Collectibles and Curiosities
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Collectibles and Curiosities For Sale
Color: Gray
Color: Silver
Engraved Ashtray by Orrefors
By Orrefors
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A substantial and sculptural engraved glass disc-form ashtray.
Category
1950s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Glass
Boeing 747 Bar Made with Half of a Boeing 747 Air Intake
Located in Paris, FR
Bar Boeing 747 made with half of a Boeing 747 air intake,
in shiny polished aluminium finish, riveted aluminium. With
a round glass top and with one black ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Aluminum
Antique Art Deco Medical, Pharmaceutical or Apothecary Inspired Desk Clock
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This antique desk or table clock has no maker's marks, but is presumed to have been made in the United States in approximately 1920 in the period Art Deco style. The cock face is don...
Category
Early 20th Century American Art Deco Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Brass
Italy 1939s Sketch Futurist Poster "Day of Two Crosses" Against Tuberculosis
Located in Milan, IT
Sketch of the futurist poster "Day of two crosses, 16th April 1939, XVII", mixed technique of pastel and water-color, for an Italian campaign against tuberculosis, to inform people a...
Category
1930s Italian Futurist Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Exceptional 18th Century French Stone Baptismal Font
Located in Atlanta, GA
An exceptional 18th century stone Baptismal font from the South of France. Beautifully hand-sculpted with a sensational patina. Perfect as a water...
Category
18th Century French Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Stone
DC-3 Dakota Aircraft Reduced Model Scale, Model 1936
Located in Paris, FR
DC-3, Dakota aircraft reduced model scale model.
Handcrafted in aluminium foil,
with engraved metal rivets, 1936.
.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary British Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Aluminum
Bunny Williams: Life in the Garden
Located in New York, NY
Author Bunny Williams, Photographs by Annie Schlechter
A natural sequel to the seminal An Affair with a House, this is Bunny Williams’ most ambitious book to date.
Inviting us into...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
California Romantica
Located in New York, NY
Written by Diane Keaton, Photographed by Lisa Hardaway and PAUL HESTER, Text by DJ Waldie
California Romantica features the most important, yet rarely seen, residential exemplars of the California Mission and Spanish Colonial styles, by such noted architects as George Washington Smith, Wallace Neff, Richard Requa, Lilian Rice, and Paul R. Williams, among others. From whitewashed stucco walls and cloistered patios to tile roofs and sumptuous gardens, each house shown is a rare masterpiece, splendidly appointed with authentic Monterey furniture, California tile, and Navajo rugs. Among the magnificent seaside estates, canyon villas, and courtyard bungalows shown is Diane Keaton’s former home in Beverly Hills, which she thoughtfully restored with noted designer Stephen Shadley...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Queen Victoria Authentic Strand of Hair with Certificate of Authenticity
Located in Jersey, GB
Few British rulers have cast as long a shadow as Queen Victoria. Her reign lasted 63 years, which stood as the record up until great-granddaughter Elizabeth II surpassed her in 2015....
Category
19th Century Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Other
Silvered Sea Shell Cymbiola
Located in New York, NY
Cymbiola silvered shell 8". 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 operate...
Category
2010s Italian Victorian Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Sterling Silver
Ford Aircraft Model Trimotor in Aluminium
Located in Paris, FR
Trimotor aircraft model Ford handcrafted in aluminum.
Manufactured between 1926 and 1933 by Ford's own
factory. Wingspan: 102cm.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary British Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Aluminum
Large Antique Komai Style Japanese Damascene Cigarillo, Cigar or Cigarette Case
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This large antique damascene styled tobacco case is unsigned, but presumed to have originated from Japan and dating to approximately 1920 and done in a Anglo-Japanese style. The case...
Category
Early 20th Century Japanese Japonisme Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal
1970s Emerald Cut Diamond Engagement Ring 4.08 Carat GIA Certified
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Elegant Diamond Ring with GIA Certified Diamond 4.08 Carat N/VS2
Mid Century Modern Emerald Cut Diamond Engagement Ring
With very good polish and symmetry.
11.35 x 8.40 x 4.99 mm.
Di...
Category
1970s North American Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Gold
Spindizzies Polished Racing Model
Located in Paris, FR
Model Spindizzies polished racing with aluminium
structure, with plastic and aluminium details. Model
in polished aluminium finish.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Dutch Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Aluminum
Victorian Taxidermy Bird of Paradise Attributed to Rowland Ward, 1848-1916
By Rowland Ward
Located in Amsterdam, NL
A taxidermy case with Raggiana’s bird of paradise (Paradiseae raggiana) with trade label to the underside reading ‘The Jungle, Rowland Ward’ London, circa 1900-1910
With a collector’s label, centre bottom reading: No. 153, Bird of Paradise (Paradise Raggiana). The Peter Farrington...
Category
19th Century English Late Victorian Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Other
My Favorite Things by Dorothy Rodgers, First Edition
By Dorothy Rodgers
Located in valatie, NY
My Favourite Things by Dorothy Rodgers, a personal guide to decorating and entertaining. New York: Atheneum Publishers, 1964. Stated first edition hardcover with dust jacket. 282 pp....
Category
20th Century American Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Historic Homes of Charleston, South Carolina
Located in valatie, NY
Historical Homes of Charleston, South Carolina. Charleston: Terrel Publishing Company, 1993. Soft cover. 95 pp. A beautiful pictorial guidebook to the historic homes of Charleston. The book includes homes on South Battery, Murry Blvd., Church St., Legare St., Tradd St., Meeting St., Broad St., Charleston, Rutledge Ave., King St., East Battery and East Bay. Charleston was founded in 1670 and is the oldest city between Virginia and Florida. The ''Grand Modell'' was the design of the "New Charles Town'' which was named after King Charles I of England...
Category
20th Century American Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Antique 1850s Open Face Remontoir 800 Silver Pocket Watch 10 Rubis Glass Display
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique mid 19th century open face remontoir pocket watch. A remontoir (french: remonter – 'to wind') is a pocket watch in which the key winding...
Category
Mid-19th Century Victorian Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Brass
Light Years Ahead, The Story of the Ph Lamp (Book)
Located in North Yorkshire, GB
by Tina Jorstian & Poul Erik Munk Nielson
Light Years Ahead depicts Poul Henningsen's role in the evolution of light fittings. From the very outset h...
Category
20th Century Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Peter Zumthor 1985-2013: Buildings and Projects Edited by Thomas (Book)
Located in North Yorkshire, GB
Set of 5 volumes with 856 pages in total, including 278 color and black and white photographs and 341 drawings, sketches and plans. He is undoubtedly one of the most influential cont...
Category
Late 20th Century Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Late 19th Century Iraqi Silver Hanukkah Lamp
Located in New York, NY
Unique silver Hanukkah lamp, Iraq, circa 1880.
On four feet, a handmade silver tray with nine candle holders for eight days of Hanukkah, and one for t...
Category
Late 19th Century Iraqi Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Silver
Mid-20th Century Silver Repoussé Bracelet, China
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Early to mid-20th century silver repoussé bracelet, China
A beautifully made silver repoussé bracelet from China, with the Shòu symbol for long life...
Category
Mid-20th Century Chinese Tribal Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Silver
Midcentury Made, Cast Aluminum Batmobile Classic Car Deskpiece Mercedes SSK
Located in Lisse, NL
Great for a mancave and very cool on a desk also.
This mid-century eye catcher is incredibly cool and tactile. It is the only one of it's kind we can find and it is in excellent condition. The real car that comes closes (in our view) to this aluminum model is the 1930s Mercedes Benz SSK (see image nr. 10). It may have been made as a luxurious ashtray, but with a shape and a look like this, it does not need to be functional. This is a work of art and can certainly be displayed as such. This one-piece, cast aluminum car...
Category
Mid-20th Century European Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Aluminum
Petite Red Stone Decorated Silvering, 1940s
Located in Stockholm, SE
Decorative and special vintage silvering with 12 red/orange stones on a decorated silver base. From circa 1940s.
Silverstamped: 925. Measures: Inner diameter is 16 mm. Size of stone front...
Category
1940s Scandinavian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Stone, Silver
Italian Landscape Painted Oil on Canvas Signed and Dated 1939
Located in Casale Monferrato, IT
Beautiful oil painting on canvas signed and dated 1939s. Excellent pictorial quality Italian school. Beautiful landscape of southern Italy in a summer day. Sold without frame. Attent...
Category
1930s Italian Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Canvas
Cocktails and Laughter: The Albums of Loelia Duchess of Westminster (Book)
Located in North Yorkshire, GB
This book is a wonderful social record of the bright young things and how they lived in the early years of the 20th century, told and photographed ...
Category
20th Century Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Seiko Ship's Nautical Analog Clock, 1980s
Located in Nantucket, MA
From a decommissioned Japanese ship, black Seiko analog clocks with brushed nickel faces. Battery mechanism updated and an easy opening on the back side. ...
Category
Late 20th Century Japanese Industrial Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal
The Paris Salons 1895-1914 Volume III Furniture by Alastair Duncan (Book)
Located in North Yorkshire, GB
This book is the third in the comprehensive multi-volume series on the decorative arts of the Paris Salons 1895-1914, it provides a virtually com...
Category
Early 20th Century Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Antique Map of Jura, a Famous Wine Area in France, 1854
Located in Langweer, NL
Antique map titled 'Dépt. du Jura'. Map of the French department Jura, France.
Jura is a department in the Bourgogne-Franche-Comté region in Eastern France. Named after the Jura Mo...
Category
19th Century Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Silver Statue of a Knight on Horseback, 800 Silver, Italy
Located in Chorzów, PL
This figure from Italy from the second half of the 20th century and shows a knight on horseback
Silver test: 800
Weight: 1939.40 g
Designation: LAVORATO A MANO...
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Silver
Chinese Good Fortune Hairpin, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
Although eyes were certainly drawn to the high, fan-shaped headdresses that Qing-dynasty women affixed to back of their heads, it was the finishing touch of a hairpin or two that completed the look. This silver hairpin ends in a round floral medallion framing the decorative Fu (?) character for "good...
Category
Mid-19th Century Chinese Qing Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Silver
Edwardian Sterling Silver-Mounted Cranberry/Red Threaded Crystal Match Striker
Located in New York, NY
Edwardian, sterling silver cranberry/red, tyg-form (a tyg is a three-handled Scottish drinking cup), threaded crystal match striker, having three, clear handles, London, 1916, Robert Pringle and Sons...
Category
1910s English Edwardian Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Crystal, Sterling Silver
Vanity Dunhill Lighter, 1930, England
By Dunhill
Located in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Vanity Dunhill lighter 1930 England
Circa 1930 Origin England
It works with benzine (gasoline)
Works. In very good condition
It has a compartment f...
Category
1930s English Art Deco Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal
The Wandering Jew by Eugene Sue Complete Edition with Illustrations
Located in Dallas, TX
Presenting a rare first edition hardback copy of The Wandering Jew by Eugene Sue, Complete Edition IN ONE VOLUME with Illustrations by GAVARNI and GIRARDET, published by George Routl...
Category
Late 19th Century English Late Victorian Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Art Deco Chrome and Metal Ashtray Stand Round Base 1930s France, Two Available
Located in Miami, FL
We offer two of Art Deco ashtray stands on heavy round base in chrome and metal.
Due to age and use they show wear and dents, but both are func...
Category
1930s French Art Deco Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal, Chrome
Mirror Mirror Reflections on Design at Chatsworth
Located in New York, NY
The world’s most important contemporary designers showcase their work within the historic setting of Chatsworth House to shine light and spark conversation on the intriguing juxtaposition of the old and the new, the past and the future, and the evolution of design histories and practices.
Chatsworth is an extraordinary environment to experience design: a repository for great works of fine and decorative art commissioned by generations of the Cavendish family for over four centuries. Expanding on the eponymous 2023 exhibition at Chatsworth, Mirror Mirror features the works of sixteen contemporary artists through captivating in-situ photography with accompanying artist biographies and essays that unearth how historic artifacts and environments inform and inspire modern artists' practices today. This diverse group of artists includes Michael Anastassiades, Ini Archibong, Wendell Castle, Andile Dyalvane, Ndidi Ekubia, Najla El Zein, Formafantasma, Joris Laarman, Max Lamb, Fernando Laposse, Jae Sae Jung Oh, Samuel...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Vanity Fair Framed Signed Print from Gaekwar Baroda, circa 1901
Located in London, GB
Vanity fair framed signedpPrint from Gaekwar Baroda circa 1901
We share what we love, and we love this pine framed original Vanity fair signed print from...
Category
Early 20th Century British Victorian Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Llardo Madame Butterfly Japanese Geisha Figurine, Signed and Dated
Located in Plainview, NY
A 1970's Lladro figurine of a Madame Butterfly Japanese Geisha holding a fan. The figurine is signed by the maker and dated 1978. The figurine is numbe...
Category
Late 20th Century Spanish Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Porcelain
Antique Akha Hill Tribe Silver Cuff Bracelet, 517grams
Located in Jimbaran, Bali
An exceptionally large Akha Tribe woven silver bracelet with spiral design. This Tribal bracelet encompasses tradition Hill tribe silversmithing techniques ...
Category
Early 20th Century Thai Tribal Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Silver
Antique Cast Figural Medieval Knight in Armor Cigar, Pipe or Cigarette Lighter
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This figural cigar lighter is unsigned, but presumed to have been made in Austria in circa 1930. The lighter is a standing figural cast and cold-painted medieval knight in armor hold...
Category
Early 20th Century Austrian Medieval Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Spelter
Long Silver Necklace by Marianne Berg for Uni David-Andersen, Norway, 1960s
Located in Stockholm, SE
Lovely silver necklace by designer Marianne Berg for Uni David-Andersen 1960s Norway. This is a two-section longer pendant with Viking inspired patterns on a long silver chain neckla...
Category
1960s Norwegian Scandinavian Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Silver
Utrecht city plan
Located in UTRECHT, UT
“Platte grond der Stad Utrecht vertonende alle Gragten, Straaten, Stegen, Gangen, Markten, en plaatsen der openbare Gebouwen”, engraving published by Johannes van Schoonhoven in Amst...
Category
1770s Dutch Other Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Curaçao map - C. van Baarsel en zoon
Located in UTRECHT, UT
“Kaart van het eiland Curaçao.”, “Algemeene kaart der Caraïbische eilanden”, “Plan van het fort Amsterdam op Curaçao” from the atlas “Atlas der overzeesche bezittingen van Zijne Maje...
Category
1810s Dutch Other Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Naga Ceremonial Shields from the Naga Tribe in Burma 18th-19th Century
Located in New York, NY
Behold the captivating beauty and profound cultural significance of the Naga Ceremonial Shield, a remarkable piece of artistry and heritage. This exceptional shield, exquisitely craf...
Category
Late 18th Century Burmese Tribal Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Hide, Paint
Midcentury Advertising Mirror "Airliner" San Telmo Cigar Co Bay City Michigan
Located in Weiningen, CH
Midcentury advertising mirror "Airliner" San Telmo Cigar Co. Bay City Michigan on a chain
Some wear on the edges.
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Mirror
Bryan O'Sullivan: A New Glamour
Located in New York, NY
Author Bryan O'Sullivan and Samuel Cochran, Foreword by Annabelle Selldorf
New York and London–based interior designer Bryan O’Sullivan creates spaces that mix modern and historical...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Pair of Original Anti-Vietnam War & Anti-President Nixon Posters on Heavy Paper
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This set of two vintage posters were produced in Vietnam in the early 1970s in protest of the Vietnam War and in particular President Nixon. These colo...
Category
1970s Vietnamese Folk Art Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Pop Art Style
Located in NEW YORK, NY
In the 1950s, a young man from Pittsburgh named Andy Warhol was earning a comfortable living as a commercial illustrator in New York City. But his ambitions went well beyond that; soon he was painting Coca-Cola bottles and filling a gallery with paintings of Campbell’s Soup cans. He certainly wasn’t the first to make a Pop work, but Warhol soon became a brand name himself, synonymous with the new art form that embodied everything youthful, subversive, bright and fresh.
From the proto-supermodel Twiggy rocking false eyelashes and a Union Jack dress...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Linen
An Unusual Pencil Drawing of “Canton”, a Three-Masted Whaling Ship-at This Point
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
An unusual pencil drawing of “Canton“ a three masted whaling ship by Harold Wyllie. New Bedford was a major whaling centre in the 19th century. Photograp...
Category
Early 1900s English Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Large Silver Repouse Antique Shoe Slipper Estate Find
Located in Montreal, QC
Beautiful ornate silver shoe slipper, exterior has overall hand chased repouse scroll and shell designs, pierced lace front, applied laces and large bow, German 800 silver; marks on ...
Category
19th Century German Victorian Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Silver
Emaculate GOLD RING WITH DIAMONDS American 20th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
Emaculate GOLD RING WITH DIAMONDS American 20th Century
in 18 kt white gold, with SI2 central stone, color D~E, with an estimated weight of 2.14 ct, surrounded by 26 brilliants (1.5...
Category
20th Century American Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Gold
Sebastião Salgado, Amazônia, Photography Book
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Hardcover Photography book, 14.1 x 10.2 in., 9.21 lb, 528 pages.
For six years Sebastião Salgado traveled the Brazilian Amazon and photographed th...
Category
2010s European Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Vintage WW2 Era Genco "Four Aces" Military Pilot Pinball Machine Back Glass
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This vintage back glass was made by Genco of the United States for their 'Four Aces" military inspired pinball arcade game. The back glass is presumably silk screened in multiple col...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Glass
Art Deco Styled Chrome Lighted Airplane Smoker's Ashtray Stand or Accent Table
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This very unique lighted smoker's stand is unsigned, but presumed to have been made in North America, likely the United States, in approximately 1950 in an Art Deco style. This smoke...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Art Deco Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal
Asprey & Co. London Guilloche Wafer Petrol Lighter In Solid .925 Sterling Silver
Located in Miami, FL
Wafer petrol pocket lighter designed by Asprey & Company.
Beautiful wafer lighter, created in London England by the luxury house of Asprey & Company Limited, back in the 1963. Crafted during the post-war period with a rectangular shape in solid .925/.999 sterling silver The lighted is embellished with an amazing engine turned guilloche decorations and is fully dismountable for servicing. Fitted on top with push semi automatic button. Excellent craftmanship depicting an odd and geometric shape, It is in perfect condition with no dents or previous restorations.
Weight: 43.50 Grams, (27.88 Dwt).
Measurements: 56 mm by 39 mm by 6.5 mm (2.20 x 1.53 x 0.26 Inches).
Hallmarks All parts are stamped with British crown marks, the lion head mark for the city of London, the maker's mark A&Co. Ltd. associated to Asprey, the mark for the assay of the .925 silver, the letter H for the years 1963-1964 and signed, "ASPREY LONDON MADE IN ENGLAND Y7 A&CO LTD H REGD No. 856727".
Asprey
The company was established in England in Mitcham, Surrey, in 1781. Founded as a silk printing business by William Asprey, it soon became a luxury emporium. In 1841, William Asprey's elder son Charles went into partnership with a stationer located on London's Bond Street. In 1847, the family broke with this partner and moved into 167 New Bond Street, the premises Asprey occupies today. From its central London location, Asprey advertised 'articles of exclusive design and high quality, whether for personal adornment or personal accompaniment and to endow with richness and beauty the table and homes of people of refinement and discernment.' An early specialty was dressing cases. Asprey crafted traditional cases and designs, mostly in leather, suitable for the new style of travel ushered in by railways. As the business grew, the company acquired manufacturing facilities and hired silversmith, goldsmith, jewelers and watchmakers. In the 1920's, commissions poured in from around the world, from American millionaire J. P. Morgan to potentates such as the Maharaja of Patiala, who commissioned a huge teak travelling trunk for each of his wives, in which each trunk was fitted with solid silver washing and bathing utensils with waterspouts of ornate tiger head and lined with blue velvet. Asprey cigarette...
Category
1960s English Mid-Century Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Silver, Sterling Silver
1980s Citizen Japanese Blue Steel Retro Vintage Industrial Antique Quartz Clock
Located in Leicester, Leicestershire
Citizen super tanker slave clock original blue finish.
A reclaimed and restored maritime slave clock also called secondary clock of superior build quality.
These clocks were us...
Category
1980s Japanese Industrial Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Chrome, Cut Steel, Steel
St. Moritz Chic
Located in NEW YORK, NY
Nestled in Switzerland’s alpine Engadin Valley, St. Moritz stands on its own amidst a sea of celebrated ski resorts in that it has long maintained an elusive allure. The winter home of personalities from Gunter Sachs...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Other
Vintage Style Ski Photography, Framed Alpine Ski Photograph, Matterhorn & Skiers
Located in Oxfordshire, GB
Vintage style ski photography, framed Alpine ski photograph, Matterhorn & Skiers.
'MATTERHORN & SKIERS', a modern framed and mounted bla...
Category
1930s English Sporting Art Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper, Wood
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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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.
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