Collectibles and Curiosities
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Collectibles and Curiosities For Sale
Pair of Brass and Textured Glass Ship's Passageway Sconce Lights
Located in Nantucket, MA
Pair of ship's passageway lights with textured glass shades and lacquered brass shades and brass backs. Required for American use and takes a standard base light bulb. Brackets for...
Category
Late 20th Century Industrial Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Brass
Georgian Mahogany Miniature Chest
Located in Bedfordshire, GB
An attractive and good quality early 19th century Georgian
mahogany miniature chest having well figured top over
two short and three long drawers with later brass
lions mask knobs...
Category
Early 19th Century English Georgian Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Mahogany
Otterburn Chess Set, Board & Box — Solid Hand-Patinated Brass and Walnut
Located in Washington, GB
A special chess set in solid, hand-patinated brass and walnut. Handcrafted in the North to order. Available in a range of materials and finishes, Otterburn can truly be customized an...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary British Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Limestone, Marble, Carrara Marble, Slate, Stone, Sheet Metal, Brass, Sta...
19th Century Mahogany Miniature Wellington Chest
Located in Bedfordshire, GB
A good quality mid-19th century mahogany
Miniature wellington chest of four drawers
Having original turned knobs and locking
Pillaster
...
Category
Mid-19th Century English Victorian Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Mahogany
A meershaum pipe: a woman's head with with flower in hairstyle, Vienna 1890
Located in Milan, IT
Carved meerschaum pipe, with amber mouthpiece and gold band. In the bowl of the pipe, a woman's head is depicted with hair gathered with a hairstyle of ribbons and flowers. Vienna, A...
Category
Late 19th Century Austrian Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Stone, Gold
Regency Mahogany Tea Caddy Miniature Serpentine Sideboard
Located in Bedfordshire, GB
A rare and very good quality English Regency period
mahogany tea caddy in the form of a miniature serpentine
sideboard with lift up hinged lid and carved decoration
(This unusua...
Category
Early 19th Century English Regency Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Mahogany
German Art Deco Desk Top Barometer and Weather Station
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
German Art Deco desk top barometer and weather station.
German desktop barometer, thermometer and hydrometer. This station is unsigned and made...
Category
20th Century German Art Deco Collectibles and Curiosities
Large Antique Soild Oak Sculpture of Saint John the Baptist w. Lamb of God 1850
Located in Lisse, NL
Unique hand carved church statue of Jewish prophet, John the Baptist, circa 1850.
When you think of the life of Saint John the Baptist (or Baptiste as it is spelled here) then you can only come to the conclusion that in fact he was one of the most important human beings in the history of the world in general and of Christianity in particular. Saint John is sometimes depicted with a lamb to symbolise his recognition of Jesus as the Son of God. When John baptised Jesus in the River Jordan he said 'Behold, the Lamb of God'. In this case the sculptor chose to portray a standing lamb which is a rare feature and this antique was obviously carved in the Baroque Style. This Style is less detailed (or some would say 'more naive') than for example the Renaissance Style, but there are many collectors who love and collect this Style. Also, because it was most used in antique churches all over Europe and this Style also is most used in antique religious paintings of the old masters. Just like with 17th century Baroque Saint...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Baroque Revival Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Wood, Oak
18th Century, Spanish Colonial Religious Painting of San Geronimo
Located in San Francisco, CA
18th century painting of San Geronimo, oil on canvas laid on wood board. It was later placed in a restored 19th century wood and gesso frame. There is no signature.
Category
18th Century Unknown Spanish Colonial Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Canvas
Batman
Located in London, GB
Original Lebanese film poster for Tim Burton's 1989 Batman staring Jack Nicholson, Michael Keaton and Kim Basinger. The artwork on this poster is very dif...
Category
1980s Lebanese Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Brass Lorgnettes 'Long-Handled Opera Glasses' Mid-Century Italian Design 1930s
Located in Palermo, IT
A splendid pair of 'lorgnettes' (long-handled opera, or theatre, glasses). Lorgnettes, eye glasses held in place by long handles rather than resting on the bridge of one's nose, were...
Category
1930s Italian Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Brass
Provence Style Decorating with French Country Flair Book by Shauna Varvel
Located in New York, NY
Provence Style
Decorating with French Country Flair
By: Shauna Varvel
With Alexandra Black
An intimate tour of quintessential Provencal style, featuring chic homes and interior deta...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Au Bucheron: La Chambre à Coucher (Book)
Located in North Yorkshire, GB
A soft covered trade catalogue of bedroom furniture and sets. Stylistically it looks to be dated from the late 1920s or 1930s; it would not have been before 1923 as that was the date...
Category
20th Century Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Paris 1937 -- Exposition Internationale
By Eugene Beaudoin and Marcel Lods
Located in London, GB
Original French poster for the Exposition International in Paris, 1937.
This award-winning Art Deco design was created by Eugene Beaudoin (1898-1983) and Marcel Lods...
Category
1930s French Art Deco Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Oak and Brass Jockey Scales
Located in Cheshire, GB
Jockey scales the seat upholstered in black deep buttoned leather above the oak base with carved frieze raised up on four square tapering fluted legs
Dimensions
Height 26.5 Inches
...
Category
Early 20th Century British Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Oak
Homes and Gardens in Old Virginia
Located in valatie, NY
Homes and Gardens in Old Virginia. Richmond: Garrett and Massie, Incorporated, 1932. 2nd Ed hardcover with no dust jacket. 367 pp. The 1st edition was a g...
Category
20th Century American Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Modernist Boxed Wood Chess Pieces
Located in Garnerville, NY
A fine boxed set of carved wood modernist chessmen. The two sets are made of hardwood and sculpturally carved into very stylized forms. One set is in a blonde wood natural finish and...
Category
1970s American Post-Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Wood
Sotheby's, Collection Klaus Otto Preis, Paris, 11/9/05
Located in valatie, NY
Sotheby's: Collection Klaus Otto Preis Paris 11/9/05 sale 5022. Softcover auction catalogue of 264 lots. He worked for Nina Ricci, Italian-born French fashion designer. Sale of paint...
Category
Early 2000s French Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
"The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich" Book by William L. Shirer
By William L. Shirer
Located in valatie, NY
The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich, A History of Nazi Germany by William L. Shirer. New York: Simon and Schuster, 1960. First edition BCE hardcover with ...
Category
20th Century American Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Plaster Altar Angels, 19th Century
Located in Savannah, GA
A pair of polychromed plaster altar angels, France or Belgium, late 19th century.
11 inches wide by 10 inches deep by 20 ¼ inches tall
Category
Late 19th Century Belgian Baroque Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Gesso, Wood, Paint
IMCO Julius Meister 1000 Ifa Storm Thumbwheel Mechanical Lighter In Solid Brass
Located in Miami, FL
IMCO mechanical lighter made by the Julius Franz Meister Company.
This is an amazing authentic petrol lighter original from the art deco period. This industrial piece was originally designed and patented by Hans Silverknopf and was made in Austria back in 1925-26 by the Julius Meister Company, JMCO commonly know as IMCO. This is the final 4th model storm thumbwheel, called IFA-1000. It was crafted in solid polished brass and is fitted with mechanical sliding elements. This lighter has the rare sub-variety in the snuffer, is rounded and domed on top. The function is very simple, the metallic wheel on the lighter, when pushed down by one's thumb, will rub against the ferrocerium to produce a scorching spark. Simultaneously, the petrol vape is released, which is vaporized (depressurized) as soon as it exits the container. This lighter is near mint, is original not a reproduction and has been cleaned and polished to bring back his original splendor.
IMCO
The company was founded by Julius Franz Meister in 1907, the Julian Meister Co. (JMCO/IMCO) began as a button and metal goods factory in Vienna. Bernhard Silberknopf became a company partner during 1911. The factory began manufacturing lighters after World War 1. The first lighter model, the "Imko Feuerzeug" was patented in 1920 and several other models were produced during the early 1920s based on this patent. Hans Silberknopf patented the design for the famous "Ifa" Sturmfeuerzeug in 1925. IMCO produced other several models based on this patent. The design was copied by multiple U.S. and Japanese companies during the 1930s and 1940s and countless replicas have been produced. Frequently deceptively characterized as "trench lighters...
Category
1920s Austrian Art Deco Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Brass, Cut Steel
Lighter S.T. Dupont Chinese Lacquer Gold Plated Made In France Midcentury
By S.T. Dupont
Located in Palermo, IT
Lighter S.T. Dupont china lacquer black is a LUXURY product known for its elegance and superior quality. This specific model, with its lacquer and 18kt gold plating, is particularly ...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Gold Plate
Rare Big Adjustable Gymnastic Leather Pommel Horse, 1950s
Located in Praha, CZ
- completely good and original condition with minor damages
- Czechoslovakia, around 1950s
- adjustable height.
Category
1950s Czech Mid-Century Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Steel
Waverley Novels in 50 Volumes by Sir Walter Scott, Boston, 1857
Located in Southampton, NY
Excellent and complete set of 50 Volumes of The Waverley Novels by Sir Walter Scott.
Boston: Ticknor and Fields, 1857; The Household Edition. Finely bo...
Category
Mid-19th Century American Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Leather, Paper
Bunny Williams: Life in the Garden
Located in New York, NY
Author Bunny Williams, Photographs by Annie Schlechter
A natural sequel to the seminal An Affair with a House, this is Bunny Williams’ most ambitious book to date.
Inviting us into...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Rhodes, James Ford, History of the United States, 7 Vols, in a Fine Binding
Located in Hillsborough, NJ
AUTHOR: RHODES, James Ford.
TITLE: History Of The United States From The Compromise of 1850 To The Final Restoration Of Home Rule At The South In 1877.
PUBLISHER: NY: The Macm...
Category
1910s American Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Leather
Victorian, Boot Jack With Boot Pulls
Located in Oxfordshire, GB
Victorian Folding Boot Jack.
A useful folding portable, campaign boot jack with boot pulls. The boot jack is made to a fairly standard design and the sort t...
Category
20th Century English Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Mahogany
Rare Vintage Military Tank SilverLighter
Located in Van Nuys, CA
The table lighter's design captivates with an elongated tank shape reminiscent of vintage artillery shells. The textured silver surface display...
Category
1940s Mexican Machine Age Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Silver
Antique German Bible 1738 Martin Luther Old and New Testament European Germany
Located in Greer, SC
Collectible antique German Luther Bible, also known as " Lutherbibel " in Germany. The Lutherbibel is a German translation by the Protestant reformer Martin Luther, a New Testament t...
Category
Mid-18th Century German Other Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Wood, Paper
Antique Map of North and West Africa by J.B. Elwe, 1792
Located in Langweer, NL
Beautiful richly engraved map of North and West Africa, based upon the earlier maps of De L'Isle. Richly annotated throughout and with excellent regional detail. Too much detail to d...
Category
Late 19th Century Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Bruce Weber by Bruce Weber, 1st Limited Edition
Located in valatie, NY
Bruce Weber by Bruce Weber. Published by Twelvetrees Press, Los Angeles, 1983. Stated 1st Limited Edition (1/5000) hardcover with dust jacket. Beautifully illustrated with over 50 full-page photogravure plates of male models and actors, a few tinted with halftone colors. Contains subjects: Brothers, Matt...
Category
1980s American Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Crime and Punishment / Raskolnikov
Located in London, GB
Original 1935 Swedish film poster.
This film was directed by Josef von Sternberg, whose illustrious career spanned the transition from the silent to the sound era. He is best known for his work with Marlene Dietrich in the 1930s. Crime and Punishment was adapted from the novel of the same name by Fyodor Dostoevsky. The film stars Peter Lorre...
Category
1930s Swedish Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
The House and Garden Book of Classic Rooms, First Edition
Located in valatie, NY
The House and Garden Book of Classic Rooms by Robert Harling, Leonie Highton, and John Bridges. Vendome Press, NY, 1990. First Edition hardcov...
Category
20th Century American Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Original Antique Cricket Print, Circa 1900
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Great image of a young cricketer
Chromo-lithograph
Original colour
Published C.1900
Unframed.
Category
Early 1900s English Edwardian Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Antique Trout Fishing Prints, Set of Three Photogravures.
Located in Oxfordshire, GB
Three trout fishing pictures By Douglas Adams.
Set of three individually framed fishing scenes by Douglas Adams. The three photogravures are in new frames and titled Trout Fishing, ...
Category
1880s British Sporting Art Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
The Order of Things by Fashion Photgrapher Schoerner
By Schoerner
Located in NYC, NY
A unique book first edition print set on a circular format retains its original case.
Category
Late 20th Century American Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Plastic, Paper
17th Century Embroidered King David With Harp Silk Tread Green Velvet Flanders
Located in Antwerpen, BE
Step into the rich tapestry of the 17th century with our exquisite embroidered picture featuring King David With Harp. Meticulously crafted with silk thread, mounted on luscious gree...
Category
17th Century Belgian Gothic Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Silk, Velvet
Spanish Scrollwork Iron Galleon / Sailing Ship Sculpture
Located in Barcelona, ES
Wrought iron Spanish caravel boat / galleon sculpture. Spain, 1940s-1950s
This sailing ship sculpture was handcrafted in Spain at the mid-20th century period. The ship has a richly detailed scrollwork...
Category
20th Century Spanish Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal, Wrought Iron, Gold Leaf, Iron
Civil War-Era Side Drum, Made by George Kilbourn, 1859
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
Presented is an original Civil War-era side drum with a pair of wooden drumsticks. This is a rope tension drum with a wooden body, ropes, and leather tabs. An iron tack pattern surro...
Category
1850s American American Classical Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Iron
Chess Game by Michel Dumas
By Michel Dumas
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Chess game by Michel Dumas. Located in NYC
Category
Late 20th Century French Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Lucite, Mirror
Astro tripod mounted telescope by Dollond of London
Located in London, GB
A mid 20th century tripod mounted "Astro" telescope by Dollond of London.
3 inch objective lens.
Mounted on a teak tripod.
Marked: DOLLOND ASTRO LONDON
Chrome and grey finish.
I...
Category
Mid-20th Century English Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Chrome
Accordion by Sabatino Nocentini & Figli Made in Florence, Italy
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Antique Italian custom made accordion by Sabatino Nocentini Castiglion & Figli.
Antique pearl white accordion, Italian accordion with profuse inlay decoration, gorgeous hand made wi...
Category
Early 20th Century Italian Art Deco Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Abalone, Mother-of-Pearl, Wood
The Holy Bible, Standard Edition, Illustrated Family Bible, 1885
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
The “Standard” Edition of The Holy Bible, Containing the Old and New Testaments and Apocrypha, Translated out of the Original Tongues, Together with Cruden’s Complete Concordance… and Revised New Testament, with Many Other Important and Useful Aids to the Study of the Holy Scriptures, All Written to Increase the Interest in and Simplify the Study of the Word of God. Syracuse: Bible Publishing House, 1885. Standard Edition. Illustrated with steel and wood engravings and chromolithographs. Large quarto, with original full leather carved and gilded boards. Gilded edges and pewter clasps. Presented with a custom-made archival clamshell box.
Presented is a beautifully restored and exquisitely bound Holy Bible from 1885. This family bible was published by the Bible Publishing House, in Syracuse, New York. It contains both the Old and New Testaments, and the Apocrypha and Cruden’s Complete Concordance. It also boasts 100,000 marginal references and readings, Dr. William Smith’s “Standard Bible Dictionary,” a complete history of all the books of the bible, biblical scenery, and “Manners and Customs of the Ancients.” For studying, it includes “Bible Aids for Social and Private Prayer,” the history of translation of the bible, a history of all religious denominations, “Psalms in Meter,” and a “Teachers’ Bible Textbook.” It is decorated with stunning full and half page illustrations, printed as steel engravings, wood engravings, and chromolithographs, illustrating scenes in the life of Christ, bible text events from Genesis to Revelation, natural history, and several maps of the Holy Land engraved by L.B Folger. It also contains a stunning dedication page, a marriage license...
Category
1880s American Late Victorian Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Leather, Paper
Antique & Large Black Forest Gun / Rifle Rack w. Hand Carved Deer Head Sculpture
Located in Lisse, NL
Large and impressive Black Forest rack for hunting guns, circa 1870-1890.
If you are looking for the perfect antique to decorate one of the walls in your hunting room, home office o...
Category
19th Century European Black Forest Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Bronze
Monumental and Unusual Folk Art Stage Coach Figure and Horses, 1927
Located in Buffalo, NY
Monumental and unusual Folk Art stage coach figure and horses, 1927. All hand executed, amazing detail, working lamps, velvet interior on coach.
Category
1920s American Folk Art Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Leather, Velvet, Plaster
English 20th Century Iron Armillary Held by the Titan Atlas on Stone Pedestal
Located in Atlanta, GA
An English iron armillary depicting Atlas carrying the world from the early 20th century, with carved stone pedestal. Created in England during the 20th century, this armillary featu...
Category
20th Century English Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Stone, Iron
Gold Plated Dupont Pocket Lighter, circa 1980
By S.T. Dupont
Located in London, GB
Stylish Dupont Ligne 2 gas lighter in rose gold plate with engine turned design, circa 1980.
Each Dupont has a serial number unique to that particular ...
Category
1980s French Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Gold Plate
Seiko Ship's Nautical Analog Clock, 1980s
Located in Nantucket, MA
From a decommissioned Japanese ship, black Seiko analog clocks with brushed nickel faces. Battery mechanism updated and an easy opening on the back side. ...
Category
Late 20th Century Japanese Industrial Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal
Alexis Bittar Gem Mounted Lucite Flower Pins, 4
Located in New York, NY
Group lot of four Alexis Bittar brooches, one daisy with gold-tone metal stem, one frosted pink lucite flower pin, one fuschia flower mounted with orange gemstones, and one black luc...
Category
Late 20th Century Unknown Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal, Gold
La Ley Del Deseo / The Law of Desire
Located in London, GB
Original Spanish film poster from the 1987 comedy, Thriller Atame! / Tie Me Up Tie Me Down. This film was written and directed by Pedro Almodóvar...
Category
1980s Spanish Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
The Art of Home
Located in New York, NY
The first book from designer Sara Story, who combines a global bohemian sensibility with a passion for art to curate clean but striking rooms that balance s...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
18th Century Italian Carved Giltwood Polychrome Cherub Sculpture
Located in Dallas, TX
This antique cherub figure was crafted in Italy, circa 1780. The hand-painted putti carving features its original polychrome and gold leaf finish for a luxurious result. The hand carved cherub is expressive in it's movement and features a wonderful facial expression. The colorful wall hanging...
Category
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Giltwood
19th Century Miniature French Sedan Vitrine
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Charming miniature vitrine in the style of a Sedan chair. Very rare and unique piece to display a favorite item from your collection..
Category
19th Century French Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Wood
1920s 35 Zeiss-Ikon 35 Cm Cinema Projector
By Zeiss Ikon
Located in London, GB
A late 1920s 35 mm Zeiss-Ikon cinema projector.
Lens: Neokino 52.5/110 by Emil Busch A.-G. Rathenow.
Original black paint.
Lamp house contain...
Category
Early 20th Century German Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Brass, Steel, Iron
6 Le Cirque Custom Bernardaud Limoges Orange W/ Monkeys Dinner Plates 10 1/4"
By Bernardaud
Located in Bridgeport, CT
From pasta primavera to world-renowned decadent desserts, Le Cirque's ubiquitous reputation for presenting its fine dining fare with whimsy and fun, landed it on the map of must-din...
Category
20th Century French Hollywood Regency Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Porcelain
Selection of Coffee Table Books - Furniture Design Interior Design Fashion Art
Located in Atlanta, GA
Selection of Coffee Table Books, priced at $150 each. If one of the books is sold, it will have SOLD next to the title below. These books are all from the estate of . was the President of The Art Deco Society of New York City and had an incredible library of books on furniture design, interior design, art, photography, and fashion. Many of the books focused on Art Deco or mid century modern design. Please see our other listings for more books from the same estate. Please note that we are not specialists in books. All of the books are in very good condition and were well cared for in a smoke and pet free environment. There may be some small tears to slipcovers, scratches, rubs, and wear commensurate with age and use.
The books in this listing are:
Stack Left
Dagobert Peche and The Wiener Werkstatte by Neue Galerie
Josef Frank Architect and Designer
Billy Baldwin by Adam Lewis
New Dimensions by Paul Frankl
Jean-Michel Frank by Rizzoli
Jean Michel Frank by Editions Du Regard
A House Is Not A Home Bruce Weber Photography
Art Deco by Skira
Stack Right
Jean Dunand by Anthony Delorenzo
Jean Dunand
Ruhlmann Master of Art Deco
Jean Dunand His Life and Works...
Category
Early 2000s American Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Vintage Colt Government Handgun Lighter, 1980s Japan
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage table lighter in the shape of a Colt handgun. Works perfectly. Modeled after a Colt Government handgun. Made of metal in Japan. Good working condition and fun object. Sold ou...
Category
1970s Japanese Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal
Arcimboldo by Roland Barthes (Book)
Located in North Yorkshire, GB
A beautifully produced book by Franco Maria Ricci, one of a limited edition of 3,000 numbered copies, this being 388. 175 pages with tipped in color plates with additional drawings and sketches, the text is in English. Arcimboldo has become best known for his portraits of human heads made up from vegetables, plants, fruits, sea creatures and tree roots, which were greatly admired by his contemporaries and remain of great fascination to this day. each was carefully constructed and as can be seen with the main image, the Librarian...
Category
16th Century Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
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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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?
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