Brass Boat Instruments
Brass Boat Compass in Varnished Wood Box
Located in Norwell, MA
Classic early twentieth century boat compass by American Maker. The gimballed compass has been
Category
Vintage 1940s Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Brass Boat Compass in Varnished Wood Box
Located in Norwell, MA
Classic early twentieth century boat compass by Dirigo of Seattle Washington. The entire gimballed
Category
Vintage 1940s North American Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Brass Boat Compass in Varnished Wood Box
Located in Norwell, MA
Classic early twentieth century boat compass. The gimballed compass has been meticulously polished
Category
Vintage 1950s North American Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Brass Boat Compass in Varnished Wood Box
Located in Norwell, MA
Classic early twentieth century boat compass by Dirigo of Seattle Washington. The gimballed compass
Category
Vintage 1930s North American Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Brass Boat Compass in Varnished Wood Box
Located in Norwell, MA
Classic early 20th century boat compass by American Maker. The gimballed compass has been
Category
Vintage 1940s North American Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Brass Boat Compass in Varnished Wood Box
Located in Norwell, MA
Classic early twentieth century boat compass by Star Compass of Boston. The gimballed yacht compass
Category
Vintage 1940s North American Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Brass Boat Compass in Varnished Wood Box
Located in Norwell, MA
Classic early twentieth century boat compass by Star Compass of Boston. The gimballed compass has
Category
Vintage 1940s North American Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Brass Boat Compass in Varnished Wood Box
Located in Norwell, MA
Classic twentieth century boat compass by American maker Wilcox Crittenden of Middletown
Category
Vintage 1950s North American Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Brass Boat Compass in Varnished Wood Box
Located in Norwell, MA
Classic early twentieth century boat compass by Wilcox Crittenden of Middletown Connecticut. The
Category
Vintage 1940s North American Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Brass Boat Compass in Varnished Wood Box
Located in Norwell, MA
Classic early twentieth century boat compass by Wilcox Crittenden of Middletown Connecticut. The
Category
Vintage 1940s North American Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Brass Boat Compass in Varnished Wood Box
Located in Norwell, MA
Classic early twentieth century boat compass by Wilcox Crittenden of Middletown Connecticut. The
Category
Vintage 1940s North American Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Early Twentieth Century Boat Compass
Located in Norwell, MA
Solid brass boat compass in varnished wood box. Highly polished and lacquered finish. By M.C. & Co
Category
Vintage 1920s North American Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Boat Binnacle Compass from the 19th Century
Located in Norwell, MA
a polished brass side burner and hinges, hooks, and screws. First class nautical relic. Signed by
Category
Antique 1890s North American Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
19th Century Brass and Wooden Jewelry Scale
Located in High Point, NC
design of the brass. The wooden case, beautifully patinated by years of use to a ripe complexion, houses
Category
Antique 19th Century French French Provincial Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
19th Century Brass and Wooden Jewelry Scale
Located in High Point, NC
design of the brass. The wooden case, beautifully patinated by years of use to a ripe complexion, houses
Category
Antique 19th Century French French Provincial Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Marine Compass in Box by Star Compass of Boston
Located in Norwell, MA
Solid brass boat compass fitted to a dovetailed wood box with rich varnished finish. Compass card
Category
Vintage 1950s North American Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Boxed Boat Compass by Wilcox Crittendon
Located in Norwell, MA
This classic marine instrument was made by Wilcox Crittendon of Middletown Connecticut. Solid brass
Category
Vintage 1930s North American Nautical Objects
Materials
Brass
Nautical Log in Its Wooden Box to Measure Boats Speed Walker Early 1900s
Located in Milan, IT
Log of brass signed Walker’s Excelsior IV Patent Log, For Yacht, Motor Launches and Fishing Craft
Category
Early 20th Century British Nautical Objects
Materials
Brass
H 6.11 in W 15.16 in D 7.09 in
Brass Frame Wall Mirror, Italy, 1955
By Karl Hagenauer
Located in Vienna, AT
musical instrument or boat in an abstract way. Good condition, no flaws or damages. It measures 29.5" x 36
Category
Vintage 1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Wall Mirrors
Materials
Brass
Teak and Brass Nautical Ship's Clinometer
Located in Nantucket, MA
A handsome brass and teak ship's clinometer with a black melamine type background. An brass
Category
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Nautical Objects
Materials
Brass
Brass Compass on Stand by Cassens and Plath, English
Located in Nantucket, MA
A ship's brass English compass from a decommissioned lifeboat. This is made by Cassens and Plath
Category
Mid-20th Century English Industrial Nautical Objects
Materials
Brass
Naudet & Co. 1915-1916 Paris World War I French Aviation Altimeter Militaire
Located in Miami, FL
is a very rare instrument by this premier maker, crafted with a silvered brass dial with twin
Category
Vintage 1910s French Industrial Table Clocks and Desk Clocks
Materials
Brass, Steel
Wooden Ship's Half Hull Shelf or Towel Rod
Located in Nantucket, MA
A wooden ship's half hull with original paint and patina. The top part of the boat could be used
Category
Mid-20th Century Nautical Objects
Materials
Bamboo, Wood
Empire Style Oval French Extending Dining Table.
Located in Prato, Tuscany
-making work, for making musical instruments and for furnishing luxury boats. Sapele is characterized by
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Dining Room Tables
Materials
Sapele Wood
Art Deco Pair Of Italian Wooden Nightstands
Located in Prato, Tuscany
of black lacquered wood; the doors close by pressure and are fitted with two brass handles in the
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Art Deco Night Stands
Materials
Wood
17th Century Japanese Export Lacquer Cabinet with Depiction the Dutch Tradepost
Located in Amsterdam, NL
various activities; some play musical instruments on board of small boats, others are fishing; figures
Category
Antique 17th Century Japanese Edo Lacquer
Materials
Copper, Gold
Free Shipping
H 34.65 in W 39.57 in D 21.26 in
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Vintage Brass Aneroid Barometer Made in France
Located in Stamford, CT
Nice French aneroid barometer in a brass circular case and equipped with a brass handle. A aneroid barometer is a device for measuring atmospheric pressure without the use of fluids....
Category
20th Century French Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
2 Antique Nautical Marine Brass Gimbal Swivel Hurricane Candle Holder Sconces
Located in Dayton, OH
Pair of 19th century brass nautical / maritime / marine / railway / sailing ship's swiveling / gimbal wall sconce pair. Simple column design with pointed / weighted bases that can be...
Category
Antique 19th Century Victorian Candle Sconces
Materials
Brass
H 13.75 in W 5.75 in D 3.5 in
Peter Voulkos Signed Mid-Century Modern California Studio Pottery Plate Charger
By Peter Voulkos
Located in Studio City, CA
A fantastic, freeform, large, heavy plate/ charger by American master potter Peter Voulkos who is known for his abstract expressionist ceramic pottery pieces and sculptures. Very uni...
Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Ceramics
Materials
Stoneware
1942 US Navy Quartermasters Mark II Spyglass Military Maritime Ship Telescope
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique Hayward Lumber & Inv Co of Los Angeles nautical maritime military ship spyglass / telescope / scope. Quartermaster, Mark II, 16 Power, Chemical & MFG Division. This telescop...
Category
Vintage 1940s Nautical Objects
Materials
Metal
H 3.5 in W 31 in D 3.5 in
Watercolor on Paper, Paul Immel '1896-1964' White Flowers in a Blue Bowl
Located in San Francisco, CA
Signed lower left; Paul Immel was born in Helena, Montana in 1864. Immel studied at the Ball School of Art in Minneapolis and in 1924 moved to Los Angeles where he further studied at...
Category
Vintage 1950s American Paintings
Materials
Wood, Paper
H 25.75 in W 35 in D 1.75 in
Gimballed Brass Boat Compass by Dirigo
Located in Norwell, MA
Gimballed brass boat compass by "Dirigo" of Seattle, Washington. With fleur-de-lis pointing north. Fitted to a birch box with lid. Circa 1975.
Overall Dimensions: 5" H x 8" L x 8"...
Category
Vintage 1970s American Nautical Objects
Materials
Brass
Original WWII Map of New Zealand - Natural & Industrial Resources in War & Peace
By "Leslie MacDonald ""Max"" Gill"
Located in London, GB
Original vintage World War Two pictorial map for New Zealand her natural and Industrial resources featuring a great illustration by the notable graphic designer, cartographer and art...
Category
Vintage 1940s British Posters
Materials
Paper
H 30.52 in W 20.08 in D 0.04 in
Boxed Compass by Dirigo
Located in Norwell, MA
Boxed compass by Dirigo of Seattle. Alcohol filled card, alloy bezel, fitted to a unique custom box via gimbal, with hinged lid. Dimensions: 8 1/2" L x 4 1/2" W x 6" H.
Category
20th Century Nautical Objects
1930s Wrist Military Compass in the Shape of a Watch Antique Surveyor Instrument
Located in Milan, IT
Wrist military compass in the shape of a watch in brass, bakelite and leather strap.
English manufacture from the 1930s used by English army officers.
The compass consists of a mag...
Category
Vintage 1930s Scientific Instruments
Materials
Bakelite
Original WWII Illustrated Map Poster - Time And Tide Map Of The Atlantic Charter
By "Leslie MacDonald ""Max"" Gill"
Located in London, GB
Original vintage illustrated map poster in Spanish by the notable graphic designer, cartographer and artist MacDonald Gill (Leslie MacDonald Gill aka Max Gill; 1884-1947) commissione...
Category
Vintage 1940s British Posters
Materials
Paper
H 44.89 in W 34.85 in D 0.04 in
Aboriginal Painting 'Kuluma in Tiwi Islands' by Nina Puruntatameri (1971-)
Located in NICE, FR
This exceptional painting by Nina Puruntatameri represents the ancestral motifs of a fertility rite called Kulama in the Tiwi Islands. According to the tradition, the Kulama ceremony...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Australian Tribal Paintings
Materials
Acrylic
H 31.5 in W 47.25 in D 0.95 in
Late Baroque Games Box Chess Backgammon Decorated with Rich Wooden Interior.
Located in Knivsta, SE
A beautiful Late Baroque Box used for Chess/Backgammon and Nine Men’s Morris Game pieces. Rich interior and exterior decorated with different types of wood, including olive, walnut a...
Category
Antique Late 17th Century European Baroque Games
Materials
Birch, Olive, Walnut
Free Shipping
H 5.32 in W 20.08 in D 17.52 in
Guildmaster Neoclassical Style Carved Giltwood Compass Rose Table
Located in Forney, TX
Straight from the home of the late legendary American business magnate, T. Boone Pickens, we present a contemporary hand carved distressed painted white side table by Guildmaster.
...
Category
Late 20th Century Neoclassical End Tables
Materials
Wood, Paint
Writers Desk in Oak w/ Acid Etched Bronze Frame by Harry Lunstead Designs, 1970s
By Paul Evans, Harry Lunstead
Located in Deland, FL
Simultaneously minimal and stylish this exceptional writers desk, designed by Harry Lundstead, is the very epitome of Modern Contemporary Design. With its sleek, thoughtful and hidde...
Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Desks
Materials
Bronze
H 28 in W 47.25 in D 27 in
Framed Maritime Signal Flag of Letter X
Located in Norwell, MA
Shadow box framed ships signal flag with attached rope and wood toggle. White and red field. Weight is 5 pounds.
Category
Vintage 1950s Nautical Objects
Materials
Cotton
Outstanding Solid Brass Yacht Binnacle circa 1920
By E.S. Ritchie & Sons 1
Located in Norwell, MA
Solid brass yacht binnacle with highly polished and lacquered finish. Fitted with a compass by Ritchie of Boston. The binnacle is topped with a six sided skylight top. The base is so...
Category
Vintage 1920s American Nautical Objects
Materials
Brass
Recent Sales
Carl Zeiss World War 2 Binoculars, circa 1940
By Carl Zeiss
Located in Aspen, CO
These most interesting steel and brass 8 x 60 binoculars were manufactured by Carl Zeiss, Jena
Category
Vintage 1940s German Scientific Instruments
Antique Boat Spirit Level, English, Walnut, Brass, Torpedo, Instrument, Rabone
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique boat spirit level. An English, walnut and brass torpedo level or instrument by
Category
Early 20th Century Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
H 1.38 in W 12.01 in D 0.79 in
Brass Boat Compass On Box
Located in Norwell, MA
Antique solid brass gimbaled yacht compass by Ritchie of Boston. Bezel is pierced with number
Category
Vintage 1950s American Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Brass Boat Compass in Varnished Wood Box
Located in Norwell, MA
Classic early twentieth century boat compass by Dirigo of Seattle Washington. The entire gimballed
Category
Vintage 1930s North American Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Brass Boat Compass in Varnished Wood Box
Located in Norwell, MA
Classic early 20th century boat compass by Dirigo of Seattle Washington. The entire gimballed
Category
Vintage 1930s North American Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Brass Boat Compass in Varnished Wood Box
Located in Norwell, MA
Classic early twentieth century boat compass by Dirigo of Seattle Washington. The entire gimballed
Category
Vintage 1940s North American Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Brass Boat Compass in Varnished Wood Box
Located in Norwell, MA
Classic early twentieth century boat compass by Dirigo of Seattle Washington. The entire gimballed
Category
Vintage 1940s North American Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Brass Boat Compass in Varnished Wood Box
Located in Norwell, MA
Classic mid 20th century boat compass by American maker Wilcox Crittenden of Middletown Connecticut
Category
Vintage 1950s North American Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Brass Boat Compass in Varnished Wood Box
Located in Norwell, MA
Classic early twentieth century boat compass by American Maker. The gimballed compass has been
Category
Vintage 1940s North American Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Brass Boat Compass by Star of Boston
Located in Norwell, MA
Gimballed brass boat or yacht compass by Star of Boston. Bezel is pierced with number 27645
Category
Vintage 1940s North American Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Brass Boat Compass by Star of Boston
Located in Norwell, MA
Gimballed brass boat or yacht compass by Star of Boston. Bezel is pierced with number "57051
Category
Vintage 1950s North American Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Brass Boat Compass in a Box, 19th Century
Located in Norwell, MA
Highly polished 19th Century boat compass by Ritchie, Boston USA. Compass card has ship chandler
Category
Vintage 1980s North American Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Brass Boat Compass on Gimbal Fitted to a Box
Located in Norwell, MA
Solid brass boat compass on gimbal by Dirigo of Seattle Washington as marked on the compass card
Category
Vintage 1940s North American Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Star Pathfinder Boat Compass
Located in Norwell, MA
Antique Boat Compass by Star Pathfinder of Boston Mass. Highly polished and lacquered gimballed
Category
Vintage 1950s North American Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Wilcox Crittenden Boat Compass in Mahogany Box
Located in Norwell, MA
Wilcox Crittenden boat compass in mahogany box. Polished and lacquered finish. Great piece of
Category
Vintage 1930s North American Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Vintage Boat Level, English, Walnut, Spirit, W Marples and Sons, Sheffield, 1950
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a vintage boat level. An English, walnut and brass torpedo spirit level by W. Marples
Category
Mid-20th Century British Scientific Instruments
Materials
Walnut
H 1.38 in W 9.06 in D 0.79 in
Antique Copper & Brass Ship's Compass
Located in Calgary, Alberta
Antique copper and brass ship's compass (binnacle) by renowned British maker Henry Browne & Son Ltd
Category
20th Century British Scientific Instruments
Materials
Copper, Brass
19th Century Brass and Wooden Jewelry Scale
Located in High Point, NC
design of the brass. The wooden case, beautifully patinated by years of use to a ripe complexion, houses
Category
Antique 19th Century French French Provincial Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Brass Yacht Compass in Mahogany Box
Located in Norwell, MA
Highly polished Gimballed boat compass by E.S. Ritchie & Sons, Boston Mass. With compass card
Category
Vintage 1950s North American Scientific Instruments
Materials
Wood
1918 Survey Magnetic Compass for U.S. Engineer Corps Antique Nautical Objects
Located in Milan, IT
Rare magnetic compass for nautical detection, of brass, signed Cruchon & Emons Berne n. 67770 of
Category
Vintage 1910s Swiss Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Survey Compass Swiss Made in 1918 for U.S. Engineer Corps
Located in Milan, IT
Vintage nautical bearing magnetic compass, pocket made of brass, signed Cruchon & Emons Berne n
Category
Vintage 1910s Swiss Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
WWII Toko 15 x 80 Binoculars circa 1940
Located in London, GB
instrument, it is recorded that the Japanese optical industries purchased some 200,000 pounds of optical
Category
Vintage 1940s Japanese Scientific Instruments
Materials
Aluminum, Brass
1940 U.S. Navy Magnetic Nautical Compass Wooden Board by Lionel Corporation NY
Located in Milan, IT
the Lionel Corporation N.Y. Company for the U.S. Navy. Navy Bu Ships 4-inch Boat Compass No. 3729.
The
Category
Vintage 1940s American Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
H 4.45 in W 7.09 in D 7.09 in
1940 U.S. Navy Magnetic Nautical Compass Wooden Board by Lionel Corporation NY
Located in Milan, IT
the Lionel Corporation N.Y. Company for the U.S. Navy. Navy Bu Ships 4-inch Boat Compass No. 3729
Category
Vintage 1940s American Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
H 4.45 in W 7.09 in D 7.09 in
19th Century English Apothecary Cabinet Antique Set Marine Navigation
Located in Milan, IT
, brass handle and brass hinges, complete with key.
The cabinet has a rectangular base and wood dividers
Category
Antique 1840s Scientific Instruments
Materials
Wood
Nautical Log Harpoon Shaped to Measure Boats Speed Walker 1861
Located in Milan, IT
Brass log in the shape of a harpoon, signed T. Walker's Patent Harpoon Ship Log A 1 London, from
Category
Antique 1860s British Nautical Objects
Materials
Brass
Antique Binnacle Sestrel Compass from Henry Browne & Son
By Henry Browne & Son Ltd Sestrel
Located in Bridgeport, CT
magnificent example of a nautical navigation instrument for sailing yachts and boats.
The compass binnacle is
Category
Early 20th Century English Industrial Nautical Objects
Materials
Brass
1918s Barke's Magnetic Nautical Pocket Compass Antique Marine Navigation Device
Located in Milan, IT
Patents.
It is a small vintage compass typically used in recreational sailing, therefore on boats less
Category
Vintage 1910s Nautical Objects
Materials
Brass
1918s Barke's Magnetic Nautical Pocket Compass Antique Marine Navigation Device
Located in Milan, IT
Patents.
It is a small vintage compass typically used in recreational sailing, therefore on boats less
Category
Vintage 1910s Nautical Objects
Materials
Brass
MID-19TH CENTURY SHIP’S TELESCOPE WITH PATRIOTIC-PAINTED HANDLE
Located in York County, PA
the instrument from approximately twenty to thirty-nine inches. I particularly like the sliding brass
Category
Antique 19th Century American Political and Patriotic Memorabilia
Materials
Brass
Vintage Gimbal-Mounted Compass by Wilcox, Crittenden & Co.
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
, Connecticut. The brass compass is beautifully constructed and fitted in its original wooden lidded box. The
Category
Antique 1880s American Late Victorian Nautical Objects
Materials
Brass
Brass Boat Compass in Varnished Wood Box
Located in Norwell, MA
Classic early twentieth century boat compass by MCCO, The Marine Compass Co. The gimballed compass
Category
Vintage 1930s North American Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Brass Boat Compass in Varnished Wood Box
Located in Norwell, MA
Classic early twentieth century boat compass by the Marine Compass Company, Polaris brand. The
Category
Vintage 1940s North American Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Boxed Boat Compass by Wilcox Crittendon
Located in Norwell, MA
. The entire compass has been stripped and polished. The box has been refinished and its brasses were
Category
Vintage 1940s North American Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Boat Compass by Ritchie of Boston
Located in Norwell, MA
varnished with polished brasses. Bezel bears serial number 62298.
Weight: 6 lbs.
Overall Dimensions: 5"H
Category
Vintage 1950s North American Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
1918s Antique Liquid Bearing Brass Pocket Compass Signed F. Barker & Sons London
Located in Milan, IT
boats less subject to magnetic deviation. It can also be held in the hand and therefore away from the
Category
Vintage 1910s Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Brass Compass with Leather Case Made in 1916 Supplied to English Officers
Located in Milan, IT
typically used in pleasure sailing, therefore on boats less subject to magnetic deviation. It can also be
Category
Vintage 1910s British Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
1918s Barker's Magnaetic Brass Nautical Pocket Compass Antique Marine Navigation
Located in Milan, IT
boats less subject to magnetic deviation. It can also be held in the hand and therefore away from the
Category
Vintage 1910s Nautical Objects
Materials
Brass
WWI Brass Compass Used by the British Army Officers
Located in Milan, IT
compass typically used in pleasure sailing, therefore on boats less subject to magnetic deviation. It can
Category
Vintage 1910s British Nautical Objects
Materials
Brass
1918s Antique Magnetic Brass Pocket Compass Signed Cruchon & Emons Paris N. 918
Located in Milan, IT
Magnetic compass for nautical detection, of brass, signed Cruchon & Emons Paris n. 918 of 1918 made
Category
Vintage 1910s French Nautical Objects
Materials
Brass
Fine Antique English Nautical Walker’s Excelsior IV Patent Log with Stand
Located in Forney, TX
the ship. The instrument dial recorded the distance travelled.
This log is made of brass with a
Category
Early 20th Century English Industrial Nautical Objects
Materials
Brass
Mahogany Cased Sewills Sealord Nelson Chronometer Compendium, 20th Century
Located in London, GB
chronometer, watch, clock and weather instrument makers to the Admiralty, Sewills of Liverpool, dating from
Category
Vintage 1970s English More Clocks
Materials
Brass
H 7.29 in W 7.49 in D 7.49 in
20th c. Model Ship
Located in Savannah, GA
on the lower hull and the brass fittings and instruments are of fine quality. The ratlines are
Category
Vintage 1950s American Nautical Objects
Vintage Nautical Anemometer in Brass, Aluminum and Fiberglass
Located in Heath, MA
instrument whirls and twirls without friction. Its aluminum propeller, brass and aluminum shaft, and
Category
Mid-20th Century Unknown Nautical Objects
Materials
Aluminum, Brass
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Brass Boat Instruments For Sale on 1stDibs
Find a variety of brass boat instruments available on 1stDibs. Frequently made of brass, metal and wood, all brass boat instruments available were constructed with great care. Brass boat instruments have long been popular, with older editions for sale from the 19th Century and newer versions made as recently as the 20th Century. industrial and Art Deco brass boat instruments are consistently popular styles.
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.
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