Skip to main content

Dry Compass

19th Century Compass by Robert Merrill
19th Century Compass by Robert Merrill

19th Century Compass by Robert Merrill

$1,194

H 6 in W 10 in D 10 in

19th Century Compass by Robert Merrill

Located in Norwell, MA

19th century compass by Robert Merrill, dry compass card mounted to timber box on a gimbal. Sliding

Category

Antique Late 19th Century North American Nautical Objects

Materials

Brass

Lifeboat Binnacle by Negus
Lifeboat Binnacle by Negus

Lifeboat Binnacle by Negus

$1,895

H 12 in Dm 9 in

Lifeboat Binnacle by Negus

Located in Norwell, MA

Lifeboat binnacle by Negus of New York. Brass housing, mounted to a mahogany baseboard, dry compass

Category

Antique 19th Century Nautical Objects

Materials

Brass

Yacht Binnacle by Ludolph
Yacht Binnacle by Ludolph

Yacht Binnacle by Ludolph

$8,274

H 30 in W 15 in D 14 in

Yacht Binnacle by Ludolph

Located in Norwell, MA

Ludolph yacht binnacle with brass cap and ornately cast iron stand. Two side burners, dry compass

Category

20th Century Nautical Objects

American Mahogany and Brass Ship Binnacle, Riggs & Brothers, Phila. Circa 1880
American Mahogany and Brass Ship Binnacle, Riggs & Brothers, Phila. Circa 1880

American Mahogany and Brass Ship Binnacle, Riggs & Brothers, Phila. Circa 1880

By Riggs & Brothers

Located in Charleston, SC

American mahogany ship binnacle with a brass-mounted dome helmet, internal dry compass by Ritchie

Category

Antique 1880s American American Empire Nautical Objects

Materials

Brass

Yacht Binnacle from Italy Circa 1880 with Dry Card Compass
Yacht Binnacle from Italy Circa 1880 with Dry Card Compass

Yacht Binnacle from Italy Circa 1880 with Dry Card Compass

Located in Norwell, MA

Yacht binnacle of a very unique and rare design. With Italian compass on gimbals. Mushroom style

Category

Antique 1880s Italian Nautical Objects

Materials

Brass

Yacht Binnacle with Wood Bowl Compass
Yacht Binnacle with Wood Bowl Compass

Yacht Binnacle with Wood Bowl Compass

$895

H 11 in W 12 in D 10 in

Yacht Binnacle with Wood Bowl Compass

Located in Norwell, MA

Nineteenth-century yacht binnacle with a dry card compass in a wood bowl. The compass has been tilt

Category

Antique 1860s North American Nautical Objects

Materials

Brass

Pre World War I Nautical Compass by E.S.Ritchie
Pre World War I Nautical Compass by E.S.Ritchie

Pre World War I Nautical Compass by E.S.Ritchie

Located in Norwich, GB

bearing compasses for the U.S.Navy before the American civil war. At the time the British admiralty dry

Category

Vintage 1910s Nautical Objects

Materials

Copper

Pre World War 1 Nautical Compass by E.S.Ritchie
Pre World War 1 Nautical Compass by E.S.Ritchie

Pre World War 1 Nautical Compass by E.S.Ritchie

By E.S. Ritchie & Co

Located in Norwich, GB

admiralty dry mounted nautical compasses were considered by all navies and commercial shipping companies as

Category

Antique Early 1900s Nautical Objects

Materials

Copper

Premium Ships Binnacle by Whyte Thomson & Co’s
Premium Ships Binnacle by Whyte Thomson & Co’s

Premium Ships Binnacle by Whyte Thomson & Co’s

Located in Norwell, MA

varnished base. Polished and lacquered mushroom style hood and compass cowl. Very rare dry card compass on

Category

Antique 1860s European Nautical Objects

Materials

Brass

Recent Sales

Antique Nautical Twin Dolphin American Dry Card Compass Display
Antique Nautical Twin Dolphin American Dry Card Compass Display

Antique Nautical Twin Dolphin American Dry Card Compass Display

Located in Palm City, FL

Shown is an interesting antique compass made by the American instrument maker, D. Baker of Boston

Category

Antique 19th Century American Scientific Instruments

Antique Box Compass by Thaxter
Antique Box Compass by Thaxter

Antique Box Compass by Thaxter

Sold

H 5 in W 5 in D 5 in

Antique Box Compass by Thaxter

Located in Norwell, MA

Brass gimballed compass fastened to dove-tailed wooden box by Thaxter and Son of Boston. Dry

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Nautical Objects

Early 1900s Boxed Compass
Early 1900s Boxed Compass

Early 1900s Boxed Compass

Sold

H 3.5 in W 5.5 in L 3.5 in

Early 1900s Boxed Compass

Located in Norwell, MA

Early 1900s boxed compass by Durkee. Stamped Serial No. S2246, dry compass card reads abbreviated

Category

Early 20th Century Nautical Objects

Mid-19th Century Boxed Compass
Mid-19th Century Boxed Compass

Mid-19th Century Boxed Compass

Sold

H 3.5 in W 5 in D 5 in

Mid-19th Century Boxed Compass

Located in Norwell, MA

Mid-19th century boxed compass by Samuel Thaxter of Boston. Dry compass card, brass housing, fitted

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Nautical Objects

19th Century Boxed Compass
19th Century Boxed Compass

19th Century Boxed Compass

Sold

H 6.5 in W 9 in D 9 in

19th Century Boxed Compass

Located in Norwell, MA

Style: Boxed compass Size: 9" x 9" x 6 1/2", dry compass card diameter: 5 1/2"

Category

Antique 19th Century Nautical Objects

Boxed Compass by Wilcox Crittenden
Boxed Compass by Wilcox Crittenden

Boxed Compass by Wilcox Crittenden

Sold

H 4 in W 6 in D 6 in

Boxed Compass by Wilcox Crittenden

Located in Norwell, MA

Wilcox Crittenden boxed compass with brass gimbal and dry compass card mounted into a dovetailed

Category

Antique 19th Century Nautical Objects

Compass in Its Original Turned Brass Box of the Mid-19th Century
Compass in Its Original Turned Brass Box of the Mid-19th Century

Compass in Its Original Turned Brass Box of the Mid-19th Century

Located in Milan, IT

Dry compass placed in its original turned brass box with a protection glass. English manufacture of

Category

Antique 1850s British Scientific Instruments

American Compass Placed in Its Original Box of Turned Brass
American Compass Placed in Its Original Box of Turned Brass

American Compass Placed in Its Original Box of Turned Brass

By S. Thaxter & Son

Located in Milan, IT

Dry compass placed in its original box of turned brass enclosed by a protective glass and complete

Category

Antique 1890s American Scientific Instruments

Lifeboat Binnacle by Negus
Lifeboat Binnacle by Negus

Lifeboat Binnacle by Negus

Sold

H 12 in Dm 9 in

Lifeboat Binnacle by Negus

Located in Norwell, MA

Lifeboat binnacle by Negus of New York. Brass housing, mounted to a mahogany baseboard, dry compass

Category

Antique 19th Century Nautical Objects

Brass Compass First Half of the 19th Century Mounted on a Walnut Wooden Base
Brass Compass First Half of the 19th Century Mounted on a Walnut Wooden Base

Brass Compass First Half of the 19th Century Mounted on a Walnut Wooden Base

By Blake & Son Gosport

Located in Milan, IT

Brass and glass dry compass on universal joint signed Blake & Son Gosport made in the first half of

Category

Antique 1840s British Nautical Objects

John Bliss Binnacle
John Bliss Binnacle

John Bliss Binnacle

Sold

H 48 in W 20 in D 16 in

John Bliss Binnacle

Located in Norwell, MA

Brass binnacle by John Bliss & Co of NY. Dry compass card. Side burners. Fixed brass wheel with

Category

20th Century Nautical Objects

Binnacle Compass Mahogany and Brass End of the 19th century
Binnacle Compass Mahogany and Brass End of the 19th century

Binnacle Compass Mahogany and Brass End of the 19th century

Located in Milan, IT

with handle for transportation. Inside there is a dry compass signed J. Blowey plymouth mounted on

Category

Antique 1890s British Nautical Objects

Materials

Wood

British Royal Navy Brass Dry Card Compass, Circa 1870
British Royal Navy Brass Dry Card Compass, Circa 1870

British Royal Navy Brass Dry Card Compass, Circa 1870

Located in Charleston, SC

British Royal Navy brass dry card compass with original side light burner, hinged viewing port, and

Category

Antique 19th Century British Nautical Objects

Dry Magnetic Compass Signed J. S. Stockholm, Early 19th Century
Dry Magnetic Compass Signed J. S. Stockholm, Early 19th Century

Dry Magnetic Compass Signed J. S. Stockholm, Early 19th Century

Located in Milan, IT

Dry magnetic compass placed in its original wooden case green painted, compass card with eight

Category

Antique Early 19th Century Swedish Scientific Instruments

Materials

Wood

Boat Compass
Boat Compass

Boat Compass

Sold

H 8.5 in W 4.25 in D 3.5 in

Boat Compass

Located in Norwell, MA

Antique boat dry card compass mounted into timber, dovetail box via gimbal by C.R. Sherman

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Nautical Objects

Authentic Nautical Compass
Authentic Nautical Compass

Authentic Nautical Compass

Sold

H 4.75 in W 4.75 in L 4.75 in

Authentic Nautical Compass

Located in Norwell, MA

Authentic nautical dry card compass by Wilcox Crittenden. Brass bezel mounted to a timber

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Nautical Objects

Rare Telltale Ships Compass
Rare Telltale Ships Compass

Rare Telltale Ships Compass

Sold

H 4 in Dm 8 in

Rare Telltale Ships Compass

Located in Norwell, MA

Ship captains telltale ships compass on gimbal. Dry card compass by Van Der Voort, 34 Brewers Canal

Category

Antique 1890s European Nautical Objects

Materials

Brass

Robert Merill & Sons Ship's Compass
Robert Merill & Sons Ship's Compass

Robert Merill & Sons Ship's Compass

Sold

H 6.5 in W 10 in D 10 in

Robert Merill & Sons Ship's Compass

Located in Norwell, MA

Mid-19th century ship's compass with dry card from Robert Merrrill and Sons, New York. Fitted to a

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Scientific Instruments

Chrome Yacht Binnacle Ritchie
Chrome Yacht Binnacle Ritchie

Chrome Yacht Binnacle Ritchie

Sold

H 14 in Dm 8.5 in

Chrome Yacht Binnacle Ritchie

Located in Norwell, MA

Chrome yacht binnacle with dry card, gimbaled compass by Ritchie. Glass window. Removable hood

Category

20th Century Nautical Objects

Ship's Binnacle with Unique Tapered Mahogany Base by English Maker
Ship's Binnacle with Unique Tapered Mahogany Base by English Maker

Ship's Binnacle with Unique Tapered Mahogany Base by English Maker

Located in Norwell, MA

Ship's binnacle with awesome tapered base and heavy brass base collar. Highly polished hood. Dry

Category

Vintage 1930s British Nautical Objects

Materials

Brass

Rare Dry Compass, Kelvin and Hughes, England, Early 1900s
Rare Dry Compass, Kelvin and Hughes, England, Early 1900s

Rare Dry Compass, Kelvin and Hughes, England, Early 1900s

Located in Nantucket, MA

This is a rare dry compass made by Kelvin and Hughes, England, from the early 1900s, brass. It sits

Category

Early 20th Century English Industrial Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

English Antique Nautical Dry Compass, by George Christian, Liverpool
English Antique Nautical Dry Compass, by George Christian, Liverpool

English Antique Nautical Dry Compass, by George Christian, Liverpool

By George Christian

Located in Delft, NL

English antique nautical dry compass, by George Christian, Liverpool Antique late 19th century

Category

Antique Late 19th Century English Nautical Objects

Materials

Brass

Brass Desk Compass
Brass Desk Compass

Brass Desk Compass

Sold

H 1.5 in Dm 3 in

Brass Desk Compass

Located in Norwell, MA

Dry compass card, brass lid. Dimensions: 3" D, 1.5" H.

Category

20th Century Nautical Objects

Brass Box Compass by Wilcox Crittenden
Brass Box Compass by Wilcox Crittenden

Brass Box Compass by Wilcox Crittenden

Sold

H 4.75 in W 4.75 in D 4.75 in

Brass Box Compass by Wilcox Crittenden

Located in Norwell, MA

Brass box compass by Wilcox Crittenden. Dry compass card, fitted to a varnished wood box with

Category

20th Century Nautical Objects

Early Brass Compass by Snow & Neally
Early Brass Compass by Snow & Neally

Early Brass Compass by Snow & Neally

Located in Norwell, MA

Early brass compass by Snow & Neally of Bangor, Maine. Brass bezel, dry compass card, stamped

Category

20th Century Nautical Objects

Iron Boxed Compass by Star of Boston
Iron Boxed Compass by Star of Boston

Iron Boxed Compass by Star of Boston

Sold

H 5 in W 6 in D 6 in

Iron Boxed Compass by Star of Boston

Located in Norwell, MA

Iron box compass by Star of Boston. Dry compass card reads "Star Pattened Milton, Mass."

Category

20th Century Nautical Objects

Pocket Compass Used by RAF Officers in the WWI
Pocket Compass Used by RAF Officers in the WWI

Pocket Compass Used by RAF Officers in the WWI

Located in Milan, IT

, used by RAF officers during the First World War. It is a dry compass with a chromed brass snap closure

Category

Vintage 1910s British Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

19th Century Dry Card Compass by Ritchie of Boston Dated 1863
19th Century Dry Card Compass by Ritchie of Boston Dated 1863

19th Century Dry Card Compass by Ritchie of Boston Dated 1863

Located in Norwell, MA

Quality ship's compass from Boston maker E.S. Ritchie. Heavy brass bowl is engraved with the

Category

Antique 1860s North American Nautical Objects

Materials

Brass

Antique Box Compass
Antique Box Compass

Antique Box Compass

Sold

H 5 in W 5 in D 5 in

Antique Box Compass

Located in Norwell, MA

Antique nautical box dry card compass. Box is 5 x 5 x 4. Compass face diameter is 3".

Category

Antique 19th Century Nautical Objects

Lord Kelvin Bottomley & Baird Threaded Nautical Compass Display
Lord Kelvin Bottomley & Baird Threaded Nautical Compass Display

Lord Kelvin Bottomley & Baird Threaded Nautical Compass Display

Located in Palm City, FL

Here is a very important English dry card compass made by Kelvin, Bottomley & Bard. It is based on

Category

Early 20th Century British Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass, Bronze

Kelvin, Bottomley & Baird Giant Ship's Threaded Nautical Compass
Kelvin, Bottomley & Baird Giant Ship's Threaded Nautical Compass

Kelvin, Bottomley & Baird Giant Ship's Threaded Nautical Compass

Located in Palm City, FL

A very important and rare English dry card compass made by Kelvin, Bottomley & Baird is presented

Category

Antique 19th Century English Scientific Instruments

Materials

Glass

Antique Ship's Captain Nautical Tell Tale Compass
Antique Ship's Captain Nautical Tell Tale Compass

Antique Ship's Captain Nautical Tell Tale Compass

Located in Palm City, FL

Shown is a truly fine dry card tell tale compass. It has a paper card which has the directions

Category

Antique 19th Century American Scientific Instruments

People Also Browsed

Mid-Victorian Moorish wrought & cast iron pergola or decorative garden structure
Mid-Victorian Moorish wrought & cast iron pergola or decorative garden structure

Mid-Victorian Moorish wrought & cast iron pergola or decorative garden structure

Located in London, GB

A monumental Moorish mid-Victorian wrought iron Pergola or Decorative Garden Structure, a unique masterpiece in High Victorian Ironwork design. Our research confirms it is French, da...

Category

Antique Late 19th Century European Moorish Architectural Elements

Materials

Wrought Iron

18th Century Gregorian Brass Telescope By Springer Of Bristol
18th Century Gregorian Brass Telescope By Springer Of Bristol

18th Century Gregorian Brass Telescope By Springer Of Bristol

Located in Lincolnshire, GB

A fine 3" Gregorian telescope by Springer of Bristol, although signed this model is very similar to examples we have had by George Adams and could have been made by him for Springer ...

Category

Antique 18th Century English Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

1894 Steinway & Sons Concert Grand Piano, Louis XV Style, Giltwood
1894 Steinway & Sons Concert Grand Piano, Louis XV Style, Giltwood

1894 Steinway & Sons Concert Grand Piano, Louis XV Style, Giltwood

On Hold|$1,436,598

H 42.92 in W 108.27 in D 61.03 in

1894 Steinway & Sons Concert Grand Piano, Louis XV Style, Giltwood

Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR

This extraordinary concert grand piano with 88 keys was made by the prestigious firm Steinway & Sons around 1894. The case's decoration was entrusted to the company Cuel & Ci...

Category

Antique Late 19th Century French Louis XV Musical Instruments

Materials

Wood, Giltwood

Rare Moses Michelangelo Guggenheim & Pauly Cie Et Venice Antique Carved Armoire
Rare Moses Michelangelo Guggenheim & Pauly Cie Et Venice Antique Carved Armoire

Rare Moses Michelangelo Guggenheim & Pauly Cie Et Venice Antique Carved Armoire

By Guggenheim Museum, Pauly et Cie

Located in West Sussex, Pulborough

We are delighted to offer for sale this very rare one of a kind Pauly CIE Et stamped hand carved walnut armoire made by the genius that was Moses Michelangelo Guggenheim 1837-1910 W...

Category

Antique 19th Century Italian Victorian Wardrobes and Armoires

Materials

Walnut

Antique Pharmacy Cabinet, Walnut Bookcases and Glass Doors with Sign, '800 Italy
Antique Pharmacy Cabinet, Walnut Bookcases and Glass Doors with Sign, '800 Italy

Antique Pharmacy Cabinet, Walnut Bookcases and Glass Doors with Sign, '800 Italy

$61,232Sale Price|20% Off

H 104.34 in W 153.55 in D 19.69 in

Antique Pharmacy Cabinet, Walnut Bookcases and Glass Doors with Sign, '800 Italy

Located in Cuneo, Italy (CN)

Complete antique pharmacy cabinet, with 3 open bookcases on the sides, 1 bookcase with drawers and 2 original doors with glass and enameled mirror sign. Built in the mid-19th century...

Category

Antique 19th Century Italian Apothecary Cabinets

Materials

Glass, Walnut

Fabergé Style Bejewelled and Enamelled Gold Egg by Asprey
Fabergé Style Bejewelled and Enamelled Gold Egg by Asprey

Fabergé Style Bejewelled and Enamelled Gold Egg by Asprey

By Garrard & Co. Ltd., Asprey International Limited

Located in London, GB

This exceptional, 18 carat gold Easter egg was crafted by the famous London-based royal jewellers, Asprey & Co. The piece was then retailed by Garrard & Co, who once worked i...

Category

1990s English Decorative Boxes

Materials

Gold

Large brass nautical compass  signed OBSERVATOR Rotterdam of the 1930s
Large brass nautical compass  signed OBSERVATOR Rotterdam of the 1930s

Large brass nautical compass signed OBSERVATOR Rotterdam of the 1930s

Located in Milan, IT

Large brass liquid compass signed OBSERVATOR Rotterdam from the 1930s. Eight-twenty rose complete with goniometric circle. Compass diameter cm 21.5 - 8.5 in, height cm 10.5 - 4.1 in...

Category

Vintage 1930s Nautical Objects

Materials

Brass

Pair of American Nautical Polished Steel and Brass Ship Lanterns, NY C. 1880
Pair of American Nautical Polished Steel and Brass Ship Lanterns, NY C. 1880

Pair of American Nautical Polished Steel and Brass Ship Lanterns, NY C. 1880

Located in Charleston, SC

Pair of American Nautical port & starboard polished steel and brass ship lanterns with the original red and blue Fresnel lenses, flanking vented dome finials, exterior protective cag...

Category

Antique 1880s American American Empire Lanterns

Materials

Brass, Steel, Wire

English Type GSR Nautical Binnacle in Copper/ Brass and Mahogany Housining
English Type GSR Nautical Binnacle in Copper/ Brass and Mahogany Housining

English Type GSR Nautical Binnacle in Copper/ Brass and Mahogany Housining

Located in Bridgeport, CT

Made by John Lilley & Gillie Ltd., England. A standard binnacle form in copper/brass housing with arms set with red and taupe painted iron Kelvin's balls (the taupe one with open hol...

Category

Early 20th Century English Industrial Nautical Objects

Materials

Brass, Copper

British Royal Navy Ship’s Binnacle Compass
British Royal Navy Ship’s Binnacle Compass

British Royal Navy Ship’s Binnacle Compass

Located in Norwell, MA

Solid brass ship’s compass on gimbal mounted into a brass binnacle housing. The nameplate reads pattern 0183, and serial number 14313-B. The compass card shows the royal crown. The b...

Category

Vintage 1940s European Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

Mandolin Singing Bird Automaton Music Box
Mandolin Singing Bird Automaton Music Box

Mandolin Singing Bird Automaton Music Box

$48,500

H 14 in W 30 in D 15 in

Mandolin Singing Bird Automaton Music Box

Located in New Orleans, LA

This exceptional singing bird cylinder music box is a wonder of Austrian mechanical ingenuity. Not only does it play a selection of classical airs with remarkable tone and clarity, b...

Category

Antique 19th Century Austrian Other Musical Instruments

Materials

Satinwood

Solid Brass U.S. Navy Ship's Binnacle
Solid Brass U.S. Navy Ship's Binnacle

Solid Brass U.S. Navy Ship's Binnacle

$11,000

H 53 in W 35 in D 19 in

Solid Brass U.S. Navy Ship's Binnacle

Located in Norwell, MA

Solid brass battleship binnacle with gimballed compass. Iron compensating balls are mounted to brackets. Quite heavy. from the US Navy. Torpedo base. Great polish job. Overall dim...

Category

Vintage 1940s Nautical Objects

Materials

Brass

Nineteenth Century Ship's Compass by Robert Merrill
Nineteenth Century Ship's Compass by Robert Merrill

Nineteenth Century Ship's Compass by Robert Merrill

Located in Norwell, MA

Fine antique ship's compass by Robert Merrill of New York. Brass bowl on gimbal fitted to a dovetailed timber box. Paper compass card with fleur-de-lis at north. Compass points north...

Category

Antique 1860s North American Nautical Objects

Materials

Brass

Large Chinese Carved Dinner Gong
Large Chinese Carved Dinner Gong

Large Chinese Carved Dinner Gong

$1,948Sale Price|41% Off

H 50 in W 24.5 in D 13.5 in

Large Chinese Carved Dinner Gong

Located in Cheshire, GB

Chinese intricately carved and pierced hardwood dinner gong, having circular brass gong with original beater. Dimensions Height 50 inches Length 24.5 inches width 13.5 inches.

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Chinese Musical Instruments

Materials

Hardwood

Rare Kelvin and Hughes Teak and Brass Navigational Nautical Binnacle Compass
Rare Kelvin and Hughes Teak and Brass Navigational Nautical Binnacle Compass

Rare Kelvin and Hughes Teak and Brass Navigational Nautical Binnacle Compass

Located in Nantucket, MA

A rare ship's binnacle brass compass in working order housed in a teak and brass case. It includes the kerosene side light to illuminate the compass at night. By Kelvin and Hughes,...

Category

Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Nautical Objects

Materials

Brass

19th Century Wood Bowl Ship's Compass by Samuel Thaxter of Boston
19th Century Wood Bowl Ship's Compass by Samuel Thaxter of Boston

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...

Category

Antique 1850s North American Nautical Objects

Materials

Brass

Get Updated with New Arrivals
Save "Dry Compass", and we’ll notify you when there are new listings in this category.

Dry Compass For Sale on 1stDibs

Find many varieties of an authentic dry compass available at 1stDibs. Frequently made of metal, wood and brass, every dry compass was constructed with great care. You’ve searched high and low for the perfect dry compass — we have versions that date back to the 18th Century alongside those produced as recently as the 20th Century are available. A dry compass made by Art Deco designers — as well as those associated with Georgian — is very popular. Many designers have produced at least one well-made dry compass over the years, but those crafted by E.S. Ritchie & Co, François Linke and Rene Gabriel are often thought to be among the most beautiful.

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

Dickens Fan on Your List? This First Edition of ‘A Christmas Carol’ Is a Treasure

Produced in 1843, the well-preserved volume is evidence of the author's exacting specifications.

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.