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Collectibles and Curiosities For Sale
Color:  Black
Color:  Green
Frankart Lady on Chrome Ball Smoking Stand Model T330
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Frankart Smoking Stand, Model T330 Nude lady holding up her arms holding a molded Glass Ashtray. lady stands on a Chrome Ball. All in nice Original condition, signs of use and wear...
Category

1920s American Art Deco Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal

Alexander Serebriakoff, Portraitiste D'interieurs (Book)
Located in North Yorkshire, GB
A beautifully produced book, in a presentation box. Being one of a limited edition of only 5000 that were printed by Franco Maria Ricci, 148 pages with text in French and 43 tipped in color illustrations, four of which are double page and 39 single pages. Fabled houses such as Le Chateau de Groussay and Hotel Lambert...
Category

Late 20th Century Rococo Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Jean Dubuffet , Cerceaux ‘Sorcellent Limited Edition, 1st 1967
Located in London, GB
Jean Dubuffet. Cerceaux ‘Sorcellent by Max Loreau. Edition Jeanne Bucher, Editions Beyeler, Paris, 1967. Limited edition of 800 of which this is no. 496. Contains 20 original colo...
Category

1960s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Château de Haroué The Home of the Princes de Beauvau-Craon
Located in New York, NY
Author Victoria Botana de Beauvau-Craon, Photographs by Miguel Flores-Vianna, Foreword by Jean-Louis Deniot A dazzling tour of Château de Haroué, the epitome of opulent French style and one of today’s must-see examples of vibrant eighteenth-century architecture and design. Located in a remote village in the Lorraine region of northeastern France, the estate of Château de Haroué is an unrivaled treasure of Gallic culture and heritage. Built between 1720 and 1729 for Marc de Beauvau, Prince de Beauvau-Craon, constable of Lorraine and viceroy of Tuscany, his descendents have inhabited the castle and kept it going in high style ever since. Throughout the pages of this volume, readers are invited to discover the château’s impressive architecture and fashionably chic interior design. Newly commissioned photographs by leading interiors photographer Miguel Flores-Vianna alongside archival documents offer unprecedented access to 82 sumptuous rooms, which are enlivened by dynamic tapestries and family portraits, a breathtaking artwork collection, and stately antique furniture. Informative texts by Victoria Botana de Beauvau, one of France’s preeminent modern-day aristocrats and an It girl in Parisian society, paint a picture of the castle’s architectural splendors, lifestyle, notable events, and her family’s unique approach to keeping history alive—all published in an exquisitely crafted book, with creative direction by Peter Copping, worthy of this stunning property. About the author Victoria Botana de Beauvau is a creative director and producer. Miguel Flores-Vianna is a renowned Argentine-born, London-based photographer whose images regularly appear in Architectural Digest and Cabana magazine...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Italian Chic Book
Located in NEW YORK, NY
Taly is a country synonymous with style and beauty in all aspects of life: the rich history of Rome, Renaissance art of Florence, graceful canals of Venice, high fashion of Milan, signature pasta alla bolognese of Bologna, colorful architecture of Portofino and winking blue waters of Capri and the Amalfi Coast, among many others. Italians themselves live effortlessly amid all this splendor, knowing instinctively just the type of outfit to throw on, design element to balance, or delectable ingredient to add. Daria Reina and Andrea Ferolla...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Other

National Cash Register
Located in Alpha, NJ
Vintage condition national cash register from the early 20th century.
Category

Early 20th Century American Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Steel

Antique Brass Copper Military Bugle Anzacs The Great War
Located in EDENSOR PARK, NSW
Brass and copper with engraving on front Anzacs The Great War 1914-1918, there are some marks and dents has been professionally polished. Material: Brass Copper Measurements: 28cm...
Category

20th Century Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Brass

Large Iron Ship's Chain Converted to Stand
Located in Nantucket, MA
Large iron ship's chain converted to a stand and as of this writing we have two pieces. Each link measures 4.25" x 7.25" and have been welded together and mounted on a teak base. A...
Category

Mid-20th Century Industrial Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Iron

Tulum Gypset
Located in NEW YORK, NY
A hub for barefoot bohemians and glamorous goddesses, Tulum is a Mayan hideaway that perfectly distills the gypset lifestyle. An off-grid escape for nomadic creatives, it is a playgr...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Other

Provence Style Decorating with French Country Flair Book by Shauna Varvel
Located in New York, NY
Provence Style Decorating with French Country Flair By: Shauna Varvel With Alexandra Black An intimate tour of quintessential Provencal style, featuring chic homes and interior deta...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Reading Art, Art for Book Lovers
Located in New York City, NY
A celebration of artworks featuring books and readers from throughout history, for the delight of art lovers and bibliophiles As every book tells a story, every book in art is part of an intriguing, engaging, and relatable image. Books are depicted as indicators of intellect in portraits, as symbols of piety in religious paintings, as subjects in still lifes, and as the raw material for contemporary installations. Reading Art spotlights...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Russian Princess with Tiara and Elaborate Jewelry Portrait Miniature
Located in San Francisco, CA
19th century Russian princess with tiara and elaborate jewelry portrait miniature This young woman is wearing elaborate jewelry and a golden tiara....
Category

Late 19th Century Russian Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Other

Wenger SA Swiss Army 16999 Giant Knife, 2007
By Victorinox
Located in Mexico City, MX
A Wenger SA Giant Swiss Army 16999 giant knife 2007 manufactured in Délemont, Switzerland. This Guinness world record Swiss knife contains 87 tools that ca...
Category

Early 2000s Swiss Post-Modern Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Stainless Steel

Lalanne(s) - Daniel Abadie - 1st Edition, Flammarion, Paris, 2008
Located in London, GB
First Edition Hardback in Dust Jacket. Published by Flammarion, Paris, 2008. Text in English. One of the great artistic partnerships, Claude and Francois-Xavier Lalanne have been pe...
Category

Early 2000s French Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

CHURCHILL. History of The English-Speaking Peoples - ALL FIRST EDITIONS - 1956-8
Located in Hillsborough, NJ
AUTHOR: CHURCHILL, Winston S. TITLE: A History of The English-Speaking Peoples. PUBLISHER: London: Cassell and Co, Ltd., 1956-8. DESCRIPTION: ALL FIRST LONDON EDITIONS. 4 volumes,...
Category

1950s British Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Leather

Thonet 19th C. Bentwood Furniture - UCLA Art Galleries Exhibition Catalog 1961
Located in Rochester, NY
Thonet 19th Century Bentwood Furniture - UCLA Art Galleries - September 18 - October 15, 1961 w/ a foreward by Henry Dreyfuss. Artistically photographed illustrations / text / list o...
Category

1960s American Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Mid-20th Century Brutalist Iron Hanukkah Lamp By David Palombo
Located in New York, NY
An impressive hand forged Hanukkah lamp inspired by Brutalist aesthetic. Hand crafted in Jerusalem, Israel circa 1960, the iron lamp stands with nine rustic candleholders in the shap...
Category

Mid-20th Century Israeli Brutalist Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Iron

Bedtime Inspirational Beds, Bedrooms, and Boudoirs Book by Celia Forner
Located in New York, NY
Bedtime Inspirational Beds, Bedrooms, and Boudoirs By: Celia Forner Foreword by Gianluca Longo In our bedrooms, we take leave of our daily woes. Far from the bustle of the kitchen, ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Navajo Turquoise and Pearls Necklace with Sterling Silver Cross Pendants
Located in Plainview, NY
A vintage Native American Navajo turquoise stone necklace with authentic 26 pearls and two carved cross pendants in sterling silver. The necklace is attributed to the Jewelry designer T-Foree. This vintage necklace will make a statement and is a collectible piece. To the Navajo tribe, the color turquoise represents happiness, luck, and health. ... Black, white, blue, and green were the colors within the turquoise stone which represent the colors of the natural world. A horseshoe-shaped symbol or a symbol called “Naja” appeared often in tradition Navajo jewelry...
Category

20th Century American Tribal Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Stone, Sterling Silver

Antique Brown Leather Riding Boots with Trees, 1890s Austria
By Rudolf Scheer & Söhne
Located in Biebergemund, Hessen
A pair of exquisite decorative brown leather riding boots made by Austrian Imperial shoemaker Scheer - Purveyor of the imperial and royal court of the Austrian and Hungarian empire. ...
Category

1890s Austrian Late Victorian Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Leather

GEORGE II's PRAYER BOOK FROM THE ROYAL CHAPEL - 1745 - Book of Common Prayer
Located in Hillsborough, NJ
AUTHOR: COMMON PRAYER. TITLE: The Book of Common Prayer: And Administration of the Sacraments: And Other Rites and Ceremonies of the Church of England: Together With the Psalter, o...
Category

1740s British Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Leather

Near & Far Interiors I Love Book by Lisa Fine
Located in New York, NY
Near & Far Interiors I Love By: Lisa Fine Photography by Miguel Flores-Vianna Foreword by Deborah Needleman In Near & Far, Lisa Fine invites us into...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Cathy B. Graham Full Bloom Book by Cathy B. Graham
Located in New York, NY
Cathy B. Graham: Full Bloom By: Cathy B. Graham Text by Clinton Smith Foreword by Christopher Spitzmiller From the author of the acclaimed second bloom ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

The Duke and Duchess of Windsor Sotheby's Auction Catalogs, Set of Three
Located in London, GB
Sotheby's catalogues from the Duke and Duchess of Windsor Auction from September 11-19, 1997. New York: Sotheby's, 1997. First edition ...
Category

20th Century American Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Model Train Base Assembly
Located in New York, NY
An iron model train base assembly from France.
Category

20th Century French Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Iron

Antique Scottish Sterling Silver Travelling Communion Set
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An exceptional, fine and impressive antique George V Scottish sterling silver gilt travelling communion set - boxed; an addition to our Christi...
Category

1910s Scottish Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Sterling Silver

Legendary Parties 1922-1972 by Prince Jean-Louis de Faucigny-Lucinge (Book)
Located in North Yorkshire, GB
A scarce hardback book with its original dust jacket which is in good condition, it is a photographic record of Who's Who in international society in the mid 20th century and the lavish costume parties and masqued balls which they attended. Anticipated for months and discussed for decades, these legendary parties...
Category

20th Century Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

An Entertaining Life Book by Paolo Moschino, Philip Vergeylen
Located in New York, NY
An Entertaining Life Designing Town and Country By: Paolo Moschino, Philip Vergeylen Foreword by Bunny Williams Join two of the world’s most celebrated designers, Paolo Moschino and...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

19th Century Leather and Gold Leaf Hand Fan
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A stunning and rare example of a 19th century hand fan, made of black leather and decorated with gold leaf. The fan has a brisé style, meaning th...
Category

Mid-19th Century Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Gold Leaf

David Gill Designing Art Book by David Gill
Located in New York, NY
David Gill Designing Art By: David Gill Introduction by Meredith Etherington-Smith David Gill reveals the famed gallerist’s opinions of and influence on the world of art and design; he presents the works of artists, sculptors, and designers he has discovered and nurtured, among them Donald Judd, Mattia Bonetti, Zaha Hadid, Grayson Perry, Barnaby Barford...
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21st Century and Contemporary Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Cartier in the 20th Century Book by Margaret Young-Sánchez
Located in New York, NY
Cartier in the 20th Century By: Margaret Young-Sánchez Introduction by Pierre Rainero Essays by Martin Chapman, Michael Hall, Stefano Papi, and Janet Zapata Created with the experti...
Category

20th Century Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Studio Indigo Architecturally Creative Interiors Book by Mike Fisher
Located in New York, NY
Studio Indigo Architecturally Creative Interiors By: Mike Fisher A stunning portfolio of residential and commercial projects from award-winning internat...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

The French Country House Book by Christiane de Nicolay-Mazery & Bernard Touillon
By Christiane de Nicolay-Mazery
Located in New York, NY
The French Country House By: Christiane de Nicolay-Mazery and Bernard Touillon Epitomizing what the French call l’art de vivre (the art of good living), The French Country House is ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Star Style: Interiors of Martyn Lawrence Bullard
Located in New York, NY
Star Style: Interiors of Martyn Lawrence Bullard By Martyn Lawrence Bullard Foreword by Cher Photography by Douglas Friedman 250 color illustrations ...
Category

2010s Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Set of 6 Rare French 19th Century Antique Doll Carriages
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Bought in the south of France this set of antique doll carriages are an enchanting collection with wooden handles, original paint, and working wh...
Category

19th Century French Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal

100 Twentieth Century Houses
Located in New York, NY
Author Twentieth Century Society A celebration of Britain’s diverse housing styles throughout the twentieth century and beyond. Showcasing 100 houses from the twentieth century, th...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

The Art Glass of Louis Comfort Tiffany Book by Paul Doros
Located in New York, NY
The Art Glass of Louis Comfort Tiffany By: Paul Doros Photography by David Schlegel Foreword by Alice Cooney Frelinghuysen Louis Comfort Tiffany considered his Favrile glass, produc...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Jake Arnold: Redefining Comfort
Located in New York, NY
The first book from a rising star of the interior design world, whose signature style has earned him celebrity clientele, coveted design collaborations, and a place on the AD100 list. In just a few years, the pioneering young British designer Jake Arnold...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

David Monn The Art of Celebrating Book by David Monn
Located in New York, NY
David Monn The Art of Celebrating By: David Monn Imagine seeing the world through event planner David Monn’s eyes for just one minute of your life. Imagine walking into a room and k...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

The Art Deco Poster Book by William Crouse
Located in New York, NY
The Art Deco Poster By: William Crouse Introduction by Alastair Duncan Posters of the Art Deco period, which once graced billboards and walls to advertise every variety of product, ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Rowing Blazers Revised and Expanded Edition Book in Hardcover by Jack Carlson
Located in New York, NY
Rowing Blazers Revised and Expanded Edition By: Jack Carlson Renowned designer and former US national team oarsman Jack Carlson’s revised and expanded edition of Rowing Blazers is an essential and glorious celebration of the classic garment. This handsome, eye-catching ode to the classic rowing blazer is a must-have for anyone who has raced the rivers or cheered on their favorite crew. Classic American style was born in British boathouses, where the very first blazers were made for college rowing...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Landers, Frary & Clark Cast Iron Coffee Grinder/Mill
Located in Guaynabo, PR
This a large and heavy Landers, Frary & Clark cast iron coffee grinder#20 1/2. It has a bell shaped nickel hopper with a flat wood lid and two...
Category

Late 19th Century American American Classical Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Iron, Nickel

Tiffany & Co. Ladies 18-Carat Gold Watch
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
Elegant vintage Tiffany & Co. manual wind dress watch made with 18-karat yellow gold. It is slender and has a soft rectangular design.
Category

20th Century Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Gold

Natural Elegance Luxurious Mountain Living Book by Rush Jenkins and Klaus Baer
Located in New York, NY
Natural Elegance Luxurious Mountain Living By: Rush Jenkins and Klaus Baer Photography by William Abranowicz Text by Nancy Greystone Natural Elegance showcases the award-winning int...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Star Style Interiors of Martyn Lawrence Bullard Book by Martyn Lawrence Bullard
Located in New York, NY
Star Style Interiors of Martyn Lawrence Bullard By: Martyn Lawrence Bullard Foreword by Cher Photography by Douglas Friedman Martyn Lawrence Bullard,...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Palm Beach Chic Book by Jennifer Ash Rudick
Located in New York, NY
Palm Beach Chic By: Jennifer Ash Rudick Photography by Jessica Klewicki Glynn Palm Beach interiors have long reflected the travels, penchants, and whimsies of the town’s worldly inh...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Country Life Book by William Abranowicz and Zander Abranowicz
Located in New York, NY
Country Life Homes of the Catskill Mountains and Hudson Valley By: William Abranowicz and Zander Abranowicz A celebrated photographer focuses his lens on distinctive period and contemporary residences amid the natural beauty of New York’s Catskill Mountains and Hudson River Valley The majestic panoramas, lush vegetation, and bucolic vibe of the Catskill Mountains and Hudson River Valley in upstate New York have long proved irresistible for city dwellers seeking respite from urban life and inveterate country lovers alike. Their homes, whether hundreds of years old or brand new, all resonate with their natural surroundings, as each of the 20 houses that photographer William Abranowicz captured for this volume attests. They range from the historic houses of Thomas...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Haute Bohemians Book by Miguel Flores-Vianna
Located in New York, NY
Haute Bohemians By: Miguel Flores-Vianna Foreword by Amy Astley Named Design Book of the Year in the 2017 New York Times holiday gift guide! Who, exactly, is a haute bohemian? Leave...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

1986 Enorme Telephone Handset by Ettore Sottsass
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A perfectly postmodern telephone handset designed by the Memphis Milano master, Ettore Sottsass, and produced in 1986. The Enorme telephone was the result of a collaboration between Sottsass and David Kelley, founder of the design firm IDEO. Sottsass created the conceptual design, and Kelley and his team were responsible for the engineering and detail design. To produce the telephone, the two formed the Enorme Corporation with Jean Pigozzi. Examples of this phone design are found in the collections of The Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Museum of Modern Art, RISD Museum, and the Los Angeles County Museum. In vintage condition with wear consistent with age and use. This is the handset only and it has not been tested. Molded manufacturer's mark on handset and base: "Designed by Ettore Sottsass Enorme...
Category

Late 20th Century Post-Modern Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Plastic

Swiss Air Boeing 747 Chrome Plated Ashtray
Located in Weesp, NL
Presenting the Ultimate Collectible: Rare Mid-Century Modern Swiss Air Ashtray with a Boeing 747 Model! Imagine owning a piece of aviation history an...
Category

1970s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal, Brass, Chrome

Antique Seibert Witzlar Microscope, app. 1920
Located in Hoogeveen, NL
Beautiful antique microscope by German manufacturer of precision equipement Seibert Witzlar. Was made around 1920. It was the microscope brand of ch...
Category

1920s German Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal

Rustic English Wooden Barrel with Metal Straps from the Late 19th Century
Located in Atlanta, GA
An English wooden rustic barrel with metal straps. This late 19th century barrel is made of vertical wooden slats - possibly oak - secured by six horizon...
Category

Late 19th Century English Rustic Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal

Anthony Bros. Convert-O Bike Cast Aluminum Convertible Tricycle / Bicycle
Located in Nantucket, MA
1950s convert-O bike cast aluminum tricycle with rubber wheels. Industrial era / Jet age design. Manufactured by Anthony Bros. - Designed by Ton...
Category

1950s American Machine Age Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Aluminum

Antique Art Deco Portable Underwood Champion Typewriter c.1936
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT An Art Deco portable Underwood Champion typewriter in high gloss black finish and chrome. Bakelite and nickel keys with black and white lettering. Original Underwood lettering...
Category

Early 20th Century Art Deco Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Steel, Nickel, Chrome

Green Malachite and Marble Chess Board
Located in New York, NY
A green malachite and marble chess board, circa mid-20th. Game board is made of green malachite and off-white marble. Dimensions: 9" square.
Category

Mid-20th Century European Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Malachite, Marble

Mid-Century French Leather Bound Gilt Embossed Books Complete Work, Set of 24
Located in Dallas, TX
Decorate a study bookcase or a library with this elegant set of French books; published circa 1975 across Europe in places like Geneva, Switzerland and Neuilly-sur-Seine, France, each book has an elegant green leather bound cover with gilt and red embossed motifs. The set of 24 books on history addresses topics such as Napoleon Bonaparte, the History of the United States, Marie Antoinette, Les Conquistadors, Mazarin, Napoleon III, Louis XI (Saint Louis), Robespierre, Henri IV, Richelieu, Alexandre Le Grand, Les Croisades, and the Renaissance. They are published by a variety of publishers, including Éditions Famot, Éditions Crémille, and Saint-Claire. Each work has a beautifully printed picture on the cover page and a variety of crests printed...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Leather, Paper

Antique Keystone 8 M.M. Film Projector, Model R-8, USA
By Keystone Camera Company
Located in San Francisco, CA
This antique Keystone 8 M.M. Film Projector, Model R-8, S/N 444000, was manufactured in Boston, MA, USA. Keystone was an iconic American brand, well k...
Category

Early 20th Century American Art Deco Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal

Rare Mid Century Swiss Air DC 4 Chrome Plated Ashtray
Located in Weesp, NL
Introducing a Collector's Dream: Rare 1960s Swiss Air Chrome-Plated Ashtray with a DC-4 Airplane Model! Are you ready to own a piece of aviation history that's not just functional b...
Category

1960s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Brass, Chrome, Iron

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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