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Collectibles and Curiosities For Sale
WWI British Military Pocket Compass of Brass with Original Leather Case
Located in Austin, TX
A working British marching or sighting compass of brass with original leather case from World War I - made for military and civilian use. A handsome piece of militaria and a fine me...
Category

1910s English Edwardian Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal, Brass

Cabinet of Curiosities Antique Book Sculptural Artwork, circa 1950
Located in Barcelona, ES
Cabinet of curiosities of plaster pieces and antique book artwork. Made in traditional Catalan atelier in Olot, Spain, circa 1950. Olot has a long tradition in the production o...
Category

1950s Spanish Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Plaster

Foosball mid 1960 s French baby-foot table football game
Located in London, GB
A mid 1960's French "babyfoot" table football, by ZAK3. With working pull rod mechanism for ball release, and abacus scoring. In working order. The history of table football: ...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Aluminum, Steel

French Censer / incense burner / Church clock / perfume burner - Bronze - 17th
Located in Beuzevillette, FR
Very beautiful baluster censer decorated with gadroons from the Louis XIV period. This censer / incense burner / church clock / perfume burner in openwo...
Category

17th Century French Louis XIV Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Bronze

Heidi Caillier: Memories of Home: Interiors
Located in New York, NY
In her debut book, designer Heidi Caillier shows how to mix moody color with layers of pattern, natural materials, and textures to create spaces that are both beautifully curated and comfortably livable. Heidi Caillier believes that our homes should create a sense of place, and serve as the setting for lifelong memories. In her first book, she shares twelve houses from across the country, from the islands of Puget Sound to the Berkshires. The rooms of these houses are simultaneously nostalgic and of the moment. Caillier is a master of mixing patterns, combining florals with graphic lines and shapes, as well as using deeper, muddy colors to create coziness and warmth. There is a tension between masculine and feminine...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

National Sewing Machine Co. B. Eldredge Sewing Machine
Located in Guaynabo, PR
This is a National Sewing Machine Co. B. Eldredge Sewing Machine. It depicts two arcs shaped sewing machine painted black. It is adorned at its round base with a gold oval plaque tha...
Category

Early 20th Century American Industrial Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Iron

Collection of Leather Bound Classic Books, Easton Press Franklin Library
By Franklin Press, Easton Press
Located in Peabody, MA
A collection of twenty-seven 1970s-1980s era leather bound and 22kt gold leaf classic novels. Nineteen by Easton Press, and eight published by Franklin Library. Many feature silk mo...
Category

1970s American American Classical Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Gold Leaf

Honore Daumier, Catalogue Raisonné of the Paintings Watercolors and Drawings
Located in valatie, NY
Honore Daumier. Catalogue Raisonné of the paintings watercolors and drawings. Published by New York Graphic Society Ltd., 1968. 1st Limited E...
Category

1960s American Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

18th Century Medical Syringe
Located in London, GB
18th Century Medical Syringe For historical medical use and dating from the 18th century, and certainly from the beginning of the 18th century. This hand-crafted example is made to...
Category

1780s Unknown Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Natural Fiber

Paco Rabanne – 1st Edition 1996
Located in CA, CA
First edition hard cover, published by Éditions Michel Lafon, 1996. Paco Rabanne, a feeling for research. An impressive monograph covering the daring and experimental work of desi...
Category

1990s Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Antique The Standard Computing Scale Co Dry Goods General Store Countertop Scale
By Standard Computing Scale Co.
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique The Standard Computing Scale Co. Porcelain Enamel Dry Goods General Store Scale with Beveled Glass Mirrors. Circa Early 20th Century. Measurements: 30" H x 18" W x 20" D.
Category

Early 20th Century Unknown Art Deco Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal

RONSON 1936 Art-Deco Machine Age Cigar Humidor Desk Box And Touch-Tip Striker
Located in Miami, FL
Ronson Art Deco Combination Humidor and Touch Tip Table Lighter. This Art Deco smoking accessory is a combination humidor box and touch tip lighter by...
Category

1930s American Art Deco Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Steel, Chrome

7 Volumes. M.A. Thiers. History Of The Consulate and The Empire Of France
Located in New York, NY
7 Volumes. M.A. Thiers. History Of The Consulate and The Empire Of France Under Napoleon. Bound in full tan calf, marbled edges and endpapers, raised bands, ornate gilt on spines, il...
Category

19th Century English Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Leather

19th Century Italian Carved Louis XVI Style Giltwood Barometer
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Gorgeous late 19th century gilt wood barometer thermometer made in Italy in the Louis XVI or baroque taste. The large barometer features a large carve...
Category

19th Century Italian Louis XVI Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal, Brass

Streamline Arcade Machine Gun
By Keeney Arcade Co. 1
Located in Peekskill, NY
I grew up in Brooklyns Coney Island so these early arcade items really bring back memories. This is one of the rare 1939 Keeney Arcade Anti-Aircraft Machine Guns… very high style Dec...
Category

Early 20th Century American Art Deco Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Aluminum

House Love: Moor Baker Architects
Located in New York, NY
Step into the airy, light-filled, exquisitely detailed homes of the Florida-based firm Moor Baker Architects in this first book on their work Over the past three decades, Moor Baker...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Vintage Wood and Bronze Cannon Model
Located in San Diego, CA
A very well made vintage wood and bronze cannon model, circa 1970s. The piece is in good condition with nice detailing and measures 4.5"W x 8.5"D x 3.5"H. #3810
Category

Mid-20th Century American Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal

Green Mansions A Romance of the Tropical Forest, First Edition Thus
Located in valatie, NY
Green Mansions: A Romance of the Tropical Forest by William Henry Hudson. New York: Knopf, 1943. First Edition thus hardcover. With a foreword by John G...
Category

1940s American Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Annie Leibovitz Sumo, Whoopi Goldberg Collector s Edition
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Edition: Whoopi Goldberg. Sumo-size: 50.0 x 69.0 cm (19.7 x 27.2 in.), 476 pages, Hardcover (incl. 6 fold-outs) with supplement book (INT-Edition) and bookstand designed by Marc Newson. Editor: Annie Leibovitz, Benedikt Taschen, Simone Philippi. Contributing authors: Steve Martin, Graydon Carter, Annie Leibovitz, Hans Ulrich Obrist, Paul Roth. Limited to a total of 10,000 copies, all signed by Annie Leibovitz: (No. 1,001–10,000 Collector‘s Edition) is available in 4 different dust jackets that collectors can choose from: Whoopi Goldberg; Keith Haring; David Byrne and Patti Smith and (No. 1–1,000 Art Edition) is limited to 1,000 copies, bound in leather, each numbered and signed by Annie Leibovitz, comes with all 4 dust jackets and a Fine Art print: Keith Haring, New York City, 1986, size: 50.0 x 69.0 cm (19.7 x 27.2 in.) The ultimate portrait collection of the most famous celebrities, by the most well known photographer in the world, from Annie Leibovitz's 40 years in photography (including a large number of previously unseen images from her archives). 500 of the most celebrated people from the worlds of music, cinema, TV, art, fashion, theater, literature, politics, and sports are featured in a size, scale and printing quality never before seen. 240 photos in total. Comes with specially designed limited edition Marc Newson book Stand...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Other

One of the most influential maps of America ever made, 17th Century Willem Blaeu
Located in ZWIJNDRECHT, NL
A rare and important 17th Century Italian Engraving of Willem Blaeu's Great Wall Map of America, "America quarta pars orbis quam plerunq, nuvum orbem apellitant primo detecta est ann...
Category

17th Century Dutch Dutch Colonial Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper, Linen

Greta Garbo Limited Edition Mont Blanc Ballpoint Pen with Pearl
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Greta Garbo Limited Edition Mont Blanc Ballpoint Rollerball pen with pearl. Montblanc honors Greta Garbo in the form of another mystical writing i...
Category

Late 20th Century German Art Deco Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Resin

A View to a Kill
Located in London, GB
Original signed James Bond US film poster for A View to a Kill 1985. This film starred Roger Moore and Grace Jones and was directed by John Glen. This poster has been autographed by ...
Category

1980s American Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Antique Luis Vuitton Steamer/ Wardrobe Trunk for Restoration
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Classic age of Travel Luis Vuitton Steamer trunk with the LV monogram and red and white bands. Monogrammed L.R.C., St. Louis MO U.S.A. With old Railway Exp...
Category

Early 20th Century French Hollywood Regency Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Leather, Canvas, Wood

Pair of Victorian White Kid Leather Lady s Boots, American, Circa 1890
Located in Incline Village, NV
Dress up your wardrobe with these authentic, vintage, high top white kid leather boots with a generous amount of shoelace loops; wearable and in very nice condition--small size; lady...
Category

Late 19th Century American Victorian Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Leather

Rare English Silver-Gilt Book-Form Chess and Backgammon Game Board, circa 1976
Located in Queens, NY
Rare English silver-gilt book-form chess and backgammon game board, circa 1976. This exceptional and rare solid silver chess board converts into a backgammon board and can also be placed in a bookshelf to add more opulence. (3 in 1). This was most definitely a private commissioned piece by the House of Garrard...
Category

20th Century British Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Silver

Art Deco Airplane Sculpture of the Boeing 314 Clipper Cast Aluminium
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Art Deco Airplane Sculpture of the Boeing 314 Clipper Cast Aluminium. Aluminum desk model inspired by the Art Deco era of the 1930s and 1940s, showcasing the iconic Boeing 312 Pan Am Flying Clipper Boat design. This metal airplane...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Art Deco Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal, Aluminum

Vintage European 25S Santa Claus Christmas Ornaments Figurines
Located in Boca Raton, FL
Cute set if 25 Vintage European Mercury glass Handpainted Christmas ornaments/ Christmas Santa Claus in beautiful red and gold with glitter.
Category

1970s German American Classical Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Blown Glass

A medieval style chess set made in cast clay
Located in Delft, NL
A medieval style chess set made in cast clay A cast clay chess set in medieval style with 4 loose tiles. The 4 separate tiles form the chessboard, which are also cast from clay. T...
Category

Late 20th Century European Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Clay

Mediterranean, Black Sea Ottoman Empire Map 1853
Located in Langweer, NL
Mediterranean, Black Sea & Ottoman Empire Map 1853 This impressive antique print shows the Mediterranean and Black Sea regions with a focus on the Ottoman Empire, titled “Das Mittel...
Category

Mid-19th Century German Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Aircraft Engine Chrome Speaker
Located in Paris, FR
Speaker aircraft engine chrome is inspired by radial aircraft engines from early 20th-century radial aircraft engines. Structure in aluminum alloy ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Aluminum, Chrome

Inox Metal FOOSBALL TABLE RS2 by RS Barcelona
Located in Rhinebeck, NY
FOOSBALL TABLE RS2 DESIGNED BY RAFAEL RODRÍGUEZ for RS Barcelona RS2 is a design football table, a spectacular reinterpretation of one of the all time classics of Spanish game cultu...
Category

2010s Spanish Modern Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Stainless Steel

Michael Graves Backgammon Set with Carry Case
Located in New York, NY
Backgammon folding game board and playing pieces designed by Michael Graves. One of the oldest table games has found a new sense of style in this backgammon set - where strategy c...
Category

Early 2000s Minimalist Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Wood, Beech

Superb Large Pair Antique English Binoculars by W. Watson Sons, London
Located in Bath, GB
A fabulous pair of antique English polished brass binoculars meticulously professionally cleaned and polished, restoring them to their former glory; the barrels wrapped in leather. ...
Category

1910s British George IV Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Brass

Horn Handled Bamboo Cane Sword Stick A Nice piece
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Horn Handled Bamboo Cane Sword Stick A Nice piece, the blade is solid and flexible steel with a good point. The scabbard is in dark bamboo cane with a pictorial gold colour engrave...
Category

1920s Edwardian Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Steel

Elmor Travertine Chess game
Located in Paris, FR
Chess Game Elmor Travertine with structure and pieces in carved and polished travertine. Each chess box is covered with suede leather. With 2 drawers included for pieces storage.
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Travertine

Antique Presentation Archery Score Card 1842
Located in Oxfordshire, GB
Victorian Presentation Archery Score Card Holder. A silver-plated score card case of rectangular form, with a scalloped top edge and central dip, the reverse fitted with two belt loo...
Category

19th Century Sporting Art Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Silver Plate

Planispheric Astrolabe – Equinoctial Dial, late 16th–early 17th century
Located in Madrid, ES
Origin: Probably Southern Germany (Nuremberg or Augsburg) or the Flemish region (Louvain or Antwerp). Date: circa 1580–1620 Material: finely engraved brass Diameter: 9 cm A beautifu...
Category

16th Century Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Brass

1964 Raleigh RM4 49CC Moped
Located in Houston, TX
This is a 1964 Raleigh RM4 moped. The Raleigh Bicycle Company is a British bicycle manufacturer founded in 1885, it is one of the oldest and largest, b...
Category

1960s English Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal

1964 Raleigh RM4 49CC Moped
1964 Raleigh RM4 49CC Moped
$2,200 Sale Price
50% Off
Antique Art Deco Malachite Solitaire Board Marbles 20th Century
Located in London, GB
This is a wonderful antique Art Deco malachite solitaire board complete with  malachite marbles, Circa 1930 in date. Add this lovely set to your collection. Condition: In excellent...
Category

Early 20th Century Art Deco Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Malachite

Sotheby s, the Roger Whittaker Collection Cuberly House
Located in valatie, NY
Sotheby's: The Roger Whittaker collection. Softcover auction catalogue. 152 pp. paintings, furniture and works of art collected by Roger Whittaker during his life as an international...
Category

Late 20th Century English Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Fine Collection of Custom Framed Vintage Cigar Labels
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A collection of various multi-colored and gilt cigar bands all with portrait heads. Including- Franz Joseph I, and other rulers. Along with a serrated round label with a bust in prof...
Category

20th Century Hollywood Regency Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Linen, Glass, Wood, Paper

Antique Grulich Christmas Nativity Figure Lot, late 19th Century Folk Art
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Beautiful Antique Grulich Nativity Figures — Late 19th Century This rare and culturally significant set of nativity figures originates from the historic Králiky region (formerly Gr...
Category

Late 19th Century Czech Folk Art Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Wood

Where Chefs Eat Book - A Guide to Chefs Favorite Restaurants
Located in New York, NY
Eat around the world with 650 of the world's best chefs. Wherever you are, you’ll never miss the best local diner for breakfast, the best restaurant for a business dinner, or the best place for a late night snack - and everything in between. This all-new, completely revised, third edition of the global restaurant guidebook that has sold more than 250,000 copies features more than 7,000 recommendations for more than 4,500 restaurants in more than 70 countries. Wherever you are, you'll never miss the best local diner for breakfast, the best restaurant for a business dinner, or the best place for a late night snack – and everything in-between. With city maps, key information, reviews and recommendations from the chefs themselves, this is the guide for savvy restaurant-goers and armchair foodies in major cities and towns worldwide. Where: With recommendations in more than 70 countries - from the United States to Buenos Aires from Ireland to Estonia from Greece to South Africa, discover the best eateries for your destination. Chefs: Find out where and what the world's best chefs eat including: Jason Atherton, Shannon Bennett, Helena Rizzo, Stephen Harris, Yotam Ottolenghi, Yoshihiro Narisawa, and hundreds more. Eat: From breakfast to late night, bargain to high end - discover the best places to eat for just the right occasion. Joe Warwick is a London-based food writer and critic who started the World's 50 Best...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary European Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Antique Grulich Christmas Nativity Figure Lot, late 19th Century Folk Art
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Beautiful Antique Grulich Nativity Figures — Late 19th Century This rare and culturally significant set of nativity figures originates from the historic Králiky region (formerly Gr...
Category

Late 19th Century Czech Folk Art Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Wood

Grand Tour Specimen Marbles Plaque, Italy, circa 1850
Located in Kinderhook, NY
A wonderful third quarter 19th century Italian 'grand tour' ancient marbles specimen plaque in original silver-gilt frame.
Category

Mid-19th Century Italian Grand Tour Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Marble

19th Century Singer Sewing Machine
Located in Austin, TX
Transport yourself back in time with our exquisite 19th-century Singer Sewing Machine, discovered in France. Crafted with a sturdy cast iron base and an elegant oak frame, this vinta...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Iron

Antique Grulich Christmas Nativity Figure Lot, late 19th Century Folk Art
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Beautiful Antique Grulich Nativity Figures — Late 19th Century This rare and culturally significant set of nativity figures originates from the historic Králiky region (formerly Gr...
Category

Late 19th Century Czech Folk Art Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Wood

Lot Three Large Vintage Antique Mercury Glass Christmas Tree Topper German 1920s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A rare set of three feather tree glass Christmas tree topper from Germany. Each is made from mouth blown glass, would be a great antique addition for your Christmas or feather tree. ...
Category

Early 20th Century German Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Glass

Rare Gothic Oak Panel Carved With Vine And Grape Cluster Motif, Circa 1320–1400
Located in Bilzen, BE
"Rare Gothic Oak Panel Carved With Vine And Grape Cluster Motif, Circa 1320–1400" Rare Gothic Carved Oak Panel with Vine & Grape Motif, c. 1320–1400 This exceptional carved oak panel is a fine example of pure Gothic design, originating from Northern Europe—most likely Flanders, northern France, or England—and dating to the early–mid 14th century. The panel is richly carved in openwork with an interlacing vine scroll bearing clustered grapes, a motif strongly associated with medieval Christian symbolism, representing the Eucharist and the “True Vine” of Christ. The design is entirely Gothic in conception, free of any later Renaissance influence, with flowing, organic tracery rather than strict symmetry. A rectangular mortise is present to one side, indicating that the piece originally formed part of a cabinet or small door—possibly from a church sacristy...
Category

15th Century and Earlier Belgian Gothic Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Wood

La Mort de Venise; Illustrated by Edgar Chahine, SUPER DELUXE Edition
Located in Middletown, NY
Chahine, Edgar & Maurice Barrès LA MORT DE VENISE; Illustré de vingt-six eaux-fortes originales Paris: Société Nouvelle des Éditions d'Art Devambez, 1926 SIGNED LIMITED EDITION 4to,...
Category

Early 20th Century French Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Leather, Wood, Paper

1960s Alvino Bagni Sea Garden Glazed Italian Stoneware Cigar Ashtray by Raymor
Located in Hyattsville, MD
Heavy swirling colorful glaze, with lava and glaze pops. Super fun form, with a retro futuristic or brutalist design. Stamped ITALY in the bottom rim. About 7 inches in diameter.
Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Ceramic

1970s Astonishing HMS Endeavour Model Ship. Handmade. Made in England
Located in Milano, IT
1970s Astonishing HMS Endeavour Model Ship in walnut wood. Handmade. Made in England. This model is amazing and in excellent condition and all handmade. A true piece of history. Dime...
Category

1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Wood

Enterprise Manufacturing Co. Large Cast Iron Coffee Grinder
By Enterprise Manufacturing Company
Located in Guaynabo, PR
This is an Enterprise Manufacturing Co. Large coffee grinder from Philadelphia, Pa. It is heavy and mainly made of cast iron and wood. A metal Eag...
Category

Early 20th Century American Industrial Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Iron

Fine Gothic Painting / 2nd Station Crucifixion, Jesus Takes Up His Cross
Located in Lisse, NL
Another stunning hand-painted oil on canvas work of religious art. This antique oil painting was first hand-painted on canvas and later mounted onto a zinc backplate .. a traditiona...
Category

Early 19th Century European Gothic Revival Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Iron, Zinc

Torben Ørskov Hans Bolling Puzzle Cube, Denmark, c.1960
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
Torben Ørskov & Hans Bolling Puzzle Cube, Denmark, c.1960.
Category

20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Wood

19th C. French Provincial Carved Cherry Prie-Dieu with Woven Rush Seat
Located in New Orleans, LA
A charming 19th century French Provincial prie-dieu/chair of carved cherry wood and handwoven rush seating, having lovely, scalloped details. The top chair seat pulls up in order to ...
Category

1850s French French Provincial Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Rush, Cherry

Sotheby s, The Collection of Craig Wright, New York Auction Catalog Sept, 2011
Located in valatie, NY
Sotheby's: The Collection of Craig Wright, New York Auction Catalog Sept. 2011. 234 lots on 151 pp., Illustrated in color and fully described. "Craig Wrig...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Sheep Shepherd Grulich Christmas Nativity Figure Lot, late 19th Century Folk Art
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Beautiful Antique Grulich Nativity Figures — Late 19th Century This rare and culturally significant set of nativity figures originates from the historic Králiky region (formerly Gr...
Category

Late 19th Century Czech Folk Art Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Wood

Antique Very Rare German Gothic Crossbow 1470-1563
Located in Doha, QA
A rare and beautifully preserved 15th-century German crossbow, created as a true weapon of war or defense,.This piece is a remarkable survival from the Gothic period, with all of its...
Category

16th Century German Gothic Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Iron

Set of Five Christmas Tree Ornaments Red and White Glass Mushrooms, 1970s
Located in Barntrup, DE
Set of five Christmas tree ornaments red and white glass mushrooms, Germany, circa the 1970s. Adorable Christmas tree ornaments made of mouth-blown and delicate, wafer-thin glass, wh...
Category

1970s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Glass

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.

Read More

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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