Antique Curiosity Box
2010s Russian Organic Modern Decorative Boxes
Metal
Antique 19th Century Indian Decorative Boxes
Metal
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Decorative Boxes
Wood
Antique 19th Century German Victorian Decorative Boxes
Wood
2010s American Post-Modern Decorative Boxes
Paint, Paper
Antique 19th Century French Baroque Nautical Objects
Metal
2010s American Post-Modern Decorative Boxes
Paint, Paper
Antique Mid-19th Century Italian Neoclassical Decorative Boxes
Poplar
2010s American Decorative Boxes
Paint, Paper, Ribbon
Antique 19th Century Indian Rustic Decorative Boxes
Brass
Early 20th Century Italian Other Models and Miniatures
Silk
Antique Late 19th Century English Games
Brass
Early 20th Century British Games
Mahogany, Cedar
Antique Early 1900s English Other Models and Miniatures
Ceramic
Antique Early 1900s American Edwardian Tobacco Accessories
Brass
Antique Late 19th Century Swiss Musical Instruments
Mahogany
Late 20th Century Musical Instruments
Metal
Antique 1720s English Georgian Tobacco Accessories
Silver, Sterling Silver
Early 20th Century Cypriot Other Tobacco Accessories
Silver
Mid-20th Century American Art Deco Games
Wood, Pine
Antique Late 19th Century Chinese Tobacco Accessories
Rose Quartz
Early 20th Century German Empire Tobacco Accessories
Sterling Silver
Early 20th Century French Scientific Instruments
Brass
Mid-20th Century Russian Arts and Crafts Tobacco Accessories
Wood, Pine
Early 20th Century German Art Nouveau Toys and Dolls
Fur, Fabric, Wool, Glass, Wood
Vintage 1920s Czech Art Deco Models and Miniatures
Steel
Antique Late 19th Century English Games
Mahogany
Antique Early 19th Century Austrian Empire Tobacco Accessories
Gold Plate, Sterling Silver
Vintage 1920s American Other Historical Memorabilia
Metal
Early 20th Century Chinese Victorian Games
Abalone, Mother-of-Pearl, Wood, Lacquer
Antique 19th Century American Musical Instruments
Metal
Early 20th Century English Edwardian Games
Metal
Antique Mid-19th Century Chinese Art Deco Games
Lacquer
Early 20th Century European Arts and Crafts Games
Brass, Enamel
Antique Late 19th Century English Games
Enamel, Brass
Antique Late 19th Century Scottish Victorian Scientific Instruments
Metal, Brass
Antique Early 19th Century Austrian Empire Tobacco Accessories
Gold Plate, Sterling Silver
Antique Late 19th Century British Scientific Instruments
Wood
Antique Late 19th Century English Games
Wood
Antique Early 1900s English Edwardian Tobacco Accessories
Silver
Antique Mid-19th Century English Victorian Historical Memorabilia
Crystal, Silver
Antique 1880s Swiss Musical Instruments
Other
20th Century English Art Deco Historical Memorabilia
Paper
Antique Mid-19th Century Austrian Empire Tobacco Accessories
Gold Plate, Sterling Silver
Antique Late 18th Century Canadian Georgian Tobacco Accessories
Sterling Silver
Antique 17th Century Portuguese Baroque Religious Items
Silver
Antique Late 19th Century French Baroque Historical Memorabilia
Rosewood
Antique 1870s Italian Scientific Instruments
Metal
Antique Mid-19th Century Swiss Black Forest Models and Miniatures
Metal
Antique Mid-19th Century French Folk Art Models and Miniatures
Glass, Wood
Antique Late 19th Century British Régence Games
Hardwood, Pine
Vintage 1930s Austrian Art Nouveau Religious Items
Metal
Vintage 1930s Italian Art Nouveau Religious Items
Metal
Antique Late 19th Century German Black Forest Tobacco Accessories
Wood, Oak
Early 20th Century English Edwardian Historical Memorabilia
Metal
Antique Late 19th Century Albanian Late Victorian Scientific Instruments
Cast Stone
Antique Late 19th Century Austrian Romantic Models and Miniatures
Copper, Brass
Antique Early 19th Century Dutch Collectible Jewelry
Silver
Antique 19th Century European Gothic Revival Religious Items
Bronze
Vintage 1940s Italian Nautical Objects
Brass
- 1
- ...
Antique Curiosity Box For Sale on 1stDibs
Finding the Right collectibles-curiosities for You
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.
- 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 22, 2021Antique ice boxes can be worth up to $2,000 - $3,000. Depending on its condition, an antique ice box can be a highly coveted item.
Read More
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.
The Sparkling Legacy of Tiffany & Co. Explained, One Jewel at a Time
A gorgeous new book celebrates — and memorializes — the iconic jeweler’s rich heritage.
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.
Tauba Auerbach’s Geometric Pop-Up Book Is Mighty Rare, Thanks to a Hurricane
This sculptural art book has an epic backstory of its own.
Step inside the Storied Mansions of Palm Beach’s Most Effervescent Architect
From Spanish-style courtyards to fanciful fountains, these acclaimed structures abound in surprising and elegant details.