Collectibles and Curiosities
to
179
406
387
864
27
4
2,014
912
861
809
573
471
342
277
244
207
146
125
99
63
59
49
42
37
2
40
822
31
332
353
88
7
18
136
187
43
10
8
14
14
5
551
229
119
99
91
578
220
204
189
98
895
895
895
30
22
14
10
7
Collectibles and Curiosities For Sale
Style: Art Deco
Style: Black Forest
The Sleeping Beauty, by C. S. Evans, Signed by Arthur Rackham, Limited Edition
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
Evans, C.S. (editor). Rackham, Arthur (illustrator). The Sleeping Beauty. London and Philadelphia: William Heinemann & J.B. Lippincott Co., 1920. F...
Category
1920s English Art Deco Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
$3,800 Sale Price
20% Off
Art Deco Sterling Silver Three-Piece Christening Set
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An exceptional, fine and impressive antique George VI English sterling silver christening set in the Art Deco style, boxed; an addition to our collection of silver christening gifts.
This exceptional antique George VI sterling silver christening set consists of a napkin ring, an egg cup and a spoon.
The surfaces of the napkin ring and egg cup are plain and embellished with applied crown motifs incorporating the date ‘1937’ and initials ‘GVI’*.
The plain rounded egg cup is ornamented with an elongated indented border to the pedestal and is supported by a stepped octagonal foot, all in the Art Deco style.
The napkin ring has a plain quadrilateral shaped form with a convex curved anterior surface, bearing the aforementioned motif.
The spoon is embellished with the engraved initials ‘GVI’ amidst collared bands to the stem and features an impressive crown shaped terminal.
The reverse surface of the spoon is plain and features a tapering heel to the bowl.
The pieces of this antique Art Deco style christening set are fitted to the original hinged leatherette box with satin and velvet lined interior, secured with a push fit catch.
The anterior maroon leatherette surface of the box cover is embellished with a central cream panel encompassed with a gold scrolling border and accented with the royal cypher depicting ‘GVIR, 1937’ below the royal coronet.
The interior of the cover bears the retailer’s mark ‘By appointment to H.M The King, The Goldsmiths & Silversmiths Company Ltd, 112 Regent Street, London, W.1’.
This impressive christening set was crafted by the renowned and highly collectable silversmith Robert Edgar Stone; the posterior surface of the napkin ring bears R. E. Stone’s signature in addition to the full hallmarks.
Each component of this set will have been crafted in the same year but due to the hallmarking system the egg cup and napkin ring are struck with the date letter ‘b’ and the spoon bears ‘a’.
This set was crafted to commemorate the coronation of George VI (1895-1952), which took place at Westminster Abbey in London on 12th May 1937
Condition
This antique christening...
Category
1930s English Art Deco Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Silver, Sterling Silver
Vintage Handcrafted Murano Red Glass Ornament Necklace
Located in Miami, FL
Vintage handcrafted necklace adorned with red Venetian glass beads and ornaments.
Category
Late 20th Century Italian Art Deco Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Murano Glass, Art Glass
Original poster Loterie Nationale 9E Tranche 1940 by Artist Derouet Lesacq
Located in Praha, CZ
- 1940, France
- framed
- original, no reprint
- Artist:Derouet Lesacq
- Lithograph printed in colour
jr
Category
1940s Art Deco Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper, Glass
Handmade Solid Brass Bracelet
Located in Miami, FL
Art Deco Handmade brass bracelet with a black glass accent.
Interior, approximately 6.28 inches circumference.
In good vintage condition with some warm aged patina to the Brass.
Gre...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Art Deco Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Brass
Austrian Antler Brooch with English Gold Medal
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Handmade brooch in the form of an antler in silver gilded. In the middle a Victorian gold medal dated 1895. Austrian hallmark and silver hallmark.
Category
Mid-20th Century Austrian Black Forest Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Gold, Silver
Antique Art Deco Figural Marching Band Drum & Drumsticks Cigarette Table Lighter
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This antique table lighter is unsigned, but presumed to have originated from France and date to approximately 1920 and done in the period Art Deco style. The lighter is done in a realistic manner and resembles a marching band drum with two drum sticks...
Category
Early 20th Century French Art Deco Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal, Brass
"Angelic Archers, " Poetry Booklet with Nude Male Cover Illustration by Scheibe
By Scheibe
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Rare and beautifully produced, this small booklet of poetry by Alfred Richard Meyer was published in 1921 with a stylized cover illustration by Richard Scheibe...
Category
1920s German Art Deco Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Antique Ernest Beck Patinated Bronze Sculpture of 'Nathan' on Black Marble Base
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This antique bronze sculpture was done by Ernest Beck of Austria in approximately 1920 in a classical Revival style. The sculpture is a study of 'Nathan' a...
Category
Early 20th Century Austrian Art Deco Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Bronze
Antique Cast Metal Charles Lindbergh "The Aviator" Commemorative Bookends
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This set of cast and patinated bookends are signed by an unknown maker, but presumed to be early examples made by COPR of the United States during the 1920's in the period Art Deco style. The bookends show a relief depicting Charles Lindbergh with an American Eagle on one bottom corner and the Spirit of St. Louis on the adjacent corner. The base has the title "The Aviator...
Category
Early 20th Century American Art Deco Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal
Aage Hjalmer Steenberg Sterling Silver Case, Denmark, 1934
By Aage Hjalmar Steenberg
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Sterling silver enamel guilloche compact by Danish designer Aage Hjalmer Steenberg.
Makers Mark reads, "1429 836 STERLING" with the hallmark "AHS".
...
Category
1930s Danish Art Deco Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Sterling Silver
$2,380 Sale Price
30% Off
Automobile Petrol Measure, R Walker & Co., Liverpool
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Automobile Petrol Measure, R Walker & Co., Liverpool
Brass Two Gallon Automobile Petrol Measure, R Walker & Co., Liverpool, this is a large and very heavy piece made in brass and l...
Category
1910s Art Deco Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Brass
Art Deco Era "Exhibit's Contact" Military Aircraft Pinball Machine Back Glass
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This vintage back glass was made by Exhibits of the United States and titled "Contacts" in 1939 in the period Art Deco style. This back glass depicts bi-planes flying around an aircr...
Category
Early 20th Century American Art Deco Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Glass
Murano, 1940, Italian
Located in Ciudad Autónoma Buenos Aires, C
Murano
We have specialized in the sale of Art Deco and Art Nouveau and Vintage styles since 1982. If you have any questions we are at your disposal.
Pushing the button that reads 'V...
Category
1940s Italian Art Deco Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Murano Glass
$1,550
Art Deco Advertising Promotional Poster, Theatre, 1930s / Austria / Wien
Located in Praha, CZ
- 1930s
- Wieland Theater, Olly Polly
- Hilde Haagen, Mizzi Freihardt,Menta Breuer, Ludwik Hussnik, Max Christian
Willy Mario Neumann,
- Karel Kostler
- Schillins Wien druck
jr
Category
1930s Austrian Art Deco Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Art Deco Nudy Lady Thermometer
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
Celluloid nude lady Art Deco thermometer.
Category
20th Century Art Deco Collectibles and Curiosities
Art Deco Sabino Pink Opaline Glass, France, 1930s
Located in Lisbon, PT
An exquisite French Art Deco pink opaline glass fish sculpture by Marius-Ernest Sabino, signed “Sabino”, dating from the 1930s.
This delicate miniature embodies the refined artistry...
Category
20th Century French Art Deco Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Glass
$1,017 Sale Price
20% Off
Murano 1940, Italian
Located in Ciudad Autónoma Buenos Aires, C
Murano
We have specialized in the sale of Art Deco and Art Nouveau and Vintage styles since 1982. If you have any questions we are at your disposal.
Pushing the button that reads 'Vi...
Category
1940s Italian Art Deco Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Murano Glass
$3,000
19th Century Carved Wood 3rd Station of the Cross, 'Jesus Falls’, Switzerland
Located in Buffalo, NY
19th century carved wood 3rd station of the cross, 'JESUS FALLS’ carved in Switzerland, recently acquired from Holy Angels Church located in Buffalo New Yo...
Category
1880s Swiss Black Forest Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Wood
French Art Deco Laquered Cigarette Case in Silver, circa 1930
Located in Beirut, LB
This silver hallmarked Art Deco cigarette case is in black enamel with red and green geometrical typical design from the Art Deco period.
Category
1930s French Art Deco Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Sterling Silver
Rustic Black Forest Carved Bear Humidor
Located in Queens, NY
Rustic Black Forest (19th Cent) carved walnut humidor in the shape of a bear figure standing near tree stump (with ashtray and covered container)
Category
19th Century European Black Forest Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Walnut
French Diamond Neglige Platinum and 18-Karat
Located in New York, NY
A stunning original Art Deco three-carat of cushion/european diamonds set in a neglige of two floral drops with smaller diamonds along the chain and bar set in platinum along a plati...
Category
1920s French Art Deco Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Platinum
Art Deco Period Sterling Silver-Mounted Threaded Crystal Match Striker
Located in New York, NY
Art Deco Period, sterling silver-mounted, threaded crystal match striker, year-hallmarked for 1931, John Grinsell and Sons - makers. Measures almost 2 1/2 inches diameter x almost 2 ...
Category
1930s English Art Deco Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Crystal, Sterling Silver
Four Antique American Car or Automobile Association & Membership Grill Badges
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This grouping of four metal automobile grill badges are all unmarked with respect to their respective maker, but presumed to have been made in the United S...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Art Deco Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal
Victorian Cameo Brooch Bar Pin
Located in Seattle, WA
Possibly Coral on brass, materials unconfirmed. Bar Pin Art Deco with small (unknown) green jewels. Vintage condition as pictured. Listing is for described ...
Category
1970s Art Deco Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Brass
Murano 1940, Attributed to Flavio Poli, Italian
By Flavio Poli
Located in Ciudad Autónoma Buenos Aires, C
Murano
We have specialized in the sale of Art Deco and Art Nouveau and Vintage styles since 1982. If you have any questions we are at your disposal.
Pushing the button that reads 'V...
Category
1940s Italian Art Deco Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Murano Glass
Racing Car Sterling Cigarette Case, Mercedes Benz, Automobilia, circa 1918
Located in Buenos Aires, Olivos
A magnificent and extremely rare sterling silver engraved cigarette case depicting a stylized Racing car. The car has the emblem of Mercedes Benz.
Marked UK Birmingham Sterling silver, Henry Clifford Davis 1918.
A beautiful and exceptionally rare racing car case...
Category
Early 20th Century English Art Deco Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Sterling Silver
ANTIQUE CIRCA 1920 ART DECO CASION CHIP POKER SET WiTH BAKELITE HANDLE CASE
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques
Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this very nice circa 1920 Art Deco casino chip / poker set in the original wood case with Bakelite handle
A...
Category
1920s English Art Deco Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Plastic, Wood
Art Deco Austrian Pair of Cufflinks in Mother-of-Pearl
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Charming pair of mother-of-pearl cufflinks in 800 silver. The cufflinks have a left and right hand portrait of a Lady in dark brown mother-of-pearl in Art Deco design. Handmade in Au...
Category
1920s Austrian Art Deco Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Silver
Vintage Natural Columbian Emerald and Diamond 18k White Gold Earrings
Located in Lambertville, NJ
Stunning estate Columbian emerald and 18k white gold earrings.
Category
1930s American Art Deco Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Multi-gemstone, Gold
Georg Jensen #64 Sterling Silver Bar Cufflinks Design by Henry Pilstrup
By Georg Jensen
Located in Toledo, OH
Georg Jensen sterling silver # 64 bar cuff links designed by Henry Pilstrup, circa 1937. Very good condition. Dimension: .88" W x .19" depth with a weight of 14.3 grams.
Category
1930s European Art Deco Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Silver
19th Century French Forest Carved Oak Barometer and Thermometer with Dog Motif
Located in Dallas, TX
This elegant antique wall hanging barometer and thermometer was crafted in France, circa 1890. The carved oak weather and temperature reader features impressive, high-relief carvings of acorn and leaf motifs throughout; it is further embellished with a dog head sculpture at the pediment. The thermometer with Celsius and Fahrenheit reading, and the weather forecast seem to be in working order. The Black Forest weather...
Category
Late 19th Century French Black Forest Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Oak
Art Deco Inspired Boat in Wood and steel Designer: Marcelo Peña, 2024
Located in Ciudad Autónoma Buenos Aires, C
Incredible boat: in solid wood.
We have specialized in the sale of Art Deco and Art Nouveau and Vintage styles since 1982. If you have any questions we are at your disposal.
Pushin...
Category
2010s Chilean Art Deco Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Steel
Ashtrays in Crystal, 1930 France
Located in Ciudad Autónoma Buenos Aires, C
Ashtrays in Crystal
We have specialized in the sale of Art Deco and Art Nouveau and Vintage styles since 1982. If you have any questions we are at your disposal.
Pushing the button...
Category
1930s French Art Deco Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Crystal
Diamond Modernist Platinum Cuff Bracelet
Located in New York, NY
A strong but elegant modernist open fret bracelet with rows of brilliant cut and baguette diamonds 12-carats of fine quality diamonds set in platinum.
When worn it is a fantastic an...
Category
1930s American Art Deco Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Platinum
Early 20th Century Chrome on Brass Car Mascot Entitled "Bagpipes"
Located in London, GB
A striking chrome on brass Car Mascot, in the form of a Scotsman dressed in a kilt playing the bagpipes. Exhibiting a well polished surface and fine hand fin...
Category
1930s Art Deco Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Brass, Chrome
19th Century Black Forest Wall Shrine with St. Anthony of Padua & Jesus
Located in Dallas, TX
19th Century Black Forest Wall Shrine with Porcelain St. Anthony of Padua & Jesus will make a splendid devotional for any room, and features sculpted wood combining the Renaissance and Classical styles in a lovely oval form upon which has been placed burgundy velvet, making the painted porcelain figurine of St. Anthony cradling the infant Jesus...
Category
1880s German Black Forest Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Porcelain, Velvet, Oak
Table Tennis Shield Trophy, Art Deco Trophy, Chelmsford
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Traditional Shield Trophy, Art Deco Table Tennis Trophy, Chelmsford
The is a traditional Oak and silver plated shield trophy very much in the Art Deco...
Category
1930s Art Deco Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Oak
Art Deco Inspired Airplane in Wood Designer: Marcelo Peña, 2014
Located in Ciudad Autónoma Buenos Aires, C
Incredible car: in solid wood. leather interiors
We have specialized in the sale of Art Deco and Art Nouveau and Vintage styles since 1982. If you have any questions we are at your disposal.
Pushing the button that reads 'View All From Seller'. And you can see more objects to the style for sale.
Marcelo Peña
Marcelo Peña / Artiste: Chileno Born in Chile, resides in Argentina Designer, creative and multifaceted. Inspired by the great masters of the Bauhaus and Art Deco movement. The " dreams of this artist" materialize in sculptures, masks, car design , lamp, furniture and an innumerable amount of objects that intervene from the world of the artist s imagination, printing his work an aesthetic and functional sense. Diferent materials play in their designs, wood, aluminum, bronze or copper and white metals. National design award 1998 Chile. Exhibition in Art Deco Weekend Miami Beach 2014. Works presented by exhibitors at the Antiques show...
Category
2010s Chilean Art Deco Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Steel
Murano, 1930, Italian, Attributed to Paolo Venini Technique Pelegoso
By Paolo Venini
Located in Ciudad Autónoma Buenos Aires, C
Murano
We have specialized in the sale of Art Deco and Art Nouveau and Vintage styles since 1982. If you have any questions we are at your disposal.
Pushing the button that reads 'View All From Seller'. And you can see more objects to the style for sale.
Venini ( Technique Pelegoso )
Pelegoso technique A type of glass characterized by countless irregular air bubbles (pulighe) within the vitreous wall, which deliberately obscure its transparency. It is obtained by pouring substances such as petrol into the pot, which produce a boiling over of the glass in fusion.
Attributed to Venini
Early life and education
Venini was born in the town of Cusano near Milan, Italy. After serving in the Royal Italian Army in World War I, he trained as a lawyer and began his practice in Milan. He soon developed an acquaintance with Giacomo Cappellin, a native of Venice who owned a Milan antiques...
Category
1930s Italian Art Deco Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Murano Glass
Boat 1930, France
Located in Ciudad Autónoma Buenos Aires, C
Exhibited at Original antique show ( Miami beach ) and Palm beach "American International Fine Art Fair (AIFAF)".
Materials: (parchment leather ) and wood
Style: Art Deco
Country: Fr...
Category
1930s French Art Deco Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Bronze, Chrome
$6,000
Murano , 1920, Italian.
Located in Ciudad Autónoma Buenos Aires, C
Murano
We have specialized in the sale of Art Deco and Art Nouveau and Vintage styles since 1982. If you have any questions we are at your disposal.
Pushing the button that reads 'V...
Category
1920s Italian Art Deco Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Murano Glass
$1,660
France Art Deco Horse, 1940
Located in Ciudad Autónoma Buenos Aires, C
It was exhibited in the original Miami beach antique show and Palm beach "American International Fine Art Fair (AIFAF)".
Horse in wood and chrome.
We ha...
Category
1940s French Art Deco Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Chrome
$22,000
Murano , 1920, Italian.
Located in Ciudad Autónoma Buenos Aires, C
Murano
We have specialized in the sale of Art Deco and Art Nouveau and Vintage styles since 1982. If you have any questions we are at your disposal.
Pushing the button that reads 'Vi...
Category
1920s Italian Art Deco Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Murano Glass
$2,350
Shagreen Bag
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Shagreen bag original from the 1930s in good original condition .
Handle is 50cm long , bag with handle is 50cm high
Category
20th Century French Art Deco Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Shagreen, Suede
$1,800 Sale Price
25% Off
PAiR OF ORIGINAL 1936 16MM CINEMA MOVIE SOUND REELS FOR "WHEN KNIGHTS WERE BOLD"
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques
Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this super rare pair of original 16mm Sound Reels playing the 1936 movie “When Knights Were Bold” reel 1 and 2
A super collectable pair for any cinema buff, the cases occasionally come up for sale but never with the actual movie reels inside
The condition is period perfect as you can see, I’ll include the details of the movie belwo
Dimensions
Height:- 35cm
Width:- 35cm
Depth:- 2.5cm
Please note all measurements are taken at the widest point, if you would like any additional or specific measurements please ask
When Knights Were Bold is a 1936 British musical comedy film directed by Jack Raymond and starring Jack Buchanan, Fay Wray and Garry Marsh.[1] Songs include "Let's Put the People To Work" sung by Jack Buchanan, "Onward We Go" sung by Buchanan & soldiers' chorus, and "I'm Still Dreaming" sung by Buchanan.
Plot
Sir Guy de Vere...
Category
1930s English Art Deco Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal
Ring : Black Pearl on White Brushed Gold with Sapphires
Located in Alessandria, Piemonte
Unusual vintage ring in white brushed gold with Black Pearl from Tahiti diameter. 7 mm., with ten Sapphires and ten little Pearls.
Category
1960s Italian Art Deco Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Gold
Big Art Deco Original Advertising Promotional Poster Heater/Fire, 1930s
Located in Praha, CZ
- 1930s
- suitable for framing
- original, no reprint
- good original condition with some damages, not seen when framed
- jr.
Category
1930s Art Deco Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Murano 1950 Technique: Bubbles controlled
Located in Ciudad Autónoma Buenos Aires, C
Murano
We have specialized in the sale of Art Deco and Art Nouveau and Vintage styles since 1982. If you have any questions we are at your disposal.
Pushing the button that reads '...
Category
1950s Italian Art Deco Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Murano Glass
Midcentury 18-Karat Yellow Gold Set with Diamonds and Biwa Pearls
Located in Beirut, LB
This Art Deco style jewelry set is hundred percent handmade composed of a necklace, earrings and a ring, made of 18 karat hammered gold with white Japanese Biwa pearls, set with bril...
Category
1980s Lebanese Art Deco Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Gold
$10,393 Sale Price / set
20% Off
Intèrieurs Bruxellois Modernisme & Art Dèco
Located in Montelabbate, PU
During the interwar period, housing in Brussels experienced considerable expansion. Two major currents coexisted at this time: one resolutely modernist and avant-garde, in the moveme...
Category
Mid-20th Century Art Deco Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Cartier Red Lacquer 18ct Gold Plated Trinity Cigarette Lighter Box & Guarantee
By Cartier
Located in Reading, Berkshire
Elegant Must De Cartier Red Lacquer 3 Banded 18ct Gold Plated Trinity Cigarette Lighter With Box & Guarantee
Lighter has been serviced
Marked Cartier Paris To Lighter Base
Comple...
Category
Late 20th Century French Art Deco Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal, Enamel, Gold Plate
Rare Cartier 18ct Gold Plate Cigarette Lighter With Cartier Box & Guarantee
By Cartier
Located in Reading, Berkshire
18ct Gold Plated Cartier Godron Cigarette Lighter In Original Cartier Box 1980's
Lighter has been serviced
Marked Cartier Paris To Lighter Base
Complete With Original Box, Instru...
Category
Late 20th Century French Art Deco Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal, Enamel
Set of Six Large Brass Candleholders and a Crucifix, France, Early 20th Century
Located in Isle Sur La Sorgue, Vaucluse
Set of six large brass and tôle peinte candlesticks from a church, plus a crucifix.
Dimensions provided below are for the candlesticks.
Category
Early 20th Century French Art Deco Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal
Grouping of 1940s Toy Robot Molds
Located in Pawtucket, RI
Graphic collection of assorted steel spacemen and robot molds from the 1940s.
Category
1930s American Art Deco Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Steel
$3,500 / set
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.