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Collectibles and Curiosities For Sale
Period: Early 20th Century
Period: 1910s
Antique Fine Handcarved Oak Gothic Revival Wall Shrine / Chapel for Statuette
Located in Lisse, NL
Rare and good condition, Gothic-art shrine for standing or wall-hanging.
This handsome and decorative, Gothic wall shrine is completely hand-crafted out of solid oak and it will look awesome, no matter where you decide to mount or place her. It must have taken its creator quite a few days to first draw this intricate design on paper and then hand carve the entire piece out of solid oak. The Gothic Style elements are deeply handcarved in both doors and they make this shrine highly decorative and an absolute joy to own and look at. This cabinet chapel (or chapel cabinet) comes with its brass lock in perfect working order and also with its original gothic style key. The handgrip is in fact a Gothic trefoil symbol (for the trinity). What also makes this piece extra attractive is the Gothic church window-like frame behind the doors. It is among the finest we have seen to date and on top of that this antique also has a beautiful and rich patina. By the way, the bronze Mary statuette is not included in our price. Finally, thanks to the hook in the back, mounting this antique chapel...
Category
Early 20th Century French Gothic Revival Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Brass
Antique Hand Carved Gothic Revival Wall Bracket or Shelf for a Saint Statue
Located in Lisse, NL
Good size and great looking Gothic Revival bracket for displaying a statuette.
This Gothic console for wall mounting dates from the early 1900s and it has the most timeless design a...
Category
Early 1900s European Gothic Revival Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal
Antique 1915 Mahogany Chicago Cable Company Carolina Inner Player Upright Piano
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique Victorian player piano by The Cable Company of Chicago which features a Carolina Inner-player. Circa 1915.
Includes: I Love Paris and Oh Lady Be Good by Max Kortlander, Hey There and Mack the Knife by J Lawrence Cook, Cherry Pink & Apple Blossom White by Sid Laney, If You Knew Susie Fox Trot, Bye Bye Blackbird Fox Trot, Loving You Has Made Me Bananas by Dick Watson, and two unmarked.
The Cable Piano Company, Chicago established 1880 by Herman D. Cable born in New York in 1849. The Cable Piano Company was originally with the Wolfinger Organ Co., which later changed to the Western Cottage Organ Co., and then to Chicago Cottage Organ Co. In 1890 H. D. Cable consolidated with Conover Bros. and his two brothers, Fayette S. and Hobart M. Cable. Cable and Conover acquired the Schiller Piano Co. of Oregon, Ill. By 1920 The Cable Piano Co. had two factories. One factory located in Chicago at 22nd Street, Paulina and Dale Place. The second factory at St. Charles, Ill. In the 1920s George J. Dowling was president and The Cable Co. was manufacturing Conover, Cable, Kingsbury; and Wellington, and Schiller pianos. Player piano names Conover Carola Inner-Player, Conover Solo Carola Inner-Player, Carola Inner-Player, Solo Carola Inner-Player, Euphona Inner- Player, and Solo Euphona Inner-Player. “Tonarch” and “Crownstay”, trademarks of the Cable Co., Chicago. “Tonarch” a patented sounding-board-and- frame construction used in uprights and “Crownstay” designed to maintain the curvature of soundboards in grands. Other owners of the Cable Company include Aeolian with the factory at 2718 Pershing Ave., Memphis, TN., Jackson & Wabash, Chicago, Ill., and Winter & Co.
The Cable Piano Company claimed to be "the world's greatest manufacturer of pianos, inner player pianos, and organs." Cable built a factory in 1901 in St. Charles on 3.5 acres west of the Fox River. Cable Piano Company became known not only for its products, but also for its working conditions. During the factory's heyday in the early 1900s, there were as many as 500 employees, many of whom were women. Employees could enjoy the company sponsored brass band and male chorus, or play on the company baseball team. With its own electric plant and fire protection...
Category
1910s Edwardian Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Mahogany
Rhodes, James Ford, History of the United States, 7 Vols, in a Fine Binding
Located in Hillsborough, NJ
AUTHOR: RHODES, James Ford.
TITLE: History Of The United States From The Compromise of 1850 To The Final Restoration Of Home Rule At The South In 1877.
PUBLISHER: NY: The Macm...
Category
1910s American Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Leather
Large Antique Catholic Crucifix Pendant Brass Ormolu & Nickel, Antique Austria
Located in Nuernberg, DE
This antique Cross Pendant is hand made of metal. It looks very beautiful and will be a nice item on your wall or just do place it in your collection of relics and christianity items...
Category
Early 20th Century Austrian Art Nouveau Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal
Antique & Rare Pair of Church Brackets for Saint Statues with Angel Sculptures
Located in Lisse, NL
All handcrafted and matching pair of colorful & meaningful church wall brackets / shelfs.
If you are a private collector of ecclesiastical art or if you are looking for the perfect ...
Category
Early 20th Century European Gothic Revival Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Wrought Iron
1920s Whiting Sculptoscope Coin Op Stereo Card Viewer
Located in Peekskill, NY
Original whiting sculpt scope coin-operated stereo card viewer from the 1920s. Deposit a penny, pull trigger and look through the viewer to flip through st...
Category
Early 20th Century Industrial Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Steel
Antique Toy Wind-Up Double Decker Bus by Ferdinand Strauss Toy Co. Circa 1925
By STRAUSS
Located in Incline Village, NV
Antique Wind-Up Double Decker open air bus by the Ferdinand Strauss Toy Company, New York; circa 1925; is quite a large and substantial toy resembling very closely, buses of that era...
Category
1920s American Folk Art Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Tin
Set of 4 Blue Leather Bound Books. The Works of J.M Barrie, C.1924
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Nice set of The Works of J.M Barrie
Published C.1924
Blue leather with gilt tooling
Gilt facsimile monogram of Barrie on the fronts of 3 of the volumes
Good condition/ minor chip...
Category
1920s English Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Leather, Paper
Antique German Hartleben's Volks Atlas Book World Maps
Located in Seguin, TX
Antique circa 1900 A. Hartleben's Volks-Atlas. Published by A. Hartleben's, Germany. Folio hardcover with decorated olive cloth binding and brown leather spine. Gilt title to spine...
Category
Early 20th Century German Aesthetic Movement Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
1911 Photographic History of the Civil War Books - Set of 10
Located in Seguin, TX
The Photographic History of the Civil War by Francis Trevelyan Miller. Published by The Review of Reviews, 1911, New York. Bright blue cloth binding with blind stamp flags, gilt ti...
Category
1910s American Arts and Crafts Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Rare Pug Bulldog Dog Celluloid Figurine vintage, Austria 1920s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A rare pug or bulldog Figurine bought in Austria. It is made of Celluloid and very delicate, this would be a great addition for your Toy or Bulldog collection. It is in nice conditio...
Category
1920s German Folk Art Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Wire
Black Forest Sika Deer Trophy on Wooden Plaque - Germany ca. 1900s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Black Forest Sika Deer Trophy on Wooden Plaque - Germany ca. 1900s
Item e6944
An antique uneven 8 pointer sika deer (Cervus nippon) trophy from the Black Forest. The trophy was shot ...
Category
Early 20th Century German Black Forest Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Antler, Wood
Antique Wild Boar Teeth Trophy on Wooden Plaque, Black Forest ca. 1900s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Wild Boar Teeth Trophy on Wooden Plaque, Black Forest ca. 1900s
Item e6927
A large antique Black Forest wild boar (Sus scrofa) trophy on a handcarved wooden plaque. The teeth...
Category
Early 20th Century German Black Forest Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal
Abnorm Siberian Deer Trophy Mount on Wooden Plaque ca. 1900s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Abnorm Siberian Deer Trophy Mount on Wooden Plaque ca. 1900s
Item e6941
A large abnorm Siberian deer (Capreolus pygargus) trophy on a wooden turned plaque with black finish. The trop...
Category
Early 20th Century German Black Forest Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Antler, Wood
Large Siberian Deer Trophy Mount on Wooden Plaque ca. 1900s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Large Siberian Deer Trophy Mount on Wooden Plaque ca. 1900s
Item e6940
A large antique Siberian deer (Capreolus pygargus) trophy on a wooden turned plaque with black finish. The trop...
Category
Early 20th Century German Black Forest Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Antler, Wood
White Tailed Deer Trophy Mount on Wooden Plaque ca. 1900s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
White Tailed Deer Trophy Mount on Wooden Plaque ca. 1900s
Item e6943
A lovely antique white tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) trophy on a wooden plaque with dark finish. The troph...
Category
Early 20th Century German Black Forest Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Wood, Antler
20th Century Carriage Silver Plated Table Lighter & Cigarette Holder c.1900
Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Antique early 20th Century Victorian novelty silver plated table lighter. Made in the shape of a horses carriage, this table lighter features an area in the saloon to place your ciga...
Category
Early 1900s British Other Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Silver Plate
1904 Model T Autocar Photograph Echlin NAPA
Located in Savannah, GA
A photograph of Charles C. Echlin of Oakland, California in a 1904 autocar type X. The father of Earl Echlin noted auto parts supplier for NAPA.
sight: 9 ¼ by 7 ½ inches
frame: 1...
Category
Early 1900s American Other Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Glass, Wood, Paper
Collection of Antique French Doll Furniture or Salesmen's Samples Early 1900's
Located in Chicago, IL
Collection of (7) mostly French Doll House Furniture or possibly Salesman's Samples or simply Child's Toys? One of the pieces was made from an Ameri...
Category
1920s Country Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Mirror, Wood
Solid Brass Ship Captains Telescope
Located in Norwell, MA
Ships spyglass telescope appropriate for use on yacht, ship, or anywhere with a view. This one has its barrel covered in brown leather. This marine relic has been meticulously polish...
Category
1920s European Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Brass
Solid Brass Ship Rifle Telescope
Located in Norwell, MA
Brass telescope appropriate for use on land or sea. This has been meticulously polished and lacquered. We just restored a great collection of these. This fine instruement has a four ...
Category
1920s European Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Brass
Early 20th century half-hull of an English schooner in oak wood
Located in Milan, IT
Early 20th century half hull of an English schooner in oak wood.
Good condition measures 42.5 x7.5x9.5 cm - inches 16.8x3x3.8.
The half-hull, used to design boats, was the tool f...
Category
Early 1900s Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Wood
1940s half hull of a British schooner oak wood.
Located in Milan, IT
1940s half hull of a British schooner oak wood.
Good condition. board measures 58 x 10 x 17 cm -22.8x3.95x6.7 inches.
The half-hull, used to design boats, was the tool for shipwri...
Category
Early 1900s Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Wood
Antique & Very Fine Quality Hand Carved Wall Crucifix ' Hic Est Rex Iudaeorum '
Located in Lisse, NL
Hic est rex Iudaeorum" ("Here is the king of the Jews"), corresponding to Luke 23:38.
This antique crucifix is in excellent condition and it comes with a very fine quality carved co...
Category
Early 20th Century French Art Nouveau Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal
Solid Brass Ship Captains Telescope
Located in Norwell, MA
Ships spyglass telescope appropriate for use on a yacht, ship, or anywhere with a view. This has been meticulously polished and lacquered. We just restored a great collection of thes...
Category
1910s European Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Brass
Solid Brass Captains Telescope
Located in Norwell, MA
Ships spyglass telescope appropriate for use on a yacht, ship, or anywhere with a view. This has been meticulously polished and lacquered. We just restored a great collection of thes...
Category
1910s European Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Brass
Solid Brass Ship Captains Telescope
Located in Norwell, MA
Ships spyglass telescope appropriate for use on a yacht, ship, or anywhere with a view. This has been meticulously polished and lacquered. We just restored a great collection of thes...
Category
1920s European Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Brass
Solid Brass Ship Captains Telescope
Located in Norwell, MA
Ships spyglass telescope appropriate for use on a yacht, ship, or anywhere with a view. This has been meticulously polished and lacquered. We just restored a great collection of thes...
Category
1920s European Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Brass
Tibetan Gau Traveling Shrine with Silk Case, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
Tibetan traveling shrines, known as Gau, were believed to offer protective powers and were used to hold and carry sacred objects during long journeys. Crafted over a century ago, Bud...
Category
Early 20th Century Tibetan Tibetan Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Brass, Copper
Antique 5 Draw Telescope, English, Terrestrial, Broadhurst Clarkson, Edwardian
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique 5-draw telescope. An English, brass terrestrial or astrological refractor by Broadhurst, Clarkson & Co, dating to the Edwardian period, circa 1910.
Perfect for bi...
Category
Early 20th Century British Edwardian Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Brass
Spaniard Talavera Majolica Decorative Plate Of Don Quixote
Located in Guaynabo, PR
This is a very large decorating Majolica Plate depicting Don Quixote de La Mancha. These famous character is universally known by the Spanish novel book of Miguel de Cervantes (One o...
Category
Early 20th Century Spanish Baroque Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Clay, Majolica
BOSWELL, James. Boswell's Life of Johnson. (1924 - INDIA PAPER EDITION)
Located in Hillsborough, NJ
AUTHOR: BOSWELL, James
TITLE: Boswell's Life of Johnson.
PUBLISHER: Oxford University Press, 1924.
DESCRIPTION: INDIA PAPER EDITION. 2 volumes bound in 1, 7-3/8" x 5-1/4", frontis...
Category
1920s British Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Leather
MILNE, A. A.. Winnie The Pooh. (1926 - FIRST EDITION - FIRST PRINTING)
Located in Hillsborough, NJ
AUTHOR: MILNE, A. A.
TITLE: Winnie The Pooh.
PUBLISHER: London: Methuen & Co. Ltd., 1926.
DESCRIPTION: FIRST EDITION FIRST PRINTING. 1 volume, illustrated by E. H. Shephard. Bound...
Category
1920s British Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Fabric
BEVERIDGE, Albert J.. Abraham Lincoln 1809-1858. 2 VOLUMES - FIRST EDITION !
Located in Hillsborough, NJ
AUTHOR: BEVERIDGE, Albert J.
TITLE: Abraham Lincoln 1809-1858.
PUBLISHER: Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company, 1928.
DESCRIPTION: FIRST EDITION. 2 vols., 9-5/8" x 6-13/16", frontis ...
Category
1920s American Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Leather
One Bronze Medallion circa 1916 - The Heroes of Verdun Signed and Bronze Plaque
Located in San Francisco, CA
One Bronze Medallion circa 1916 - The Heroes of Verdun Signed by sculptor Charles Pillet
2.75" x 2.75 x .63
2nd piece,
Bronze Plaque 1912
"Die Kunst O Mensh"
Commemorating inaugu...
Category
1910s Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Bronze
Betel Motor Car Art Deco Brass Box, Collectible Toy, Children's Paint Set, 1930s
Located in Roma, IT
Patent 75086 - This is a large tobacco box with many purposes, (Child's Paint Set). Car in multicolored golden tin in classic brass. Almost new with all the original parts. Wonderful...
Category
Early 20th Century American Art Deco Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal, Brass
Large Antique Black Forest Brienz Hand Carved Wood Bear Humidor Sculpture
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This large antique humidor is unsigned, but presumed to have originated from Austria and date to approximately 1900 and done in the period Black Forest style. This well executed scul...
Category
Early 20th Century Austrian Black Forest Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Softwood
Double Sided Standing Dutch Chalk Board
Located in Stamford, CT
A very large 1900-1910 century chalk board from the Netherlands. The solid wood stand is substantial and easy to move on its antique casters. Great in a kid's room, a restaurant, or ...
Category
Early 20th Century Dutch Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Wood
Antique Edwardian Brass Snuff Box
Located in San Diego, CA
Antique stylish brass snuff box. This piece is engraved with the following:
Albert Edward Day
10 Portland Street
Worcester
1913
a unique piece that brings elements of the past into ...
Category
Early 1900s American Edwardian Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Brass
British Victorian Silver Buckle Bracelet Fully Hallmarked Birmingham
Located in San Francisco, CA
British Victorian Silver Buckle Bracelet Fully Hallmarked Birmingham
1" x 2.5" x 2.5"
Category
Early 20th Century Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Silver
Antique Religious Bronze Wall Plaque of Holy Mary and Child after Donatello
Located in Lisse, NL
Symbolic and meaningful work of religious art.
Since the original by Donatello is in a museum somewhere, this beautiful bronze wall plaque 'after Donatello' is the best specimen you will be able to find anywhere. The original 'Mary and Child...
Category
Early 20th Century French Renaissance Revival Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Bronze
Antique English Asprey Co. Sterling Silver and Antler Gimbal Lighter, Circa 1920
Located in New Orleans, LA
Antique English Sterling Silver and Antler Gimbal Lighter Signed Asprey Co., Circa 1920's.
Category
Early 20th Century English Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Sterling Silver
Antique hand made wooden scale model of an 18th century farm cart circa 1920
Located in Central England, GB
This very fine meticulously constructed wooden scale model copies the design of a late 18th or early 19th century full sized working example.
It dates to circa 1920.
This cart is we...
Category
Early 20th Century English Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Wood
19th Century Brass Pendant on Yellow Multi-Strand Beaded Necklace, Naga, India
Located in Point Richmond, CA
19th century brass pendant on yellow multi-strand beaded necklace, Naga, India
A graceful necklace of small yellow glass trade beads bead...
Category
Early 20th Century Indian Tribal Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Brass
Antique English Folding Brass Compass c.1910
Located in Bath, GB
A brass folding pocket compass which is made also to be added to a chain or ribbon to be worn around the neck.
The lens has a good magnification and in lovey condition.
Dating to c...
Category
1910s British Edwardian Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Brass
Vintage Book, Once A Week, AA Milne, English, Morocco Bound, Short Stories, 1926
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a vintage copy of Once a Week by A.A. Milne. An English, Morocco bound book of short stories, dating to the early 20th century.
Once a Week is a collection of short stories ...
Category
Early 20th Century British Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Antique Russian Beaded Icon After the Iverskaya
Located in London, GB
Antique Russian beaded icon after the Iverskaya
Russian, Early 20th Century
Icon: Height 34cm, width 27cm, depth 2cm
Frame: Height 48.5cm, width 42cm, depth 5.5cm
This unusual beade...
Category
Early 20th Century Russian Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Multi-gemstone
WW1 British Officers Military Pocket Compass by F.Darton & Co - 1917
Located in Bath, GB
A good nickel plated WW1 British Officers Military Pocket Compass signed on the front cover F.Darton & Co, London, VI, No. 2461 together with the date 1917 and the war office "crow'...
Category
1910s British Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Nickel
Set of Chinese Wooden Printing Blocks, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
Chinese innovations in ink, block printing, and movable type fueled global advancements in printing technology, expanding the range of influence of the written word. These printing i...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Wood
12K Gold Thimble in Leather Case, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
Engraved with simple and elegant scrollwork around its skirt, this European 12K gold thimble dates to the early 20th century. Cast in the late Victorian period, the thimble is engrav...
Category
Early 20th Century European Victorian Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Gold
Circa 1900 French Opera Glasses by Colmont F.T Paris
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Circa 1900 opera glasses by Colmont F.T, Paris, France. Mother of pearl with gilt brass star & bead bandings. The mounts are unusually fine & rarely found.
3 7/8" w., 1.5" d., 2 3/8"...
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Brass
Antique Art Book Golden Book of Famous Women, English, Eleanor F Brickdale, 1919
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique art book 'Eleanor Fortescue Brickdale's Golden Book of Famous Women.' An English language literary compendium, dating to the ear...
Category
Early 20th Century British Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Large Antique Catholic Reliquary Box Crucifix Pendant with Six Relics of Saints
Located in Nuernberg, DE
This antique reliquary contains 6 relics of Saints with gilded paper rolls and red velvet. It is hand made of metal.
This is a 3rd class relic. For a better understanding, Relics are...
Category
1920s Austrian Art Nouveau Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal
Rare Antique Bronze Holy Heart Sculpture / Bust of Our Lord Jesus Christ 1920
Located in Lisse, NL
Rare and large antique bronze sculpture of our Lord Jesus.
This gorgeous and sizeable bronze sculpture is another one of our recent great finds. We have never seen a bronze holy hea...
Category
Early 20th Century European Arts and Crafts Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Bronze
Antique French Woven Colored Wicker Suitcase, basket
Located in Antwerp, BE
Antique French woven colored wicker - reed - cane little suitcase or basket.
A Belle Epoque - Antique piece made of cane, finished with leather edges, leather with metal handle and a...
Category
Early 20th Century French Belle Époque Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal
Wiener Werkstaette Arts And Crafts, Beaded Bag, by Maria Likarz-Strauss, c 1919
By Wiener Werkstätte, Maria Likarz
Located in Vienna, AT
Exceptional, rare pouch bag with abstract bead embroidery in bright orange, beige, dark brown and white, crocheted at the upper edge, cords as drawstrings with olive-shaped wooden be...
Category
1910s Austrian Art Deco Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Animal Skin, Goatskin, Silk, Beads
Vintage Tom Sturgis Pretzels Large Tin Metal Red Advertising Can
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Tom Sturgis Pretzels Large Tin Metal Red Advertising Can. Circa Early to Mid 20th Century. Measurements: 12.5" H x 12.5" Diameter.
Category
Early 20th Century Country Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal
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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