Fenty x Phaidon
Featuring a Designer Stand
Located in New York, NY
Clear the coffee table! Rihanna invites you into her world with this stunning visual autobiography that comes with a limited edition stand created in collaboration with the artists T...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Pl. 40 Antique Print of Decorative Art in the Middle Ages by Racinet, 1869
Located in Langweer, NL
Old print of decorative art in the Middle Ages. This print originates from 'L'Ornement polychrome'. A beautiful work containing about...
Category
19th Century Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
$69 Sale Price
20% Off
Vintage Toy Wind-Up "Baby L" Speedboat by Lindstrom Toy Co., American Circa 1933
Located in Incline Village, NV
Vintage toy speed boat manufactured by the Lindstrom Toy Company of Bridgeport Connecticut, circa 1933 or earlier; the Lindstrom company having been founded in 1913, made quality tin...
Category
1930s American Folk Art Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Tin
Ptolemaic Armillary Sphere, Charles-François Delamarche, Paris, ante 1798
Located in Milano, IT
Ptolemaic armillary sphere
Charles-François Delamarche
Paris, ante 1798
Wood and papier-mâché
covered with printed and partly hand-colored paper
It measures 15.55 in in height x Ø 10...
Category
1790s French Other Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Wood, Paper
Bluesky Backgammon
Located in Paris, FR
Backgammon Bluesky with genuine grained leather and
with upholstered padding and lining in dinamica microfiber.
With details in solid polished brass in nickel-plated. Bottom feet in
solid polished brass in nickel plated. Backgammon including
1 doubling dice...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Brass, Nickel
$34,112
Winchester 4692 Embossed Hard Gun Case with Leather Handle Finished Brass Trim
Located in Reading, Berkshire
Winchester 4692 Embossed Hard Gun Case with Leather Handle Finished Brass Trim
Red Velvet Interior.
Winchester rifle is a comprehensive term d...
Category
1990s American American Classical Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Brass
The Shaker World by John T. Kirk
Located in Bradenton, FL
The Shaker World by John T. Kirk. Hardcover book with dustjacket. Published by Harry N. Abrams, Inc. of New York. Printed and bound in Japan. 277 illustrat...
Category
Late 20th Century Shaker Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Baroque Walnut Sculpture Of Saint Joseph And The Christ Child, Early 18th C.
Located in Bilzen, BE
"Baroque Walnut Sculpture Of Saint Joseph And The Christ Child, Early 18th Century"
Baroque Walnut Sculpture of Saint Joseph and the Christ Child
Southern Netherlands or Germanic Reg...
Category
Early 18th Century Baroque Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Wood
Antique Walking Stick with 925 Sterling Silver Handle, Early 20th Century
Located in Autonomous City Buenos Aires, CABA
Antique Walking Stick with 925 Sterling Silver Handle, Early 20th Century
This refined antique walking stick features a beautifully crafted solid silver handle, richly decorated wit...
Category
20th Century French Art Nouveau Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Sterling Silver
English Lectern or Book Stand of Brass
Located in Austin, TX
A fine English table top lectern, missal or book stand of brass, featuring a reading top with pierced quatrefoils at each corner. The revolving recta...
Category
Early 20th Century English Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal, Brass
Cézanne Watercolors by Acquavella Galleries, 1st Ed
Located in valatie, NY
Cézanne Watercolors by Acquavella Galleries, introduction by William Rubin. New York: Acquavella Galleries, 1999. 1st Ed Softcover. 128 pp. 21 b&w...
Category
1990s American Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Christie
s The Collection of the Late André Meyer, New York, Oct 2001
Located in valatie, NY
Christie's: The Collection of the Late André Meyer, New York, Oct 2001. An extensive collection of French furniture, paintings and accessories. 129 lots in color on 177 pages. With r...
Category
Early 2000s American Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Ancient Bulgarian Belt Buckel, 19th Century
Located in Roma, IT
Ancient Bulgarian Belt Buckel, 19th Century.
Gilded metal.
Category
19th Century Bulgarian Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal
$1,244 Sale Price
20% Off
Giant 18 Inch Natural Clam Shell Specimen
Located in Bradenton, FL
Authentic giant clam shell specimen with its iconic sculptural form and sea inspired colors and textures.
Category
20th Century Asian Organic Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Shell
Antique English Nickel Cased Compass Reg. No. For 1903 - WW1 Military Issue
Located in Bath, GB
A handsome cased World War One issued compass with hinged lid, the little button on the top used to open; just like a full hunter pocket watch. The front is stamped with the war off...
Category
1910s Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Nickel
Natural Round Conch Shell
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Fabulous round natural conch shell for tabletop decor. Great addition to your boho chic inspired interiors and table tops.
Category
1970s Other Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Shell
Curiosity Cabinet Collection of Shells, Circa 1900
Located in Beuzevillette, FR
Very interesting set of shells collected by an amateur between the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century. The shells are classified by size and age either in ...
Category
Early 20th Century French Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Shell
$153 Sale Price
20% Off
1950s Midcentury Shortwave Radio by Phillips
By Phillips
Located in San Diego, CA
This cool vintage original radio shortwave by Phillips, circa 1950s with bakelite knobs in cream color case, the radio works but it takes a while to war...
Category
20th Century North American Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Bakelite
$140 Sale Price
20% Off
Antique 19th Century Map of Ancient Syria
Assyria - Historical Regions, c.1802
Located in Langweer, NL
19th Century Map of Ancient Syria and Assyria: 'Tabula Regiones inter Syriam et Assyriam continens'"*
This beautifully detailed 18th-century map, titled...
Category
Early 1800s Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
$296 Sale Price
20% Off
Antique Map of the Island of Tinos by Dapper, 1687
Located in Langweer, NL
Antique map titled 'Tino.' This original antique map shows the island of Tinos, Greece. Source unknown, to be determined.
Artists and Engravers: Made by 'Olfert Dapper' after an a...
Category
17th Century Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
20th Century Erzgebirge German Noah’s Ark Putz Toy Set, Vintage Folk Art
Located in Nuernberg, DE
20th century Erzgebirge German Noah’s Ark. A wonderful example of a 20th century Erzgebirge German Noah’s Ark, With 36 assorted hand carved figures. Typically, children played with t...
Category
20th Century German Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Wood
Modern Lighting of the
50
s (Arnoldsche Reprint)
Located in New York, NY
Reprint of a 1953 international survey of modernist lighting, originally published in Germany by Alexander Koch. This edition published in 2012 by Arnoldsche Art Publishers. Faithful reprint of the original, with a new introduction by Bernd Dicke. Large 8vo (8.5” x 12”), pictorial boards, approximately 122 pages, fully illustrated with b/w photos plus several color images at the front. Introductory text in German and English; curatorial text in German, English, and French. A bible for sourcing and documenting early postwar lighting, based on the perspicacity of the editor(s). A roster of designers and manufacturers, gleaned fro the index at the rear, includes: Arredoluce, Arteluce, BAG Turgi, Peter Behrens, Alexey Brodovitch, Paul Bry, Franco Buzzi, Alexander Calder, Pier Giacomo Castiglioni, Robert Gage, Lester Geis...
Category
2010s German Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
[1st ed] The Little Sister by Raymond Chandler
By Agatha Christie
Located in New York, NY
First American edition of Raymond Chandler’s fifth Philip Marlowe detective novel, concerning a case of blackmail involving a Hollywood starlet and a Cleveland/LA hoodlum. Published ...
Category
1940s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
![[1st ed] The Little Sister by Raymond Chandler](https://a.1stdibscdn.com/1st-ed-the-little-sister-by-raymond-chandler-for-sale/f_8285/f_479404321765388266869/f_47940432_1765388267685_bg_processed.jpg?width=240 "[1st ed] The Little Sister by Raymond Chandler")
Victorian green
gold Cast Iron Christmas Tree Stand, Vintage, German, 1890s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
This beautiful Art nouveau green and golden color cast iron Christmas tree stand, was made in Germany, in the 1910s. A nice addition for your Christmas decoration. It holds a stem up...
Category
1890s German Folk Art Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal, Iron
Ellen von Unwerth, Heimat, Limited Edition Signed Book
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Welcome to Heimat
An enchanted trip through Bavaria with Ellen von Unwerth
Ellen von Unwerth’s puckish humor pervades the pages of Heimat, an enchanted tour around Bavaria. The ren...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Japanese Garden
Located in New York, NY
An in-depth exploration spanning 800 years of the art, essence, and enduring impact of the Japanese garden.
The most comprehensive exploration of the art of the Japanese garden published to date, this book covers more than eight centuries of the history of this important genre.
Author and garden designer Sophie Walker brings fresh insight to this subject, exploring the Japanese garden in detail through a series of essays and with 100 featured gardens, ranging from ancient Shinto shrines to imperial gardens and contemporary Zen designs. Leading artists, architects, and other cultural practitioners offer personal perspectives in newly commissioned essays.
In 2014 Sophie Walker became the youngest woman to design a garden at RHS Chelsea Flower Show...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary European Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
$70 / item
Hammered brass dinner gong around 1950s
Located in Wien, AT
Hammered brass dinner gong around 1950s
Original condition
Original patina
Category
1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Brass
Washington IRVING - A History of New York - 1809 - FIRST EDITION !
Located in Hillsborough, NJ
AUTHOR: IRVING, Washington [Diedrich Knickerbocker].
TITLE: A History of New York, From the Beginning of the World to the End of the Dutch Dynasty, Containing Among many Surprising...
Category
Early 1800s American Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Leather
19th Century French Silver and Bronze Monstrance
Located in Victoria, BC
This striking 19th-century French monstrance is an wonderful example of ecclesiastical metalwork, featuring a solid silver upper half—fully hallmarke...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Silver, Bronze
Lightning Bolt
Pipeliner
Surfboard shaped by Gerry Lopez
Located in Haleiwa, HI
‘Pipeliner’ model Lightning Bolt surfboard shaped by Gerry Lopez in 2024. Bold yellow deck tint with classic black wrapped rails/bottom and red pinstripe detail. Hand shaped from a Clark Foam...
Category
2010s North American Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Fiberglass, Foam, Softwood
Pyramid Puzzle Sculpture - Serpentine green
Located in Pacasmayo, PE
This green serpentine sculpture calms and centers any environment.
Challenge your mind with the Pyramid Puzzle: a tactile table game crafted from real semi-precious gemstones. Perfe...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Peruvian Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Stone
$189 / item
Antique Map of France by T. Kitchin, Engraved, Circa 1779
Located in Langweer, NL
Antique map titled 'The Kingdom of France (..)'. Large antique map of the Kingdom of France. Engraved by T. Kitchin. Published J. Blair, circa 1779.
Category
Late 18th Century British Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Where Architects Sleep, The Most Stylish Hotels in the World
Located in New York, NY
In the tradition of the bestselling Where Chefs Eat: the definitive global hotel guide by the real experts who know - architects
No one appreciates a building quite like an architect...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Frank Lloyd Wright by Bruce Brooks Pfeiffer Hardcover Book
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Frank Lloyd Wright by Bruce-brooks-pfeiffer. Hardcover book.
Published by Barnes Noble Books (1994).
A building by Frank Lloyd Wright (1867-1959) is at once unmistakably individual, ...
Category
1990s American Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Large Antique Italian School Oil on Canvas Painting Apparition of Mary to James
Located in Lisse, NL
Large size antique Gothic Art painting 'The Apparition of the Virgin Mary to Saint James'.
We are by no means connoisseurs when it comes to antique paintings, but we have seen enough antique paintings to know when something is special, decorative and truly inspiring and interesting to look at. And the large size of this antique work of art, makes it impressive too. Also, because it must have taken one very skilled painter an awful lot of time (probably weeks, if not months) to hand-paint this famous religious scene. According to ancient local tradition, on January 2nd of the year AD 40, the Virgin Mary appeared to James on the bank of the Ebro River at Caesaraugusta, while he was preaching the Gospel in Iberia. Looking at the perfectly painted ancient landscape
and the kneeling figure who is in awe of what he is witnessing (by the river bank) we believe this is in fact the apparition of Mary to James. Following that apparition, by the way, St. James returned to Judea, where he was beheaded by King Herod Agrippa the first (in the year AD 44). Judging from the skillfully painted individuals in the Renaissance Style and the striking and lively colors, we believe, this late 1800s painting is the work of a true artisan. This work of religious art on the back reads 'Sacerdote Salvatore Rosa, Dipinse 1889' which means Priest Salvatore Rosa, Painted 1889. This priest clearly had a god given talent and god bless him for having created this masterpiece.
Apart from some minor imperfections this large and nostalgic painting is in very good condition and we believe it will look particularly great in a church, monastery or chapel. At the same time, a one of a kind antique like this will ofcourse also look great atop the stairwell of a mansion or in the entry hall of a French castle etc. We don't know the 'exact' value of this large size antique painting...
Category
Late 19th Century Italian Renaissance Revival Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Canvas, Wood, Paint
1966 Vintage Greg Noll Miki Dora “Da Cat” longboard
By Greg Noll
Located in Haleiwa, HI
1966 vintage Greg Noll Miki Dora Da Cat longboard. Features the legendary black cat color scheme Miki Dora was known to ride. A remarkable example of the hig...
Category
1960s American Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Fiberglass, Foam, Softwood
Beautiful Silver Sacred Heart Ex Voto with Cherub Angel, Antique European, 1880s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Beautiful Handmade Religious Ex-Voto
A striking and delicately crafted religious Ex-Voto, sourced from an estate sale in Parma, Italy. The piece appears to be made from thin, lightw...
Category
Late 19th Century Italian Art Nouveau Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Silver Plate, Sheet Metal
19th c. Bock-Steger Anatomical Brain Model, Germany
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT
A hand crafted and painted plaster anatomical model of the human brain. Franz Josef Steger and pathological anatomist Carl Ernst Bock collaborated a...
Category
19th Century German Victorian Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Plaster
$450 Sale Price
78% Off
Concorde Supersonic Model
Located in Paris, FR
Model Concorde supersonic with light wooden body and
all covered with riveted aluminium foil. On polished stainless
steel base with item's descri...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Dutch Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Aluminum
$2,022 / item
French Empire Bronze Mount of an Eagle Subduing a Serpent, Desmalter / Thomire
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
French Empire Bronze Mount of an Eagle Subduing a Serpent, circa 1800–1820
School or Workshop Jacob-Desmalter/Thomire
A finely cast French Empire bronze mount depicting Napoleon’s ...
Category
Early 19th Century French Empire Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Ormolu
"Little Boy" Atomic Bomb Model Signed by Enola Gay Navigator Dutch Van Kirk COA
Located in San Diego, CA
Superbly detailed "Little Boy" atomic bomb model signed by Enola Gay navigator Dutch Van Kirk, circa 2000s. The Enola Gay was named after Enola Gay Tibbets, the mother of the pilot, ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Philippine Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Plastic, Wood
Antique Rare Gothic 16th Century Two-Hand Sword Germany
Located in Doha, QA
This magnificent 16th-century German two-hand sword is a rare and historically important ceremonial weapon, hand crafted by renowned blade-smith Christoph Stantler (active circa 155...
Category
16th Century German Gothic Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Iron
Antique and Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities for Sale
Antique and vintage collectibles and curiosities can bring whimsy and wonder to any interior.
Decorating with old scientific instruments, historical memorabilia and vintage musical instruments, as well as other authentic collectibles and curiosities that can be found on 1stDibs, presents an opportunity to create a unique, natural history museum-like atmosphere in your home that can provoke conversation as often as it pays tribute to how far we’ve come in understanding our world.
And bringing collectibles and curiosities into your space is actually on trend — Wunderkammern, or curiosity cabinets, were all the rage in Europe during the 1500s and continued to have adherents there and in the U.S. in the following centuries. Today, however, they’re experiencing a real surge in popularity and influencing how many interior designers are furnishing and decorating homes — combining contemporary with antique, scientific with tribal, earthly with extraterrestrial, Les Lalanne tables with Flemish tapestries.
The original Wunderkammern were entire rooms filled with objects demonstrating their owners’ worldly knowledge: A proper one included artificiala or preciosa (objets d’art); naturalia (such as skeletons, shells, minerals); exotica (taxidermy or dried plants); and scientifica (scientific instruments), frequently alongside religious relics and ancient artifacts.
Pay tribute to a history of rich and diverse musical traditions that have taken shape all over the world by decorating your home with a collection of antique and vintage musical instruments — with a little help from strong hanging wire or some wall hooks, vintage brass instruments such as a gong, French horn or trumpet can help elevate a home office or complement the efforts you’ve made to ensure a welcoming vibe in your home’s entryway. Bells or antique wind instruments can add provocative metallic contrasts to dark woods as tabletop decorative objects.
Create an intriguing focal point with Georgian scientific instruments, such as stick barometers with mahogany cases or lacquered brass telescopes. These items stem from an era named for the monarchies of the four King Georges, who ruled England in succession starting in 1714 (plus King William’s reign, which lasted until 1837). Just as there was beautiful jewelry produced during the period that today is coveted by collectors, there is much to be found in the collectibles and curiosities realm too.
Wanderlust, nostalgia and a shared love of good design are contributing factors to certain trends in decorating — just as vintage trunks and luggage have reappeared as furniture or home accents in a bedroom or foyer, decorating with globes, maps or nautical objects is similarly rooted in the allure of travel and a penchant for the stylish finishing touch that collectibles bring to our homes.
Find a wide range of antique and vintage collectibles and curiosities on 1stDibs.
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Dickens Fan on Your List? This First Edition of ‘A Christmas Carol’ Is a Treasure
Produced in 1843, the well-preserved volume is evidence of the author's exacting specifications.
Medal-Worthy Memorabilia from Epic Past Olympic Games
Get into the games! These items celebrate the events, athletes, host countries and sporting spirit.
Ahoy! You’ve Never Seen a Collection of Sailor Art and Kitsch Quite Like This
French trendsetter and serial collector Daniel Rozensztroch tells us about his obsession with objects related to seafaring men.
Pamela Shamshiri Shares the Secrets behind Her First-Ever Book and Its Effortlessly Cool Interiors
The sought-after designer worked with the team at Hoffman Creative to produce a monograph that beautifully showcases some of Studio Shamshiri's most inspiring projects.
Moroccan Artworks and Objects Take Center Stage in an Extraordinary Villa in Tangier
Italian writer and collector Umberto Pasti opens the doors to his remarkable cave of wonders in North Africa.
Montecito Has Drawn Royalty and Celebrities, and These Homes Are Proof of Its Allure
Hollywood A-listers, ex-pat aristocrats and art collectors and style setters of all stripes appreciate the allure of the coastal California hamlet — much on our minds after recent winter floods.
Whaam! Blam! Pow! — a New Book on Pop Art Packs a Punch
Publishing house Assouline and writer Julie Belcove have teamed up to trace the history of the genre, from Roy Lichtenstein, Andy Warhol and Yayoi Kusama to Mickalene Thomas and Jeff Koons.
What Makes a Gem-Encrusted Chess Set Worth $4 Million?
The world’s most opulent chess set, weighing in at 513 carats, is literally fit for a king and queen.
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