Botanical Model
Vintage 1950s German Mid-Century Modern Models and Miniatures
Wood
Antique 1890s German Other Models and Miniatures
Wood, Lacquer
Antique Late 19th Century German Figurative Sculptures
Plaster, Wood
Antique Late 19th Century German Figurative Sculptures
Plaster, Wood
Early 20th Century German Scientific Instruments
Wood
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Natural Specimens
Wood
Early 20th Century German Scientific Instruments
Wood
Early 20th Century German Figurative Sculptures
Wood
Early 20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Natural Specimens
Plaster, Wood, Paper
Early 20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Natural Specimens
Plaster, Wood, Paper
Early 20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Natural Specimens
Plaster, Wood, Paper
Antique Late 19th Century German Scientific Instruments
Wood
Antique Late 19th Century Italian Scientific Instruments
Plaster, Boxwood
Early 20th Century Italian Scientific Instruments
Plaster, Wood
Mid-20th Century Italian Figurative Sculptures
Plaster, Wood, Paper
Mid-20th Century Italian Figurative Sculptures
Plaster, Wood, Paper
Mid-20th Century Italian Figurative Sculptures
Plaster, Wood, Paper
Early 20th Century Italian Scientific Instruments
Plaster, Wood
Mid-20th Century Italian Scientific Instruments
Plaster, Wood
Early 20th Century German Figurative Sculptures
Metal
Vintage 1930s German Scientific Instruments
Parchment Paper
Mid-20th Century Italian Figurative Sculptures
Plaster, Wood, Paper
Mid-20th Century Italian Figurative Sculptures
Plaster, Wood, Paper
Mid-20th Century Italian Scientific Instruments
Metal
Vintage 1930s Italian Scientific Instruments
Plaster
Vintage 1930s Italian Scientific Instruments
Plaster
Vintage 1930s Italian Scientific Instruments
Plaster
Vintage 1960s German Mid-Century Modern Models and Miniatures
Ceramic
Antique 1770s Architectural Models
Paper
Early 20th Century German Natural Specimens
Plaster, Paper
Antique 1730s Dutch Prints
Paper
20th Century Czech Folk Art Scientific Instruments
Wood, Paper
20th Century Czech Folk Art Scientific Instruments
Wood, Paper
20th Century Czech Folk Art Scientific Instruments
Wood, Paper
20th Century Czech Folk Art Scientific Instruments
Wood, Paper
20th Century Czech Folk Art Scientific Instruments
Wood, Paper
20th Century Czech Folk Art Scientific Instruments
Wood, Paper
20th Century Czech Folk Art Scientific Instruments
Wood, Paper
20th Century Czech Folk Art Scientific Instruments
Wood, Paper
20th Century Czech Folk Art Scientific Instruments
Wood, Paper
20th Century Czech Folk Art Scientific Instruments
Wood, Paper
20th Century Czech Folk Art Scientific Instruments
Wood, Paper
20th Century Czech Folk Art Scientific Instruments
Wood, Paper
20th Century Czech Folk Art Scientific Instruments
Wood, Paper
20th Century Czech Folk Art Scientific Instruments
Wood, Paper
20th Century Czech Folk Art Scientific Instruments
Wood, Paper
20th Century Czech Folk Art Scientific Instruments
Wood, Paper
20th Century German Folk Art Scientific Instruments
Composition
Antique 1770s French Rococo Vases
Maiolica
Antique 19th Century French Candelabras
Bronze
Mid-20th Century Austrian Models and Miniatures
Glass, Plaster, Wood
Antique Late 19th Century French Other Natural Specimens
Paper
Antique Late 19th Century French Other Scientific Instruments
Paper
Vintage 1950s French Mid-Century Modern Prints
Paper
Vintage 1940s French Mid-Century Modern Prints
Paper
Vintage 1940s French Mid-Century Modern Prints
Paper
Vintage 1950s French Mid-Century Modern Prints
Vintage 1980s French Mid-Century Modern Prints
Plastic, Paper
- 1
Botanical Model 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.
Read More
Patchwork Quilts Are the Latest Nostalgic Design Trend
New or old, the coverlets add old-time charm to any space.
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.
39 Incredible Swimming Pools
It's hard to resist the allure of a beautiful pool. So, go ahead and daydream about whiling away your summer in paradise.
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.