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Collectibles and Curiosities For Sale
Treasury of Art Nouveau Design & Ornament
Located in Bradenton, FL
Treasury of Art Nouveau Design & Ornament, a pictorial archive of 577 illustrations, selected by Carol Belanger Grafton. Softcover book, published in 1980 by Dover Publications, Inc....
Category

1980s American Art Nouveau Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Mid Century Ice Block Scandinavian Glass Ashtray
Located in Fairfield, CA
A wonderful mid century Scandinavian glass ashtray. Great minimalist design resembling a block of ice. Square shape wtih a single slot on one side. This is a heavy piece with a smoot...
Category

Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Glass

14KT White Gold and Diamonds Ring, Stamped "14KT" and with a Maker's Mark
Located in Warrenton, OR
14KT White Gold and Diamonds Ring, Stamped "14KT" and with a Maker's Mark next to that. This is a very pretty two-layer/stacked starburst design with what appear to be diamonds in th...
Category

Late 20th Century Unknown Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Gold

Antique Diebold Safe & Lock Company Small Cast Iron Floor Safe Working Ohio 24"
Located in Dayton, OH
Late 19th Century Diebold Safe & Lock Company Cast Iron Floor Safe. Features a heavy black cast iron frame with gold trim. The safe has a working combo lock and opens to a gold tri...
Category

Late 19th Century American American Classical Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Iron

(Set of 22) 19th Century Works of A French Naturalist Rag Paper Books
Located in Mckinney, TX
A 22-volume set of Oeuvres Complètes de Buffon, published between 1828 and 1829 in Paris by Furne, Treuttel & Wurtz. These early 19th-century rag paper editions explore “De l’Homme e...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Rare Vintge Barrel-Form Sterling Silver-Mounted Yellow Crystal Match Striker
Located in New York, NY
Rare, Vintage, Edwardian-Style, sterling silver-mounted, yellow threaded crystal, barrel-form match striker, London, year-hallmarked for 1987, Monarch Silversmiths - makers. The thre...
Category

1980s English Edwardian Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Crystal, Sterling Silver

Antique French Silver Horse Head Walking Cane Stick 19th Century 90cm 35.5inches
Located in London, GB
This is a fantastic antique French horse head silver topped walking stick, with .925 silver import mark, late 19th century in date. The striking stick features an ornate silver croo...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Silver, Brass

Maine County Map – Johnson, Hand-Colored, USA c.1864
Located in Langweer, NL
Johnson’s Maine Map, USA Published c.1864 – Hand-Colored County Map This is a finely engraved and hand-colored map titled Johnson’s Maine, published by Johnson and Ward in New York ...
Category

Mid-19th Century American Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

James Bond by Ian Fleming, Complete Set of 14 First Edition Library (Book)
Located in North Yorkshire, GB
We are offering a complete set of all 14 of Ian Fleming's James Bond Books which were published by "First Edition Library" in slipcases in the early 1980's. These are exact replicas ...
Category

20th Century Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Museum Piece, SEVRES 1924 Paris Olympic Games Gold Medal Vase
By Manufacture Nationale de Sèvres, Octave Guillonnet
Located in Saint-Amans-des-Cots, FR
1924 Paris Olympic Games gold medal vase by Octave Guillonnet and Emile Louis Bracquemond at Manufacture Nationale de Sèvres, 1924. Height : 13.2"(33.5cm), Diameter : 6.3"(16cm). Sta...
Category

1920s French Art Deco Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Ceramic, Porcelain

Antique English Brass Cased Compass c.1900
Located in Bath, GB
A handsome cased late Victorian or Edwardian compass with hinged lid, the little button on the top used to open; just like a full hunter pocket watch. The case is made from brass wi...
Category

Early 1900s British Edwardian Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Brass

Vintage Blue Wing Teal Drake Duck Taxidermy Wall Mount Waterfowl Bird 21"
Located in Dayton, OH
Vintage Blue Wing Teal Drake Duck waterfowl game bird taxidermy mount featuring the duck in flight on driftwood plaque. Dimensions: 11" x 12.5" x 20.5" (Width x Depth x Height)
Category

Late 20th Century American Country Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Feathers

Large Natural South Pacific Giant Clam Shell
Located in Bradenton, FL
This is a large, 24 inch, gorgeous Natural Giant Clam Shell specimen from the South Pacific seas showcasing deeply scalloped edges, exceptional details and a luminous, calcified surf...
Category

Mid-20th Century Southeast Asian Organic Modern Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Shell

Italian 18th Century Neoclassical Carved Wooden Altar Shrine
Located in Buisson, FR
Beautiful neoclassical altar shrine with original gilding and color. Great and unique item. Italy, circa 1760-1800 Weathered, losses and old repairs. More photo's available on reques...
Category

Late 18th Century Italian Neoclassical Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Wood

1970s Astonishing HMS Endeavour Model Ship. Handmade. Made in England
Located in Milano, IT
1970s Astonishing HMS Endeavour Model Ship in walnut wood. Handmade. Made in England. This model is amazing and in excellent condition and all handmade. A true piece of history. Dime...
Category

1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Wood

Antique English Compass In Case With White Enamel Dial; Georgian C.1820
Located in Bath, GB
A charming early little compass with a polished brass case and a perfect white enamelled face or dial. The pin at the top is pulled out to release the needle freely and pushed in aga...
Category

1820s British George III Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Brass

Three Deer Antler Mount Trophy Black Forest on Wood Plaque Austria Folk Art 1930
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A set of three antique deer antler trophies on hand carved, Black Forest wooden plaques. They are dated. All of them from the 1930s. Measurement'...
Category

1930s Austrian Folk Art Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Antler, Wood

Sterling Silver Pendant Necklace with Semiprecious Stone, Stamped, Vintage
Located in Warrenton, OR
Sterling Silver Pendant Necklace with Semiprecious Stone, Stamped, Vintage. This piece is the perfect balance of pretty and strong. The pendant's pink, taupe, and burgundy stone on ...
Category

Late 20th Century Unknown Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Stone, Sterling Silver

Fine Gothic Painting / 2nd Station Crucifixion, Jesus Takes Up His Cross
Located in Lisse, NL
Another stunning hand-painted oil on canvas work of religious art. This antique oil painting was first hand-painted on canvas and later mounted onto a zinc backplate .. a traditiona...
Category

Early 19th Century European Gothic Revival Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Iron, Zinc

Map of Florida, Louisiana and the Bahamas – Set of Rare French Sea Charts, 1777
Located in Langweer, NL
1777 Le Rouge Map of Florida, Louisiana, and the Bahamas. Lot of 2 large maps: "Carte de la Floride Occidentale et Louisiane & La Peninsule et Golfe de la Floride" This rare and im...
Category

1770s Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Antique French Art Nouveau Silver Handled Walking Stick 19th Century
Located in London, GB
A superb antique French Art Nouveau silver handled walking stick, Circa 1880 in date. It features astunning  silver crook handle embossed with floral garlands with a decorative inse...
Category

Late 19th Century French Art Nouveau Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Silver

1980s Gorgeous Piero Fornasetti Backgammon in Excellent condition. Made in Italy
Located in Milano, IT
1980s Gorgeous Piero Fornasetti backgammon for Dal Negro in walnut wood , the set is in excellent condition and includes four dices, the doubling cube, two dice shaker, all 30 checke...
Category

1980s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Wood, Walnut

Chess, Hommage à Marcel Duchamp by Brigitte Kowanz, signed and marked
Located in Vienna, AT
Execution Brigitte Kowanz (chessmen) and Woka Lamps VIENNA (car and board) Chessmen made from kaiser rolls, carved and covered with acrylic, car from bicycle-wheels, iron frame, etch...
Category

Late 20th Century Austrian Modern Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Iron

Mary SHELLEY. Frankenstein: Or The Modern Prometheus. 1839 - 3RD ED 4TH PRINTING
Located in Hillsborough, NJ
AUTHOR: SHELLEY, Mary Wollstonecraft - Frederick Schiller. TITLE: Frankenstein: Or, The Modern Prometheus - bound with - The Ghost-Seer. PUBLISHER: London: Richard Bentley, 1839. ...
Category

1830s British Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Leather

Antique Sterling Silver Bird Walking Stick Cane London 20th Century
Located in London, GB
This is a beautiful antique sterling silver bird's head handle ladie's walking cane bearing silver hallmarks for London 1914. The silver handle features a crook handle modelled as a...
Category

Early 20th Century English Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Sterling Silver

Rare Ray Flores Black Leather Boxing Gloves c.1950
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT Rare Ray Flores black leather boxing gloves with white leather thumbs. Original Ray Flores label and original drawer strings. Filled with horse hair. The leather is very soft ...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Industrial Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Leather

Tapio Wirkkala Stainless Steel Puukko Knife with Leather Sheath Hackman Finland
Located in London, GB
Tapio Wirkkala Puukko Knife by Hackman Finnish Design This vintage Puukko knife, designed by renowned Finnish designer Tapio Wirkkala and produc...
Category

1960s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Brass, Stainless Steel

Large Antique Catholic Reliquary Box Crucifix Pendant with 10 Relics of Saints
Located in Nuernberg, DE
This antique reliquary contains 10 relics of saints with paper scrolls and red velvet. It is handcrafted from metal. This is a 3rd class relic. For better understanding, relics are d...
Category

Early 20th Century German Art Nouveau Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal

DODGSON - Carroll. Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. 1866 - FIRST LONDON EDITION
Located in Hillsborough, NJ
AUTHOR: DODGSON, Charles L. (Lewis Carroll). TITLE: Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. PUBLISHER: London: Macmillan & Co., 1866. DESCRIPTION: FIRST LONDON EDITION. 1 vol., 7-11/16...
Category

1860s American Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Leather

Large Antique Italian Church Carved Gilt Polychrome Tabernacle Altar Niche
Located in Forney, TX
A magnificent large rare and most impressive Italian baldachin tabernacle altar niche / altarpiece. circa 1800 Exquisitely hand-crafted in Italy in the early 19th century, this extraordinary one of kind masterpiece originally a prominent altarpiece fixture in a Catholic church, typically displaying a Santo or Jesus altar figure statue inside. Exceptionally executed throughout, parcel gilt polychrome painted, gessoed and carved wood two-piece architectural baldachin form, with dome top vaulted ceiling, raised on eight fluted Corinthian columns, over a shaped platform base with elaborate molded frieze, further raised on integral bracket risers in marbleized faux marble paint decorated finish. Breathtaking visually striking aesthetic, very fine quality craftsmanship, lavishly decorated with extraordinary detail throughout, even the unseen interior of the dome profusely decorated with the most intricate painstaking hand applied 24k gold leaf ornamentation, the exterior in brillant gilded finish, enhanced by beautifully aged warm rich dark patina! Dimensions: (approx) 45" Tall, 26.5" Wide, 26.5" Deep *Additional photos available upon request* Condition Report: A superb museum quality example, in overall very good antique condition, especially considering its 200 years old. Attractive appearance, with nicely aged distressed patina, authentic antique character and charm throughout, including scattered nicks, chips, losses, exposed gesso, fading, acrecetions, possible old touchups and restorations, all expected wear commensurate with age, use, handling and exposure. Overall strong, sturdy, stable, structurally sound. The floral dome painting likely later. Central hole and discoloration where altar figure was once placed. Overall a truly remarkable work of art! -- We here at Lynx Hollow Antiques absolutely love decorating with religious antiques and have a special place in our heart for them. We have an extensive collection from around the world, spanning all regions and religions, including old world European Baroque period altarpiece, Spanish Colonial altar table, Roman Empire reliquary monstrance, architectural salvaged building elements, church architecture model, apprentice prototype, baptismal font, sacristy liturgical items, sanctuary vessel, vestment chest, monastery refectory table, Gothic court cupboard...
Category

Early 19th Century Italian Baroque Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Enamel

Giordani pedal car Studebaker model, Made in Italy 1950s
Located in Palermo, IT
Giordani pedal car Studebaker model, Made in Italy 1950s Family item, belonged to my grandfather, passed down for generations. Good condition, small signs of aging.
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal

Rare Antique Everlast Executioner Boxing Training Mask c.1920
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT A rare antique executioner style full leather boxing mask. Designed to protect the wearer during intense training matches, the headgear has an interior metal construction. B...
Category

Early 20th Century American Industrial Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Leather, Natural Fiber

Antique Map of the Mediterranean Basin, 1903, with Detailed Coastal and Inland
Located in Langweer, NL
Title: Antique Map of the Mediterranean Basin, 1903, with Detailed Coastal and Inland Geography Description: This antique map, titled "Basin of the Mediterranean," was engraved and ...
Category

Early 20th Century Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Signed Marquise Paris Art Deco Period French Leather & Chrome Binoculars
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A stylish pair of antique binoculars. By Marquise of Paris. With relatively low-power magnification, chromed brass, curved eye cups, and leather ...
Category

Early 20th Century French Art Deco Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Chrome

Peacock Feather Cigarette / Card Case
Located in Savannah, GA
A peacock feather cigerette case or card holder, mid-20th Century. 2 ¾ inches wide by 1 ¼ inches deep by 4 ½ inches tall
Category

Mid-20th Century Unknown Art Nouveau Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Feathers

Italian Typewriter "Olivetti Linea 88", Design Ettore Sottsass, 1966
Located in Palermo, IT
Italian typewriter "Olivetti Linea 88", Design Ettore Sottsass, 1966 Good condition. Features: Standard manual typewriter. Keyboard: 46 keys, corresponding to 92 symbols. Ribbon: 13...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal

18th Century Russian Icon St. Nicholas the Wonderworker, Circa 1780
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
18th-Century Russian Icon of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker, circa 1780 A finely painted and richly gilded Russian Orthodox icon depicting St. Nicholas the Wonderworker, dating to th...
Category

18th Century Russian Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Wood

Pair Art Deco Blue and Gold Glass Enamel Buckles
Located in New York, NY
Pair Art Deco Blue and Gold Glass Enamel Buckles. Brilliant cobalt blue glass sweater clips/ shoe buckles/ decorative belt buckle clasps with gold enamel framed panels within faux s...
Category

1930s American Art Deco Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Art Glass

French 19th Century Needlepoint Prie Dieu
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A French 19th century ebonized wood prie dieu upholstered in vibrant needlepoint. This dramatic prayer kneeler has a plush armrest rising from turned spindles forming an arched desig...
Category

19th Century French French Provincial Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Wool, Wood

Neon Cube Radio Box 8801 Japanese Pop Tech Transparent Acrylic Blue Glow 1978
Located in Lisboa, PT
This Neon Cube Radio Box, manufactured in 1978, is a striking example of late 20th-century electronic design that merges playful aesthetics with technical transparency. Housed in a f...
Category

1970s Japanese Mid-Century Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal

Edwin W. Higgins, G.L. Lilley Congressional Directory
Located in Savannah, GA
A set of congressional directories belonging to Connecticut Congressman Edwin W. Higgins and one belonging to Connecticut Governor George L. Lilley. Nine are not personalized on t...
Category

Early 20th Century American Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

American Fashion: The Life & Lines of Many Designers 1st Ed Signed 2x by Trigere
Located in valatie, NY
American Fashion: The Life and Lines of Adrian, Mainbocher, McCardell, Norell, and Trigere by Robert Riley; Dale McConathy; Sally Kirkland; Bernadine Morris; and Eleni Sakes Epstein....
Category

1970s American Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Monumental Russian Orthodox Icon Matryoshka (Nesting Doll) 40 Piece Set, 2000
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Monumental Russian Orthodox Icon Matryoshka (Nesting Doll) Set by Novikov L.A., 40 Components, Dated 2000 An extraordinary and monumental 13-piece Russian Orthodox matryoshka (nesti...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Russian Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Wood

Rosary Catholic Reliquary Box Crucifix Pendant with Relic of some Saint
Located in Nuernberg, DE
This vintage reliquary contains relics of a Saint. It is made of metal. It's 1 7/8" high (with hanger) in size, that making it easily worn. It is part of a Rosary. It was found at an...
Category

1950s German Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal

NIB NCR National Cash Register Special Edition 313 Total Adding Machine 20"
Located in Dayton, OH
Rare unopened original boxed cash registers. 2 Available. The Class 313 Total Adding Cash Register was the most popular model of the Class 300 series of cash registers. It was manu...
Category

Late 20th Century Brazilian Baroque Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Marble, Brass

Antique English Griffin & George Cased Laboratory Pharmacy Balance Scale 18"
Located in Dayton, OH
Early 20th-century laboratory / pharmaceutical scales /balances produced by Griffin & George Ltd. of England. Brass and metal scales on a brown bakelite base, housed in a wood and gl...
Category

Early 20th Century English Georgian Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Brass

Vintage MATL Matilde Poulat Gemstone Inlaid Silver Cross – Taxco Mexico, 1950s
Located in London, GB
Vintage MATL Matilde Poulat Gemstone Inlaid Silver Cross – Taxco Mexico, 1950s A stunning and collectible vintage silver cross pendant by renowned Mexican silversmith Matilde Poulat...
Category

20th Century American Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Silver

Antique English Nickel Cased Compass Reg. No. For 1903 - WW1 Military Issue
Located in Bath, GB
A handsome cased World War One issued compass with hinged lid, the little button on the top used to open; just like a full hunter pocket watch. The front is stamped with the war off...
Category

1910s Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Nickel

19th Century Scottish capercaillie foot brooch
Located in Delft, NL
19th Century Scottish capercaillie foot brooch A Scottish capercaillie foot, also known as the leg of a grouse set as a brooch or kilt pin mounted on silver (not hallmarked) The bac...
Category

19th Century Scottish Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Silver

Art Deco Smoking Accessory, Black and Chocolate Sundae Bakelite, circa 1930
Located in Atlanta, GA
This stunning Art Deco Bakelite smoking ensemble is the perfect piece for collectors. The piece was crafted in France circa 1930. The all-in-one tobacco accessory features a cigarett...
Category

1930s French Art Deco Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Bakelite

A rare vintage Italian travertine lighter attr Cerri Nestore, circa 1970
Located in View Park, CA
A very rare vintage Italian travertine lighter in bulbous form, attributed to Cerri Nestore, circa 1970. Wonderful condition but will need lighter fluid. Hand-carved in Italy.
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Travertine, Metal

Vintage Leather Everlast Training Boxing Gloves
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT An original pair of Everlast leather training boxing gloves. Original label. Stamped "Mark XV Patents Pending" CREATOR Everlast, USA. DATE OF MANUFACTURE Mid-late 20t...
Category

Mid-20th Century Industrial Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Leather

The Lord of the Rings Trilogy by J.R.R. Tolkien, First Edition, Three Volume Set
By J. R. R. Tolkien 1
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
Tolkien, J.R.R., The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, The Two Towers, The Return of the King. London: Allen & Unwin, 1956, 1955. First edition, fifth, fourth, second im...
Category

1950s English Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Leather, Fabric, Paper

Antique Greek Goddess Plaque Bas Relief Neo-Gothic Revival 29cm
Located in Poperinge, BE
Beautiful antique gilt bronze plaque in bas relief of a Greek goddess depicted with wings, probably the goddess Clio, the plaque is mounted on a hardwood carving in neo-Gothic reviva...
Category

Late 19th Century European Gothic Revival Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Bronze, Gold Leaf

Exceptional Quality Antique C.Bechstein Victorian Rosewood Boudoir Grand Piano
Located in Suffolk, GB
Exceptional quality antique C.Bechstein Victorian rosewood boudoir grand piano Model V (1898) having a superb quality rosewood lift up top opening to reveal an ornate adjustable musi...
Category

19th Century German Victorian Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Other

Rare Flores Black Leather Boxing Gloves c.1950
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT Rare Ray Flores black leather boxing gloves with white leather thumbs. Original "Flores, San Francisco, CA" label and original drawer strings. Filled with horse hair. The leat...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Industrial Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Leather

Modernist Chess Set by the Carl Auböck workshop, Vienna, 1960s
Located in EVERDINGEN, NL
A stunning solid cast iron chess set designed by Carl Auböck III in the 1960s. This is an authentic first generation set. The pieces are very tactile, ...
Category

1960s Austrian Vienna Secession Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Iron

Nordmende Isabella Radio Cabinet, 1967
Located in Palermo, IT
Nordmende Isabella radio cabinet, 1967 4 speakers, working radio. Untested turntable and reel-to-reel tape recorder. Illuminated record compartment. Weight approx. 70 kg Good conditi...
Category

1960s German Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Wood

Striking Antique Austrian Bronze Bust of Christ Crowned w. Thorns by F. Seifert.
Located in Lisse, NL
Unique and antique bronze and hard stone(base) sculpture of our Lord Jesus by Franz Seifert, Wien. This breathtaking religious bronze bust sculpture by Austrian master Franz Seifert...
Category

Early 20th Century Austrian Arts and Crafts Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Green & Cream Semiprecious Stone Pendant Necklace, a Delicate Soft Square Shape
Located in Warrenton, OR
Green & Cream Semiprecious Stone Pendant Necklace, a Delicate Soft Square Shape A pretty, petite polished stone (about .75 x .75) pendant on silvertone chain. IMPORTANT INFORMATION...
Category

Late 20th Century Unknown Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Stone

Antique and Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities for Sale

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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Montecito Has Drawn Royalty and Celebrities, and These Homes Are Proof of Its Allure

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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.

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