Collectibles and Curiosities
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Collectibles and Curiosities For Sale
Vintage Map of the Greater Antilles and Lesser Antilles
Located in Langweer, NL
Vintage map titled 'Antilles'. Original map of the Antilles. Shows the Cayman Islands, Cuba, Hispaniola (subdivided into the nations of the Dominican Republic and Haiti), Jamaica, and Puerto Rico. Also shows the Lesser Antilles...
Category
20th Century Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
€112 Sale Price
20% Off
French Furniture of the 18th Century
Located in valatie, NY
French Furniture of the 18th century by Pierre Verlet and Penelope Hunter-Stiebel (Translator). University Press of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, 1991. First edition thus hardcover ...
Category
1990s American Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Antique Map of Italy, Showing Corsica, Sardinia, Croatia, Malta and More, C.1740
Located in Langweer, NL
Antique map titled 'Nieuwe Kaart van Italie na de Nieuwste waarnemingen van de l'Isle en andere.'
Attractive detailed map showing Italy as well as Corsica, Sardinia, Minorca, Croat...
Category
18th Century Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Exquisite Pair French Enamel Opera Glasses c.1920
Located in Bath, GB
A truly superb pair of blue enamel opera glasses with intricate inlay and polished Mother of Pearl trim.
The metalware retains it's original gilding. They have a telescopic lorgnet...
Category
1920s French Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Brass, Enamel
The Very Small Home Japanese Ideas for Living Well in Limited Space 1st Ed
Located in valatie, NY
The Very Small Home: Japanese Ideas for Living Well in Limited Space Azby Brown and Kengo Kuma. Kodansha International Ltd - Kodansha America Inc, 2005. Stated 1st Ed hardcover with dust jacket. The Very Small Home is a book that surveys the creative design innovations of small houses in Japan. Eighteen recently built and unusual houses, from ultramodern to Japanese rustic...
Category
Early 2000s Japanese Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Ancient Neoclassical Cameo Intaglio, 19th Century
Located in Roma, IT
Ancient Neoclassical Cameo Intaglio in biscuit.
Italy, 19th Century.
Good condition.
Category
19th Century Italian Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Other
€240 Sale Price
20% Off
Genesis Illustrated, by Sebastiao Salgado
Located in valatie, NY
Genesis by Sebastiao Salgado (Photographer) and Edited by Lelia Wanick Salgado. 1st Ed hardcover with dust jacket and separate page guide to the photos. “In GENESIS, my camera allowe...
Category
2010s German Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Art Deco Hand Carved Wooden Figural Humidor Bird Head, ca. 1930s
Located in Barntrup, DE
An Art Deco hand-carved wooden figural humidor in the shape of a bird head, circa the 1930s.
This adorable, dark brown, linden wood humidor or a small box is masterfully carved and f...
Category
1930s Swiss Art Deco Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal
A botanic model Brendel, Germany 1900.
Located in Milan, IT
A rare botanical model of the Brendel, Conium maculatum N.60 (Umbelliferae). The round base in ebonized wood holds the botanical model which reveals the flower of the Hemlock. Brende...
Category
Early 20th Century German Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Wood
Salimbeni Cigarette Case with Hand-Painted Fired Enamelled Flowers
Located in Firenze, FI
925/1000 Sterling silver cigarette case with hand-painted fired enamelled floral miniatures inserted in frames with hand-engraved borders, above and below. Jugendstil. Spring-loaded ...
Category
1970s Italian Art Deco Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Sterling Silver, Enamel
GUCCI Golf Ball Case Bag by Adidas x GUCCI
By Gucci
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Rare Limited Edition GUCCI x adidas golf ball case handbag or shoulder bag in blue and white color ways, with removable and adjustable shoulder strap and push closure / made in Italy...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Canvas, Wood
On Style Inspiration and Advice from the New Generation of Interior Design
Located in New York, NY
On Style brings together today's top up-and-coming interior designers who together reflect the future of decorating, illustrated with never-before-published photos of each designer's work.
The world is changing, and interior design is changing along with it. Today's designers are presenting a fresh take on decorating, and they are connecting directly with their audience over social media. In his follow-up to Interior Design Master Class, editor Carl Dellatore turns his curatorial eye toward this next generation of decorators, culling fifty of the top designers working in America today. On Style provides an intimate view into the personalities, inspirations, and aesthetics of these members of the new guard. Each profile spotlights a never-before-seen project, as well as each designer's story and influences, and of course, their advice for achieving great style. The group hails from across the country, from Seattle to Los Angeles, Houston to New York. It includes best-selling authors like Paloma...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Framed Nautical Yachting Flag
Located in Norwell, MA
Marine flag showing a fouled anchor with three stars, which signify that a past yacht club's commodore is on board. Blue field with white anchor and stars,...
Category
1950s North American Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Cotton
Large Mid-Century Italian Giorgio Armani Eye Glasses Factice Shop Display Piece
Located in Nuernberg, DE
This is a rare and unique item! The Armani Eyeglasses Factic for display in a shop comes with its original cardboard packaging and is made of metal a...
Category
1980s Italian Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal
16th Century Italian Renaissance Carving of a Male Saint
Located in Stamford, CT
16th century Italian carved and polychromed figure of a male saint or prophet with a wonderful presence. Shown holding an open book in his right hand with flames at his feet, mid-16t...
Category
16th Century Italian Renaissance Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Wood
Antique Religious Print "No. 22" the Resurrection of Lazarus, circa 1840
Located in Langweer, NL
Antique print titled ‘Histoire Sainte, Nouveau Testament, Lazare Ressuscité.’ This plate shows a scene from the New Testament; The Resurrection of Lazarus.
This print originates ...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Antique Religious Carved Polychrome Painted Devotional Icon Triptych Folk Art
Located in Forney, TX
A stunning rustic antique Christian carved wood devotional painting triptych, early 20th century or most likely much older, handmade religious folk art in Medieval / Middle Ages tast...
Category
Early 20th Century Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal
Christies June 2010 Important 20th Century Decorative Art & Design
Located in valatie, NY
Christies June 2010 Important 20th Century Decorative Art & Design Auction Catalog. 1st Ed softcover with results. 218 lots, 172 pages, lots are Illustrated in color and fully descri...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
COLUMBUS 1930 Art-Deco Model A Counter Vendor Machine For Gum & Candy
By Columbus Vending Co.
Located in Miami, FL
A counter display vendor machine for candy by Columbus.
This is an antique candy vending machine. The Columbus Model A gumball machine is an early and r...
Category
1930s American Art Deco Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Steel
€1,410 Sale Price
25% Off
1968-1970 Hardbound Vogue Magazines, Set of 9
By Vogue
Located in Stamford, CT
Set of nine hardcover cloth bound ex-libris Vogue magazines from 1968-1970. Dark green cloth binding with gold embossed lettering.
Featuring many iconic covers and editorials from D...
Category
1960s American Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Canvas, Paper
€1,049 / set
Large Original Antique Map of the World, Fullarton, circa 1870
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Great map of the World.
From the celebrated Royal Illustrated Atlas
Lithograph. Original color.
Published by Fullarton, Edinburgh, circa 1870.
Unframed.
Category
1870s Scottish Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Small Antique English Brass Magnifying Glass c.1910
Located in Bath, GB
A lovely little magnifying glass made from solid brass with a handle; the perfect size to pop in the pocket or bag.
Dating to c.1910, Edwardian in era, the magnifier works well and ...
Category
1910s British Edwardian Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Brass
Dumfries House: A Chippendale Commission (Book)
Located in North Yorkshire, GB
These are the now very scarce set of two catalogues produced by Christie's for the sale of the contents of Dumfries House which contained a large collec...
Category
18th Century Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
SK4/1 record player by Dieter Rams and Hans Gugelot for Braun, 1950s Germany.
Located in Landgraaf, NL
SK4/1 record player by Dieter Rams and Hans Gugelot for Braun, 1950s Germany. In the mid-20th century, the world of domestic audio equipment witnessed a revolutionary transformation with the introduction of the Braun SK...
Category
1950s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal
Christie's: 2011, Duarte Pinto Coelho Collection, Madrid & Trujillo, Spain
Located in valatie, NY
Christie's: 2011, Duarte Pinto Coelho Collection, Madrid & Trujillo, Spain. 1st Ed auction catalog with 753 lots all photographed in color and fully descr...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary English Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Early 19th Century Italian Altar
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
This early 19th century Italian altar is made of worn painted wood and worn fabric details. This is a highly decorative altar for the unknown Catholic saint...
Category
19th Century Italian Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Fabric, Wood, Paint
The Gentlemen's Clubs of London (Book)
Located in North Yorkshire, GB
This book takes a fascinating look into nearly 50 clubs in London and with more than 400 specially commissioned photographs shows a way of life that still plays a part in the daily l...
Category
19th Century Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Château de Haroué The Home of the Princes de Beauvau-Craon
Located in New York, NY
Author Victoria Botana de Beauvau-Craon, Photographs by Miguel Flores-Vianna, Foreword by Jean-Louis Deniot
A dazzling tour of Château de Haroué, the epitome of opulent French style and one of today’s must-see examples of vibrant eighteenth-century architecture and design.
Located in a remote village in the Lorraine region of northeastern France, the estate of Château de Haroué is an unrivaled treasure of Gallic culture and heritage. Built between 1720 and 1729 for Marc de Beauvau, Prince de Beauvau-Craon, constable of Lorraine and viceroy of Tuscany, his descendents have inhabited the castle and kept it going in high style ever since.
Throughout the pages of this volume, readers are invited to discover the château’s impressive architecture and fashionably chic interior design. Newly commissioned photographs by leading interiors photographer Miguel Flores-Vianna alongside archival documents offer unprecedented access to 82 sumptuous rooms, which are enlivened by dynamic tapestries and family portraits, a breathtaking artwork collection, and stately antique furniture. Informative texts by Victoria Botana de Beauvau, one of France’s preeminent modern-day aristocrats and an It girl in Parisian society, paint a picture of the castle’s architectural splendors, lifestyle, notable events, and her family’s unique approach to keeping history alive—all published in an exquisitely crafted book, with creative direction by Peter Copping, worthy of this stunning property.
About the author
Victoria Botana de Beauvau is a creative director and producer. Miguel Flores-Vianna is a renowned Argentine-born, London-based photographer whose images regularly appear in Architectural Digest and Cabana magazine...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Antique Chinese Export Silver Belt Buckle with Samurais, Woshing Shanghai
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Two-piece belt buckle in sterling silver. Made in Woshing Shanghai circa 1910. It depicts samurais riding on Foo Dogs/Lions on a matte textured background. Very fine details and clea...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Silver
€540 Sale Price
20% Off
Supermarine Spitfire Wooden & Aluminum Airplane Desk Model, Asprey, ca 1940's
Located in Buenos Aires, Olivos
Spitfire wooden & aluminum airplane desk model. Asprey London- ca 1940´s
RAF Supermarine spitfire aluminum airplane desk model, mounted over a disp...
Category
Mid-20th Century British Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Aluminum
FORNASETTI Chess Board Game Set Box
By Fornasetti
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage chess board - game set box for Dal Negro by Piero Fornasetti, made in Italy in the 1970s. The box is made in walnut wood, and it includes chess game, checkers game, card game...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Wood
WWII USA Air Corps Force Sterling Silver Brooch Pin Badge by Meyer
Located in Van Nuys, CA
This is a high-quality, original World War II U.S. Army Air Corps Aviation Cadet Brooch insignia, manufactured by the renowned American badge maker Meyer of New York. Crafted in two ...
Category
1940s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Silver
Yamaha Baby Grand Quality Mahogany Piano Model C2
Located in Suffolk, GB
Quality Yamaha baby grand piano with an overstrung iron frame, frame and sound board in perfect condition, mahogany case standing on square tapering legs wi...
Category
Late 20th Century English Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Other
Mobilier Louis XVI by Monica Burckhardt, 1st Edition
Located in valatie, NY
Mobilier Louis XVI by Monica Burckhardt. Editions Charles Massin, Paris, 1976. 1st Ed hardcover with dust jacket. 80p of interior full color photos of period antique furniture of the...
Category
1970s French Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Antique Crucifix Stand - Silver Plated Jesus Christ - Wood Carved Cross
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
A beautiful antique crucifix.
The cross is made of black lacquered wood, with beautifully refined carvings.
The sculpture of Jesus is made of silver-plated metal.
The crucifix dates ...
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Brass, Nickel
Carl Auböck Midcentury Elephant Handmade Brass Figurine Key Ring Chain Holder
Located in Vienna, AT
A charming modernist elephant keyring / keyholder / keychain, designed by Carl Auböck in the 1950s. Handmade of solid polished brass by Werkstätte A...
Category
20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Brass
Vintage Sheaffer Fountain Pen, circa 1950
By Montblanc
Located in Barcelona, ES
Sheaffer fountain pen, circa 1950. Manufactured by Sheaffers In original condition, with some visible signs of previous use and age, preserving a beautiful patina. Materials...
Category
1950s Spanish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal
€462 Sale Price
70% Off
Stunning, Large and Hand Carved Renaissance Revival Court Jester Sculpture
Located in Lisse, NL
Marvelous antique French jester sculpture.
This large and amazing sculpture of a sitting court jester in the Renaissance Style truly is a rare find. ...
Category
Late 19th Century French Renaissance Revival Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Oak
Large Solid Bronze Antique Jugendstil Wall Sculpture Plaque of a Mourning Female
Located in Lisse, NL
Stunning bronze wall plaque with a maker's monogram.
In the earliest years of the 1900s much of the daily life in Europe was overshadowed by the horrors of the first world war. Lo...
Category
Early 20th Century European Jugendstil Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Bronze
Antique English Nickel Cased Compass Reg. No. For 1903 - WW1 Military Issue
Located in Bath, GB
A handsome cased World War One issued compass with hinged lid, the little button on the top used to open; just like a full hunter pocket watch. The front is stamped with the war off...
Category
1910s Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Nickel
Up, Down & Other Opposites with Ellsworth Kelly
Located in New York, NY
Ellsworth Kelly’s paintings and sculptures are the heroes of this visual exploration of opposites
Up, Down & Other Opposites pairs different combinations of Ellsworth Kelly’s painti...
Category
2010s Chinese Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Time Zone Pinball Arcade Game, 1972 USA
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage 'TIME ZONE' pinball machine from 1972. Made by Bally Manufacturing Corporation and designed by Jim Patla. In excellent working condition. Great visuals and sounds. Extremely ...
Category
1970s American Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal
Museum Quality Bronze of Christ Wall Plaque Sculpture "Jesus Carrying the Cross"
Located in Lisse, NL
Stunningly powerful and meaningful work of religious art.
With works of religious art being one of our specialties, over the decades we have sold quite a few special antiques in this field. With this bronze antique the artist clearly shows us a fragment out of one of the most famous scenes that took place in the history of mankind. Christ has already been beaten, mocked, given a wreath of thorns and having to carry the enormous cross. As you can see the quality of the details and the workmanship is excellent, but the scene and its meaning ofcourse is even more impressive. Please notice how particularly the facial features reveil the peaceful state of being that lies underneath the exterior of this Christ sculpture...
Category
Early 20th Century European Arts and Crafts Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Bronze
19th Century Two Large Venetian Gilt Wrought Iron Church Decorative Wall Sconces
Located in Frankfurt am Main, DE
Two extraordinary decorative wall sconces, Venice, Italy, mid-19th century. Finely handcrafted of wrought iron, gilded and masterful attention to detail decorated with floral motifs....
Category
Mid-19th Century Italian Arts and Crafts Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Wrought Iron
€3,802 Sale Price / set
56% Off
A Dutch Architectural Bird Cage, 19th Century
Located in ARMADALE, VIC
A Dutch Architectural Bird Cage, 19th Century
Provenance: Private Australian Collection.
Description:
The birdcage comprising two levels, the upper floor with a trefoil gallery sur...
Category
19th Century Dutch Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Wood
Old Large 5 Gallon Gas Station Oil Can Vintage Industrial Style Decoration Item
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Antique Petroliana find 5 gallon zinc galvanized metal gas and oil can. Condition shows some dents and dings present. Vintage patina with rusty finish. A great piece for your garage,...
Category
1930s American Industrial Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal
Antique Map of North America with Vignette of the Statue of Liberty, New York
Located in Langweer, NL
Antique map titled 'Amérique du Nord'. Original antique map of North America. Meticulous information from the new Alaska Territory and through the Caribbean Windward Islands. Very go...
Category
Late 19th Century Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
€368 Sale Price
20% Off
Chilean Metal Huasos Spurs
Located in Stamford, CT
Early 20th century Chilean huasos metal spurs. Heavy silvered metal stamped Chile on the side. As found with grosgrain ribbon attached.
Category
Early 20th Century Chilean Spanish Colonial Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal, Silver
€568 / set
Antique Naga white heart bead necklace Konyak North India Asian Tribal Jewellery
Located in London, GB
This authentic antique Naga beaded necklace is a stunning multi-strand ceremonial adornment from the Konyak tribe of North East India. Crafted with traditional red and white-heart ...
Category
Early 20th Century Indian Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Glass, Beads
Antique 2 Draw Telescope, English, Brass, Navigational Instrument, Victorian
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique 2-draw telescope, an English terrestrial or maritime navigational instrument, dating to the late Victorian period, circa 1900.
Perfect for bird watching, landscap...
Category
Early 20th Century British Late Victorian Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Brass
Large Antique Sacred Heart of Jesus Earthenware Wall Sculpture, Glazed Stoneware
Located in Lisse, NL
* Kindly note that we arrange the shipping ourselves to ensure a smooth, secure, and reliable delivery. This allows us to provide the best possible service and care for your purchase...
Category
Mid-20th Century Dutch Gothic Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Earthenware
Antique Gothic Revival Top Quality Hand Carved & Gilt Wooden Church Wall Bracket
Located in Lisse, NL
Deeply carved, extra large size, Gothic Revival corbel, bracket with a stunning patina.
Finding unique antiques that have just that little bit more than your average is what we alwa...
Category
Early 20th Century European Gothic Revival Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Wood, Pine
Late Midcentury Modern Realistic Weather Radio Cube
Located in Chula Vista, CA
AMBIANIC presents
Weather Radio WeatheRadio Deskube TW Weather NOAA Radio 12-181B
Radio Shack Tandy
Very minimal and modernist with touch of 70s woodgrain
...
Category
Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Plastic
Nature, Form & Spirit: The Life and Legacy of George Nakashima
Located in New York, NY
First edition of Mira Nakashima’s tribute to her father, George, whose standing as one of America’s foremost designer/craftsmen is reflected in his blue-chip status in the vintage de...
Category
Early 2000s American American Craftsman Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
French Brass & Polished Steel Telescope w/ Spotting Scope on Tripod Stand C 1850
By Bardou & Son
Located in Charleston, SC
French brass and polished steel telescope with removable lens cap, spotting scope, and mounted on folding tripod stand, 19th Century.
Signed on focal tube by prolific telescope make...
Category
1850s French Louis Philippe Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Brass, Steel
Rare 1699 Map of the Failed Scottish Colony of Caledonia in Panama
Located in Langweer, NL
Rare 1699 Map of the Failed Scottish Colony of Caledonia in Panama
This scarce and historically fascinating map, titled 'The Scots Settlement in America or New Caledonia A.D. 1699',...
Category
Late 17th Century English Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
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
Norwegian Folk Costumes 'Norske Folkedragter' 1st Edition
Located in valatie, NY
Norwegian Folk Costumes (Norske Folkedragter) by Einar Lexow and Joh. F.L. Dreiers. Norsk Folkemuseum, 1913. 1st Ed hardcover. Norwegian traditional dress ...
Category
1910s Norwegian Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Original Antique Map of Jerusalem Based on Josephus' Writings by Weigel, ca.1720
Located in Langweer, NL
1720 Weigel Map of Jerusalem Based on Josephus' Writings
This intricate 1720 bird's-eye view map of ancient Jerusalem by I.H. Coccejo, engraved by Christoph Weigel, offers a fasc...
Category
1720s Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Carl Auböck Handcrafted Midcentury Hand Brass Figurine Key Ring Chain Holder
Located in Vienna, AT
A charming modernist hand keyring / key holder / keychain, designed by Carl Auböck in the 1950s. Handmade of solid polished brass by Werkstätte Auböck in Austria. Fully stamped and m...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Austrian Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Brass
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
Medal-Worthy Memorabilia from Epic Past Olympic Games
Get into the games! These items celebrate the events, athletes, host countries and sporting spirit.
Ahoy! You’ve Never Seen a Collection of Sailor Art and Kitsch Quite Like This
French trendsetter and serial collector Daniel Rozensztroch tells us about his obsession with objects related to seafaring men.
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.
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.