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Collectibles and Curiosities For Sale
Style: Louis XVI
Style: Folk Art
"Lady and Baby by The Wishing Well" Still Bank, German, circa 1910
Located in Incline Village, NV
Very interesting wooden still bank with lots going on. All hand-carved of wood with four small circular risers elevating the base. There is a water pump with a bucket hanging from it and a metal pumper attached to the top. A hand-carved and painted brown pine tree is attached at the opposite corner with a large water well to the other corner. A lady with outstretched arms and a "King Cole" type headdress seems to be reaching out to her baby dressed in green who is lying down on top of the well, next to the coin slot. Perhaps she is about to bathe her. A bird looks on from atop the perch protruding from the pump. Dominant hand painted colors are different shades of brown and all original with no repaint. Very nice all original paint and condition with a small chip missing here and there to this handmade, kind of "folksy", and very well done bank (see images). A round circular key lock trap for releasing the coins is on the underneath, along with "Wishing Well German" handwritten on the opposite corner (see image). Whether written by an earlier collector or maker is not known. Dimensions: 4" square x 3 5/8" high. A unique one of a kind piece to add to a collection of still banks and a nice addition to a Folk Art collection (from my own collection). I am a leading specialist in the field of antique coin...
Category

1910s German Folk Art Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Wood

Abstract Cubist Iron American Church Crucifix
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Vintage iron abstract cubist crucifix from American Church. Found in the midwest. Great detail. Quite heavy.
Category

Mid-20th Century American Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Iron

American Mechanical Bank "Melody-Bank, " circa 1946
Located in Incline Village, NV
"Melody-Bank" is a rare bank and was manufactured by "Electric Coding Machine Co., N.Y.C." in 1946. American made, this is a genuine and authentic vintage mechanical bank, albeit somewhat later, having been manufactured in 1946. It maintains all of the elements of a collectible antique mechanical bank; pleasing shelf appeal and wonderful musical action. The metal faux textured, green painted casing on five sides is fronted by cardboard on wood, filled with delightful images of "children at play with money" lithography. To operate: Wind up the mechanism by turning the brass dial in front clockwise; then put a nickel, dime, or quarter in the appropriate slot at the top. Music will play as additional lithography depicting children's nursery rhymes rotate on the interior circular dial ("Little Boy Blue", "Mary Had A Little Lamb", etc.). Coins are removed by unscrewing the metal plate at the rear bottom. Bank is in excellent all original condition with fully operable musical mechanism. Dimensions: 7" high x 4 9/16" wide x 3" deep. I am a leading specialist in the field of antique mechanical coin banks...
Category

1940s American Folk Art Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal

19th Century African Bronze Sculpture From Vienna Tobacco Museum
Located in Copenhagen, K
Rare bronze sculpture of native African smoking a large pipe Provenance: Vienna Tobbacco Museum. This scultpure is pictured in the Kinsky Vienna auction catalog as # 467 or 468.
Category

19th Century Belizean Folk Art Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Bronze

Staffordshire Pearlware Long Case Clock
Located in Chelmsford, Essex
Staffordshire Pottery pearlware model which features a long case clock, stood on a marbleised base. Decorated 'in the round' - decoration to front and ...
Category

1820s English Folk Art Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Pottery

18th Century French Giltwood Barometer
Located in Sheffield, MA
18th century French neoclassical barometer from the Louis XVI period. Now strictly a stunning decorative object with great style. It is no long...
Category

18th Century and Earlier French Louis XVI Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Glass, Giltwood

Vintage Persian Bakhtiari Rug
Located in New York, NY
A vintage Persian Bakhtiari pictorial rug from the mid-20th century. Measures: 3' 10" x 6' 8"
Category

Mid-20th Century Persian Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Wool

French 18th Century Gold Leaf Barometer
Located in New Orleans, LA
Made of hand-carved wood in 18th century France, this barometer is elegantly covered in a variety of carved designs, all coated in gold leaf. A handled Grecian vase sits atop the ste...
Category

Late 18th Century French Louis XVI Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Gold Leaf

Indian Goddess Figurine Statue
Located in Dallas, TX
Beautifully authentic hand carved statue of an Indian deity goddess. Distressed paint finish.
Category

18th Century and Earlier Indian Folk Art Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paint

Collection of Three Black Vintage Leather Medicine Balls
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Great vintage collection of three black leather medicine balls. Excellent warm vintage patina. Traces of white painted team letters and numbers.
Category

Early 20th Century American Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Leather

One of a Kind Italian Pair Deco Modern Art Lamps with Cast Brass Carnival Masks
Located in New York, NY
1980s vintage Italian pair of very rare lamps, entirely handmade in cast polished brass, uniquely decorated with carnival masks in different sizes, each different from the other, rai...
Category

1980s Italian Folk Art Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Brass, Metal

Set of Three Mesquite Wood Crosses Found in Zacatecas, circa 1900
Located in Guadalajra, Jal
Set of three mesquite wood crosses with colorful indigenous fabrics, quite rare, circa 1900.
Category

Mid-19th Century Mexican Folk Art Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Wood

18th Century French Louis XVI Giltwood Barometer
Located in Houston, TX
Lovely period French Louis XVI giltwood barometer with beautiful patina. This antique French Louis XVI gilt wood barometer will add a touc...
Category

Late 18th Century French Louis XVI Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Giltwood

Five Mechanical Bank Trade Cards in Frame, circa 1880s
By J. & E. Steven's Company
Located in Incline Village, NV
Five mechanical bank trade cards are displayed in two separate frames. In one frame are three polychrome trade cards, which the salesmen typically carrie...
Category

19th Century American Folk Art Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Antique French Neoclassical style Ormolu Clock and Barometer Set by Mottheau
Located in London, GB
Manufactured in the Louis XVI style, both clock and barometer are encased within an ormolu case and flanked on either side by trumpet wielding cherubs, each surmounted with a patinated bronze sphere that is topped with a crown, the bases terminating in a pine cone finial. The barometer face signed 'E. Mottheau Paris', the clock movement signed 'LEMERLE CHARPENTIER' and 'LESIEUR'. This beautiful antique French clock and barometer...
Category

Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Bronze, Enamel

19th Century Painted Dress Model or Doll
Located in Troy, NY
Beautiful example of a dress model with a sweet, expressive face. The slightly distressed paint adds to its charm. Our pieces are left in lived-in condition, pending our custom cons...
Category

19th Century Scandinavian Folk Art Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Wood

Louis XVI Period Gilt-wood Barometer with Globe, c. 1790
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Louis XVI period Gilt-wood Barometer, with an interesting crest design of a Globe & rolled-up map, capped by a laurel wreath. The barometer & thermometer combination contained by a...
Category

1790s French Louis XVI Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Glass, Giltwood

18th Century Flemish Wood Carved Nativity Angels
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Superb pair of nativity angels. Wood carved with layers of original paint and gesso. Found in a church attic in Belgium. Fantastic craftsmanship and emo...
Category

18th Century Belgian Folk Art Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Gesso, Wood

19th Century French Wig Stand by Louis Danjard
Located in New York, NY
This Surreal-looking object was made as a wig stand in mid-19th century France by Louis Danjard. It was probably in the legendary Folk Art collection of the important American sculpt...
Category

19th Century French Folk Art Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Iron

19th Century Miniature Chest of Drawers in Original Paint
Located in Los Angeles, CA
19th century miniature chest of drawers in original paint.
Category

19th Century American Folk Art Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Wood

Louis XVI Period Barometer
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Very charming carved and gilded acanthus leaf framed Louis XVI period wall barometer with glass covered central dial and glass thermostat beneath; bot...
Category

Early 18th Century French Louis XVI Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Louis XVI Style Giltwood Thermometer/ Barometer
Located in Montreal, QC
The Louis XVI style giltwood case with ribboned crest flanked by trailing garlands above the wood cased painted wheel barometer
Category

19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Giltwood, Glass

A Wooden Doll for a Religious Procession
Located in Washington, DC
A Wooden Doll for a Religious Procession.
Category

19th Century Italian Folk Art Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Wood

19th Century Swedish Folk Art Mortar or Grinder
Located in Mjöhult, SE
Charming 19th century folk art boat-shaped mortar or grinder, perfect for the coffee today ;) ca 1830 Sweden.
Category

19th Century European Folk Art Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Wood

Brando's Smile His Life Thought and Work Hardcover Book by Susan L. Mizruchi
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Brando's Smile His Life Thought and Work Hardcover Book by Susan L. Mizruchi.A groundbreaking work that reveals how Marlon Brando shaped his legacy in art and life.When people think ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

A Large Edwardian Rocking Horse A handsome galloper
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
A Large Edwardian Rocking Horse A handsome galloper, he has the classic open mouthed expression, glass eyes and an arched neck, his bridle is a bit moth eaten Our fine animal has a ...
Category

Early 1900s Folk Art Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Pine

Lacquered iron rocket, France early 20th century
Located in Firenze, IT
Lacquered iron rocket France early 20th century Probably part of an old amusement park attraction. wooden stand included 37 cm Conditions: good overall conditions, a bit of rus...
Category

1930s French Folk Art Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Iron

Jim Rose Legacy Collection - One Door Shaker Inspired Steel Cupboard-Miniature
Located in Chicago, IL
This exquisite miniature chest of drawers is inspired by Shaker furniture. Made from welded steel with a natural rust patina and vintage nail heads for the pull, this tall cabinet is fully functioning with a hinged door and latch. Inside are three shelves. Despite it's small size, it makes quite an impression! Jim Rose Legacy...
Category

Early 2000s American Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Steel

Large Vintage Boat Model
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Impressive handmade boat or cruiser model, expertly crafted in mahogany with brass hardware and attention to detail, retaining her original motor and named Mayflower. Presented on a ...
Category

20th Century American Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Mahogany

Midcentury Masai Shield, Kenya/Tanzania
Located in Schagen, NL
Masai Shield hand painted with pigments on (Cow)hide. This stunning elliptical graphic shield was probably owned by a warrior herder as younger warriors w...
Category

Mid-20th Century Kenyan Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Wood, Hide

Beautiful Carved Giltwood Louis XVI Style Lyre Barometer
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Beautiful carved giltwood Louis XVI style Lyre Barometer, with center dial with French inscriptions, the lower part fitted with glass thermometer.
Category

Early 20th Century European Louis XVI Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Glass, Giltwood

Large Folky Handmade Caboose-Form Toy Box
Located in New York, NY
Charming handmade toy storage box. The roof opens to revel space for toy, or whatever you'd like to store. Minor wood elements missing ( one step platform ).
Category

1950s American Folk Art Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Plywood

Pair of 18th Century Italian Altar Ornaments in Gold Silver Mecca Giltwood
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful pair of carved Italian church altar palm holders in mecca silver leaf from the last quarter of the 18th century and in the Luise XVI manner. Each palm holders measures 13.38 inches high 12 inches wide and 6 inches deep. They are gilded with the antique technique of "Mecca". A 17th century gilding technique of coloring the actual silver leaf with a gold varnish (Mecca) that makes it appear as gold leaf. As they were used in a church altar, the backs were never seen. Therefore, they are only gilded on the front. The use of these objects took place in the ecclesiastical sphere. These were sacred objects placed on the altars. Due to their beautiful craftsmanship and beauty, these palm holders are collected and used as decorative objects. Since ancient times the palm tree was a symbol of victory. With the spread of Christianity, the Church adopted the victory symbol of the palm frond as an attribution of the martyrs and the triumph of Jesus Christ over death. Additionally, the olive tree also appears in early Christian art...
Category

Mid-18th Century Italian Louis XVI Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Wood

Pair of 18th Century Italian Church Altar Giltwood Palm Frond Holders
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful pair of Italian parcel-gilt palm frond holders form the last quarter of the 18th century and in the Louise XVI manner. Each palm holders measures: 14.17 inches high, 14.56 inches wide and 7.87 inches deep. As they were used in a church altar, the backs were never seen. Therefore, they are only gilded on the front. The use of these objects took place in the ecclesiastical sphere. These were sacred objects placed on the altars. Due to their beautiful craftsmanship and beauty, these palm holders are collected and used as decorative objects. Since ancient times the palm tree was a symbol of victory. With the spread of Christianity, the Church adopted the victory symbol of the palm frond as an attribution of the martyrs and the triumph of Jesus Christ over death. Additionally, the olive tree also appears in early Christian art...
Category

Late 18th Century Italian Louis XVI Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Wood, Giltwood

Collection of Three Norwegian Folk Art Boxes
Located in Greenwich, CT
Pleasing assortment of three Norwegian folk decorated pantry boxes in original paint, two in salmon orange with stylized foliate designs, the third in deep...
Category

19th Century Norwegian Folk Art Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Wood

Large Danish 19th Century Drum
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Large original painted 19th Century drum with one original stick.
Category

19th Century Danish Folk Art Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Wood

Crusty Ramshackle Sanatorium/Institutional Model
Located in Seattle, WA
freaky, spooky yet whimsical carved and painted model of a late 19th century/turn of the century institutional building, possibly a sanitorium. Painted windows and carved chimneys w...
Category

19th Century American Folk Art Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Wood

Antique and Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities for Sale

Antique and vintage collectibles and curiosities can bring whimsy and wonder to any interior. 

Decorating with old scientific instruments, historical memorabilia and vintage musical instruments, as well as other authentic collectibles and curiosities that can be found on 1stDibs, presents an opportunity to create a unique, natural history museum-like atmosphere in your home that can provoke conversation as often as it pays tribute to how far we’ve come in understanding our world. 

And bringing collectibles and curiosities into your space is actually on trend — Wunderkammern, or curiosity cabinets, were all the rage in Europe during the 1500s and continued to have adherents there and in the U.S. in the following centuries. Today, however, they’re experiencing a real surge in popularity and influencing how many interior designers are furnishing and decorating homes — combining contemporary with antique, scientific with tribal, earthly with extraterrestrial, Les Lalanne tables with Flemish tapestries.

The original Wunderkammern were entire rooms filled with objects demonstrating their owners’ worldly knowledge: A proper one included artificiala or preciosa (objets d’art); naturalia (such as skeletons, shells, minerals); exotica (taxidermy or dried plants); and scientifica (scientific instruments), frequently alongside religious relics and ancient artifacts.

Pay tribute to a history of rich and diverse musical traditions that have taken shape all over the world by decorating your home with a collection of antique and vintage musical instruments — with a little help from strong hanging wire or some wall hooks, vintage brass instruments such as a gong, French horn or trumpet can help elevate a home office or complement the efforts you’ve made to ensure a welcoming vibe in your home’s entryway. Bells or antique wind instruments can add provocative metallic contrasts to dark woods as tabletop decorative objects.  

Create an intriguing focal point with Georgian scientific instruments, such as stick barometers with mahogany cases or lacquered brass telescopes. These items stem from an era named for the monarchies of the four King Georges, who ruled England in succession starting in 1714 (plus King William’s reign, which lasted until 1837). Just as there was beautiful jewelry produced during the period that today is coveted by collectors, there is much to be found in the collectibles and curiosities realm too.

Wanderlust, nostalgia and a shared love of good design are contributing factors to certain trends in decorating — just as vintage trunks and luggage have reappeared as furniture or home accents in a bedroom or foyer, decorating with globes, maps or nautical objects is similarly rooted in the allure of travel and a penchant for the stylish finishing touch that collectibles bring to our homes.

Find a wide range of antique and vintage collectibles and curiosities on 1stDibs.

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