Skip to main content

Collectibles and Curiosities

1
832
73
57
to
94
503
385
962
940
948
98
57
42
29
21
15
11
10
8
7
6
5
5
4
3
1
1
1
81
194
557
130
152
149
117
12
18
13
16
25
24
31
35
27
19
746
414
298
164
93
556
180
176
155
110
33
13
9
7
7
Collectibles and Curiosities For Sale
Color:  Gold
Color:  Orange
Bronze Chinese Dragon Crane Incense Burner Architectural Temple
Located in Potters Bar, GB
- Quirky bronze Chinese temple incense burner - In the shape of a dragon turtle creature out of which sprouts the cranes - Good size at over three feet tall - 96 cm - Would have p...
Category

1980s Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Bronze

Marrakech Flair
Located in NEW YORK, NY
It has been said that Marrakech awakens all of the senses. Whether it is seeing the intricate zellige tilework; smelling the various spices sold at the souks; hearing the call to prayer emanate from the nearby mosques; touching the supple leather used to make a pair of babouches (leather sandals); tasting a flavorful tagine, Marrakech never fails to excite. Located just west of the Atlas Mountains, the city has been inhabited by Berber farmers for centuries. It has been dubbed the “Ochre City” because of the proliferation of red sandstone buildings and the red city walls, which now enclose the Medina, home to Jemaa el-Fnaa, one of the busiest squares in Africa. Marrakech overflows with culture and has been inspiring visitors for decades. From Yves Saint Laurent to Talitha Getty, Winston Churchill to Mick Jagger, Marrakech has attracted great icons inspired by its eternal spirit as well as its sweet, beautiful life. Yves Saint Laurent’s intimate relationship to this city lead to the opening of a museum dedicated to his legendary work. The annual Marrakech International Film Festival draws a prominent crowd. Museums abound, exhibiting Moroccan arts, photography, carpets, and the Andalusian design aesthetic that permeates the city’s architecture. La Mamounia hotel, opened in 1923, offers a storied history, which includes hosting guests such as Winston Churchill. Vanessa Branson’s El Fenn is a collection of traditional riads that form a stunning boutique hotel. There are countless ways to be immersed in the culture of Marrakech, but perhaps the best place to start is with a simple glass of mint tea. Dubbed the “It Girl” by Yves Saint Laurent in the early 1970s, Marisa Berenson is the original modern muse. Berenson transitioned into acting and delivered dazzling performances in iconic films including Cabaret directed by Bob Fosse and Stanley Kubrick’s production of Barry Lyndon...
Category

2010s American Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Linen

20K Caplain Leaf Metal Bowl Natural Guinea Feather Crystals
By dlsc
Located in New York, NY
20K leaf metal bowl with guinea feathers and jet crystals This tripoint bowl offers a beautiful balance of lines. This bowl has a nice weight to it, it feels substantial in the ha...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Crystal, Gold Leaf

New York Interiors,  Signature Edition
Located in New York, NY
Signed by Simon Upton Edited by Karen Howes Foreword by Rupert Thomas A striking visual homage by leading interiors photographer Simon Upton In his first book, renowned interiors photographer Simon Upton turns his camera on one of his most-loved destinations in this personal exploration of fashionable homes in New York City. Urbane and char­acterful, Simon Upton's New York Interiors unveils the photographer's favorite interior projects from the city, among them the homes of Aerin Lauder, Hamish Bowles, Stephen Sills...
Category

2010s Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Gio Ponti, First Edition Book
Located in Los Angeles, CA
To study Gio Ponti’s prolific body of work is to appreciate the clear, unifying vision behind a complex creative universe. His creations expand intuitively with the Italian grandeur ...
Category

2010s Italian Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

GUFRAMINI Little Bocca Miniature by Studio 65
Located in La Morra, Cuneo
The little Bocca, drawing from the exact proportions of the original version, maintains the sinuous feel and sensuality of a woman’s lips, exactly as intended by Studio65 which designed it in 1970. But, unlike her big sister, she has decided to get rid of her fabric dress and be coated just like her other two little friends. This visionary and glamorous sofa has inspired artists and photographers as a much-photographed protagonist and the centre of attention in exhibitions all over the world. Now, it will become a sassy accessory in the most cutting-edge homes. As if in a fairy tale, the Gufram icons have become smaller and have now turned into Guframini! The most radical Italian design...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Foam

Ruhlmann by Florence Camard, 1st Ed
Located in valatie, NY
Ruhlmann by Florence Camard. Published by Rizzoli Intl Publications, 2011. 1st Ed hardcover with dust jacket and unopened CD. The most comprehensive and authoritative monograph to be published about the prolific master of art deco interior design. Jacques-Emile Ruhlmann (1879–1933) who was one of the most celebrated art deco interior and furniture designers. A tastemaker and a style setter...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

The Life of Emma, Lady Hamilton by J T Herbert Baily, 1st Ed
Located in valatie, NY
The Life of Emma, Lady Hamilton by J T Herbert Baily. Published by Menzies London, 1905. 1st Ed hardcover no dust jacket as published. 137 untrimmed pages with all 23 portraits of Lady Hamilton each with a tissue guard. Dame Emma Hamilton...
Category

Early 1900s English Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Hermès Playing Cards / Cards Game in the Original Box, Vintage, 1970s
Located in Beuzevillette, FR
Hermès playing cards in the original box. vintage. Made in France. Both sets are complete and feature gold edges on both decks of cards. A deck of green cards and a deck of orange cards. elegant card back design. Box containing two decks of cards, the backs of these have a decoration of gold-colored horse bits forming circles on a red or green background, gilded edges. Hermes orange box...
Category

Late 20th Century French Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Elizabeth Locke Silver Saanian Roman Coin Sea Pearl 18k Gold Frame Pin or Brooch
Located in Plainview, NY
An exquisite Silver Sasanian Coin Depicting Xusro I ( circa 300AD) with Baroque South Sea Pearls in an 18K Gold Frame Brooch or Pin by the legendary jewelry designer Elizabeth Locke....
Category

20th Century Baroque Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Gold

Horst: Interiors by Barbara Plumb (Book)
Located in North Yorkshire, GB
HORST - Interiors is a book which features 52 of the most stunning Interior designs taken by famed fashion photographer Horst P. Horst during the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s. The images of these splendid houses, apartments and holiday homes - including a memorable portrait of each owner - provides a wonderful record of the changing styles of that period. Horst was invited into homes which many photographers would never have had access to, these included The Duke & Duchess of Windsor, Truman Capote, Jacqueline Onassis...
Category

20th Century Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Bronze and Bamboo Handle Flower Pot Cactus Gardening Tool Set, German, 1950s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A beautiful tool set from the 1950s. This unique object, is made of bronze with bamboo, was traditionally a cactus gardening tool set. A nice original ...
Category

1950s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Brass, Bronze

Flower Exploring the World in Bloom
Located in New York City, NY
A comprehensive and sumptuous survey that celebrates the beauty and appeal of flowers throughout art, history, and culture The latest installment in the bestselling Explorer Serie...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Annie Leibovitz at Work
Located in New York City, NY
Annie Leibovitz, our most celebrated living photographer, explains how her pictures are made Leibovitz addresses young photographers and readers interested in what photographers do...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary European Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Maharam Bear by PIN-UP
Located in New York, NY
Maharam Bear by PIN-UP 001 Terracotta Initially created for PIN–UP’s Fall/Winter 2016/2017 issue, the Bear is handmade by a small-scale Canadian produ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Canadian Modern Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Leather

Marc Newson Works
By Marc Newson, Alison Castle
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The gospel according to Marc. Marc Newson's complete works to date. He has designed chairs, restaurants, boutiques, cars, planes, and even a spaceship. For Australian Industrial designer Marc Newson, the sky is no limit. From mass-produced objects to limited edition furniture to fashion, Newson has blurred boundaries, mapped new territories, and made himself an international superstar. This comprehensive tome leaves no stone unturned in cataloguing all of Newson’s works to date, from early pieces such as Lockheed Lounge (which holds the world record for the highest price paid for a piece of designer furniture, at over two million dollars) through designs of household objects and more recent, large-scale projects such as the interior of Qantas’s A380 and the Aquariva boat. Encyclopedia-style entries, arranged chronologically by categories: Furniture, Objects, Interiors and Architecture, Timepieces and Jewelry, Transport, and Unreleased Projects. Extended, in-depth case studies for a selection of Newson’s most important projects: the Kelvin40 plane, Qantas Airbus A380, Gagosian art editions, Ford 021C, Ikepod watches...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Other

Cross of Caravaca 17th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
Cross of caravaca XVII century. Very beautiful cross of caravaca made in bronze. 17th Century. Measurements: 14X6 cm. Good condition.
Category

17th Century Italian Gothic Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Bronze

Large 19th Century Lacquered and Gilded Jewelry Box with Inlaid Mother of Pearl
Located in Nova Scotia, NS
Rare Victorian (c. 1850) lacquered papier-mâché jewelry box with inlaid mother of pearl and gilding depicting a floral motif. The mother of pearl looks of high quality and shimmers w...
Category

1850s Victorian Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal, Gold Leaf

Mary Bronze Wall Plaque Sculpture Signed Medallion French Early 20th Century
Located in Labrit, Landes
Virgin Mary gilt bronze wall plaque sculpture signed French, early 1900s Signed Jean with hard to decifer surname Heavy medallion Good condition with good patina due to age.  
Category

Early 1900s French Belle Époque Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Bronze

Antique Religious Bronze Wall Plaque of Holy Mary and Child after Donatello
Located in Lisse, NL
Symbolic and meaningful work of religious art. Since the original by Donatello is in a museum somewhere, this beautiful bronze wall plaque 'after Donatello' is the best specimen you will be able to find anywhere. The original 'Mary and Child...
Category

Early 20th Century French Renaissance Revival Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Bronze

Early 1900s Gothic Revival Brass and Bronze Church Candle Chandelier / Pendant
Located in Lisse, NL
Practical size and great looking church sanctuary light. The amount of work that went into creating this striking and practical size chandelier is a...
Category

Early 20th Century French Gothic Revival Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Brass, Bronze

Round Bronze Wall Plaque Depicting a Suffering Christ in Tears by Sylvain Norga
Located in Lisse, NL
Small yet impressive, circular bronze sculpture of Jesus, in deep relief. Having sold many works of religious art we immediately noticed the tears that are on this Christ wall pla...
Category

Early 20th Century Belgian Art Deco Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Bronze

Rare Antique & Stylish Gothic Revival Brass Lantern with Cathedral Glass Windows
Located in Lisse, NL
All handcrafted, hexagonal bronze and brass Gothic light fixture. If you are a collector of rare and ancient looking Gothic antiques then this go...
Category

Mid-19th Century European Gothic Revival Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Brass, Bronze

Pair of Gilt Bronze Gothic Revival Altar Pricket Candlesticks w. Lion Sculptures
Located in Lisse, NL
Rare and stunning pair of Flemish, Medieval Style candlesticks with crouching lions. If you are looking for the best quality and best condition antiques only then this rare pair cou...
Category

Early 20th Century European Gothic Revival Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Bronze

Large Polychrome Painted Bronze Sculpture of a Young Horse Riding Napoleon
Located in Lisse, NL
Impressive size and highly decorative, French bronze sculpture. If you are looking for a work of art with both historical and decorative value then this large bronze sculpture could...
Category

20th Century French Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Bronze

Unique Large and Great Quality Gothic Revival Solid Bronze Two-Light Wall Sconce
Located in Lisse, NL
Unique Gothic Revival light fixture for wall mounting. This antique Gothic wall sconce with two flowery glass shades is another one of t...
Category

Late 19th Century French Gothic Revival Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Brass, Bronze

Large Pair of Antique Bronze Egyptian Priest & Priestess Sculptures By E. Bouret
Located in Lisse, NL
Stunning pair of antique bronze statues of the highest quality. If you are interested in exceptional antiques in general and in Egyptian Revival antiques in particular then this stu...
Category

19th Century French Egyptian Revival Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Rosy Top Clock, Gilded
Located in New York, NY
Clock rosy top gilded shell 3". Creel and Gow has been working with the same atelier in Rome, Italy for over 20 years to make our signature silvered shells. Our workshop has been ope...
Category

2010s Italian Victorian Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Gold Leaf

Bronze Scultural Singing-Stone MDL. C. Speaker
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Playfully hinting at popular outdoor rock shaped speakers, this bronze cast music box domesticates the shape of a stone found in the mountains near Mexico City. A  listening- stone-for-interiors that explores connections between sound and sculpture. An object through which to rehearse the sculptural convention of listening to the material.  When sculpting in stone, it is common practice to press one’s ear against the material while lightly tapping it. The sounds and vibrations can reveal properties in the medium that are hidden from sight; hollows, interior fractures, hardness, and so on. There is an instant feedback from listening to stones when sculpting them; a true conversation with the material.In the tradition of bronze sculpture there has been a pursuit in perfectioning casting techniques in order to achieve better sonic resonance. Bronze casting was used to make some of the first metal instruments like bells, cymbals, horns among others Exhibited at XPAN: Mexico City (2023) Chic By Accident...
Category

2010s Mexican Post-Modern Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Bronze

Gothic Revival Extremely Detailed Gilt Brass & Bronze Church Altar Missal Stand
Located in Lisse, NL
Stunning 19th century Gothic church bible or missal stand with 'gemstones'. This rare, late 1800s, gilt bronze bible stand has beautiful details and it is in remarkably good conditi...
Category

Late 19th Century European Gothic Revival Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Brass, Bronze, Gold Leaf

Marvel Comics Library, Avengers, Vol. 1. 1963–1965, Limited Collector's Ed Book
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Earth’s Mightiest Heroes Assembling the definitive Marvel Age Avengers anthology By early 1963 the foundations of the Marvel Universe had been laid. Following the introduction of the Fantastic Four in 1961 came the amazing (Spider-Man), the astonishing (Ant-Man), the strange (Doctor, that is), the incredible (Hulk), the invincible (Iron Man) and the mighty (Thor). Still, Marvel editor in chief Stan Lee realized something was missing. “I was writing these characters and I thought it would fun to put them together in a team,” he recalled. So Lee and artist Jack Kirby assembled Iron Man, Ant-Man and the Wasp, Thor, and the Hulk...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Aluminum

Mint Condition Heavy Bronze Boxer / Price Fighter Sculpture by Jef Lambeaux
Located in Lisse, NL
Powerful bronze sculpture of an athletic and ripped fighter. This sizable and heavy work of art is as beautiful as the day it was handcrafted. Belgian sculptor Jef Lambeaux (1852-1908) had a penchant for capturing the human physique in motion, with sports and erotic scenes as his favourite subject matters. Since he grew up in the second half of the 19th century, he may very well have seen actual price fighters going at each other in boxing matches. This powerful bronze male boxer in full action is just about to launch an inside right whilst protecting his own head with his left arm and right shoulder. His square jaw line and rugged facial features give us the impression that he is as hard they come. The incredibly well developed muscles in his back and legs confirm that notion as well. The stunning patina accentuates the muscular physique of this bronze fighter and he looks marvelous from all angles. Image 13 shows an interesting detail that you don't find in many bronzes. Here you can see that samples were taken from the bottom of the base to determine whether this bronze had the right composition and strength. It clearly passed the test, because otherwise it would have been destroyed. This sizable and heavy bronze fighter with its perfectly captured fighting posture makes a great statement piece on a desk or side table. Our price for this rare and mint bronze boxer...
Category

Early 20th Century Belgian Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Bronze

1860 Grand Tour Bronze Statue of Place Vendome Column with Napoleon, Marble Base
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer for auction this stunning antique circa 1860 Grand Tour bronze statue of Place Vendome Column with Napoleon on top in so...
Category

1860s Italian Grand Tour Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Bronze

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

1970s Industrial Cast Aluminium and Brass Flame Proof Edison Striplight, Orange
Located in Leicester, Leicestershire
Korean flame proof Edison LED twin strip light made by Daeyang in the 1970s with bespoke signal orange finish. Original item salvaged from supertankers ...
Category

Late 20th Century Korean Industrial Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Aluminum, Brass

Rare Solid Bronze Armorial Crest Coat of Arms Lovely Verdigris Patination
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this lovely antique solid bronze coat of arms armorial crest with lovely natural verdigris patina This is a very good looking and well made coa...
Category

20th Century English Post-Modern Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Bronze

Albert Oehlen Book
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The definitive monograph of Oehlen's work to date. Limited to 1,000 numbered copies, each signed by Albert Oehlen. Also available: An Art Edition limited to 100 copies, each signed by the artist and accompanied by an original artwork. Often wryly funny and just as smart, Albert Oehlen’s paintings play the medium for all it’s worth and then some. After realizing that the so-called death of painting freed him to explore "the number of aspects through which one could expand painting," Oehlen started work on a wide variety of figurative and non-objective offerings, in what he has called his "post-non-figurative" art. The artist continuously challenges himself, setting up rules that force him to overcome convention and his own routine in order to arrive at a satisfying image. During his career he has chosen to paint in primary colors only or in gray, to integrate mirrors into his canvases, or to start on computer paintings when the first PCs became available. In his most recent work Oehlen expands painting through the use of advertising posters whose in-your-face aesthetics he transforms with subtle brushwork. Never without a touch of tongue-in-cheek humour, his work seems to be winking at us as it dares us to change the way we perceive an image. This XL monograph covers the entire Scope of Oehlen’s oeuvre: Roberto Ohrt discusses the early years, when Oehlen came into his own alongside Kippenberger, Bu¨ttner, and others, part of a scene that broke rules in art and rock music. Klaus Kertess examines the years from 1988 onwards, when Oehlen saw himself more self-consciously as a painter and started his first abstract works, then continued to probe the limits of the medium. Martin Prinzhorn and John Corbett...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Barbra Streisand by Steve Schapiro and Lawrence Schiller
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pitch perfect. From Funny Girl to a Star is Born, the meteoric rise of Barbra Streisand. In 1970 Barbra Streisand published a story in Life magazine titled "Who Am I Anyway?" It was the very question two leading photojournalists of the day—Steve Schapiro and Lawrence Schiller—were also asking as they photographed her during her first five years in Hollywood, working to get beneath the veneer and capture "the real Barbra." Brimming with photographs—over half of which have never been published before—and stories behind the shots from Schapiro and Schiller, this is a must-have collection for any Streisand fan. All the best movies of Streisand's first Hollywood decade are here: Funny Girl, On a Clear Day You Can See Forever, The Way We Were, The Owl and the Pussycat...
Category

20th Century Italian Collectibles and Curiosities

Hermes Travel Size Playing Cards
Located in New York, NY
2 Decks of travel sized playing cards both featuring an abstracted graphic H pattern. Hermes, Paris.
Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

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 expert with over 40 years of experience. Geoff McCoy is a legendary surfboard designer and shaper from Byron Bay, Australia. McCoy started shaping in the early 1960s and over the years became known for his cutting edge short board designs such as the Lazor Zap. Geoff has built surfboards for many of the worlds best surfers including Mark Richards...
Category

1980s American Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Fiberglass, Foam

Anna Hu: Symphony of Jewels Opus II Book by Janet Zapata with Sarah Davis
Located in New York, NY
Anna Hu: Symphony of Jewels Opus II By: Janet Zapata with Sarah Davis Foreword by François Curiel Anna Hu is a focused and single-minded artist, reaching new ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Etruscan Style Solid 18k Gold, Sapphire, Diamond, Ruby & Emerald Necklace
Located in Shippensburg, PA
Etruscan Style Solid 18k Gold, Sapphire, Diamond, Ruby & Emerald Necklace Item # C104267 Circa late 20th century 16" wearable length An absolute eye-catcher, this intricately cast and beautifully detailed necklace is crafted of solid 18 karat yellow gold with a brilliant array of gemstones set within each individually cast and hinged link. These culminate in the stunning central focal point display of a 3.1 carat blue sapphire surrounded by marquis-cut rubies and flanked on either side by a curved row of diamonds. It wears comfortably at approximately 16" in overall wearable length. Specifications: * Composition: 18 Karat Yellow GoldAll items are rigorously tested for metal content. Ask us about our 4-step metal content testing process. Metal content is guaranteed. * Markings: "K18" * Dimensions: 16" wearable length x 3/4" wide [at central focal point] * Age: Circa late 20th century * Primary Stone: diamond [14], marquis-cut ruby [10], oval-cut sapphire [1], emerald [16], ruby [6], sapphire [14] * Total Weight: 36.6 grams * Condition notes: Excellent vintage condition, trace rubbing and wear as expected, no observed flaws About silla antiques...
Category

20th Century Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Multi-gemstone, Gold

Tuscan Countess The Life & Extraordinary Times of Matilda Book by Michèle Spike
Located in New York, NY
Tuscan Countess The Life and Extraordinary Times of Matilda of Canossa By: Michèle K. Spike This is a fast-paced and colorful exploration of the life of Matilda of Canossa (c. 1046–1115), the woman who loved a pope and was loved by him, successfully defied the Holy Roman Emperor, and changed the map of Europe. A new kind of history, this biography also carries the flavor of present-day Italy. Matilda of Canossa, the “Great Countess,” was a remarkable woman. Her personal power was so extraordinary that even centuries after her death she became the first woman to be interred in St. Peter’s Basilica. She is best remembered for her role in the conflict between the papacy and the Holy Roman emperor, the climax of which took place at her castle of Canossa. This unique biography is also a journal of the author’s travels through contemporary Tuscany as she explores the palaces where Matilda held court, the blood-stained plains on which her soldiers battled, the churches and cathedrals she endowed, and the fortified aeries where she sought refuge. Readers will be swept along on this engrossing journey retracing the steps of a courageous and brilliant woman. Michèle K. Spike is a lawyer and historian who has lived in Florence since 1989. She has collaborated with her husband, John Spike, on numerous books on...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Gold: The Impossible Collection 'Special Edition'
Located in NEW YORK, NY
Gold—pure, indestructible, dazzling: Since the dawn of time, this precious metal has generated countless fantasies and beliefs. Whether it leads powerful rulers to the afterlife, casts a delicate glow on the Buddhist pagodas of Southeast Asia, illuminates the halos of saints, adds brilliance to the crowns of kings and popes, gleams on haute couture runways or glitters on a rapper’s grill, gold is an eternal symbol of wealth and glory, the prized element’s highly malleable nature lending itself to infinite metamorphoses. What accounts for such a lasting and universal fascination? Thanks to its irresistible luminosity and remarkable resilience, gold is the ideal medium to symbolize both visible and invisible forces. Artists from Gustav Klimt to Andy Warhol and Yves Klein have exalted its metaphysical and fantastic nature. Ancient Egyptians regarded gold...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Gold

Saint Florus Saint Lavros Saint Antipas Fine Antique Russian Bronze Travel Icon
Located in New York, NY
Beautiful, unusual late 18th century Russian bronze travel icon of Saint Antipas, Saint Florus and Saint Lavros. Saint Florus and Saint Lavros are the Patron Saints of horses in Ru...
Category

Late 18th Century Russian Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Bronze

Mr.Peanut, Vintage Peanut Butter Maker, USA, Mid-20th Century
Located in Roma, IT
Mr.Peanut - vintage peanut butter maker is an original decorative object realized in the mid-20th century. This vintage object was realized by Emenee and it was used as a real pea...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Plastic

Vintage Yves Saint Laurent Opium Parfum Made in France Collectible Bottle 1980's
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Vintage Yves Saint Laurent Opium Parfum made in France Collectible Bottle 1980's This is vintage, hard to find, discontinued, collectible per...
Category

1980s French Chinoiserie Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Bakelite

The Indonesian Table
Located in New York City, NY
‘It is truly remarkable for a talented chef to also be a sensational storyteller … Petty takes you on a journey across the archipelago, through her food and her life.’ – Julien Royer...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Map Exploring The World, Midi Format
Located in New York City, NY
A compelling exploration of the ways that humans have mapped the world throughout history - now in a compact new edition Map: Exploring the World brings together more than 250...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Gold Royale Chess Set
Located in Halls Head, Western Australia
The Gold Royale chess set is handcrafted in solid 18K yellow gold and set with over 35 carats of the world's finest diamonds. This unique chess set radiates pure opulence through the finest quality materials design and workmanship. Crafted by renown Australian artist Colin Burn, the Gold Royale has a luxurious look and feel, featuring black and white rhodium coated spheres and fleur-de-lis insignia. The artists unique design is symbolic of the renown 1849 Staunton standard chess set with a limited edition of only 5 sets being created, each hallmarked, numbered and authenticated. The Gold Royale now joins the Pearl Royale...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Australian Victorian Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Gold

Vintage Pal Kepenyes Bronze/Brass Necklace, 20th Century
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Vintage Pal Kepenyes bronze/brass necklace, 20th century. This Hungarian born artist worked in Mexico for decades, known for free-form sculptural jewelry...
Category

20th Century Mexican Modern Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Brass, Bronze

WWI brass Carl Zeiss Jena "Fussartillerie" artillery compass
Located in London, GB
A WWI brass Carl Zeiss Jena "Fussartillerie" artillery compass. 3¾ inch dial marked with N W S points, the Carl Zeiss Jena logo, and B.R. 565 FUSSARTILLERIE. Compass ring marked ...
Category

Early 20th Century German Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Brass, Bronze

Victorian 1900 Three Draw Personal Pocket Monocular Telescope In Brass & Leather
Located in Miami, FL
Victorian two-Draws Monocular Telescope. Beautiful monocular telescope, created in England during the Victorian era, in the last three-quarters of the 19th century, circa 1900. This...
Category

Early 1900s English Victorian Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Brass, Bronze

Honar, the Afkhami Collection of Modern and Contemporary Iranian Art Book
Located in New York City, NY
"A wealth of vital pieces reflecting a vibrant country that is producing some of the world's most insightful, impacting and aesthetically considered pieces of work... The text is an unprecedented source of enrichment for readers - for those who have read widely on the topic or those looking to find out more about a country which has often been overshadowed by media-fuelled scrutiny."—AestheticaMagazine "Once largely hidden from Western view, the contemporary art scene is Iran is now flourishing as a powerful social and cultural force... Honar: The Afkhami Collection is a new book from Phaidon celebrating the best in modern and postmodern Iranian art. Showcasing a wide range of styles from new media to sculpture and calligraphy, it's a fascinating insight into a new generation of creative talents from the Middle East."—HungerTV. The first and only book on one of the finest private collections of contemporary Iranian art...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Small Grand Tour Pietra Paesina (Ruin Marble) Bronze Mounted Plaque or Curio
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine Grand Tour plaque or curio. With a pietra paesina or ruin / ruiniform marble form plaque mounted in a gilt bronze frame with an integral bail...
Category

19th Century Italian Grand Tour Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Stone, Marble, Bronze

Japanese cast bronze statue of a Bodhisattva, 1780-1800
Located in Kenilworth, IL
Cast bronze statue of a half draped figure of the standing Bodhisattva on a lotus plinth, with a removable flaming nimbus surrounding the head. The figure holds a lotus, the symbol o...
Category

Late 18th Century Japanese Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Bronze

18k White Gold Cross & Chain
Located in Chelmsford, Essex
18k White Gold & Diamond cross & chain. Diamonds 0.30ct G/H Colour, SI1 Quality. RRP: £1,200
Category

2010s Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Gold

Garnet and Pearl Necklace
Located in Alessandria, Piemonte
G/227 - Elegant and simple torchon of garnets and pearls, but with a special gold clasp alla handmade. Pearls give light to garnets. It's new, never worn.
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Other Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Gold

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.

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.

Recently Viewed

View All