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Fire Memorabilia

Fire Association of Philadelphia Fire Marker
Fire Association of Philadelphia Fire Marker

Fire Association of Philadelphia Fire Marker

Located in Coeur d'Alene, ID

Fire Association of Philadelphia fire marker. Used primarily for advertising purposes, fire marks

Category

Antique 19th Century American Historical Memorabilia

Materials

Iron

Cast Iron Fire Engine Fire Marker
Cast Iron Fire Engine Fire Marker

Cast Iron Fire Engine Fire Marker

$1,500

H 8.5 in W 11 in D 2 in

Cast Iron Fire Engine Fire Marker

Located in Coeur d'Alene, ID

Painted cast iron horizontal fire marker with a fire engine and initials "U.F." Similar one in the

Category

Antique 19th Century American Historical Memorabilia

Materials

Iron

Leather Fireman's Parade Belt
Leather Fireman's Parade Belt

Leather Fireman's Parade Belt

$4,800

H 11.75 in W 50.25 in D 2.5 in

Leather Fireman's Parade Belt

Located in York County, PA

limited appeal, the word "Liberty" opens the playing field to a nation-wide audience. Fire memorabilia is

Category

Antique Early 1900s American Political and Patriotic Memorabilia

Materials

Leather

Cast Iron Fireman Fire Marker
Cast Iron Fireman Fire Marker

Cast Iron Fireman Fire Marker

$1,500

H 11 in W 8.5 in D 2 in

Cast Iron Fireman Fire Marker

Located in Coeur d'Alene, ID

Unique cast iron fire marker with fireman, horn blowing "FIRE", and hose. Used primarily for

Category

Antique 19th Century American Historical Memorabilia

Materials

Iron

Cast Iron Fireman Fire Marker
Cast Iron Fireman Fire Marker

Cast Iron Fireman Fire Marker

$700

H 11 in W 8.5 in D 2 in

Cast Iron Fireman Fire Marker

Located in Coeur d'Alene, ID

Unique cast iron fire marker with painted fireman in red coat, horn blowing "FIRE", and hose. Used

Category

Antique 19th Century American Historical Memorabilia

Materials

Iron

Collection of 1800s Fire Fighters Badges
Collection of 1800s Fire Fighters Badges

Collection of 1800s Fire Fighters Badges

$2,400 / set

H 33 in W 18 in D 2 in

Collection of 1800s Fire Fighters Badges

Located in Peekskill, NY

love the celluloid buttons showing horse drawn equipment and early fire hats. You just don't find

Category

Antique Late 19th Century American Victorian Historical Memorabilia

Materials

Silk

Antique Gamewell Cast Iron Fire Alarm Station Radio Telegraph Box 17"
Antique Gamewell Cast Iron Fire Alarm Station Radio Telegraph Box 17"

Antique Gamewell Cast Iron Fire Alarm Station Radio Telegraph Box 17"

Located in Dayton, OH

Antique Gamewell Co wall hanging cast iron fire alarm box. #2462, from Dayton Ohio. Dimensions

Category

Vintage 1910s American American Classical Historical Memorabilia

Materials

Iron

19th C Handheld Muffin Bell Town Crier Fire Alarm Bell
19th C Handheld Muffin Bell Town Crier Fire Alarm Bell

19th C Handheld Muffin Bell Town Crier Fire Alarm Bell

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Rare 19th C handheld muffin bell town crier fire alarm bell. The bell features two Brass domes

Category

Antique 19th Century American American Classical Historical Memorabilia

Materials

Metal, Bronze

19th Century Black Painted Leather French Primitive Fire Helmet Casque Pompier
19th Century Black Painted Leather French Primitive Fire Helmet Casque Pompier

19th Century Black Painted Leather French Primitive Fire Helmet Casque Pompier

$640Sale Price|20% Off

H 5.91 in W 13.39 in D 12.6 in

19th Century Black Painted Leather French Primitive Fire Helmet Casque Pompier

Located in Haarlem, NL

19th century black painted leather French fire helmet with painted logo with what looks like a

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century French Historical Memorabilia

Materials

Leather

Original Pottery Sculpture Head Planter, General Charles De Gaulle
Original Pottery Sculpture Head Planter, General Charles De Gaulle

Original Pottery Sculpture Head Planter, General Charles De Gaulle

$1,120Sale Price|20% Off

H 10 in W 8 in D 7.5 in

Original Pottery Sculpture Head Planter, General Charles De Gaulle

Located in Vero Beach, FL

Original Pottery sculpture head planter, general Charles De Gaulle Political Memorabilia. This

Category

Vintage 1950s French Folk Art Political and Patriotic Memorabilia

Materials

Clay

Mid 20th Century Vintage Porcelain Enameled Metal Sprinkler Fire Alarm Sign
Mid 20th Century Vintage Porcelain Enameled Metal Sprinkler Fire Alarm Sign

Mid 20th Century Vintage Porcelain Enameled Metal Sprinkler Fire Alarm Sign

Located in Stamford, CT

and should come off. A excellent piece of Police and Fire Dept memorabilia on an industrial sign.

Category

Mid-20th Century American Signs

Materials

Metal

Recent Sales

Fire Alarm
Fire Alarm

Fire Alarm

Unavailable

H 43 in W 36 in D 21 in

Fire Alarm

Located in Round Top, TX

crack in the top of the glass case.

Category

Early 20th Century American Historical Memorabilia

Materials

Iron

19th Century Massachusetts Leather Fire Bucket
19th Century Massachusetts Leather Fire Bucket

19th Century Massachusetts Leather Fire Bucket

Located in Woodbury, CT

Massachusetts leather fire bucket with swing handle painted dark green and red with lettering

Category

Antique 1840s American Historical Memorabilia

Materials

Leather

Rare Antique Gamewell Fire Alarm Base Station
Rare Antique Gamewell Fire Alarm Base Station

Rare Antique Gamewell Fire Alarm Base Station

Unavailable

H 23.5 in W 49.5 in D 26.5 in

Rare Antique Gamewell Fire Alarm Base Station

Located in Round Top, TX

station of the box number. This repeater automatically retransmitted fire alarms to the alarm circuits of

Category

Antique Late 19th Century American Historical Memorabilia

Materials

Metal

Mid-1900s Red Gamewell Cast Iron Fire Alarm Master Box w/ Western Electric Phone
Mid-1900s Red Gamewell Cast Iron Fire Alarm Master Box w/ Western Electric Phone

Mid-1900s Red Gamewell Cast Iron Fire Alarm Master Box w/ Western Electric Phone

Located in Vineyard Haven, MA

This highly collectible cottage style Gamewell fire Masterbox is unrestored and in its original

Category

Mid-20th Century American American Colonial Historical Memorabilia

Materials

Iron

Antique Brass Fire Bell
Antique Brass Fire Bell

Antique Brass Fire Bell

Sold

H 24 in W 20 in D 17 in

Antique Brass Fire Bell

Located in Calgary, Alberta

Very rare antique solid polished brass fire bell with 4 internal bells, from an English Georgian

Category

Antique 19th Century British Georgian Historical Memorabilia

Materials

Brass

Large Fire House Signal Code Sign
Large Fire House Signal Code Sign

Large Fire House Signal Code Sign

Sold

H 71 in W 33 in D 2 in

Large Fire House Signal Code Sign

Located in Peekskill, NY

This 100 year old sign is 6 foot tall. It's a historic piece of New York fire history. We found

Category

Early 20th Century American Industrial Historical Memorabilia

Georgian Style Yellow Leather Fire Bucket
Georgian Style Yellow Leather Fire Bucket

Georgian Style Yellow Leather Fire Bucket

Located in Essex, MA

CYLINDRICAL WITH BAIL HANDLE,DECORATED WITH A ROYAL CREST.

Category

Antique 19th Century English Political and Patriotic Memorabilia

20th Century Fire Proof Safe, c.1930
20th Century Fire Proof Safe, c.1930

20th Century Fire Proof Safe, c.1930

Sold

H 20.08 in W 14.18 in D 14.97 in

20th Century Fire Proof Safe, c.1930

Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent

A lovey cast iron fire proof safe in good working order. Complete with its key, it is as fit for

Category

20th Century British Historical Memorabilia

Materials

Iron

20th Century Fire Proof Safe, c.1930
20th Century Fire Proof Safe, c.1930

20th Century Fire Proof Safe, c.1930

Sold

H 18.12 in W 13.39 in D 13.78 in

20th Century Fire Proof Safe, c.1930

Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent

A lovey cast iron fire proof safe in good working order. Complete with its key, it is as fit for

Category

20th Century British Historical Memorabilia

Materials

Iron

Antique Freemasonry 'Sun' Wall Plaque Fire-Gilded, Masonic Lodge, 19th Century
Antique Freemasonry 'Sun' Wall Plaque Fire-Gilded, Masonic Lodge, 19th Century

Antique Freemasonry 'Sun' Wall Plaque Fire-Gilded, Masonic Lodge, 19th Century

Located in Niederdorfelden, Hessen

Beautiful Masonic fire-gilded, handcrafted blazing star wall relief plaque from the 19th century

Category

Antique 19th Century German Neoclassical Revival Political and Patriotic...

Materials

Brass

Antique 20th Century Cast Iron Hooks & Fire Buckets, Merryweather & Sons c.1900
Antique 20th Century Cast Iron Hooks & Fire Buckets, Merryweather & Sons c.1900

Antique 20th Century Cast Iron Hooks & Fire Buckets, Merryweather & Sons c.1900

Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent

by four round-bottomed metal fire buckets. The set includes a pair of cast iron hooks mounted to a

Category

20th Century British Other Historical Memorabilia

Materials

Metal

19th Century Victorian Leather Bound Fire Bucket from Frogmore House, C.1890
19th Century Victorian Leather Bound Fire Bucket from Frogmore House, C.1890

19th Century Victorian Leather Bound Fire Bucket from Frogmore House, C.1890

Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent

Antique 19th century Victorian piece of royal history, a leather fire bucket from Frogmore House

Category

Antique 19th Century British Victorian Historical Memorabilia

Materials

Leather

Mid Century Red Retro Westfield Mfg Columbia Fire Arrow Bicycle Bike MCM
Mid Century Red Retro Westfield Mfg Columbia Fire Arrow Bicycle Bike MCM

Mid Century Red Retro Westfield Mfg Columbia Fire Arrow Bicycle Bike MCM

Located in Dayton, OH

Mid century Westfield Mfg Co Columbia Fire-Arrow bike. Measure: 69".  

Category

Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Sports Equipment and Memorabilia

Materials

Metal

Antique Restored Fire Engine Seat circa 1920's
Antique Restored Fire Engine Seat circa 1920's

Antique Restored Fire Engine Seat circa 1920's

Located in Milford, NH

A fine example of a restored antique fire engine seat, similar to the Ahrens Fox models in the

Category

Early 20th Century American Benches

Materials

Brass, Iron

19th Century English Leather Fire Bucket
19th Century English Leather Fire Bucket

19th Century English Leather Fire Bucket

Located in Dallas, TX

A mid-19th century leather fire bucket. A metal ring around the top of the bucket is affixed by

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century English Victorian Historical Memorabilia

Materials

Metal

19th Century Painted Leather Fire Bucket "J. Mansfield"
19th Century Painted Leather Fire Bucket "J. Mansfield"

19th Century Painted Leather Fire Bucket "J. Mansfield"

Located in Southampton, NY

Painted leather fire bucket “J. MANSFIELD No.1" 19th century fire bucket, 1800-1850

Category

Antique Early 19th Century American Historical Memorabilia

Materials

Leather

Leather Fire Bucket with Initials E.C, circa 1880
Leather Fire Bucket with Initials E.C, circa 1880

Leather Fire Bucket with Initials E.C, circa 1880

Located in London, GB

A fine leather fire bucket with red painted initials E.C and the number 12, circa 1880. Dimensions

Category

Antique 1880s British Historical Memorabilia

Materials

Leather

19th Century Firemen's Insurance Company of Baltimore Cast Iron Fire Mark
19th Century Firemen's Insurance Company of Baltimore Cast Iron Fire Mark

19th Century Firemen's Insurance Company of Baltimore Cast Iron Fire Mark

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

19th Century Firemen's Insurance Company of Baltimore Cast Iron Fire Mark USA, circa mid-late 19th

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century American Historical Memorabilia

Materials

Iron

Political Terracotta Portrait Medallion Benjamin Franklin JeanBaptiste Nini 1777
Political Terracotta Portrait Medallion Benjamin Franklin JeanBaptiste Nini 1777

Political Terracotta Portrait Medallion Benjamin Franklin JeanBaptiste Nini 1777

Located in Portland, OR

good, the portrait roundel is mounted in a gilt frame this rare piece of politcal memorabilia of one of

Category

Antique 1770s American Federal Historical Memorabilia

Materials

Terracotta

19th Century Red Ground Leather Fire Bucket
19th Century Red Ground Leather Fire Bucket

19th Century Red Ground Leather Fire Bucket

Located in Edenbridge, Kent

Early 19th century red ground leather fire bucket retaining a leather handle. The whole is finely

Category

Antique Early 1800s English Historical Memorabilia

Materials

Leather

Incredible Shoes to Break Sweet Chestnuts, 19th Century
Incredible Shoes to Break Sweet Chestnuts, 19th Century

Incredible Shoes to Break Sweet Chestnuts, 19th Century

Located in Paris, FR

Footwear with sawtooth spikes, to debug chestnuts on land. Incredible objet from France, Lozère (South of France) Made with iron, leather and wood.  

Category

Antique 19th Century French Folk Art Historical Memorabilia

Materials

Iron

American Fire Alarm Box
American Fire Alarm Box

American Fire Alarm Box

Sold

H 16 in W 12 in D 6 in

American Fire Alarm Box

Located in Round Top, TX

Early 20th century game well fire alarm box. This circa 1920 box would have been attached to a pole

Category

Early 20th Century American Historical Memorabilia

Materials

Metal

18th Century New England Leather Fire Bucket
18th Century New England Leather Fire Bucket

18th Century New England Leather Fire Bucket

Located in Woodbury, CT

In colonial America, homes had approximately three to five fire buckets hanging near the door, all

Category

Antique 1790s American American Colonial Historical Memorabilia

Materials

Leather

Antique American 1855 Painted Leather Fire Bucket for R.C. Manning
Antique American 1855 Painted Leather Fire Bucket for R.C. Manning

Antique American 1855 Painted Leather Fire Bucket for R.C. Manning

Located in Plymouth, MA

An exceptional antique, handmade, 100% pure leather fire bucket made in 1855 owned by R.C. Manning

Category

Antique 1850s American Historical Memorabilia

Materials

Leather

People Also Browsed

Pair of 19th Century Sterling Silver Candlesticks
Pair of 19th Century Sterling Silver Candlesticks

Pair of 19th Century Sterling Silver Candlesticks

Unavailable|$1,400 / set

H 10 in Dm 5.5 in

Pair of 19th Century Sterling Silver Candlesticks

Located in Hamilton, Ontario

Pair of 19th century weighted sterling silver candle holders.

Category

Antique 19th Century Sterling Silver

Materials

Sterling Silver

Walt Disney Film Archives, the Animated Movies 1921-1968, Collector's Edition
Walt Disney Film Archives, the Animated Movies 1921-1968, Collector's Edition

Walt Disney Film Archives, the Animated Movies 1921-1968, Collector's Edition

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Hardcover, 620 pages, 41.1 x 30 cm (16.2 x 11.8 in.) in clamshell box. With portfolio of 5 cel setups, 37.6 x 30 cm (14.8 x 11.8 in.) and 30 x 36.3 cm (11.8 x 14.3 in.), and 64-page ...

Category

2010s European Books

Materials

Other

Rare Pair of Fireman's Axe Parade Torches
Rare Pair of Fireman's Axe Parade Torches

Rare Pair of Fireman's Axe Parade Torches

$3,500Sale Price|22% Off

H 11 in W 40 in D 1.5 in

Rare Pair of Fireman's Axe Parade Torches

Located in York County, PA

Rare pair of fireman’s axe parade torches, 1860-1880: Pair of fireman’s axe parade torches with traditional wooden axe handles and the heads made of tin acting as receptacles ...

Category

20th Century American Folk Art Sculptures

Spanish 1940s Wrought Iron Gilt Drinks Table / Side Table, Handle Detail
Spanish 1940s Wrought Iron Gilt Drinks Table / Side Table, Handle Detail

Spanish 1940s Wrought Iron Gilt Drinks Table / Side Table, Handle Detail

Located in Barcelona, ES

Elegant hand-hammered iron drinks end table or pedestal table standing on a tripod base with handle on the top. Spain, 1940s. This table features a round top richly adorned by the Ha...

Category

20th Century Spanish Gothic Revival Gueridon

Materials

Iron, Gold Leaf, Wrought Iron

19th Century French Carved Walnut Royal Coat-of-Arms of the City of Paris
19th Century French Carved Walnut Royal Coat-of-Arms of the City of Paris

19th Century French Carved Walnut Royal Coat-of-Arms of the City of Paris

Located in Dallas, TX

Decorate an office or a study with this elegant antique "Blason" or coat of arms. Created in France circa 1870, the hand carved sculpture depicts the coat of arms of the city of Pari...

Category

Antique 19th Century French Medieval Wall-mounted Sculptures

Materials

Walnut

Mucha, Waverley Cycles, Original Art Nouveau Belle Epoque Vintage Poster, 1898
Mucha, Waverley Cycles, Original Art Nouveau Belle Epoque Vintage Poster, 1898

Mucha, Waverley Cycles, Original Art Nouveau Belle Epoque Vintage Poster, 1898

By Alphonse Mucha

Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR

Original Art Nouveau Vintage Poster dating from 1898 by Alphonse Mucha. Artist: Alphonse Mucha (1860-1939) Title: Waverley Cycles Date: 1898 Size (w x h): 33.9 x 42.9 in / 86 x...

Category

Antique 19th Century French Art Nouveau Posters

Materials

Paper

Giant Crocodile Fossil Wall Plate, Germany. 180 Million Years Old.
Giant Crocodile Fossil Wall Plate, Germany. 180 Million Years Old.

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...

Category

Antique 15th Century and Earlier German Decorative Art

Materials

Other

Antique 1760s Georgian Pair of Sterling Silver Tapersticks (1769)
Antique 1760s Georgian Pair of Sterling Silver Tapersticks (1769)

Antique 1760s Georgian Pair of Sterling Silver Tapersticks (1769)

By Elizabeth Cooke

Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne

An exceptional, fine and impressive pair of antique George III English cast sterling silver tapersticks; an addition of our ornamental Georgian silverware collection These excepti...

Category

Antique 18th Century English George III Sterling Silver

Materials

Silver, Sterling Silver

European Carved Gilt And Polychrome Coat Of Arms
European Carved Gilt And Polychrome Coat Of Arms

European Carved Gilt And Polychrome Coat Of Arms

$3,800

H 21 in W 13.75 in D 4.5 in

European Carved Gilt And Polychrome Coat Of Arms

Located in Essex, MA

Shield form with a crown over a coat of arms with different symbols, the frame carved and gilded in the baroque style. From the Michael Kittredge collection.

Category

Antique 1790s European Baroque Wall-mounted Sculptures

Materials

Walnut, Pine

Rare Tiffany Studios “Jade Ring” Table Lamp
Rare Tiffany Studios “Jade Ring” Table Lamp

Rare Tiffany Studios “Jade Ring” Table Lamp

By Tiffany Studios

Located in Dallas, TX

Rare Tiffany Studios Leaded Glass and Patinated Bronze Geometric Table Lamp, circa 1910. This is a rare one of a kind early Tiffany Studios large table lamp that is illustrated in Al...

Category

Antique Early 1900s American Art Nouveau Table Lamps

Materials

Bronze

'American Notes' First Edition Books by Charles Dickens
'American Notes' First Edition Books by Charles Dickens

'American Notes' First Edition Books by Charles Dickens

Unavailable|$1,995 / set

H 7.5 in W 1.8 in D 5 in

'American Notes' First Edition Books by Charles Dickens

By Charles Dickens

Located in Hamilton, Ontario

'American Notes for General Circulation' by Charles Dickens. First Edition. Vol 1 and 2 London: Chapman and Hall 1842 Bradbury and Evans, Printers, Whitefriars.

Category

Antique 19th Century English Books

Spanish Drinks Table / Side Table / Martini Table in Gilt Iron, 1940s
Spanish Drinks Table / Side Table / Martini Table in Gilt Iron, 1940s

Spanish Drinks Table / Side Table / Martini Table in Gilt Iron, 1940s

Located in Barcelona, ES

Spanish gilt wrought iron drink / cocktails table standing on a tripod base, Spain, 1940s. Handcrafted in wrought iron with gilt finish. The round top stands on a tripod base with sc...

Category

20th Century Spanish Gothic Revival Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Metal, Iron, Wrought Iron, Gold Leaf

English Pub Sign, "Free House - The Lord Nelson"
English Pub Sign, "Free House - The Lord Nelson"

English Pub Sign, "Free House - The Lord Nelson"

$3,895

H 46.25 in W 32.25 in D 1.75 in

English Pub Sign, "Free House - The Lord Nelson"

Located in Austin, TX

An authentic English pub sign (one-sided) featuring a portrait painting of Lord Nelson in full regalia, entitled: Free House - The Lord Nelson. A free house in Great Britain is a pu...

Category

20th Century English Signs

Materials

Metal

English Pub Sign, "Nag's Head"
English Pub Sign, "Nag's Head"

English Pub Sign, "Nag's Head"

$3,895

H 45.13 in W 37.88 in D 1.5 in

English Pub Sign, "Nag's Head"

Located in Austin, TX

An authentic English pub sign (two-sided) featuring a painting of a horse's head in a bridle entitled: Nag's Head. A very fine example of vintage advertising artwork, ready for disp...

Category

20th Century English Signs

Materials

Metal

American Gilt Carved Wood and Poly Chromed Roman Guard Figurehead, Circa 1890
American Gilt Carved Wood and Poly Chromed Roman Guard Figurehead, Circa 1890

American Gilt Carved Wood and Poly Chromed Roman Guard Figurehead, Circa 1890

Located in Charleston, SC

American gilt carved wood and poly chromed nautical figurehead of Roman guard in military attire. Late 19th century.

Category

Antique 1890s American Folk Art Nautical Objects

Materials

Wood, Giltwood, Paint

Liberty & Co. Copper & Wrought Iron Fire-Screen Depicting Galleon & Dragon Sail
Liberty & Co. Copper & Wrought Iron Fire-Screen Depicting Galleon & Dragon Sail

Liberty & Co. Copper & Wrought Iron Fire-Screen Depicting Galleon & Dragon Sail

By Liberty & Co., John Pearson

Located in London, GB

Liberty & Co., attributed to John Pearson or John Williams. An Arts & Crafts copper and wrought iron fire-screen, with cold rivetted construction to the edges and a hand-hammered ga...

Category

Antique Early 1900s English Arts and Crafts Fireplace Tools and Chimney ...

Materials

Copper, Wrought Iron

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Fire Memorabilia For Sale on 1stDibs

With a vast inventory of beautiful furniture at 1stDibs, we’ve got just the piece of fire memorabilia you’re looking for. Frequently made of animal skin, leather and metal, every item from our selection of fire memorabilia was constructed with great care. There are many kinds of the choice in our collection of fire memorabilia you’re looking for, from those produced as long ago as the 18th Century to those made as recently as the 20th Century. Each object in our assortment of fire memorabilia bearing Georgian, Industrial or Victorian hallmarks is very popular.

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

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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.

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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.