French Naval semaphore telescope by SOM Paris
Located in London, GB
A 23 x 60 French Naval semaphore telescope by SOM Paris, model 1954. 60 mm objective lens. Field of view: 2° 10′. Oculars lens with grey filter. Dioptre: +4 to -6. SOM PARIS – No....
Aluminum, Brass
J Cazalin of France Tripod Library Telescope
Located in Norwell, MA
Nineteenth century scope with geared focal knob and heavy brass tripod stand. Weight is 24 pounds. 23" H x 55" L.
Brass
$1,300 / item
Royal Navy Submarine Captains Telescope From Gieves
Located in Norwell, MA
Leather bound British royal navy officers spyglass by Ross London for Gieve Matthews & Seagrove limited. High quality in great condition and exceptional optics. Barrel color is engra...
Brass
19th-Century French Maritime Telescope by Biette à Lyon
Located in New York, NY
9th-Century French Maritime Telescope on Stand Signed Biette à Lyon This finely crafted 19th-century maritime telescope is executed in brass and mounted on its original adjustable s...
Brass
Vintage Miniature German Variable Camera Tripod 1920s with Ansel Adams Book
By Carl Zeiss
Located in Incline Village, NV
In it's original tapered brown leather carry case is a miniature tripod, which extends to over 50" through a system of seven graduating slide out brass telescoping extenders; each se...
Brass
$1,334Sale Price / set|20% Off
Vintage 3-Draw Telescope, English, Navigation, Astrological, Broadhurst Clarkson
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a vintage 3-draw telescope. An English, leather and brass navigational or astronomical instrument, dating to the early 20th century, circa 1930.
Brass
$3,677Sale Price|20% Off
Large Antique Library Telescope, English, Starboy, Astronomical, Broadhurst & Co
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique library telescope. An English, brass 'Starboy' astronomical mounted refractor by Broadhurst, Clarkson & Co, dating to the early 20th century, circa 1920.
Brass
$1,449Sale Price|20% Off
Antique 3 Draw Telescope, English, Leather, Broadhurst Clarkson & Co, Edwardian
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique 3-draw telescope. An English, leather and brass terrestrial refractor by Broadhurst, Clarkson & Co, dating to the Edwardian period, circa 1910.
Brass
$1,855Sale Price / set|20% Off
Antique 2 Draw Telescope, English, Maritime, Day or Night, Richardson, Regency
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
A striking and substantial example of Regency optical craftsmanship Crafted in deep-toned brass, presenting a warm patina and period finish Primary barrel dressed in lightly aged wal...
Brass
Antique Telescope, Large, Single Draw Refractor, Cary London, circa 1820
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique telescope, a large single draw refractor for terrestrial or astronomical use.
Brass
Antique English "Broadhurst Clarkson & Co." Telescope on Stand, Circa 1910-1920.
Located in New Orleans, LA
Antique English "Broadhurst Clarkson & Co." Telescope on Stand, Circa 1910-1920. 72" High as shown in the photographs.
Brass
$1,260Sale Price|20% Off
Antique Ross Telescope, English, 3 Draw, Terrestrial Refractor, Early 20th, 1920
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique Ross of London telescope. An English, brass three draw terrestrial refractor, dating to the early 20th century, circa 1920.
Brass
$1,805Sale Price|20% Off
Antique 3 Draw Telescope, English, Terrestrial, Davis of London, Victorian, 1860
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique 3 draw telescope. An English, brass terrestrial or astronomical refractor by Davis of London, dating to the mid Victorian period, circa 1860.
Brass
Refractor telescope by François Can, 81 Quai de l'Hôpital, Lyon
Located in London, GB
2 ¾ inch refractor telescope by François Can, 81 Quai de l'Hôpital, Lyon. Circa 1835. Mounted on a cast iron stand with adjustable height, folding tripod feet, and castors. 2 ¾ inc...
Brass, Iron
German Reflecting Telescope in Limited Edition from the Deutsches Museum in 1978
Located in Sofia, BG
Gregory brass spyglass - Deutsches Museum 1978/79 limited edition.
Brass
$1,461Sale Price / set|20% Off
Antique Officer of the Watch Telescope, English, Ross of London, Victorian, 1900
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique Officer of the Watch telescope. An English, brass single draw terrestrial or marine spyglass by Ross of London, dating to the late Victorian period, circa 1900.
Brass
Vintage Spencer & Co. Cased Brass and Wood Sextant, circa 1830s-40s
By Spencer & Company
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
Operating from addresses in the heart of London’s river trade in Wapping, including 111 Minories and 66 High Street, the firm supplied instruments to ship captains, merchants, naval ...
Brass
19th Century English Regency Rosewood Adjustable Music Stand
Located in Queens, NY
English Regency rosewood pedestal base music stand with an adjustable lyre design rack and 2 side telescoping brass candleholders.
Brass
Antique Tibetan Buddhist Monastery Copper DungChen - Barbara J. Walters Estate
Located in Morristown, NJ
A hand hammered copper moniastic instrument with pierced silvered brass cuffs and telescoping length. This item came from Barbara J.
Copper
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.