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Collectibles and Curiosities For Sale
Period: 1980s
Period: 1930s
Berlin Kindl Beer Advertising Pocket Cigar Cutter Antique, German, 1930s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A Berlin Kindl (Child) Beer advertising cigar cutter. Some wear with a nice patina, but this is old-age. Made of lithographed sheet metal and a shaving blade. This item was a giveawa...
Category

1930s German Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal

1980s Vintage Red PEZ Space Gun Candy Dispenser U. S. Pat. 3.370.746
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Stunning Pop Art PEZ dispenser from Austria. Made of plastic, circa 1980s. Marked made in Austria and US Pat. 3.370.746. Found at an estate sale in Vienn...
Category

1980s Austrian Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Plastic

Old Danish Police Club, 1930s
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Authentic Danish Police Club used in service during the 1930s, 40s and 50s. Its made from a thick rubber-like material, has cork stoppers that allow to adj...
Category

1930s Danish Bauhaus Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Leather, Cork

Art Deco by Victor Arwas, 1st Edition
By Harry N. Abrams
Located in Bradenton, FL
Art Deco by Victor Arwas, hardcover book with dustjacket. First edition, published by Harry N. Abrams, Inc. of New York in 1980. Printed and bound in Japan. 416 Illustrations, includ...
Category

1980s Japanese Art Deco Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Alberto Dona 1980 Blue Red Yellow Green Murano Glass Aquarium Round Sculpture
Located in New York, NY
This aquarium sculpture in blown Murano glass is signed by Alberto Dona', of flat round shape, decorated with three tridimensional colorful fishes amongst bubbles rising from a blue ...
Category

1980s Italian Organic Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Silver Leaf

Harley Davidson AMF Motorcycle Lighter, 1980s Japan
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Great vintage table lighter in the shape of a AMF Harley Davidson motorcycle. In 1969, the AMF corporation (American Machine and Foundry) took over production of Harley-Davidson moto...
Category

1980s Japanese Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal

French 1930 Art Deco Parisian Moorish Kiosk Cigarette Dispenser Mechanical Box
Located in Miami, FL
Mechanical cigarette dispenser box. An exceptional and very beautiful desk piece, created in France during the art deco period, back in the 19...
Category

1930s French Art Deco Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Brass, Bronze

Art Nouveau in Munich
Located in Bradenton, FL
Art Nouveau in Munich softcover book. Published in 1988 in conjunction with the exhibition "Art Nouveau in Munich: Masters of Jungendstil". Printed in the Federal Republic of Germany...
Category

1980s German Art Nouveau Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Collectible Books "40 Years of Danish Furniture Design", First Edition, 4 volume
Located in Odense, DK
Rare and complete set of “40 years of Danish Furniture Design” first edition book collection — The Copenhagen Cabinet-makers’ Guild Exhibitions. Compiled and edited by the Danish fe...
Category

1980s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

French Art Deco Unique Mother & Child Sculpture, 1930s
Located in Saint-Amans-des-Cots, FR
Unique Hand-made. French Art Deco Mother & Child Statue by René Mercier, France, 1930s. This exceptional Art Deco piece, crafted by the talented French sculptor René Mercier in the 1...
Category

1930s French Art Deco Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Wood

To Have and Have Not by Ernest Hemingway, First Edition, 1937
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
Hemingway, Ernest, To Have and Have Not. New York: Charles Scriber’s Sons, 1937. First edition, first printing. Beautifully rebound in 1/4 gray Moroccan leather and cloth boards, with raised bands and gilt tooling and titles to the spine. Housed in a matching cloth slipcase. This first edition, first printing of Ernest Hemingway’s To Have and Have Not was published in New York by Charles Scribner’s Sons in 1937. The original internal pages have been professionally rebound in quarter gray Moroccan leather and cloth boards with raised bands, gilt titles, and gilt tooling to the spine. The book is housed in a custom matching archival slipcase. Set during the Depression, Hemingway’s novel follows the dramatic story of fishing boat captain Henry Morgan who turns to a life of contraband running between Cuba and Florida to save himself and his family. To Have and Have Not began as a short story, published as "One Trip Across" in Cosmopolitan in 1934, introducing the character of Harry Morgan...
Category

1930s American Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Leather, Paper

Vintage Cased Monocular, French, Field Viewing Scope, Optical Interest, Art Deco
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a vintage cased monocular. A French, enamelled brass and leather viewing scope, dating to the Art Deco period, circa 1930. Delightful field monocular, with 8 x 30 magnificat...
Category

1930s French Art Deco Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Brass

1930s Germany Botanical Model of the Lamium Purpureum Flower
Located in Milan, IT
Educational model of the Lamium purpureum L. (false purple nettle) flower made of painted papier mâché with a Bakelite base from the 1930s, German ma...
Category

1930s German Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Parchment Paper

'Back to the Future' Original Vintage Movie Poster, Hungarian, 1987
Located in Devon, GB
A beloved American blockbuster, Robert Zemeckis' 1985 sci-fi adventure 'Back to the Future' starred Michael J. Fox as teenager Marty McFly, blasted back to...
Category

1980s Hungarian Post-Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

1939 Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats
Located in Bath, GB
An uncommon, first edition copy of T S Eliot's famous poetry collection regarding feline psychology and sociology. This anthology forms the basis of Andrew L...
Category

1930s British Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Daughters of Painted Ladies, America's Resplendent Victorians
Located in Bradenton, FL
Daughters of Painted Ladies: America's Resplendent Victorians by Elizabeth Pomada and Michael Larsen. Photographs by Douglas Keister. A tour of the asto...
Category

1980s Victorian Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

A Royal Air Force P11 Aircraft Compass No. 11242 D
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
A Royal Air Force P11 Aircraft Compass No. 11242 D The compass has a brass body finished in black, it comes in its battleship grey painted wooden...
Category

1930s Art Deco Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Brass

Going Solo, Signed by Roald Dahl, First Edition in Original Dust Jacket, 1986
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
Dahl, Roald. Going Solo. London: Jonathan Cape, 1986. First edition. Octavo. Signed "Roald Dahl" in black ink on the half title page. In the publisher's original hardcover navy cloth...
Category

1980s American Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Four Foot Taxidermy Goose, 1980s
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Taxidermy goose in flight. Beautiful, classic coloring with feathers in black, brown and white. Good overall condition. Good presence.
Category

1980s American Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal

Art Deco Ashtray Stand, chrome and Bakelite by Demeyere, Belgium, 1930s
Located in Bingen am Rhein, RP
Art Deco ashtray stand This beautiful and rare Art Deco Ashtray Stand from the 30s/40s is in the streamline modern art deco style. The designer of this extraordinary object has succ...
Category

1930s Belgian Art Deco Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal, Chrome, Iron

Art Deco Bakelite Cherry Amber Beaded Necklace, 1930
Located in Oirlo, LI
Beautiful old bakelite cherry bead necklace. This is an exceptionally large model with beautiful thick beads. The color is dark red, there i...
Category

1930s Baltic Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Bakelite

Large European 1930's Nautical Map Reader Magnifying Glass
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
This European set of two nautical magnifying glass map-readers are quite unusual and rarely found. It is fully encased in it's heavy wooden and metal enforced box. Hailing from betwe...
Category

1930s German Industrial Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal

Glass Art Wall Mounted Parable of the Prodigal Son by Bjorn Wiinblad, Rosenthal
Located in Antwerp, BE
Wall plate by the Danish designer Bjørn Wiinblad for Rosenthal made of metal wall mounted sheet lacquered in black and gilt with glass faceted frosted Art Glass.Limited edition from ...
Category

1980s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Art Glass

Spring Day Kokeshi by Fumio Tomidokoro, Japan, 1980s
Located in Lyon, FR
Spring Day Kokeshi made in the 1980s by Fumio Tomidokoro. A pretty kokeshi with colorful decorations, a lovely haircut detail and a perfect size. Its master is still working today. G...
Category

1980s Japanese Japonisme Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Wood, Paint

Atelier International Limited (Cassina) Trade Catalog, 1988
Located in New York, NY
Atelier International catalog in original printed plastic ring binder, with tabbed sections for Seating, Armchairs, Tables, Storage, and Office Furniture. The roster of designers fea...
Category

1980s Italian Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Plastic, Paper

Vintage Tin Wind-up Toy "Clown in A Barrel" by J Chein & Co. American Circa 1935
Located in Incline Village, NV
Made by J. Chein & Company Circa 1935 in New York City; originally inventoried as #258 (same number as similar looking Popeye toy dated 1932) and was named "Mechanical Clown Barrel Walker". The name of the maker "Chein" is stamped as a logo to the rear of the barrel (see image). This is one of the earlier toys that Chein made. The lithography and hand paint are in gorgeous original condition with bright colors of red and gold to the barrel, flesh tones to the clown, who sports a multi colorful smiling face. The toy works great; simply wind the attached key wind in the back 1/2 revolution; place on the hard surface----the clown waddles across the floor, back and forth, while shaking his head to and fro (see accompanying video with this listing to see it work) In addition to being quite a scarce toy it is even more difficult to find in this fine condition. Often times the head is lacking or replaced from rough usage and surface rarely maintains this beautiful finish. This particular example is completely original with no restorations, repairs, or touch up paint of any kind. There is a small 5/8" superficial indentation to the front top of barrel (see image). This would make a proud addition to any collection of vintage toys or Americana. Dimensions: 7 1/2" high x 3 1/4" wide x 4" deep See my other listings of over 100+ vintage toys and antique children's toy savings banks from which to chose. Provenance: From a recently acquired West Coast collection of fine quality tin toys. Note: After 40 plus years of dealing and collecting toys, I am justly qualified to guarantee and present the authenticity of antique and vintage toys and children's playthings; important considering the fakes and reproductions in the marketplace. My toys operate properly and are as stated and accurately described. it would behoove an enterprising collector, dealer, or decorator to take advantage of the opportunity to buy as many of the vintage...
Category

1930s Folk Art Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Tin

Important French & Continental Furniture Collection Formed by Roberto Polo
Located in valatie, NY
Sotheby's: Important French and Continental Furniture and Decorations From a Collection Formed by Roberto Polo, NY 1989. He was once described by Vanity Fair as “a Gatsby for the Rea...
Category

1980s Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Greece and Rome Metropolitan Museum Of Art, 1st Ed
Located in valatie, NY
The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Vol. 2, Greece and Rome. Published by The Metropolitan Museum of Art, NY, 1987. With introduction by Joan R. Mertens. The art created in Greece during...
Category

1980s American Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Raiders of the Lost Ark
Located in London, GB
Original US film poster for Steven Spielberg's 1981 Blockbuster adventure film starring Harrison Ford. The artwork is by Richard Amsel (1947-1985). This poster is in near mint condit...
Category

1980s American Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Cotton Nautical Signal Flag for Letter A
Located in Norwell, MA
Framed cotton signal flag for letter A. Nicely framed. Cotton flag with canvas hoist, wood toggle and Manila rope. Nicely framed
Category

1980s North American Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Cotton

Alpine Ski Photograph, 'Haircut Sir', Taken from 1930s Original
Located in Oxfordshire, GB
Vintage, antique Alpine Ski photograph. 'HAIRCUT SIR', a new mounted black and white photographic image after an original 1930s skiing photograph. Prior to being a recreational activity skiing was purely a means of travelling from A to B through the snow, it only started to become the sport it is today in the mid-1800s. The price displayed is for the mounted photo only. Image size 40cm x 25.5cm = 15 ½" x 10". The alpine photograph...
Category

1930s English Sporting Art Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Bolognese Painters of the 1500s, Art & Works of the Bolognese, 2 Vol set 1st Ed
Located in valatie, NY
Bolognese Painters of the 1500s, Art and Works of the Bolognese School by Vera Fortunati Pietrantonio. Published by Grafis, Italy, 1986. Pair of 1st Ed hardcovers with dust jackets and slip-case. A monumental work of artists between 1401-1500. Some of the artists: Francesco Francia (1447-1517) and Lorenzo Costa (1460-1535). From 1501-1600 the artists Amico Aspertini (1474-1552), Girolamo da Treviso (1497-1544), Pier Maria Pennacchi (1464 - before 1515), Girolamo da Carpi, Denijs Calvaert, Pietro Faccini (1552-1614), Prospero Fontana (1512-1597), Lavinia Fontana...
Category

1980s Italian Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Autobiography of Surrealism First Edition Review Copy
Located in valatie, NY
The Autobiography of Surrealism, Marcel Jean, editor. The Viking Press, 1980. First edition pre-publication review copy hardcover with dust jacket. Illustrated with 90 black and whit...
Category

1980s American Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

20th Century Large English Made Wooden Pond Yacht c.1930
Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Superb 20th Century pond yacht known as "Sea Mist". This J Class beauty showcases a meticulously crafted planked wood hull, adorned with gaff rigging supporting four sails, alongside...
Category

1930s British Other Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Fabric, Wood

Exstremely Rare Collection Alcoa Aluminum String Instruments, Bass, Cello, Violin
Located in Buffalo, NY
This set took me over 20 years to procure.....Dont miss this opportunity!!!!Being offered extremely rare collection of aluminum string instruments,,string bass, ,cello,,and violin....... circa 1930s, all 3 instruments originaly wood grain painted, have been stripped and polished.. re-strung and set up, new bridge and custom (alcoa) tail piece, original ebony fret board, All play and Sound amazing. If purchasing to play, wonderful decorative sculpture, Pfretzschner aluminum bass In 1928, The Aluminum Company of America manufactured 50 aluminum double basses...
Category

1930s American Art Deco Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Aluminum, Brass

Orologi Da Polso Book, 771 Illustrations, 401 Pages, 1988
By Priula & Verlucca, H. Kahlert, R. Muhe, G.L. Brunner
Located in Sacile, PN
Orologi Da Polso book Priula e Verlucchi edition 1988 771 illustrations, 401 pages.
Category

1980s Italian Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Art Deco Silver Heart Brooch by Hans Hansen, Denmark, 1930s
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Brooch composed of ten connected hearts designed by Hans Hansen of Denmark (1884-1940), circa 1930s; measuring approximate 1.5” in diameter; marked: 830 S. Rare, highly collectible, ...
Category

1930s Danish Art Deco Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Silver

Rare Pair of Pearl & Oakley Acoustics Ceramic Chinese Urn Stereo Speakers
By Altec Lansing Corporation
Located in St. Louis, MO
Very Unique 1980s Asian Modern Pearl & Oakley Acoustics custom home audio speakers in the form of Chinese lidded urns or ceramic vases with crackle glaze...
Category

1980s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Ceramic, Wood

Radio Guzzini Gildo Giancarlo Rova 1980's
Located in Taranto, IT
We present a radio from the 1980s, Guzzini Brothers designed by Giancarlo Rova , funzionante. Height including antenna 30 cm Width 14 cm DEPTH 10 cm
Category

1980s Italian Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Plastic

Kids Tricycle Bike Model "Sky King", 1930s
Located in Eindhoven, NL
Vintage tricycle in good condition model sky-king airflow.
Category

1930s American Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal

Floor Standing Telescope by Piet G. Meesters
Located in Vlimmeren, BE
This beautiful floor standing telescope, 60mm f/15 NEDOPTIFA, dates from the 1930s and was made by Piet G. Meesters. One of the most famous Dutch amateur astronomers of the last cent...
Category

1930s Dutch Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Brass, Iron

1980s Large Industrial Cast Aluminium and Glass Explosion Proof Pendant
Located in Leicester, Leicestershire
A large cast aluminium explosion proof pendant built to with stand the most adverse conditions at sea. These lamps were reclaimed from a super tanker that would have transported h...
Category

1980s Japanese Industrial Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Aluminum

Jesus Statue at Sacré-cœur Basilica Souvenir Building Paperweight Desktop Statue
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A decorative Sacré-Coeur souvenir building sculpture. Some wear with a nice patina, but this is old-age. Made of metal and a marble base. This item was bought as a souvenir in Paris,...
Category

1930s French Art Deco Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Marble, Metal

1930s Old Drago Vintage Wolf of Mother Rome Heavy Metal Ashtray Bronze/Brass
Located in Hyattsville, MD
Uncommon ashtray from Rome, early 20th century. Appears to be patinated Bronze or Brass, footed, sharp casting, heavy. No makers markings. Dia 4.75 x H .75 in Wt. 10.25 oz / 291 gr
Category

1930s Italian Greco Roman Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal, Brass, Bronze

Set of Two Antique Spanish Wooden Stamps, circa 1930
Located in Barcelona, ES
Set of two antique wooden stamps, made in Spain by unknown manufacturer, circa 1930. In original condition, with minor wear consistent with age...
Category

1930s Spanish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal

Paintings in the Louvre Coffee Table Book
Located in Bradenton, FL
Paintings in the Louvre by Lawrence Gowing, with an introduction by Michel Laclotte. Published in 1987 by Stewart, Tabori & Chang of New York. Printed in Japan, over 800 color illust...
Category

1980s Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

An Art Deco ashtray - France - 1930s
Located in SOTTEVILLE-LÈS-ROUEN, FR
A French Art Deco ashtray in the style of Céramique d'Art de Bordeaux (CAB) or Primavera. This exceptional piece features vibrant blue-green enamel adorned with fine golden details, ...
Category

1930s French Art Deco Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Ceramic

Disco Ball Mirror Mosaic With Rotor, diameter 15 cm, never used
Located in Palermo, IT
Disco ball mirror mosaic with rotor, diameter 15 cm, never used This object is part of a series found in a warehouse of a shop specializing in the sale of disco products. Excellent c...
Category

1980s Italian Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Mirror

Disco Ball Mirror Mosaic With Rotor, diameter 20 cm, never used
Located in Palermo, IT
Disco ball mirror mosaic with rotor, diameter 20 cm, never used This object is part of a series found in a warehouse of a shop specializing in the sale of disco products. Excellent c...
Category

1980s Italian Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Mirror

Cobra Attack Helicopter Lighter, 1980s Japan
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This specific attack helicopter was developed by the US Army during the Vietnam War. The words "Huey Cobra" are engraved across the left side of the plane. Three silver rotor blade...
Category

1980s Japanese Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal

Taxidermy Impala Shoulder Mount
Located in Oxfordshire, GB
Big Game Taxidermy, Impala Shoulder Mount. This prepared game trophy shoulder mount is of an Impala, it may not be antique but it is an impressive piec...
Category

1980s English Sporting Art Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Animal Skin

Mir Space Station USSR CCCP Original Scale Model; Soviet Scene
Located in Mortsel, BE
Presenting an extraordinary piece of aerospace history - the original Mir prototype scale model from Russia. This remarkable artifact has been in our possession for the past 30 years, cherished as a prized collectible. Acquired from the individual who first imported it from Russia, it stands as a testament to the ingenuity and engineering prowess of space exploration. This scale model is truly one-of-a-kind, bearing witness to the pioneering spirit that led to the construction of the iconic Mir space...
Category

1980s Russian Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal

Art Deco Ashtray Stand, Chrome and Bakelite by Demeyere, Belgium, 1930s
Located in Bingen am Rhein, RP
Art Deco ashtray stand This beautiful and rare Art Deco Ashtray Stand from the 30s/40s is in the streamline modern art deco style. The designer of this extraordinary object has succ...
Category

1930s Belgian Art Deco Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal, Chrome, Iron

Industrial Vintage Metal Aircraft Jet Plane Model Desk Item Statue, circa 1980s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
An Industrial plane model made in the 1980s. This unique object is made of metal and has a chrome finish. A nice Industrial sculpture for displaying them on a cupboard, credenza or d...
Category

1980s Italian Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal

Early 20th Century Smiths Astral 'Great Britain' Shipboard Clock, circa 1930s
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Early 20th century Smiths Astral [Great Britain] shipboard brass clock, circa 1930. A brass case with inset beveled glass panel that reveals a silvertone...
Category

1930s English Industrial Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Brass

Vintage XXIV Olympic Games 1988 Seoul Korea Snapback Cap Hat with 24 Pins
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Original vintage South Korean Cap Hat for the 24th Summer Olympic Games (Games of the XXIV Olympiad) in 1988 held in South Korea, with 24 Pins of different countries and sports. Some...
Category

1980s Russian Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal

1980s Vintage GUCCI Gold Plated Necklace Perfume Bottle Stick Pendant NOS in Box
Located in St. Louis, MO
From the exuberant 1980s, this new old stock, in the original box vintage Gucci gold plated perfume bottle necklace / pendant is ready to be worn for the first time. Perfume tube has...
Category

1980s Italian Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal, Gold Plate

Alpine Ski Photograph, 'Happy Skiers' Taken from 1930s Original
Located in Oxfordshire, GB
Vintage, Alpine ski photograph. 'Happy Skiers', a new mounted black and white photographic image after an original 1930s skiing photograph. Black and white alpine photos are the perfect addition to any home or ski lodge. Prior to being a recreational activity skiing was purely a means of travelling from A to B through the snow, it only started to become the sport it is today in the mid-1800s. The price displayed is for the mounted photo only. Image size 25.5cm x 40cm = 10 x 15 ½" ". The alpine photograph...
Category

1930s English Sporting Art Vintage 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.

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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.

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