Skip to main content

Vintage Shortboard

1990s Vintage Town & Country shortboard by Ned McMann
Located in Haleiwa, HI
1994 Town & Country (T&C) surfboard shaped by Ned McMann. Features uncommon Hawaiiana T&C logos with matching artwork along the rails. Glassed-on thruster (tri-fins). Comes with the ...
Category

1990s American Vintage Shortboard

Materials

Fiberglass, Foam

Vintage 1980s PDS Custom Surfboards by Tony Staples Shortboard
Located in Haleiwa, HI
Mid-1980s PDS custom surfboards shortboard shaped by Tony Staples. Features a red/yellow color
Category

1980s American Vintage Shortboard

Materials

Fiberglass, Foam, Softwood

1970s Vintage Lightning Bolt surfboard shaped by Gerry Lopez
Located in Haleiwa, HI
label in Honolulu, Hawaii. They designed high performance shortboards, a new development in the surfing
Category

1970s American Vintage Shortboard

Materials

Fiberglass, Foam, Softwood

1970s Vintage Natural Design surfboard by Midget Smith
By Midget Smith
Located in Haleiwa, HI
evolution of surfboard history as shortboards first began to be made in the early 1970s.
Category

1970s American Vintage Shortboard

Materials

Fiberglass, Foam

Vintage 1970s Lightning Bolt surfboard by Tom Parrish
Located in Haleiwa, HI
, Hawaii. They designed high performance shortboards, a new development in the surfing world at the time
Category

1970s American Vintage Shortboard

Materials

Fiberglass, Foam, Softwood

1970s Vintage Lightning Bolt surfboard by Barry Kanaiaupuni
By Barry Kanaiaupuni
Located in Haleiwa, HI
designed high performance shortboards, a new development in the surfing world at the time. Lopez created
Category

1970s American Vintage Shortboard

Materials

Fiberglass, Foam, Softwood

1960s Vintage Gerry Lopez Surfboard by Hansen Surfboards
Located in Haleiwa, HI
label in Honolulu, Hawaii. They designed high performance shortboards, a new development in the surfing
Category

1960s American Vintage Shortboard

Materials

Fiberglass, Foam, Softwood

1980s Vintage Gerry Lopez camouflage surfboard
Located in Haleiwa, HI
shortboards, a new development in the surfing world at the time. Lopez created the iconic lightning bolt jag
Category

1980s American Vintage Shortboard

Materials

Fiberglass, Foam, Softwood

Vintage 1970s Dick Brewer Surfboards by Bob Ricard
By Dick Brewer
Located in Haleiwa, HI
beautiful 70s shortboard made under the revered Dick Brewer surfboard label. The late Dick Brewer (1936-2022
Category

1970s American Vintage Shortboard

Materials

Fiberglass, Foam, Hardwood, Softwood

People Also Browsed

Vintage 1980 McCoy Twin Fin Surfboard by Greg Pautsch
By Greg Pautsch
Located in Haleiwa, HI
1980 McCoy twin fin surfboard shaped by Greg Pautsch. Featuring a beautiful airbrush fade design with glass on twin fins. Restored to original condition by a surfboard restoration ex...
Category

1980s American Vintage Shortboard

Materials

Fiberglass, Foam

Lithograph - Flowers
By (after) Henri Matisse
Located in Collonge Bellerive, Geneve, CH
after Henri MATISSE (1869-1954) Lithograph after a drawing of 1941 Printed signature and date Book plate from Aragon. Henri Matisse: Dessins, Thèmes et Variations : précédés d...
Category

1940s Modern Vintage Shortboard

Materials

Lithograph

1980s Vintage Local Motion Artwork Surfboard
Located in Haleiwa, HI
Vintage 1980s Local Motion surfboard. Features neon airbrushed tribal artwork design with glass-on on thruster (tri-fin) setup. A great example of a unique 1980s Local Motion surfboa...
Category

1980s Australian Vintage Shortboard

Materials

Fiberglass, Foam, Softwood

Vintage 1970s Ben Aipa Sting Surfboard by Rick Hamon
By Ben Aipa, Rick Hamon
Located in Haleiwa, HI
Early 1970s vintage surfing’s new Image label Ben Aipa sting surfboard. Shaped by Rick Hamon in the early 1970s. Features the iconic "sting" shape which was a revolutionary surfboard...
Category

1970s American Vintage Shortboard

Materials

Fiberglass, Foam

1970s Vintage Town and Country Surfboard by Ed Angulo
Located in Haleiwa, HI
1979 Town & Country surfboard made by Ed Angulo. Features a gorgeous red tinted deck/rails with dual T&C laminates and boxed single fin setup. A remarkable example of a 1970s surfboa...
Category

1970s American Vintage Shortboard

Materials

Fiberglass, Foam, Softwood

"Surf Culture" Vintage "Big Wednesday" Movie Poster Signed by John Severson
By John Severson Productions
Located in San Diego, CA
A very nice "Surf Culture" vintage "Big Wednesday" movie poster signed by surf industry pioneer and "Surfer Magazine" founder John Severson circa 1990s. The piece is in great conditi...
Category

Late 20th Century American Vintage Shortboard

Materials

Paper

1970s Vintage Aipa Wave Crest Hawaii Sting Surfboard
By Ben Aipa
Located in Haleiwa, HI
Mid-1970s Aipa wave crest Hawaii "Sting" surfboard. Features a single redwood stringer design with bright green tint and glassed on single fin. Features the iconic "sting" shape whic...
Category

1970s American Vintage Shortboard

Materials

Fiberglass, Foam, Softwood

Vintage 1970s McLeod La Jolla Windansea Artwork Surfboard
Located in Haleiwa, HI
Early-1970s McLeod La Jolla Windansea big wave surfboard made by Ron McLeod. Featuring original artwork on the deck with red wrapped rails/bottom/pinstriped outline. Big wave swallow...
Category

1970s American Vintage Shortboard

Materials

Fiberglass, Foam, Softwood

1980s Vintage Town & Country Surfboard by Nev Hyman
Located in Haleiwa, HI
1983 Town & Country surfboard made by Nev Hyman. Features a remarkable airbrush design with 1980s style. Channel bottom squash tail. Nev Hyman, FireWire Surfboards founder and co-own...
Category

1980s American Vintage Shortboard

Materials

Fiberglass, Foam, Softwood

1930s Vintage Hollow Wood “Kookbox” Early Surfboard
By Tom Blake
Located in Haleiwa, HI
Mid-late 1930s “Kookbox” hollow wood surfboard. Features wood panels joined by metal fasteners and cork water-plug. Patented interior ‘Skin and Frame’ construction method, inspired b...
Category

1930s American Vintage Shortboard

Materials

Metal

Early-1900s Waikiki Hawaiian Wood Plank Surfboard
Located in Haleiwa, HI
1920s original plank-style surfboard made for the waves at Waikiki Beach, Hawaii. Before Hawaiian surfing patriarch Duke Kahanamoku, early surfboards were made of the local woods fou...
Category

1920s American Vintage Shortboard

Materials

Softwood

1930s Replica Tom Blake hollow wooden surfboard
By Tom Blake
Located in Haleiwa, HI
1930s Replica Tom Blake hollow wooden surfboard. Wooden panels joined by metallic fasteners with daffodil yellow outline. Patented by the late Tom Blake (1902-1994) in 1931. The inte...
Category

1960s American Vintage Shortboard

Materials

Metal

Vintage Mid-1960s Inter Island Big Wave Surfboard by Mike Diffenderfer
Located in Haleiwa, HI
Mid-1960s Vintage Inter Island Surf Shop Big Wave Surfboard. Hand made by the late Mike Diffenderfer (1937-2002). Features a big wave Pipeliner shape design with astounding 4” thick ...
Category

1960s American Vintage Shortboard

Materials

Fiberglass, Foam, Hardwood, Softwood

1990s Vintage Dale Velzy balsawood longboard
By Dale Velzy
Located in Haleiwa, HI
Mid-1990s Velzy balsawood longboard shaped by the late Dale Velzy (1927-2005). Features a 5-stringer design with gorgeous wood fin and tail-block. A superb example of Dale Velzy shap...
Category

1990s American Vintage Shortboard

Materials

Fiberglass, Hardwood, Softwood

1988 Mark Richards 'MR' Surfboard
By Mark Richards Surfboards
Located in Haleiwa, HI
1988 Mark Richards (MR) surfboard. Features 80s style colorful Mark Richards text and iconic MR Superman logos. Rounded pintail shape design with glassed on thruster (tri-fin) setup....
Category

1980s American Vintage Shortboard

Materials

Foam, Fiberglass

1988 Mark Richards 'MR' Surfboard
1988 Mark Richards 'MR' Surfboard
H 80 in W 20.25 in D 2.5 in
Roger Erickson’s personal Brewer Team Rider Big Wave Surfboard by Owl Chapman
By Owl Chapman
Located in Haleiwa, HI
1980s Vintage Dick Brewer Surfboards Team Rider surfboard. Roger Erickson’s personal surfboard. Shaped by Owl Chapman in the late 80s-early 90s. Features Waimea Bay big wave 11’9” pi...
Category

1980s American Vintage Shortboard

Materials

Fiberglass, Foam, Softwood

Recent Sales

1980s Vintage Sonshine Surfboards Topper Shortboard
Located in Haleiwa, HI
Vintage 1980s Sonshine surfboards topper shortboard. Features a double-line design with a unique
Category

1980s American Vintage Shortboard

Materials

Softwood, Fiberglass, Foam

1980s Vintage Town and Country Shortboard by Glenn Minami
By Glenn Minami
Located in Haleiwa, HI
1984 Town & Country surfboard shaped by Glenn Minami. Features a classic 1980s design airbrushed on the deck with complimentary airbrushing on the fins. A great example of a small vi...
Category

1980s American Vintage Shortboard

Materials

Fiberglass, Foam, Softwood

1987 Town & Country Surfboard by Mike Casey
By Mike Casey
Located in Haleiwa, HI
1987 Town & Country shortboard shaped by Mike Casey. Features a stunning neon pink airbrush design
Category

1980s American Vintage Shortboard

Materials

Foam, Softwood, Fiberglass

Vintage 1980s Lightning Bolt Bobby Owens Pro Model Surfboard
Located in Haleiwa, HI
Mid-1980s vintage lightning Bolt Bobby Owens pro model shortboard. Features a gorgeous airbrush
Category

1980s American Vintage Shortboard

Materials

Fiberglass, Foam, Softwood

1980s Vintage Local Motion Surfboard by Robin Prodanovich
Located in Haleiwa, HI
Mid-1980s local motion shortboard shaped by Robin Prodanovich. Features beautiful tropical
Category

1980s American Vintage Shortboard

Materials

Fiberglass, Foam, Softwood

1970s Vintage Gerry Lopez Lightning Bolt Surfboard
Located in Haleiwa, HI
shortboard features a tri-color single fin, Gerry Lopez lightning bolt laminates, and team bolt decal. In
Category

1970s American Vintage Shortboard

Materials

Fiberglass, Foam

1969 Vintage Morey Pope & Company Surfboard
Located in Haleiwa, HI
to be shaped shorter in length. A great example of a late 1960s shortboard made under the iconic
Category

1960s American Vintage Shortboard

Materials

Fiberglass, Foam, Softwood

Vintage 1970s Infinity Single Fin Surfboard
Located in Haleiwa, HI
Early 1970s Infinity surfboards single fin shortboard. Features a pintail shape with beautiful sky
Category

1970s American Vintage Shortboard

Materials

Foam, Softwood, Fiberglass

1970s Vintage Central Coast Surfboards Double Sting Surfboard
Located in Haleiwa, HI
Mid-1970s central coast surfboards single fin shortboard. Features a unique double sting shape
Category

1970s Canadian Vintage Shortboard

Materials

Fiberglass, Foam, Hardwood

1970s Vintage Town and Country Surfboard Shaped by Larry Bertlemann
By Larry Bertlemann
Located in Haleiwa, HI
Vintage 1970s Town and Country twin fin shortboard hand shaped by Larry Bertlemann. Features a
Category

1970s American Vintage Shortboard

Materials

Fiberglass, Foam, Softwood

Vintage 1960s Hobie Hawaii Leroy Ah Choy Model
By Hobie Surfboards
Located in Haleiwa, HI
one of the first shortboard surfboards shaped in the 1960s. Leroy Ah Choy, Waikiki Beach Boy, 4x
Category

1960s American Vintage Shortboard

Materials

Fiberglass, Foam, Softwood

Vintage 1970s Lightning Bolt Gerry Lopez Model Surfboard
Located in Haleiwa, HI
popular lightning bolt surfboards label in Honolulu, Hawaii. They designed high performance shortboards, a
Category

1970s American Vintage Shortboard

Materials

Fiberglass, Foam, Softwood

1970s Vintage Lightning Bolt Gerry Lopez Model Surfboard
Located in Haleiwa, HI
popular lightning bolt surfboards label in Honolulu, Hawaii. They designed high performance shortboards, a
Category

1970s American Vintage Shortboard

Materials

Fiberglass, Foam, Softwood

Vintage 1980s Hot Buttered Surfboard by Terry Fitzgerald
Located in Haleiwa, HI
Early 1980s Hot Buttered thruster (tri-fin) shortboard surfboard shaped by Terry Fitzgerald in New
Category

1980s New Zealand Vintage Shortboard

Materials

Fiberglass, Foam, Softwood

Vintage 1970s Lightning Bolt Surfboard by Tom Nellis
Located in Haleiwa, HI
high performance shortboards, a new development in the surfing world at the time. Lopez created the
Category

1970s American Vintage Shortboard

Materials

Fiberglass, Foam, Softwood

Vintage 1970s Lightning Bolt Pipeline Surfboard by Tom Nellis
Located in Haleiwa, HI
shortboards, a new development in the surfing world at the time. Lopez created the iconic lightning bolt jag
Category

1970s American Vintage Shortboard

Materials

Fiberglass, Foam, Hardwood, Softwood

1976 Vintage Lightning Bolt Surfboard by Pat Rawson
By Pat Rawson
Located in Haleiwa, HI
designed high performance shortboards, a new development in the surfing world at the time. Lopez created
Category

1970s American Vintage Shortboard

Materials

Fiberglass, Foam, Hardwood, Softwood

1980's Vintage Lightning Bolt Rory Russell model surfboard
By Tom Eberly
Located in Haleiwa, HI
designed high performance shortboards, a new development in the surfing world at the time. Lopez created
Category

1980s American Vintage Shortboard

Materials

Fiberglass, Foam

1970's Vintage Gerry Lopez Lightning Bolt surfboard
Located in Haleiwa, HI
Surfboards label in Honolulu, Hawaii. They designed high performance shortboards, a new development in the
Category

1970s American Vintage Shortboard

Materials

Fiberglass, Foam

Vintage 1990s Donald Takayama Twin Fin Surfboard
By Donald Takayama
Located in Haleiwa, HI
1990s Donald Takayama twin fin shortboard surfboard shaped by the late Donald Takayama (1943-2012
Category

1990s American Vintage Shortboard

Materials

Softwood, Fiberglass, Foam

Vintage 1988 Town & Country Surfboard by Dennis Pang
By Dennis Pang
Located in Haleiwa, HI
1988 Town & Country thruster (tri-fin) shortboard surfboard shaped by Dennis Pang. Features a
Category

1980s American Vintage Shortboard

Materials

Fiberglass, Foam, Softwood

Vintage 1980s Town and Country Surfboard by Dave Wallace
Located in Haleiwa, HI
1983 Town and Country (T&C) shortboard made by Dave Wallace. Features a vibrant airbrush design
Category

1980s American Vintage Shortboard

Materials

Fiberglass, Foam, Softwood

1970s Vintage Lightning Bolt Surfboard by Barry Kanaiaupuni
By Barry Kanaiaupuni
Located in Haleiwa, HI
surfboards label in Honolulu, Hawaii. They designed high performance shortboards, a new development in the
Category

1970s American Vintage Shortboard

Materials

Fiberglass, Foam, Softwood

1980s Vintage Town and Country Surfboard by Greg Griffin
Located in Haleiwa, HI
a classic 80s shortboard made under the iconic T&C Surfboards label. Town & Country Surf Designs
Category

1980s American Vintage Shortboard

Materials

Softwood, Fiberglass, Foam

Vintage 1960s Jacobs Longboard Surfboard
By Hap Jacobs
Located in Haleiwa, HI
. Jacobs abruptly stopped shaping in 1971 due to the shortboard designs of the day gaining instant
Category

1960s American Vintage Shortboard

Materials

Fiberglass, Foam, Softwood

1980s Vintage David Nuuhiwa Pro-Design Twin Fin Surfboard
By David Nuuhiwa
Located in Haleiwa, HI
shortboards, Nuuhiwa easily adapted to the more maneuverable boards of the day.? ?By ?1972,? David was shaping
Category

1980s American Vintage Shortboard

Materials

Softwood, Fiberglass, Foam

1980s Vintage Linden Thruster Shortboard
Located in Haleiwa, HI
1980s vintage linden surfboards thruster (tri-fin) shortboard. Features a multi-ray design on deck
Category

1980s American Vintage Shortboard

Materials

Fiberglass, Foam, Softwood

1980s Vintage Linden Thruster Shortboard
1980s Vintage Linden Thruster Shortboard
H 70 in W 19.5 in D 2.75 in
Vintage 1970s Newport Beach Brotherhood Surfboard by Michael O’Day
Located in Haleiwa, HI
Early to mid-1970s Newport beach brotherhood single fin shortboard shaped by Michael O’Day
Category

1970s American Vintage Shortboard

Materials

Fiberglass, Foam, Softwood

Vintage 1980s Slingshot Twin Fin Surfboard
Located in Haleiwa, HI
Mid-1980s vintage slingshot twin fin shortboard shaped by Steve Borron. Features vibrant double
Category

1980s American Vintage Shortboard

Materials

Fiberglass, Foam, Softwood

Vintage 1970s Agua Surfboards Twin Fin by Rod Sorenson
Located in Haleiwa, HI
Late 1970s Agua surfboards twin fin shortboard shaped by Rod Sorenson. Features a swallow tail
Category

1970s American Vintage Shortboard

Materials

Fiberglass, Foam, Softwood

Vintage 1980s Hawaiian Island Creations 'HIC' Surfboard by Gabe Garduque
Located in Haleiwa, HI
affordable vintage 1980s shortboard with Hawaiian flair.
Category

1980s American Vintage Shortboard

Materials

Fiberglass, Foam, Softwood

Vintage 1970s Lightning Bolt Surfboard by Rory Russell
Located in Haleiwa, HI
Mid-1970s Lightning Bolt shortboard shaped by Rory Russell. Featuring a 6'6 pintail shape made from
Category

1970s American Vintage Shortboard

Materials

Fiberglass, Foam, Softwood

1990s Vintage Gerry Lopez Tiger Stripe Surfboard
Located in Haleiwa, HI
, Hawaii. They designed high performance shortboards, a new development in the surfing world at the time
Category

1990s American Vintage Shortboard

Materials

Fiberglass, Foam

1980s Vintage Local Motion Twin-Fin Surfboard by Pat Rawson
By Pat Rawson
Located in Haleiwa, HI
Local Motion laminates with a glassed on twin-fin setup. A great example of a 1980s retro shortboard in
Category

1980s American Vintage Shortboard

Materials

Fiberglass, Foam

1970s Vintage Lightning Bolt Surfboard by Bill Barnfield
Located in Haleiwa, HI
surfboards label in Honolulu, Hawaii. They designed high performance shortboards, a new development in the
Category

1970s American Vintage Shortboard

Materials

Fiberglass, Foam, Hardwood, Softwood

1980s Vintage Lightning Bolt Rory Russell Model Surfboard
Located in Haleiwa, HI
surfboards label in Honolulu, Hawaii. They designed high performance shortboards, a new development in the
Category

1980s American Vintage Shortboard

Materials

Fiberglass, Foam, Softwood

1980s Vintage Town & Country 'T&C' Surfboard by Louis Ferreira
Located in Haleiwa, HI
1987 Town & Country (T&C) shortboard shaped by Louis Ferreira. Features an incredible 80’s style
Category

1980s American Vintage Shortboard

Materials

Fiberglass, Foam, Hardwood, Softwood

Early 1970s Surfboards Hawaii Shortboard by Ben Aipa
By Ben Aipa
Located in Haleiwa, HI
Early 1970s Surfboards Hawaii single fin shaped by Ben Aipa. Features a double pin line design, tri-color single fin, and the original Surfboards Hawaii swallow-tailed bird logo. Thi...
Category

1970s American Vintage Shortboard

Materials

Fiberglass, Foam, Softwood

1980s Vintage Local Motion Surfboard by Robin Prodanovich
Located in Haleiwa, HI
Mid-1980s Local Motion shortboard made by Robin Prodanovich. Features a retro 1980s neon island
Category

1980s American Vintage Shortboard

Materials

Fiberglass, Foam, Softwood

1980s Vintage Maui & Sons Surfboard
Located in Haleiwa, HI
Early 1980s Maui & Sons shortboard surfboard. Features an amazing airbrush design indicative of the
Category

1980s American Vintage Shortboard

Materials

Fiberglass, Foam, Softwood

1980s Vintage Maui & Sons Surfboard
1980s Vintage Maui & Sons Surfboard
H 70 in W 19 in D 2.25 in
1978 Vintage Larry Bertlemann surfboard
Located in Haleiwa, HI
surfing moves would eventually become. “He didn’t invent the shortboard; he just showed us how to ride it
Category

1970s American Vintage Shortboard

Materials

Fiberglass, Foam, Softwood

1970s Vintage Lightning Bolt Gerry Lopez model surfboard
Located in Haleiwa, HI
Honolulu, Hawaii. They designed high performance shortboards, a new development in the surfing world at the
Category

1970s American Vintage Shortboard

Materials

Fiberglass, Foam, Softwood

Vintage 1970s Gerry Lopez Model Lightning Bolt Surfboard
Located in Haleiwa, HI
designed high performance shortboards, a new development in the surfing world at the time. Lopez created
Category

1970s American Vintage Shortboard

Materials

Fiberglass, Foam, Softwood

Vintage 1970s Lightning Bolt Surfboard by Tom Parrish
Located in Haleiwa, HI
Honolulu, Hawaii. They designed high performance shortboards, a new development in the surfing world at the
Category

1970s American Vintage Shortboard

Materials

Fiberglass, Foam, Hardwood, Softwood

Vintage 1970s Lightning Bolt Gerry Lopez Rocky Point Model Surfboard
Located in Haleiwa, HI
lightning bolt surfboards label in Honolulu, Hawaii. They designed high performance shortboards, a new
Category

1970s American Vintage Shortboard

Materials

Fiberglass, Foam, Softwood

Vintage 1980s Lightning Bolt Surfboard by Danny Nichols
Located in Haleiwa, HI
Honolulu, Hawaii. They designed high performance shortboards, a new development in the surfing world at the
Category

1980s American Vintage Shortboard

Materials

Fiberglass, Foam, Softwood

1986 Town & Country Surfboard Shaped by the Late Ben Aipa
By Ben Aipa
Located in Haleiwa, HI
1986 Town & Country shortboard made by the late Ben Aipa (1942-2021). Features experimental screen
Category

1980s American Vintage Shortboard

Materials

Fiberglass, Foam, Softwood

Extremely Rare Greg Noll Mini Gun Surfboard, 1967
By Greg Noll
Located in Los Angeles, CA
you that this Sprocket Logo Mini Gun by Greg Noll is an outstanding icon of the shortboard revolution
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Shortboard

Materials

Fiberglass, Foam

All Original Solid Blue "Greek" Surfboard, Huntington Beach, CA Circa 1970
By Greek Surfboards
Located in Los Angeles, CA
moment in time, during the transitional surfboard production period and on the cusp of the shortboard
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Shortboard

Materials

Fiberglass, Foam

Plastic Fantastic Solid Turquoise Blue, Short Board Surfboard Circa 1970s
By Plastic Fantastic
Located in Los Angeles, CA
into even the tightest spaces. The shortboard shape, the size, the fantastic logo and the color ooze
Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Shortboard

Materials

Fiberglass, Foam

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

Vintage Shortboard For Sale on 1stDibs

With a vast inventory of beautiful furniture at 1stDibs, we’ve got just the vintage shortboard you’re looking for. Each vintage shortboard for sale was constructed with extraordinary care, often using fiberglass, foam and plastic. You’ve searched high and low for the perfect vintage shortboard — we have versions that date back to the 20th Century alongside those produced as recently as the 20th Century are available.

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

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.

The Sparkling Legacy of Tiffany & Co. Explained, One Jewel at a Time

A gorgeous new book celebrates — and memorializes — the iconic jeweler’s rich heritage.

What Makes a Gem-Encrusted Chess Set Worth $4 Million?

The world’s most opulent chess set, weighing in at 513 carats, is literally fit for a king and queen.

Tauba Auerbach’s Geometric Pop-Up Book Is Mighty Rare, Thanks to a Hurricane

This sculptural art book has an epic backstory of its own.

Step inside the Storied Mansions of Palm Beach’s Most Effervescent Architect

From Spanish-style courtyards to fanciful fountains, these acclaimed structures abound in surprising and elegant details.