Collectibles and Curiosities
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Collectibles and Curiosities For Sale
Rare American Yacht Binnacle Compass
Located in Norwell, MA
Absolutely awesome yacht binnacle by New York maker T.S & J.D Negus of New York. Varnished base with intricate rope carving. The brass binnacle carries ...
Category
Early 1900s North American Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Brass
Antique Solid Heavy Brass Ships Porthole Window Nautical Maritime
Located in Dayton, OH
"An original early 20th Century heavy solid brass maritime Ship's Porthole or Hatch. Complete with original green glass and 4 dogs. High quality construction and nice weight, 103 lbs...
Category
Early 20th Century Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Brass
€1,748 Sale Price
20% Off
Art Decò Hand Carved Wooden Crucifix with Stunning Bronze Corpus of Christ
Located in Miami, FL
Crucifix from the mid-1800s with a carved shroud or veil depicting Christ in the base. This unique and remarkable antique crucifix can both be used as a table and as a wall crucifix. Over the decades we have sold a number of unique and very well crafted crucifixes, but never one in the Art Decò style with this combination of materials and techniques. The overall design and size is what stands out first, but the details and the materials are what make this antique work of religious art extraordinary. The relatively large base of this unique crucifix is a work of religious art in its own right. It is almost as if the cross is growing from this beautiful base and the cross itself too comes with a number of superbly inlays details. With their symbolic meaning of birth and resurrection it is obvious why the artist / sculptor so tastefully incorporated them here. Apart from a minor 'lean' to the left, the cross itself too is in excellent condition. If one were to speak of a trinity in this crucifix then the unique base and cross are completed with an equally striking, solid bronze corpus of Christ...
Category
Mid-20th Century European Art Deco Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Bronze
Authentic LLadro Handmade in Spain Figurine, a Set of 3, Retired Models
By Lladro
Located in Plainview, NY
A beautiful Authentic set of 3 retired ladies figurines handmade in Spain by LLadro. The set includes:
Figurine 1 entitled " Basket of Love " # 7622 marked in the bottom 1994 coll...
Category
20th Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Porcelain
€520 Sale Price / set
30% Off
19th Century Carpenters Pine Tool Chest and Tools The chest is in pine
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
19th Century Carpenters Pine Tool Chest and Tools
The chest is in pine with metal banding, it is set on wheels and has layers of trays
We have left the contents of the chest with i...
Category
Early 1900s Arts and Crafts Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Pine
Georg Jensen Sterling Heart Ring #89, Henning Koppel, Denmark
Located in Toledo, OH
Sterling heart ring by Georg Jensen and Henning Koppel, size 5, style #89. 10.6 grams, 1 1/4" long x 5/8" wide.
Category
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Sterling Silver
Antique Silver and Ebonized Walking Stick Cane Late 19th Century
Located in London, GB
This is a beautiful antique walking stick with a continental silver cushion pommel and ebonized shaft, Circa 1880 in date.
This decorative walking cane features an exquisite cast s...
Category
1880s Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Silver
The Poetical Works of the late Thomas Little, Esq. by Thomas MOORE
Located in Middletown, NY
A handsomely-bound collection of juvenile poetry by Thomas Moore (1779 – 1852), published under the pseudonym of Thomas Little due to the eroticism of their content, as Moore's celebration of kisses and embraces was regarded as improper. A relatively successful publication, which was put to an end with the Victorian tight sense of propriety. Thomas Moore was an Irish poet...
Category
Early 19th Century English Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Gold Leaf
Following the Equator: A Journey Around the World by Mark Twain, First Edition
By Mark Twain
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
Twain, Mark. Following the Equator: A Journey Around the World. Hartford: The American Publishing Company, 1897. First Edition. Rebound in publisher’s blue cloth laid down, with colo...
Category
1890s American Victorian Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Leather, Fabric, Paper
Claude Lalanne (French, 1925-2019) A Rare Pink Silk and Bronze Ginkgo Bag
Located in Queens, NY
Indulge in the enchanting world of Claude Lalanne with the exquisite Ginkgo Handbag, a wearable masterpiece from Lalanne's iconic Ginkgo collection. Crafted with unparalleled artistr...
Category
20th Century French Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Bronze
Cash Register, “National”, circa 1900
Located in Kastrup, DK
Cash register in nickel-plated chased brass with white marble edge. “National”, Dayton Ohio, USA, 1880-1910.
A very decorative object.
It works, but 100% functionality is not guaran...
Category
Late 19th Century American Other Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Marble, Metal
Miniature Antique Miniature Marquetry Desk
Located in New York, NY
Miniature antique miniature marquetry desk. Measure: 8.75" H.
Category
20th Century Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Wood
Small Black Leather Incased Box of Dominos Board Game, 28 pieces
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Small 28 Pieces Dominos Travel Size Board Game in Small Black Leather Incased Box.
Each piece measures 1.1 by 0.6 by 0.2 inches.
Category
Early 20th Century English Late Victorian Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Leather, Plastic
Massive Merchant Schooner Model
Located in Greenwich, CT
Impressive and rare example of a model English merchant sailing vessel, circa 1860, that plied the China Trade from England to Hong Kong. The ship has the sail rig of the Sandy Hook pilot boats...
Category
1860s English Sporting Art Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Linen, Wood
A Tower in Tuscany Or a Home for My Writers and Other Animals
Located in New York, NY
Edited by Beatrice Monti della Corte and Michael Cunningham, Photographs by François Halard
A glimpse inside a magical Tuscan villa--rustic yet urbane...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary North American Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Group of 8 Antique Leather Bound Books, 19th Century
Located in Savannah, GA
Group of 8 Antique Leather Bound Books, 19th Century. Books are in different languages and sizes
Category
19th Century French Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Vintage Mid Century Modern Small Round Onyx Stone Ashtray
Located in Amityville, NY
Vintage mid century modern small round ashtray made from a beautifully layered and striated piece of onyx stone in shades of brown, tan and beige. An amazing piece of stone that show...
Category
Mid-20th Century European Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Onyx
€77 Sale Price
61% Off
Sebastião Salgado. Kuwait. A Desert on Fire. Limited Edition, Signed Book
Located in Los Angeles, CA
First major publication of Salgado’s Kuwaiti oil wells series.
Grand-scale, museum-quality reproduction with High Definition Skia Photography, allowing all visible components capture...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Fabric, Paper
19th Century French Ecclesiastical Iron & Bronze Altar Rail
Located in Forney, TX
A rare and magnificent architectural ecclesiastical iron and bronze altar railing. Created in France in the 19th century, commissioned for a Victorian er...
Category
19th Century French Gothic Revival Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Bronze, Iron
1876 The Hunting of the Snark; Easter Greeting to Every Child Who Loves "Alice"
Located in Bath, GB
The first edition of beloved children's author Lewis Carroll's delightful nonsense poem, with the first issue of his 'An Easter Greeting to Every Child Who Loves "Alice"' tipped in.
...
Category
1870s British Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
17th Century Italian Holy Water Stoop
Located in Nijlen, BE
This beautiful duo of holy water vessels come from an Italian church.
A unique set that has been used over time.
One has slightly more pale discoloration than the other. They are ...
Category
17th Century Italian Baroque Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Marble
€745 / item
Antique Child's Pedal Toy Car
Located in Oakville, CT
American vintage, antique child's pedal tricycle metal toy car in great working condition.
Category
20th Century American Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal
John Lennon Original Vintage Poster by Richard Avedon for Look magazine, 1967
Located in Devon, GB
Beatles manager Brian Epstein commissioned Richard Avedon to photograph the band and design a set of posters that would visually capture the new psychedelic direction of 'Sgt. Pepper...
Category
1960s American Post-Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Linen, Paper
Supreme x Beaver Fall 2022 Gumball Machine, Fall/Winter 2022, White and Red
By Supreme
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Supreme x beever fall 2022 gumball machine, Fall/Winter 2022, white and red. Free-vend gumball machine with 8.5" shatter-resistant globe. Debossed logos on d...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Canadian Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Steel
€1,287 Sale Price
20% Off
Scandinavian Modern Silver and Agate Bracelet, Erik Granit, Helsinki, 1961
By Erik Granit
Located in New York, NY
A Scandinavian modern silver bracelet with elongated oval gray agate. Made by Erik Granit, Helsinki, Finland, 1961.
Measures: Width: 2.25, depth: 2.25.
H...
Category
Mid-20th Century Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Agate, Silver
Art Nouveau by Klaus-Jurgen Sembach
By TASCHEN
Located in Bradenton, FL
Art Nouveau by Klaus-Jurgen Sembach. Softcover book, published in 2002 by Taschen. Printed in Italy, illustrated, 240 pages.
Category
Early 2000s Italian Art Nouveau Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Vintage 2 Draw Telescope, English, Leather, Brass, Terrestrial Refractor, C.1960
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a vintage 2 draw telescope. An English, leather on brass terrestrial refractor, dating to the mid 20th century, circa 1960.
Perfect for bird watching, landscape appreciatio...
Category
Mid-20th Century British Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Brass
Monumental and Unusual Folk Art Stage Coach Figure and Horses, 1927
Located in Buffalo, NY
Monumental and unusual Folk Art stage coach figure and horses, 1927. All hand executed, amazing detail, working lamps, velvet interior on coach.
Category
1920s American Folk Art Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Leather, Velvet, Plaster
A. A. MILNE. Toad Of Toad Hall. 1929 - FIRST DELUXE EDITION - SIGNED
Located in Hillsborough, NJ
AUTHOR: MILNE, A. A. (Alan Alexander).
TITLE: Toad Of Toad Hall. A Play From Kenneth Grahame's "The Wind In The Willows".
PUBLISHER: London: Methuen & Co. Ltd., 1929.
DESCRIPTION...
Category
1920s British Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Fabric
Miniature Cast Iron Linen Press with Schildkröt Doll, 1890-1900
Located in Delft, NL
A miniature cast iron linen press with Schildkröt doll, 1890-1900
An antique miniature mangle linen press, circa 1890-1900, made of cast iron with 2 wooden shelves and wooden roll...
Category
Late 19th Century European Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Iron
Antique Victorian Silver Plated Child's Walking Stick Cane 19th Century
Located in London, GB
This is a beautiful antique Victorian silver plated child's walking stick, circa 1890 in date
The striking stick features an ornate silver crutch handle having a profusely embossed ...
Category
1890s English Victorian Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Silver Plate
American Mid Century Atomic Age Vintage 12" Replogle Globe Rare Walnut & Metal
Located in San Diego, CA
A very rare mid century modern atomic age Replogle Globe , sitting on walnu & metal base very hard to find , original condition and patina , circa 1950's some fading and wear as shown .
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal, Brass
Black Forest Brienz wood carved Monastery Work Wall Decor, Antique Austria 1910s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
This beautiful wall decoration item is antique, old and beautiful.
It was made from carved wood, some fabric, glass and a Mary with Jesus child die cut scrap in the quiet of the Blac...
Category
1910s Austrian Hollywood Regency Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Wood
Concorde Supersonic Model
Located in Paris, FR
Model Concorde supersonic with light wooden body and
all covered with riveted aluminium foil. On polished stainless
steel base with item's descri...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Dutch Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Aluminum
€1,690 / item
Original Antique Map of the American State of North Carolina, 1903
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Antique map of North Carolina
Published By A & C Black. 1903
Original colour
Good condition
Unframed.
Free shipping
Category
Early 1900s English Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Mid-Century German Spring Bending Dumbbell, 1960s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Mid-Century German Spring Bending Dumbbell, 1960s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1960 to 1969.
Additional information:
Material: Metal, Wood
Color: Black
Styles: Mid-Century Mod...
Category
20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal
Napoleon Beating Austrians The Battle of Castiglione Italy Old Print, 1800
Located in Langweer, NL
Antique print titled 'Castiglione'.
Original antique print of the Battle of Castiglione. The Battle of Castiglione saw the French Army of Italy under General Napoleon Bonaparte a...
Category
Early 1800s Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
€136 Sale Price
20% Off
Nautical Chart of Cape Verde Islands by J.W. Norie, 1824 Coastal Map
Located in Langweer, NL
Nautical Chart of Cape Verde Islands by J.W. Norie, 1824 Coastal Map
This beautifully engraved nautical chart, titled “A New Chart of the Cape Verde Islands,” was drawn by J.W. Nori...
Category
Early 19th Century English Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
The Art Institute of Chicago, Twentieth-Century Painting and Sculpture
Located in Bradenton, FL
The Art Institute of Chicago, Twentieth-Century Painting and Sculpture. Hardcover book with dustjacket, stated first edition, published in 1996, 160 pages, 148 color illustrations.
Category
1990s Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Antique 13-Star Patriotic Sash by Louis E. Stilz & Bros., Late 19th Century
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
Presented is an original patriotic sash from the late 19th century, featuring 13 stars against a bright blue field. This sash features appliqued silver stars on a blue canton, red an...
Category
Late 19th Century American Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Cotton
Genuine Starfish Fossils with Trilobites (Ptychopariida) in Matrix
Located in New York, NY
This authentic starfish fossil, or ophiuroid, belongs to the class Ophiuroidea and is closely related to starfish. These creatures move across the seabed by flexing their arms. The t...
Category
15th Century and Earlier Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Other
Baier German 1947 Army Truck Lighter Cigarette Holder And Ashtray In Aluminum
Located in Miami, FL
Army Truck Lighter, Cigarette case & ashtray by Walter Baier Company.
Beautiful large sized aluminum lighter by the Baier Company, in the shape of a...
Category
1940s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Aluminum, Steel
€916 Sale Price / set
25% Off
Silver Plated Gnome on Marble Base Matchstick Stand Figurine Antique German 1900
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A beautiful matchstick holder stand. Some wear with a nice patina, but this is old-age. Made of metal and silver plated. Stands on a marble base, some little marble missing, but this...
Category
Early 20th Century German Art Nouveau Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Marble, Metal, Silver Plate
Christopher Radko Circus Stripes Star Reflection Waterford Gold Icicle Ornaments
By Waterford Crystal, Christopher Radko
Located in Dayton, OH
Vintage late 20th century Christopher Radko and Waterford hand painted, blown glass Christmas / holiday ornaments. Christopher Radkos feature - red, orange and blue Bright Circus St...
Category
Late 20th Century Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Blown Glass
€402 Sale Price / set
20% Off
Late 19th Century antique Snuff Box Made in a Horse's Hoof with Horn Lid
Located in Milan, IT
Snuff box made in the late 19th century in a horse's hoof and horn lid, horseshoe base of chromed metal. Metal label on the lid engraved with the owner's initials MB...
Category
Late 19th Century British Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Bone, Horn
Deluxe S/N Limited Edition of Domicilium Decoratus Kelly Wearstler Beverly Hills
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Domicilium Decoratus
Kelly Wearstler, 2006
Regan Books / Harper Collins Publishers
We had purchased 5 of the first edition books and stored them in our interior design office. We h...
Category
Early 2000s American Hollywood Regency Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Antique Mounted Taxidermy Roebuck Deer Head
Located in SAINTE-COLOMBE, FR
Antique Mounted Taxidermy Roebuck Deer Head
A very good example of a young roebuck deer head mounted on an oak plaque in the shape of a shield.
The piece is captured in a natural...
Category
Early 19th Century French Rustic Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Wood
Set of 7 Antique Fishing Rods and Parts, circa 1900
Located in Barcelona, ES
Set of 7 antique fishing big fishing rods and parts. Made in Spain, circa 1900. In original condition, with minor wear consistent with age and use, preserving a beautiful patin...
Category
Early 1900s Spanish Modern Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Plaster, Wood
€1,400 Sale Price / item
60% Off
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
Cabinet of Curiosities Sculptural Artwork, circa 1950
Located in Barcelona, ES
Exquisite cabinet of Curiosities showcasing a stunning collection of plaster figures and pieces, reminiscent of a Classic sculpture museum.
Olot has been a hub for sculpture and rel...
Category
1950s Spanish Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Plaster, Wood
€484 Sale Price
82% Off
Antique Print of the Marketplace in Anamooka, Tonga Islands, c.1790
Located in Langweer, NL
Antique print titled 'View in Anamooka and the Inhabitants'. Depicts the marketplace that was established in a ring in front of the main house in Anamooka, Tonga - named the Friendly Islands because of his reception when James Cook's third Pacific voyage arrived there in May 1777.
Artists and Engravers: Engraved for Bankes's 'New System of Geography'. Published by Royal Authority.
Condition: Good, age-related toning. Please study image carefully.
Date: c.1790
Overall size: 38.6 x 23.2 cm.
Image size: 30.6 x 21.5 cm.
A View at Anamooka
This engraving after a drawing comes from the official account of Cook's third voyage, 'A voyage to the Pacific Ocean'.
Captain James Cook (1728-1779) made three separate voyages to the Pacific (with the ships Endeavour, Resolution, Adventure, and Discovery) and did more than any other voyager to explore the Pacific and Southern Ocean. Cook not only encountered Pacific cultures for the first time, but also assembled the first large-scale collections of Pacific objects to be brought back to Europe. He was killed in Hawaii in 1779.
Cook was in Nomuka (Annamooka), Tonga or Friendly Isles from May 1-14, 1777.
"On May 2 1777 the expedition reached Nomuka and anchored in the harbour on the north side of the island, which Cook had already used in June 1774. Both ships were in want of refreshments. A camp was erected on shore both as a trading post and a workshop for repairs. Watering, cutting wood...
Category
18th Century Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
€192 Sale Price
20% Off
Java, Sumatra & Borneo Map – Bellin & van Schley Decorative Chart, 1750s
Located in Langweer, NL
Carte des Isles de Java, Sumatra, Borneo – Decorative Map by Bellin & van Schley, 1750s
This richly detailed and decorative map titled Carte des Isles de Java Sumatra Borneo & les d...
Category
Mid-18th Century European Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
€520 Sale Price
20% Off
Ancient Byzantine Bronze Double-Sided Engraved Reliquary Cross, 9th-12th Century
Located in New York, NY
Fine engraved double-sided Byzantine bronze reliquary cross, 9th-12th Century AD
Excellent original patina
Composed of two parts hinged at the top an...
Category
15th Century and Earlier European Medieval Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Bronze
Lewis Carroll - through the Looking-Glass. 1872 First Edition Presentation Copy
Located in Hillsborough, NJ
AUTHOR: DODGSON, Charles Lutwidge: (Lewis Carroll).
TITLE: Through The Looking-Glass And What Alice Found There.
PUBLISHER: London: Macmillan & Co., 1872.
DESCRIPTION: PRE-...
Category
1870s British Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Leather
Italian Grand Tour Alabaster Model the Roman Forum Temple of Vespasian
Located in Stamford, CT
Italian Grand Tour model of the ancient Temple of Vespasian located in the Roman Forum, Rome. Carved from alabaster, this is a handsome example of a souvenir carving which would have been collected by a European or American sophisticate making a Grand Tour of the ancient sites of Italy. This wonderful architectural miniature is evocative of another time and place.
Roma Templo Di Vespasiano' etched into the black marble base.
It has been drilled to be wired, not the first time I have owned one of these that had been mounted as a lamp.
The Temple of Vespasian and Titus is located in Rome at the western end of the Roman Forum between the Temple of Concordia and the Temple of Saturn...
Category
Early 20th Century Italian Grand Tour Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Alabaster, Marble
Necklace of natural pearls with gold, emerald and diamonds clasp. Austria 1910.
Located in Milan, IT
Necklace of degrading natural pearls with 18 Kt white gold, emerald and diamonds clasp.
The necklace is made from natural pearls with minima...
Category
Early 20th Century Austrian Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Gold
Polo Or Pith Helmet By Gieves Of London
Located in Oxfordshire, GB
Gieves Royal Navy Officer's Tropical Helmet, Pith Helmet, Solar Topee.
A good Gieves Ltd. 'Wolseley pattern' solar topee (also known as a pith helmet, safari helmet, sun helmet or so...
Category
Early 20th Century British Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Canvas, Cork
Dunhill London Silver Plate Rollalite Petrol Lighter
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Dunhill London Silver Rollagas Lighter: This wonderful vintage Silver plate Alfred Dunhill Lighter is called a Rollagas inscribed with the initi...
Category
1950s American Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Silver
Antique Japanese Takeda Ningyo
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Japanese Takeda Ningyo, depicting a kabuki actor on the stage, dressed in kinran dragon & cloud brocade coat with sleeves thrown back, chirimen silk crepe sleeves of inner coat embr...
Category
1820s Japanese Edo Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Wood
Map of Aube France with Troyes and Champagne Wine Region, 19th Century
Located in Langweer, NL
Map of Aube France with Troyes and Champagne Vineyards by Vuillemin, 19th c
Description:
This 19th-century map of the Aube department in the Grand Est region of northeastern France ...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
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
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Ahoy! You’ve Never Seen a Collection of Sailor Art and Kitsch Quite Like This
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Pamela Shamshiri Shares the Secrets behind Her First-Ever Book and Its Effortlessly Cool Interiors
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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.