Skip to main content

Collectibles and Curiosities

to
7,056
15,027
11,511
24,671
1,429
1,297
2,012
912
861
810
570
469
343
277
244
208
146
127
99
63
59
49
42
39
4,432
6,784
13,455
2,726
3,517
4,676
3,077
512
300
605
745
480
898
887
898
659
595
12,450
8,337
5,274
1,936
1,659
11,953
5,038
4,258
3,766
2,222
27,397
27,004
27,208
104
101
79
72
66
Collectibles and Curiosities For Sale
Defining Style The Book of Interior Design
Located in New York, NY
Discover 25 of the most recognizable design styles through 150 residential interiors from the world’s leading designers From Coastal to Contemporary, Maximal to Mediterranean, Tailored to Textured, this inspirational lookbook guides beginners and enthusiasts alike through the most timeless interior design styles of the last century. Learn to identify and understand each style like an expert through introductory texts describing key tenets and featured real-world examples by today’s best contemporary designers, such as Studio Shamshiri, Laura Gonzalez, and Vincenzo De Cotiis...
Category

2010s Chinese Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Antique Victorian Vintage Chinese Ivory Bovine Walking Stick Cane Carved Dragon
Located in Dublin, Ireland
An Exceptionally Fine Example of a Chinese Export Hand Carved Bovine Ivory Walking Stick of small proportions, last quarter of the Nineteenth Centu...
Category

Late 19th Century British Victorian Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Horn, Ebony

Pair Of 16th Century Italian Memento Mori
Located in Hastings, GB
A truly exceptional pair of Memento Mori 'remember you must die' painted on board, these date to the 16th century and were originally housed in an North Italian Monastery, this incre...
Category

16th Century Italian Gothic Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Pine

Victrola XVI Mahogany Upright Disc Player & Discs C1900
Located in Big Flats, NY
***Reduced In-House Delivery Rates - Click on “Ask Seller” to Request a Quote*** Victrola XVI Mahogany Upright Disc Player & Discs C1900. 24 1/4" x 22 7/8" x 49". A well crafte...
Category

Early 20th Century Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Mahogany

Buddhist Art of Myanmar by Sylvia Fraser-Lu and Donald Martin Stadtner, 1st Ed
Located in valatie, NY
Buddhist Art of Myanmar by Sylvia Fraser-Lu and Donald Martin Stadtner. Published by the New Haven Asia Society Museum, 2015 for an exhibition February 10...
Category

2010s American Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

19th Century Leather and Gold Leaf Hand Fan
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A stunning and rare example of a 19th century hand fan, made of black leather and decorated with gold leaf. The fan has a brisé style, meaning th...
Category

Mid-19th Century Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Gold Leaf

1970s Grundig Cube Box Design Speaker Set Futuristic Mid Century Modern
Located in Chula Vista, CA
AMBIANIC presents Original Grundig Cube Speaker Audiorama Design. Amazon design, cube shape mounted in tripod base. Original vintage unrestored. Speaker box 12 h x 8.5 d x 7.25 w Pr...
Category

1970s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal

Lifesize Spanish 16th Century Style Medieval Suit Armor Knight Statue Sculpture
Located in Dayton, OH
Spanish suit of armour of the XVI century, realized on the basis of the ones belonged to Charles V and Philip II, today part of the collection of the Real Armeria in Madrid. The armour has been made from metal with an arabesqued fabric gown, Dragon sword...
Category

20th Century Spanish Colonial Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal

French 19th Century Glass Dome with Brass Decoration
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
Popular in the 19th century, domed glass displays offered protection for portico clocks and flora & fauna specimens without compromising visibility. Inside this cloche is an oval eas...
Category

19th Century French Art Nouveau Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Silver, Brass

1940's WW2 Carl Zeiss BLC Flak 12x60 Anti Aircraft Binoculars
Located in Leicester, Leicestershire
Carl Zeiss blc Flak 12 x 60 binoculars. A beautiful set of WW2 binoculars in excellent condition made in Germany during World War 2. These were designed to be used in conjunction wi...
Category

1940s German Industrial Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Aluminum

Baby Jesus Music Box and Movement 1960s
Located in Palermo, IT
Baby Jesus in wax, music box and movement, made in Italy, 1960s He gently moves his head and opens and closes his eyes. Intact and functioning. Small signs of wear, as per descriptiv...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Other

Biblia Cum Concordantijs Veteris & Novi Testamenti & Sacrorum Canonum, 1519
Located in Delft, NL
Biblia cum concordantijs veteris & novi testamenti & sacrorum canonum, 1519 A Bible by auteur Alberto da Castello, printed by Luca-Antonio Giunta, Latin Anno 1519, Venice 27-532-55 pages First alphabetical list- Tabula Tertia, after that comes the 1st full page woodblock plate. This title page in red and black with a surrounded frame in woodcut. Above the page “San Jerome” illustrated and below the page the printers mark “ Giunti’s Mark” from the family of printers in Florentine. The initials L A of Luca-Antonio Giunta. After this page starts a full-page woodcut illustration after that are 3 pages not numbered and then starts numbered page 2 – 532 On page 401 is also a full-page woodcut plate There are ca 345 small woodcuts...
Category

16th Century Italian Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Luger Pistol Table Lighter, 1970s Japan
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This handsome lighter is cast in the shape of a 12 inch Luger pistol. An incredibly rare piece, perfect for any collector of smoking paraphernalia firearm enthusiast, or history buff...
Category

1970s Japanese Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal

Antique Japanese History Book Meiji Era, circa 1878
Located in Barcelona, ES
Antique Japanese History book Meiji era, circa 1878 Woodblock print book Book dimensions: 182 mm x 121 mm There are damages because it is antique item as we show on the photos.
Category

1870s Japanese Meiji Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

POE. Tales Of Mystery And Imagination. FIRST RACKHAM TRADE EDITION - 1935
Located in Hillsborough, NJ
AUTHOR: POE, Edgar Allan. TITLE: Tales Of Mystery And Imagination. PUBLISHER: London: George G. Harrap & Co., Ltd., 1935. DESCRIPTION: FIRST TRADE EDITION. 1 vol., small folio, 9...
Category

1930s British Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Leather

Antique Real Chinese Abacus
Located in Somis, CA
This is an authentic, original Chinese abacus that was actually used in the early 20th century. The abacus, an ingenious calculator, has been a vital tool in China for over a thousan...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal

Antique Real Chinese Abacus
Antique Real Chinese Abacus
€96 Sale Price
60% Off
1930s Art Deco Zenith Radio Floor Model Console
Located in Chula Vista, CA
AMBIANIC presents Art Deco Vintage Decorative Zenith Floor Model Radio Console 43 h x 24 W x 16.75 Preowned vintage condition Tested not working. Missing...
Category

Mid-20th Century Art Deco Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Wood

Chess Set Gemstone Lapis Lazuli and Marble 8"
Located in Somis, CA
An elegant gemstone lapis and marble chess set, demonstrating traditional craftsmanship and wonderful artistry. The chessboard of solid marble base, showcases a classic design with h...
Category

2010s Italian Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Lapis Lazuli, Carrara Marble, Serpentine

19th Century Album Containing Drawings, Memorabilia, and Botanical Samples
Located in Middletown, NY
A lovely example of an intimate 19th century memorabilia album illustrating the era's sensibilities for nature and antiquities, and bound in an exquisite blank album with miniature v...
Category

Early 18th Century Italian Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Gold Leaf

Percy Bysshe SHELLEY. The Masque of Anarchy. 1832 - FIRST EDITION
Located in Hillsborough, NJ
AUTHOR: SHELLEY, Percy Bysshe. TITLE: The Masque of Anarchy. Now First Published, with a Preface by Leigh Hunt. PUBLISHER: London: Edward Moxon, 1832. DESCRIPTION: FIRST EDITION....
Category

1830s British Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Leather

Hen on Nest Tureen Doll House Accessory Antique German, 1910s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A petite antique German doll or doll house accessory. Made of depression glass. Nice for every decoration in your dollhouse or doll kitchen. It is in ver...
Category

1910s German Art Nouveau Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Glass

Master Drawings and Watercolors in the British Museum
Located in Bradenton, FL
Master Drawings and Watercolors in the British Museum, Fra Angelico to Henry Moore. Softcover book, published in 1984 by British Museum Publications Ltd of Bloomsbury Street, London....
Category

1980s British Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

ALFRED DUNHILL 1949 Desk Aquarium Lift Arm Petrol Lighter Perspex Lucite & Steel
Located in Miami, FL
Standard Aquarium desk lighter designed by Dunhill. Very rare standard size Aquarium desk petrol lighter, designed by Alfred Dunhill back in the 1949. This mechanical lift arm light...
Category

1940s English Mid-Century Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Brass, Chrome

19th Century traditional Russian Religious Icon “Dormition Of The Holy Virgin”
Located in Meulebeke, BE
Russia / 19th century / Religious Icon / oak / Baroque / Antique Traditional antique Russian Icon from the estate of a collector. Hand painted in tempura on an oak wooden panel in t...
Category

19th Century Russian Baroque Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Oak

TOLKIEN, J. R. R. - The Hobbit - 1937 - FIRST EDITION - FIRST PRINTING !
Located in Hillsborough, NJ
AUTHOR: TOLKIEN, J. R. R. TITLE: The Hobbit or There and Back Again. PUBLISHER: London: George Allen & Unwin Ltd, 1937. DESCRIPTION: FIRST EDITION FIRST PRINTING. 1 vol., 7-11/16...
Category

1930s British Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Fabric

Les Opalines by Christine Vincendeau, First Edition
By Christine Vincendeau
Located in valatie, NY
Les Opalines by Christine Vincendeau. Les Editions de l'Amateur 1998. First edition hardcover with dust jacket. 190p with many color illustrations. Now considered the bible on opalin...
Category

1990s French Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Antique Edison Model A Cylinder Phonograph & Cabinet W/ 93 Record Music Tubes
Located in Dayton, OH
An exception Early Thomas Edison Model A Cylinder Phonograph with original horn, tube cabinet & 93 records. Phonograph box and cabinet are made from oak in Late Victorian manner wit...
Category

Late 19th Century Late Victorian Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal

Carl Zeiss binocular Design Collection 8x56B T*P* Black Forest
Located in Delft, NL
Carl Zeiss binocular Design Collection 8x56B T*P* Black Forest, Germany Zeiss 8x56B T*P* Black Forest Edition binocular, model number 525661 Made of shock-absorbing, non-slip and ru...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary German Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Rubber

Mahjong Game Set
Located in Milan, IT
An ideal after-dinner game during family night or the perfect gift for board game lovers, this Mahjong game comes in a luxurious wooden box with a removab...
Category

2010s Italian Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Leather, Bakelite, Wood

Mahjong Game Set
Mahjong Game Set
€2,961 / item
Craps Casino Table Lighter, 1980s Japan
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The coolest table lighter, cast in the shape of a Craps table. This vintage piece has meticulous details with miniature red and white loose dice that sit atop a green felt board. The...
Category

1980s Japanese Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal

Nautical magnetic compass made USA 1930s original wooden box
Located in Milan, IT
Nautical magnetic compass, made in the USA in the 1930s. Bon état. Housed in its original box with wooden slot lid and mounted on gimbal. Box measures 12x12x8.5 cm - inches 4.8x4.8x...
Category

1930s Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Brass

Luxury Victorian French Lorgnette Opera Glasses Marked "La Roi, Paris" Ca. 1895
Located in Incline Village, NV
Absolutely exquisite pair of operable mother of pearl high quality luxury French Opera Glasses with fancy lorgnette style handle and metal mounts. Premium mother of pearl and only th...
Category

1890s French Victorian Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Mother-of-Pearl

Antique Map of the Northeastern United States and Canada by Tardieu, 1802
Located in Langweer, NL
This antique map titled "Carte de la Partie Septentrionale des Etats Unis," created by Pierre Antoine Tardieu, depicts the northeastern part of the United States and parts of Canada....
Category

Early 1800s Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

19th Century, Antique, Great Quality Bronze Wall Crucifix Signed: F. Barbedienne
Located in Lisse, NL
Rare and important bronze crucifix by the French ‘fondeur’ F. Barbedienne. Ferdinand Barbedienne (1810-1892) does not need any further introduction, but that he also made this type...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Gothic Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Bronze

W & M Sterling Silver Navajo Turquoise Ring
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Stunning Sterling Silver W & M Turquoise Ring .75 diameter x .5 W size 8 Preowned vintage condition Refer to images
Category

Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Stone, Sterling Silver

TOLKIEN. The Hobbit. 1937 - 1st ED 2nd IMPRESSION - THE FIRST WITH COLOR PLATES!
Located in Hillsborough, NJ
AUTHOR: TOLKIEN, J. R. R. TITLE: The Hobbit or There and Back Again. PUBLISHER: London: George Allen & Unwin Ltd, 1937. DESCRIPTION: FIRST EDITION SECOND IMPRESSION AND THE FIRST...
Category

1930s British Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Leather

Inside Marrakesh: Enchanting Homes and Gardens
Located in New York, NY
Contemporary design meets Marrakesh's splendid artistic heritage in a fresh burst of color, form, and texture through a panoply of sensual houses and gardens. Noted designer Meryanne Loum-Martin provides entrée into the extraordinary residences of this fabled city's leading tastemakers. This exquisite book showcases the stunning properties of the world's leading design connoisseurs, including Jasper Conran, Lynn Guinness, Vanessa Branson, and Helen and Brice Marden, who have transformed Marrakesh's exotic style into unexpected but elegant expressions. The story of design in Marrakesh begins with the contributions of Bill Willis, Yves Saint Laurent, and Pierre Bergé, who fearlessly fused Moroccan elements--zellige tilework, rugs, pottery, fountains, woodwork, metalwork, and tadelakt wall treatments...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Plaster Praying Virgin Traditional Figure, circa 1950
Located in Barcelona, ES
Traditional religious plaster figure of a praying woman. Made in traditional Catalan atelier in Olot, Spain, circa 1950. In original condition, with minor wear consistent with ...
Category

1950s Spanish Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Plaster

Collection Of WWII German Postage Stamps
Located in Long Island City, NY
A collection of World War II German postage stamps. Third Reich era, 1930 to 1940s. Many of the stamps feature portraits of Adolf Hitler. Some in ...
Category

20th Century German Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Antique English Folding Brass Linen Thread Counter c.1920
Located in Bath, GB
Dating to the early twentieth century, c.1900/1920, this is an antique cast brass linen thread counter, of course usable to magnify whatever you wish. Heavy solid cast brass with a ...
Category

1920s British Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Brass

Rummikub Game Set
Located in Milan, IT
Presented in a compact and elegant wooden box wrapped in dove gray leather, this extraordinary game set is a truly unique item of great quality and style. T...
Category

2010s Italian Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Leather, Wood, Walnut

Rummikub Game Set
Rummikub Game Set
€3,515 / item
Pink Floyd Original Concert Poster for Oakland Coliseum by Randy Tuten, 1977
Located in Devon, GB
An original first-printing concert poster for a performance by Pink Floyd at the Oakland Coliseum in California on 9-10 May 1977 during their 'In The Flesh' tour in support of their ...
Category

1970s American Post-Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Poker Case
Located in Milan, IT
This precious companion of a card player aficionado is an exquisite work of artisanal craftsmanship. The case is in walnut wood and mahogany with special walnut wood hinges. A fine l...
Category

2010s Italian Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Leather, Walnut, Mahogany

Poker Case
Poker Case
€557 / item
Antique Carved Oak Church, Gothic Revival Studio Easel Display Stand or Pedestal
Located in Lisse, NL
Unique Gothic Revival two shelf sculpture stand with a beautiful patina. This impressive and adjustable Gothic stand dates from circa 1890. To find this rare and sizeable antique mo...
Category

Late 19th Century French Gothic Revival Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Wood, Oak

French 19th Century Culinary Scale
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A 19th century French counter or grocer’s scale with two brass trays mounted on a white marble top. This wonderful antique instrument was used to measure various ingredients and prod...
Category

19th Century French French Provincial Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Marble, Brass

Vintage Onyx Marble Turntable Telephone 18 Carat Gold Italy
Located in Poperinge, BE
Beautiful and high-quality onyx marble rotary or dial telephone with 18 carat gold-plated elements, marked Onix Telephone at the bottom, Made in Italy, circa 1950s-60s. Very decorat...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Onyx, Marble, Gold Plate

Cartier Art Deco, 18K Powder, Lipstick 4.365 Oz. Auction Prices exceeded $35000
Located in Soquel, CA
Cartier 18 Karat Yellow Gold Powder - Lipstick 4.365 oz., Art Deco, Rare - Paris Rare and Precious Object from Cartier Paris, 1920-1925, .750-18KT yellow gold, carved antique Jade, 30 Ceylon sapphires, enamel. Please note the recent auction records prices reflect sales of $28,000-$40,000 for one of these compacts. The Jadeite Jade plate comes from the apprêts. The term apprêts referred to a stock of fragments from disassembled jewelry and other objects, including ancient items...
Category

1920s French Art Deco Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Jade, Gold

Large Chess Set Gemstone Lapis Serpentine 15.5"
Located in Somis, CA
This large, one of a kind gemstone chess set is a stunning testament to traditional craftsmanship and unparalleled artistry. At its heart lies a magnificent lapis lazuli chessboard w...
Category

2010s Italian Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Lapis Lazuli, Carrara Marble, Serpentine

Spider-Man 2
Located in London, GB
Original US Special 3-D relief poster for the 2004 science fiction film directed by Sam Raimi, and starring Toby Maguire and Kirsten Dunst. This poster would need to be shipped flat ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Acrylic

Spider-Man 2
Spider-Man 2
€876 / item
Antique English Brass Cased Folding Magnifying Glass c.1920
Located in Bath, GB
A lovely shaped little folding / pocket magnifying glass which folds into a shaped brass case, marked "Made In England". Dating to c.1920, remaining in excellent condition measuring...
Category

1920s British Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Brass

Large Antique Russian Icon Resurrection and Great Feast Days, 18th-19th Century
Located in New York, NY
Large antique late 18th century- early 19th century Russian icon of the Resurrection with Great Feasts. Original condition with beautiful age-old patina. The central area depicting t...
Category

Late 18th Century Russian Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Wood

Rare Arts & Crafts Standing Floor Crucifix w Stylized Bronze Sculpture of Christ
Located in Lisse, NL
Rare Gothic revival church crucifix and a wonderful hand crafted work of religious art. Made and marked by Brom, Utrecht (see image 17). Brom of Utrecht was a family (or dynasty) of...
Category

Early 20th Century Dutch Gothic Revival Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Brass, Bronze

Vintage English Poker Game Set in a Burl Box
Located in New York, NY
Handsome vintage poker and card set .The box and container is made of burl wood . Inside features four fitted carousel boxes that come in and out and hold all the poker chips along w...
Category

Early 20th Century English Art Deco Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Plastic, Bakelite, Burl

Heidi Caillier: Memories of Home: Interiors
Located in New York, NY
In her debut book, designer Heidi Caillier shows how to mix moody color with layers of pattern, natural materials, and textures to create spaces that are both beautifully curated and comfortably livable. Heidi Caillier believes that our homes should create a sense of place, and serve as the setting for lifelong memories. In her first book, she shares twelve houses from across the country, from the islands of Puget Sound to the Berkshires. The rooms of these houses are simultaneously nostalgic and of the moment. Caillier is a master of mixing patterns, combining florals with graphic lines and shapes, as well as using deeper, muddy colors to create coziness and warmth. There is a tension between masculine and feminine...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

FIRST APPEARANCE OF. A Visit from St. Nicholas - Twas the Night Before Christmas
Located in Hillsborough, NJ
AUTHOR: MOORE, Clement Clarke. TITLE: The New-York Book Of Poetry. (A Visit from St. Nicholas / Twas the Night Before Christmas). PUBLISHER: New York: George Dearborn, 1837. DESC...
Category

1830s English Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Fabric

House of a Lifetime, a Collector’s Journey in Tangier
Located in New York, NY
The House of a Lifetime: A Collector’s Journey in Tangier Author Umberto Pasti and Ngoc Minh Ngo, Foreword by Madison Cox A photographic to...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Early 20th Century Spanish Polychrome Montserrat Virgin Statue, Barcelona
Located in Barcelona, ES
A striking example of early 20th-century Spanish devotional art, this polychromed Montserrat Virgin statue was made in Barcelona, Spain, and crafted from painted plaster. Richly embe...
Category

20th Century Spanish Gothic Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Plaster

FENDI Backgammon Game Set
Located in Los Angeles, CA
FENDI Roma backgammon game set with oak wood box inlaid with Pequin striped motif, embellished with a plexiglass lid and matching color nappa calfskin leather handle / Made in Italy ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Wood

Rare Antique Print of the Ruins of Palmyra in Syria, ca.1770
Located in Langweer, NL
Antique print titled 'Prospetto generalle di Palmira (..)'. Beautiful view of the ruins of Palmyra, Syria. This is an optical print, also called 'vue optique' or 'vue d'optique',...
Category

18th Century Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

A House in Maine
Located in New York, NY
Author Nina Campbell, with Giles Kime, Photographs by Paul Raeside The interior design of this New England seaside escape—by decorating legend Nina Campbell—explores a myriad of the...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

A House in Maine
A House in Maine
€52 / item

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.

Recently Viewed

View All