$440Sale Price|20% Off
Antique Wood and Brass Protractor
Located in Norwalk, CT
A really nice example of a handmade tool, this protractor is carved wood and fitted with handmade brass fittings.
Brass
Fine Circular Protractor by William Cary, London c.1810
By Cary
Located in Norwich, GB
William Cary, London Circular Protractor. C.1810 The protractor with geared knob turn for full diameter bar, double hinged scribe arms with shaped frame. Main wheel with four sp...
Brass
Brass Sextant Signed WC COX Devonport, Mid-19th Century
Located in Milan, IT
Brass frame with engraved silver protractor scale embedded in the arch, with scale from 0 to + 150, adjustable Vernier with reading Vernier, four colored glasses for the fixed mirror...
Brass
Sold
H 5 in W 10.45 in D 10.6 in
1875s Brass Sextant Signed Negus New York Antique Marine Navigation Instrument
Located in Milan, IT
Brass frame with engraved silver protractor scale recessed in the arch, with scale from, silver flap and vernier, wooden handle, 3 colored glasses for the fixed mirror and 4 for the ...
Brass
Four Fold Boxwood Rule by Edward Preston & Sons of Birmingham
Located in London, GB
A two foot four fold boxwood rule by Edward Preston & Sons of Birmingham, circa 1880. With central brass protractor joint, spirit level, and steel tips.
Brass
Sold
H 4.34 in W 11.82 in D 9.45 in
Russian Brass Antique Nautical Sextant Made Early 1900s with Wooden Support
Located in Milan, IT
Brass frame with engraved silver protractor scale embedded in the arch, with scale from 0 to + 155, vernier with micrometric screw adjustment, with engraved silver vernier for micros...
Brass
19th C. Nautical Protractor
Located in North Egremont, MA
W & S Jones, 30 Holborn, London, single arm brass protractor, original case.
Brass
Circular Sextant, Decorative Piece, 20th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
The sextant is an instrument that allows to measure angles between two objects such as two points of a coast or a star, traditionally the sun of the earth and the horizon. Knowing th...
Metal, Other
$400
H 0.5 in Dm 1.75 in
Pocket Compass / Nautical Compass Appears to be Marked Barker and Sons of London
By Frances Barker & Son
Located in Warrenton, OR
Pocket Compass / Nautical Compass. Appears to be marked Barker and Sons of London. If authentic, could be circa 1890 but we are unable to confirm. Please use your own judgement on ...
Metal
$1,550
H 14.88 in W 12.75 in D 4.25 in
Vintage Spencer & Co. Cased Brass and Wood Sextant, circa 1830s-40s
By Spencer & Company
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
Presented is a British nautical sextant, dating to the 1830-40s. The brass and wood sextant was made by Spencer & Co. in London. The sextant has a wood body, brass index arm, and an ...
Brass
Late 19th Century Physics Teaching Wheel
Located in Santa Monica, CA
These educational wheels, with copper and black painted surfaces, were used by Physics teachers in the late 19th century. Please note we have two of these wheels available. One i...
Copper, Brass
George III Pocket Compass, Early 19th Century, Mahogany Case
Located in Astoria, NY
George III Pocket Compass, early 19th century, in mahogany case. Closed: 3.25" L x 3.25" W x 1" D. Provenance: The Estate of Tony Award Nominee and Drama Desk Award-Winning Broadwa...
Metal
$3,880
H 2.96 in W 3.35 in D 0.79 in
Compass with Pocket Sundial, with Case, Bronze, Butterfield, Michael '1635-1724'
Located in Madrid, ES
Compass with pocket sundial, with case. Bronze. BUTTERFIELD, Michael (1635-1724). Paris, circa 1700. Pocket sundial made of engraved metal, with a gnomon in the shape of a bird wit...
Metal, Bronze, Other
Folding Boxwood & Brass Shoe Size Measure, circa 1880
Located in London, GB
A late 19th century folding cobbler's boxwood and brass shoe size measure, for the French market. With folding heel rest and slinging toe marker, with brass hinge. Paris point ...
Boxwood
One-handed brass and steel compass by W & HC, made in England, 1930
Located in Milan, IT
A one-handed brass and steel compass by W & HC, made in England in the 1930s. This is a marine compass with fixed points, featuring a brass body and steel points, used to calculate c...
Brass
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...
Brass
Old Compass reproduction 1944 London, brown Color
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
Old Compass reproduction 1944 London, brown Color
Metal
19th Century Wood Bowl Ship's Compass by Samuel Thaxter of Boston
Located in Norwell, MA
Early nineteenth-century wood bowl ship's compass by Samuel Thaxter & Son of 125 State Street, Boston. With strap gimbal and is fitted to a dovetailed timber box with its original li...
Brass
Antique French Wood Pliers, Pine, 19th Century Folk Art, Circa 1880
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Large antique wood pliers. Great for reaching those hard to get places or a wonderful unique wall hanging.
Pine
Hand Carved Wood / Brass North American Fireplace Bellows
Located in Tarry Town, NY
Enhance your fireplace with this elegant and functional handmade bellows, crafted in North America in the mid 20th century. This exquisite piece combines quality wood, Upholstery, br...
Brass
19th Century Portable Wooden Sundial
Located in Madrid, ES
Charming portable sundial crafted in engraved wood, dating from the 19th century. This compact timekeeping instrument exemplifies the practical elegance and craftsmanship of traditio...
Fruitwood
Antique Victorian Brass Fireplace Tool Coal Tongs
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
Solid brass antique coal tongs.
Brass
$100Sale Price|20% Off
H 8.75 in Dm 2 in
Antique Wood Fid Tool, Early 20th Century Nautical Collectible
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Antique Wood Tool, treen fid grooved top for rope strap. Nautical collectible. Measures: 8.75 long x 2 diameter Original vintage condition. Refer to our images provided.
Wood
On Hold|$2,054
H 12.21 in Dm 8.67 in
Large Art Deco Icon by Sylvia Stave, Swedish Modern CG Hallberg, Stockholm, 1931
By CG Hallberg, Sylvia Stave
Located in Stockholm, SE
An elegant and highly collectible Swedish Art Deco pewter vase, designed by Sylvia Stave and produced by CG Hallberg, Stockholm, in 1931. The vase features a refined amphora-inspire...
Pewter
System walking stick with grain measuring the function, France 1820.
Located in Milan, IT
System walking stick: stick with grain measuring function. Oak wood barrel, graduated on the outside with brass nails. Iron knob, brass ferrule. By unscrewing the knob, a graduated i...
Brass, Iron
$900 / item
H 38.59 in W 17.72 in D 20.08 in
Simonini Designer Bar Stool, Solid Wood, Customizable Height, Modern
By SIMONINI
Located in Vila Cordeiro, São Paulo
A study in proportion, softness, and structural grace. The Wing Collection is born from the pursuit of equilibrium, balancing structure and lightness, geometry and comfort, precisio...
Textile, Cane, Wood, Hardwood, Leather, Faux Leather
$6,000Sale Price|50% Off
H 13.5 in W 6.75 in D 5 in
Veracruz Mexico Pre-Columbian ceramic Warrior figure sculpture
Located in Wilton Manors, FL
Figure of a Chanting Warrior Ceramic with bitumen highlights 300-600 CE (Classic Period) Mexico, Veracruz, possibly Nopiloa Veracruz Culture Pre-Columbian, Mexico, Vera Cruz culture...
Ceramic
$273Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 4.14 in W 2.56 in D 4.14 in
Set of 6 Handmade Unique Goto Murano Drinking Glasses
By Roberto Beltrami
Located in Murano, VE
The Murano Glass Goto collection brings a piece of authentic Italian art to your dining table. Hand-blown with artistic expertise, these glasses are inspired by the traditional Venet...
Murano Glass
Oligocene Turtle Fossil, South Dakota
Located in New York, NY
Oligocene Turtle Fossil, South Dakota This exceptional mounted turtle fossil originates from the Oligocene period (approximately 23–34 million years ago) and was unearthed in South D...
Stone
$2,910
H 10.24 in W 15.75 in D 11.03 in
Exquisite openly carved 19th century Swiss Black Forest jewelry box walnut bird
Located in Ijzendijke, NL
A true work of art, this stunning 19th-century Black Forest jewelry box from Switzerland is fully hand-carved and a remarkable example of craftsmanship. Nearly 150 years old, the woo...
Walnut
Émile Gallé Clematis Table Lamp, Cameo Glass, Art Nouveau, 1900
By Émile Gallé
Located in CABA, AR
Exquisite Émile Gallé “Clematis” Table Lamp, ca. 1900 An extraordinary example of French Art Nouveau glass artistry, this Clematis table lamp by Émile Gallé (1846–1904) features a r...
Glass
$444,474
H 70.87 in W 125.99 in D 2.17 in
Giant Crocodile Fossil Wall Plate, Germany. 180 Million Years Old.
Located in London, GB
This outstanding fossilised skeleton is that of the ancestral crocodile species Steneosaurus bollensis that lived during the early Jurassic period. The skeleton, complete with armour...
Other
$2,800Sale Price|30% Off
H 95.5 in W 59.5 in D 21.5 in
Antique French Renaissance Revival Walnut Buffet Cabinet Cupboard Hutch 96"
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique French Renaissance / Henry II style walnut buffet a deux corps / vaisselier / cupboard / cabinet / hutch featuring Neoclassical carved figural / floral / acanthus theme. The...
Walnut
$558
H 10.04 in Dm 6.3 in
Large Terracotta Vase in Rimini Blue by Aldo Londi for Bitossi, Italy, 1960s
By Aldo Londi
Located in Camblanes et Meynac, FR
Large Terracotta Vase in Rimini Blue by Aldo Londi for Bitossi, Italy, 1960s This large vase was designed by Aldo Londi in Italy during 1960s. Blue, pale green and turquoise terraco...
Enamel
$38,500
H 69.69 in W 94.49 in D 22.45 in
Unique Osvaldo Borsani Highboard in Cherry with Romantic Painted Panels
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Osvaldo Borsani for Arredamenti Borsani Varedo, wardrobe, cherry, paint, lacquered wood, brass, glass, Italy, circa 1950 A truly exceptional piece designed custom for a private cli...
Brass
Vintage Still Life Painting by Henri Reboa
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Striking mid century still life oil painting on canvas depicting fresh caught fish in a platter with lemons on a table executed in classic impressionist style with a bold palette, si...
Paint
$6,750Sale Price|22% Off
H 29 in W 24.75 in D 23.75 in
Early Production 'PK-22' Lounge Chair by Poul Kjærholm for EKC, Double-Signed
By E. Kold Christensen, Poul Kjærholm
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This exceptional all-original early-production PK22 lounge chair by Poul Kjærholm for E. Kold Christensen represents a highly collectible and investment-worthy example of one of the ...
Steel
Antique Jacobean Revival Oak Buffet / China Hutch
Located in Phoenix, AZ
Antique Jacobean Revival, 1920s, oak buffet. One piece. 61.5" high, 38.5" wide and 17.5" deep. The bottom part has two doors and one horizontal shelf. The upper part has one door and...
Oak
1919 René Lalique, Vase Perruches Electric Blue Glass with White Patina
By René Lalique
Located in Boulogne Billancourt, FR
Vase "Perruches" made in electric blue glass with white patina by René Lalique in 1919. Engraved control signature on bottom. Perfect condition. Exceptionnal and deep color and grea...
Blown Glass
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.
It's hard to resist the allure of a beautiful pool. So, go ahead and daydream about whiling away your summer in paradise.
It’s never too early for good design. These interiors combine elevated furnishings and a youthful spirit, resulting in spaces that are at once elegant and whimsical.
Produced in 1843, the well-preserved volume is evidence of the author's exacting specifications.
New or old, the coverlets add old-time charm to any space.
Get into the games! These items celebrate the events, athletes, host countries and sporting spirit.
French trendsetter and serial collector Daniel Rozensztroch tells us about his obsession with objects related to seafaring men.
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.
Italian writer and collector Umberto Pasti opens the doors to his remarkable cave of wonders in North Africa.