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Collectibles and Curiosities For Sale
Color:  Brown
Color:  Pink
Zenith 12S2 67 Shutter Dial 12 Tube Console with Bluetooth Restored Rare
Located in Oakland, CA
Zenith 12S2 67 Sutter Dial 12 Tube Console with Bluetooth Restored. This console radio, introduced as part of Zenith’s 1938 line in June 1937, is a much-coveted set that is rare and hard to find today. This is a 1938 Zenith...
Category

1930s American Art Deco Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Fabric, Wood

Large Collection of Tall Decorative Scandinavian Antique Leather-Bound Books
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
A collection of 15 sets of 10 large tall-size decorative Swedish leather-bound books from the 1950s.
Category

Mid-20th Century Swedish Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Leather, Paper

19th Century Spanish Colonial Our Lady of Guadalupe Retablo
Located in Forney, TX
A stunning and rare Spanish Colonial Our Lady of Guadalupe retablo painting with beautiful patina, displayed in an altarpiece shrine. Handcrafted...
Category

19th Century North American Spanish Colonial Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Tin

19th Century Child’s Mahogany Bagatelle Table, circa 1840
Located in Nantucket, MA
19th century child’s mahogany Bagatelle table, circa 1840, mounted on a period custom base. The shallow rectangular mahogany case is hinged to open as ...
Category

1840s English Regency Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Mahogany

DS-2878 Boxing Handstitched Leather Punching Bag by De Sede
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Leather punching bag DS-2878/60 by De Sede. Matching to the re-edition of the DS-2878, De Sede boxing fans can get their hands on a very special accesso...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Modern Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Leather

ANTIQUE CIRCA 1900 ANGLO INDIAN INLAID CHESSBOARD AND PIECES STUNNiNG TIMBER
Located in GB
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this extremely rare circa 1900 Anglo Indian Export Chessboard and pieces A truly stunning and highly colle...
Category

Early 1900s Indian Anglo-Indian Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Hardwood, Boxwood, Walnut

Napoleon Bonaparte Authentic Strand of Hair
Located in Jersey, GB
Napoleon is one of history's most iconic figures. As emperor of France, his actions shaped Europe in the early 19th century. Following a successful coup d’état in 1799, Napoleon w...
Category

19th Century Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Other

Rose Tarlow Three Houses Book by Rose Tarlow
Located in New York, NY
Rose Tarlow Three Houses By: Rose Tarlow Photography by Miguel Flores-Vianna, François Halard and Fernando Montiel Klint An intimate visual archive of design inspiration from celebr...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Pair Rock Crystal Gem Stone, Silver & Gilt 8 Bell Judaica Torah/ Rimonim Finials
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Pair Rock Crystal Gem Stone, Silver & Gilt 8 Bell Judaica Torah/ Rimonim Finials European, 1900s We are pleased to offer this stunning pair of European Judaica...
Category

Early 20th Century European Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Multi-gemstone, Rock Crystal, Metal

1940s Hermès Dupré-Lafon Flip Top Cigarette Box
Located in Hong Kong, HK
Rare 1940s Hermès Flip top Box, designed by Paul Dupré-Lafon (1900-1971), used to store cigarettes. Light brown leather with saddle stitching on the ext...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal

Late Century Iron, Brass and Glass Explosion Proof Industrial Pendant
Located in Leicester, Leicestershire
This excellent example of an original explosion proof lamp was salvaged from an old Japanese ship. Dated c1975, it has the original ceramic and brass E27...
Category

1970s Japanese Industrial Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Brass, Iron

Abbas - Gods I've Seen, Travels Among Hindus Magnum Photography Book
Located in New York City, NY
From the lens of Magnum's Abbas - the mystical world of the Hindu revealed, from ancient rites to contemporary beliefs This latest in Abbas's transcendent series of books on major w...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Hermanos Calavera Jefe in Oiled Walnut by Miguel and Ilse Silva for Wooda
Located in Omro, WI
These handsome but quirky brothers designed by Miguel and Ilse Silva for Wooda are the result of an engaging mix of personality, love, fun and mischievousness. Los Hermanos Calavera ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Hardwood, Maple, Oak, Walnut

Peter Pennoyer Architects Book by Anne Walker and Robert Stern
Located in New York, NY
Peter Pennoyer Architects Apartments, Townhouses, Country Houses By: Anne Walker and Robert Stern Peter Pennoyer Architects practices a refined archite...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

17th Century Spanish Colonial Hispano-Philippine Carved Santo
Located in Forney, TX
A scarce 17th century Spanish Colonial carved wood santo with provenance from the National Museum of the Philippines Manila. circa late 1600s A large part of what makes this example so very rare is not just the age and condition, but the saint depicted, San Roque. The Hispano-Philippine (Spanish-Filipinos) hand carved hard wood religious altar figure presents splendidly, with scattered remnants of original gesso and polychrome pigments, the exceptionally sculpted religious folk art depicting San Roque (Saint Roch or Rocco), the 14th century Catholic patron saint frequently invoked against the plaque, various infectious disease, as well as patron saint of dogs, invalids, of falsely accused people, and of bachelors, amongst others. Provenance / Acquisition: Retaining registration - identification label to verso from The Republic of the Philippines (RP) National Museum of the Philippines Manila with hand written registration number. Acquired from highly reputable auction house, Austin Auction Gallery, est. 1982, Austin, Texas. February 2022 catalog. Dimensions: (approx) Overall: 15.75" High, 5" Wide, 4" Deep. Figure: 14" High 1.5lbs Great original antique condition, especially considering it's around 350 years old. Nicely aged patina over the whole. Presented on a later wood plinth base. Typical loss to right arm, minor finish losses, old tiny metal plate added to prevent age related splitting, all wear consistent with age, and only adds to the overall sophisticated character, authenticity, and charming rustic warmth that can only be acquired over long periods of time. We here at Lynx Hollow Antiques absolutely love religious antiques, from an antique altar, church architectural salvaged building and ornamental elements, reliquary, tabernacle cabinet...
Category

17th Century Spanish Colonial Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Gesso, Hardwood

Checkered Past A Visual Diary of the ’60s and ’70s Book by Peter Schlesinger
By Peter Schlesinger
Located in New York, NY
Checkered Past A Visual Diary of the ’60s and ’70s By: Peter Schlesinger In 1968, Peter Schlesinger, wide-eyed and twenty years old, arrived in London from his native California at the invitation of artist David Hockney to study at the Slade School of Art. He was introduced by Hockney to a bohemian set...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Carlton Miniature / 1:4 Scale by Ettore Sottsass
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Designed by Ettore Sottsass himself after his iconic full-scale object, the Carlton cabinet. Perfect reproduction of the Carlton bookcase. The vivid colors and seemingly random interplay of solids and voids suggest AvantGarde painting...
Category

1990s Italian Post-Modern Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Laminate, Wood

Aircraft Design Wind Tunnel Scale Model of a Late 1960s GAC-100 Airliner
Located in London, GB
A 1/10 scale wind tunnel model of a GAC-100 Commuter airliner. Wingspan: 7ft (214 cm) The model is constructed out of laminated mahogany, and is built to the highest standards,...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Industrial Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Mahogany

Mid19th Century Spanish Virgin Mary of the Sacred Heart Painted Wooden Sculpture
Located in Marbella, ES
Antique mid-19th century Spanish hand carved painted wooden sculpture of Virgin Mary of the Sacred Heart with glass eyes.
Category

19th Century Spanish Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Wood

The Greta Garbo Collection Auction Catalog - 1990 Sotheby's - 1st Edition
Located in Rochester, NY
The Greta Garbo Collection, Sale 6098 - November 1990 Sotheby's NY. Glossy orange patterned hard cover book w/ dust wrapper and slipcase. Colored photographic illustrations of Impres...
Category

1990s American Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

19th Century Upright Piano H. Wolfframm
By H. Wolfframm
Located in Sofia, BG
Unique upright piano H. Wolfframm with a metal plate made in Dresden Germany in the late 19th century. It is made of maple bird wood that has minor cosm...
Category

Late 19th Century German Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Set of 3 "Kokeshi" Dolls
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Japanese dolls called Kokeshi of the early 20th century. Provenance from the northern Japan. Set of 3. Measures: 30 x 9 cm 30.5 x 8.5 cm 30 x 9 cm Handmade by Japanes...
Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Edo Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Wood

Markham Roberts Notes on Decorating Book by Markham Roberts
Located in New York, NY
Markham Roberts Notes on Decorating By: Markham Roberts Photography by Nelson Hancock Foreword by Alison Levasseur Called a “master of timeless Americ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Art Deco Model of a Boeing 314 Clipper Airplane Circa 1938
Located in London, GB
A superb Art Deco Model of a Boeing 314 Clipper Aeroplane Circa 1938. The Boeing Clipper was a long range Flying Boat made by the Boeing Aircraft Company i...
Category

1930s American Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Wood

20th Century Navajo Silversmith Sadie Calvin Jasper and Silver Cuff
Located in Point Richmond, CA
20th century Navajo silversmith Sadie Calvin Jasper and Silver bracelet Four gorgeous red jasper cabochons are set in this nicely stamped silver bracelet...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Native American Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Silver

John Ike 9 Houses, 9 Stories Book by John Ike, Mitchell Owens
Located in New York, NY
John Ike 9 Houses, 9 Stories By: John Ike, Mitchell Owens Principal photography by Richard Powers Nine recent projects by renowned architect John Ike A...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Antique Golf Ball, St. Mungo Patent Colonel Bramble Pattern Golf Ball
Located in Oxfordshire, GB
Patent Bramble pattern golf ball by St. Mungo. A good example of 'The Colonel' bramble patterned rubber core golf ball. The golf ball is in good condition a...
Category

Early 1900s British Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Rubber

Real Toscana Sheep White Fur Rabbit Toy
Located in Sebastopol, CA
Design commissioned by JG SWITZER from a Ukranian plush toy artist, and sewn in our workshop from fluffy fur scraps, LITTLE JG RABBIT is for Bigs AND Littles. Created from our re-purposed, real Toscana...
Category

2010s American Arts and Crafts Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Fur

French 17th Century Baptismal Font
Located in Atlanta, GA
A very beautiful 17th century Baptismal Font from the South of France beautifully carved from marble. Minimalist lines give this piece a calming feel. Wil...
Category

17th Century French Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Marble

A Wandering Eye Travels with My Phone Book by Miguel Flores-Vianna
Located in New York, NY
A Wandering Eye Travels with My Phone By: Miguel Flores-Vianna Miguel Flores-Vianna’s childhood in Argentina was marked by two constants that he believes shaped the life he chose to...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

C R Ashbee. Made by The Guild of Handicrafts. An Arts and Crafts Copper chalice.
Located in London, GB
C R Ashbee. Made by The Guild of Handicrafts. An Arts and Crafts Copper chalice. The lid with semi-precious red stone to the wirework handle rising from...
Category

Early 1900s English Arts and Crafts Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Copper

Set of 2 "Kokeshi" Dolls
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Japanese dolls called Kokeshi of the early 20th century. Provenance from the northern Japan. Set of 2. Measures: 30 x 8.5 cm 27 x 7.5 cm Handmade by Japanese artisants...
Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Edo Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Wood

Tony Duquette Goodman, Wendy and Hutton Wilkinson 1st Edition 2007
Located in London, GB
Published by Abrams 2007, hardback"American artist and design legend Tony Duquette (1914 1999) was known for his over-the-top style in interiors, jewelry, costumes, and set design. His clients included Elizabeth Arden, the Duchess of Windsor, and Herb Albert...
Category

Early 2000s Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Stunning Faux Books Walnut & Satinwood Smoking Pipe Rack Holder with Drawers
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer this lovely Walnut & Satinwood Faux books pipe rack with internal drawers A very good looking and decorative piece, its designed to hold three pipes in t...
Category

20th Century English Edwardian Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Satinwood, Walnut

Mahogany Cased Barograph
Located in Cheshire, GB
Mahogany cased barograph, having five glazed removable lid, and a drawer below to house the charts. The mechanical eight-day movement is housed in the drum, fitted with a seven-day c...
Category

Late 19th Century British Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Mahogany

English Regency Gilt Figural and Ebonized Dital Harp, Maker E. Light, Circa 1815
Located in Hollywood, SC
English Regency gilt stenciled figural and floral ebonized dital harp signed by maker Edward Light. Retailed at Srohl Foley place London, Early 19th century.
Category

1810s English Regency Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Wood, Ebony, Giltwood, String

Cigar Humidor, Estate Pipe Wall Cabinet, Black Forest Brienz Wood Carved Antique
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Stunning Black Forest Brienz wood carved wall cabinet. Made in Germany in the 1880s or older. Some color spots, also some old repairs to the wood and a new...
Category

Late 19th Century German Black Forest Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal

Antique Jewelry Box Art Deco Period
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful antique Art Deco period jewelry box, styled by Jacques Kreisler, circa early-20th Century, New York, New York. Box is an aubergine ...
Category

Early 20th Century Art Deco Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal

Ralph Lauren Lauren, Ralph 1st US edition
Located in London, GB
1ST Us Edition published by Rizzoli 2007. A beautiful book that delves deep into the life of Ralph Lauren with remarkable insides from his beginnings sa a boy from the Bronx to his ...
Category

Early 2000s Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Maison Jansen Decoration 1st Edition 1971
Located in London, GB
Published by Société d'études et de publications économiques, Paris, 1971 Jansen Decoration ,a rare 1971 publication in both French and English about the famous interior decoration ...
Category

1970s Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Carl Aubock Polished Brass "Hand" Keychain #5732
Located in Chalk Hill, PA
Carl Aubock polished brass "Hand" Keychain #5732. Produced by Carl Auböck IV in the original Auböck workshop in Vienna, Austria using the same standards, high-quality materials, orig...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Austrian Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Brass

Jin Long 'Golden Dragon' 24K Gold and Diamond Olisbos Sculpture
Located in Halls Head, Western Australia
The Jin Long (Golden Dragon) is an electroformed 24K pure gold and fine diamond olisbos sculpture featuring a traditional Chinese dragon totem symbol...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Australian Ming Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Gold

Silver Brass Pocket Sundial Compass French, circa 1780
Located in Firenze, IT
Shipping policy No additional costs will be added to this order. Shipping costs will be totally covered by the seller (customs duties included). Silver brass octagonal dial with fo...
Category

Late 18th Century German Louis XVI Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Silver, Brass

Cowhide First Aid Swiss Army Backpack
Located in Evergreen, CO
This is an excellent example of a Swiss made army backpack. Complete with all straps and very minimal wear to the cow hair on the exterior, and no rips in the interior canvas. This...
Category

Mid-20th Century Swiss Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Cowhide, Canvas

Eric Phillippe Collection 12 by Eric Phillipe (Book)
Located in North Yorkshire, GB
Superb dealer's catalogue of Art Deco and Modernist furniture and decorative arts, primarily from Scandinavia and the U.S. Elegantly designed and printed, with beautiful typography and excellent colour photos of 29 exquisite and rare items, all fully annotated and described. Features designs by James Mont, Frank Lloyd Wright, Terence Harold Robsjohn...
Category

20th Century Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Ceramic Medieval Chessboard with Chesses, 1970s
Located in Roma, IT
This Ceramic Medieval Chess is a ceramic chess set consisting of medieval characters and a wooden chessboard. Dimensions: cm 26 x 60 x 60. Good conditions. The shape of the set reminds an ancient medieval castle. If you are fascinated by crusaders, knights, steel armor, castles or dragons, this medieval chess set...
Category

1970s European Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Ceramic, Wood

Bonzo Chad Valley Comic Toy, 1930s
Located in Antwerp, BE
Chad valley comic Bonzo toy dog from the 1930s. This cream velvet fully jointed Bonzo toy has airbrushed features and a red felt tongue. He's jointed at ...
Category

Mid-20th Century English Art Deco Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Velvet

Pair of Vintage 1950s German Schonherr Superspeed Wooden Skis with Bindings
Located in London, GB
Pair of vintage German Schonherr Superspeed wooden skis with bindings. In good vintage used condition considering their age which I believe to be around 1950s/60s. Please refer to ...
Category

Mid-20th Century German Rustic Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal, Aluminum, Chrome

Islamic "Alhambra" Silvered Bronze Quran Cabinet in the Islamic Nasrid Style
Located in New York, NY
An Islamic "Alhambra" silvered bronze Quran cabinet in the Islamic Nasrid style, Attributed to Rafael Contreras, circa 1880. Of rectangular form with crest and pendant finials to base, with two hinged doors above a drawer, the lock hidden by a hinged plate, profusely cast with vegetal and geometric designs, the doors in openwork, the reverse stamped with maker's mark, 'GESETZLICH GESCHUTZT...
Category

19th Century German Islamic Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Bronze

Ralph Lauren A Way of Living: Home, Design, Inspiration
Located in New York, NY
Ralph Lauren A Way of Living: Home, Design, Inspiration Author Ralph Lauren A stunning celebration of Ralph Lauren’s signature home collections—including the designer’s own homes—which have inspired the world of interior design for nearly half a century. The cinematic vision of Ralph Lauren is brought to life with a stunning and intimately written book that spans decades of innovation and influence by the iconic American designer. Ralph Lauren: A Way of Living, published by Rizzoli New York, commemorates the 40th anniversary of the home collection with the first comprehensive volume dedicated to the signature style of Ralph Lauren and his pioneering lifestyle approach to design. From trailblazing innovations that revolutionized the home industry to conceptualizing residential retailing and perfecting the art of hospitality, Lauren has created a multifaceted world that evokes emotion and inspires a more beautiful way of life. This special volume presents a visual timeline of Ralph Lauren’s remarkable history as a lifestyle innovator. Lauren’s unparalleled ability to seamlessly blend fashion and the home is illustrated with the groundbreaking designs and innovative use of materials that have distinguished the home collection since its inception in 1983: menswear-inspired Oxford Cloth bedding that required the creation of special looms and took two years to refine; the sleek RL-CF1 chair, crafted of carbon fiber and inspired by Lauren’s McLaren F1 racecar; and an appreciation for a timeworn, weathered aesthetic, as exemplified in the iconic Writer’s Chair with its hand-burnished leather and rich patina. Historic achievements such as the opening of his first New York City flagship on Madison Avenue – which invited guests to experience the complete World of Ralph Lauren...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

British 19th Century Drum Table
Located in New York, NY
This charming 19th-century English regimental drum was fitted with a glass top to serve as a table. It bears the painted arms of the Royal Dublin Fusil...
Category

1890s Great Britain (UK) Victorian Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Brass

Buffalo Hide Taxidermy
Located in Coeur d'Alene, ID
Extra large Montana buffalo hide. Long winter bi-color hair. Nice dark rich color. Great lodge piece. Perfect for floor, bed or wall in a cabin, drape, robe or lodge. PERIOD: Cont...
Category

2010s American Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Other

Vintage Tobacco Advertising Sign, Belgium, 1950s
Located in Antwerp, BE
1950s Advertising Sign for the Belgian Tobacco Brand VDC - Deinze. This Litho Cardboard Sign has lots of colors due the different packages and types of tobacco flavors. Made in Brussels - Belgium by J.De Grève and co. This Vintage Sign can stand as a Counter Display Sign ( standing system has never been used before ) or can be hung as Wall Decoration - Wall Art It's a New Old Stock Sign, so in very good condition. Only the left upper corner has a small trace due storage through the time. Tobacco collectables - vintage signs - retro wall decoration...
Category

Mid-20th Century Belgian Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

19th Century Tortoise Shell Decorative Hair Comb or Head Piece
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A stunning and large antique 19th century tortoise shell, celluloid, or Bakelite hair comb or head piece with an intricate carved floral and open scroll ...
Category

Mid-19th Century Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Plastic

Compass and Accessories Box Complete with Key, circa France, 1920
Located in Beuzevillette, FR
Charming compass box complete with its key. Wooden box marked on the inside "Compas Supérieurs brevetés S.G.D.G". Engraving of a plate with the name of the...
Category

Early 20th Century French Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal

Antique Italian Carved Walnut Oratoire Prie Dieu Prayer Kneeler
Located in Carimate, Como
A good antique Italian Oratoire or Prie Dieu walnut cabinet crafted in beautiful wood, it stands on short legs over a knee resting platform base. The religious kneeler features two s...
Category

19th Century Italian Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Wood

Antique Ohio State Basketball Trophy c.1935-1936 (FREE SHIPPING)
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT Ohio State Journal Trophy basketball trophy top sponsored by "Morrey Jewelers" This was part of the Columbus Basketball League 1935- 1936. A r...
Category

Early 20th Century Industrial Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Silver Plate

1960’s plaster anatomical model of dogs brain, Phywe Germany
Located in Hoogeveen, NL
Rare old anatomical plaster model of the dog's brain. Beautiful details on a plastic/bakelite base. Worn (small cracks, base repare) but still in good condition as shown in the image...
Category

1960s German Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Bakelite, Plaster

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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