Collectibles and Curiosities
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Collectibles and Curiosities For Sale
Period: Mid-20th Century
Period: 1920s
Plaster Praying Virgin Traditional Figure, circa 1950
Located in Barcelona, ES
Traditional religious plaster figure of a praying woman. Made in traditional Catalan atelier in Olot, Spain, circa 1950. In original condition, with minor wear consistent with ...
Category
1950s Spanish Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Plaster
Vintage Doctor’s Beam Scale – 1930-1940
Located in LA FERTÉ-SOUS-JOUARRE, FR
Exceptional Medical Balance Scale – A Collector’s Piece
A stunning vintage doctor’s beam scale, originally used in medical offices and pharmacies during the 1930s-1940s. This precis...
Category
1920s French Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Iron
Chinoiserie Grand Piano From Rogers and Sons London
Located in Berlin, DE
Chinoiserie Grand Piano by Rogers and Sons London
The grand piano was manufactured according to the device number 1930.
The grand piano was sold in 1932 by Harrods London to a lady ...
Category
1930s Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Wood
Antique English Brass Cased Folding Magnifying Glass c.1920
Located in Bath, GB
A lovely shaped little folding / pocket magnifying glass which folds into a shaped brass case, marked "Made In England".
Dating to c.1920, remaining in excellent condition measuring...
Category
1920s British Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Brass
Jaguar XK 120 Roadster 1950, Rare Collection Car, A+ Condition incl. Expert Op.
By Jaguar Cars Ltd.
Located in Lichtenberg, AT
We offer you the chance of buying this breathtaking, rare Jaguar XK 120 which had its first road legal in february 1950. There has been built only a very little number of these cars,...
Category
Mid-20th Century British Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal
Triumph Typewriter, Germany, 1930
Located in Palermo, IT
Triumph typewriter, Germany, 1930
Found in a notary's office, signs of aging.
Category
1930s German Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal
Large brass nautical compass signed OBSERVATOR Rotterdam of the 1930s
Located in Milan, IT
Large brass liquid compass signed OBSERVATOR Rotterdam from the 1930s. Eight-twenty rose complete with goniometric circle.
Compass diameter cm 21.5 - 8.5 in, height cm 10.5 - 4.1 in...
Category
1930s Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Brass
1960's Gucci Horsebit Silver Bracelet by Antonio Fallici
By Gucci
Located in Van Nuys, CA
An early 1960's Gucci silver bracelet featuring the classic Horsebit design, a metal piece traditionally used in horse bridles consisting of two rings connected by a bar, famously used on Gucci loafers.
Antonio Fallaci...
Category
1960s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Silver
Lot of 61 Britains Toy Soldiers Deetail Scots Guards Highlanders Band Mounties
Located in Dayton, OH
Lot of 61 circa 1960s - 1970s Deetail plastic toy soldiers by Britain Ltd. Lot includes Royal Canadian Mounties (two on horseback), Scots Guards, Scottish Highlanders including pipes and drums (one on horseback), and seven guardhouses.
"The "W. Britain" brand name of toy and collectable soldiers is derived from a company founded by William Britain Jr., a British toy manufacturer, who in 1893 invented the process of hollow casting in lead, and revolutionized the production of toy soldiers. In 1907 the family proprietorship, William Britain & Sons, incorporated as "Britains, Ltd". The Britain family controlled the firm until 1984 when it was sold to a British conglomerate, Dobson Park Industries. They combined the operations with an existing line of toys and renamed the company Britains Petite, Ltd. In the early 1950s Britains was associated with W. Horton Toys and Games which made the die-cast Lilliput ranges of small-scale, rather generic, cars and trucks and other vehicles. In 1959, Britains acquired Herald Miniatures which produced plastic figures designed by Roy Selwyn-Smith. In the 1950s, besides soldiers, a variety of vehicles began to appear, mostly in the military field. In 1966 safety regulations in the United Kingdom combined with rising costs halted the production of lead toy soldiers. Britains shifted most production of Herald plastic to Hong Kong from 1966. In 1971 Britains started Deetail plastic figures with metal bases that were initially manufactured in England but later outsourced to China. In 1973 Britains introduced New Metal models, which are die cast in a durable alloy. Initially these sets were aimed at the British souvenir market. In 1983 Britains responded to a growing collectors' market by introducing additional models and limited edition sets. In 1997, Britains Petite, Ltd was bought by Ertl Company of Iowa, a maker of die-cast toys. Ertl was subsequently bought by RC2 LLC, another American die-cast miniature and plastic kit maker. At this time, production of toy soldiers was moved to China. In 2011, Japanese-headquartered toy company Tomy acquired RC2 which included the Britains die-cast farm miniatures range. In 2005, the W. Britains brand was acquired by First Gear...
Category
Mid-20th Century Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Plastic
1930s Art Deco Zenith Radio Floor Model Console
By Zenith
Located in Chula Vista, CA
AMBIANIC presents
Art Deco Vintage Decorative Zenith Floor Model Radio Console
43 h x 24 W x 16.75
Preowned vintage condition
Tested not working. Missing...
Category
Mid-20th Century Art Deco Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Wood
Eiffel Tower, Sacré-Coeur, Arc de Triomphe Souvenir Building Architectural Model
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A decorative Eiffel Tower, Sacré-Coeur and Arc de Triomphe souvenir building sculpture. Some wear with a nice patina, but this is old-age. Made of metal and a marble base. This item ...
Category
1930s French Art Deco Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Marble, Metal
Early 20th century hand crafted pine architectural roof model
Located in London, GB
Early 20th century hand crafted pine architectural roof model
A highly decorative example of an early 20th century hand crafted English architectural roof top model. This perfect f...
Category
1920s British Victorian Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Pine
Vintage Mahjong Case, Chinese, Gaming Set, Locking Form, Mid Century, Circa 1950
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a vintage Mahjong case. A Chinese, mahogany and celluloid gaming set, dating to the mid 20th century, circa 1950.
Fascinating locking case, redol...
Category
1950s Chinese Mid-Century Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Mahogany
Mid-Century Giordani Pedal Car, 1960s
Located in Palermo, IT
Mid-Century Giordani pedal car, 1960s
It has always belonged to my family and was given to my father by his grandfather.
Good condition, small signs of aging.
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal
Baby Jesus Music Box and Movement 1960s
Located in Palermo, IT
Baby Jesus in wax, music box and movement, made in Italy, 1960s
He gently moves his head and opens and closes his eyes. Intact and functioning. Small signs of wear, as per descriptiv...
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Other
Old Rotary Telephone Red Copper Bakelite KTAS 1930s
Located in Poperinge, BE
Rare old rotary telephone made of black lacquered steel, copper-plated steel, brass and a bakelite receiver, probably by KTAS, model unknown but in the style of the D30, Denmark, ca ...
Category
1930s Danish Art Deco Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal, Brass, Copper
Wood and glass wall barometer station signed Lufft 1950s
Located in Milan, IT
Table or wall-mounted wood and glass barometer station signed Lufft from the 1950s, made for the Italian market and consisting of aneroid barometer, thermometer and hygrometer.
Buono...
Category
1950s Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Wood
Large-Scale Brass Biplane World War I Airplane Aviation Model
Located in Atlanta, GA
Take flight into history with this breathtaking WWI-era biplane model, expertly hand-crafted in France circa 1950. A true masterpiece of craftsmanship, this large-scale brass airplan...
Category
1950s French Art Nouveau Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Brass
SK4/1 record player by Dieter Rams and Hans Gugelot for Braun, 1950s Germany.
Located in Landgraaf, NL
SK4/1 record player by Dieter Rams and Hans Gugelot for Braun, 1950s Germany. In the mid-20th century, the world of domestic audio equipment witnessed a revolutionary transformation with the introduction of the Braun SK...
Category
1950s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal
Eiffel Tower, Sacré-Coeur, Arc de Triomphe Souvenir Building Architectural Model
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A decorative Eiffel Tower, Sacré-Coeur and Arc de Triomphe souvenir building sculpture. Some wear with a nice patina, but this is old-age. Made of metal and a marble base. This item ...
Category
1960s French Art Deco Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Marble, Metal
Jacques Adnet Chess Set
Located in Atlanta, GA
This stunning and rare original chess board and set of thirty-two game pieces were designed by French designer Jacques Adnet (1901-1984) in the 1950s. The bi-color leather board disp...
Category
1950s French Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Leather
Germany vintage Hausser Children's Tricycle 1950s / 60s - Old toy - Collectible
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Hausser Toy Company (also known from the Elastolin Figures) Germany blue red and beige children's tricycle, in iron, sheet metal and tubes -
This tricycle has small rotating pedals o...
Category
1950s German Folk Art Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal
Vintage Oak & Brass 8 Spoke Nautical Maritime Sail Boat Ships Wheel Helm 36"
Located in Dayton, OH
Vintage oak ship's wheel with eight turned spokes and brass center.
Dimensions:
36" x 2" x 36" (Width x Depth x Height)
Category
Mid-20th Century Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Brass
BR Western Highlands Original Vintage Travel Poster by Edward Halliday, 1950
Located in Devon, GB
Produced for British Railways to promote rail travel to the Scottish Highlands, this scarce British quad royal travel poster for the Western Highlands features a picturesque and peac...
Category
1950s British Mid-Century Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper, Linen
Rene Lalique Green Glass 'Muguet Haut' Bracelet
By René Lalique
Located in Chelmsford, Essex
Rene Lalique green glass with white enamel 'Muguet Haut' Bracelet. The bracelet consists of 15 rectangular, cylinder-half shaped tablets, stru...
Category
1920s Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Glass
Legendary cube radio by Dario & Mario Bellini for Siemens 1968 RK 501 Alpha 2
Located in München, DE
Iconic orange cube radio by Dario & Mario Bellini for Siemens 1968.
Model RK 501 ALPHA 2.
Design classic made in Germany.
Fully functional with electricity or with battery.
Very good...
Category
1960s German Space Age Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal, Chrome
Sputnik Space Age Table Weather Station, Relative Hygrometer, West Germany, 60s
Located in Antwerp, BE
Midcentury Modern Space Age Weather station made by Huger in the 60s, consisting of a thermometer, hygrometer and barometer made in West Germany the weather station is made of a chro...
Category
1960s German Space Age Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Steel, Chrome
Rosary Catholic Reliquary Box Crucifix Pendant with Relic of a Saint
Located in Nuernberg, DE
This vintage reliquary contains relics of a Saint. It is made of metal. It's 1 1/2" high (with hanger) in size, that making it easily worn. It is part of a Rosary. It was found at an...
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal
WWII Carl Zeiss Kriegsmarine binoculars
By Carl Zeiss
Located in Aspen, CO
This is an exceptional 20th century WWII German 12x60 Kriegsmarine binocular, presented on an adjustable wooden or chrome Tripod. The binoculars were manufactured by the company Carl...
Category
1940s Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Aluminum
Vintage French Casino Roulette Wheel Francaise Marque Deposee, 1950's
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
An 1950's French roulette wheel stamped Roulette Francaise, Marque Depose. This casino roulette wheel features the original metal numbers as well...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Chrome
Cartier Art Deco, 18K Powder, Lipstick 4.365 Oz. Auction Prices exceeded $35000
By Cartier
Located in Soquel, CA
Cartier 18 Karat Yellow Gold Powder - Lipstick 4.365 oz., Art Deco, Rare - Paris
Rare and Precious Object from Cartier Paris, 1920-1925, .750-18KT yellow gold, carved antique Jade, 30 Ceylon sapphires, enamel. Please note the recent auction records prices reflect sales of $28,000-$40,000 for one of these compacts. The Jadeite Jade plate comes from the apprêts. The term apprêts referred to a stock of fragments from disassembled jewelry and other objects, including ancient items...
Category
1920s French Art Deco Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Jade, Gold
Pair 1930s Vintage English Mark Cross Leather Footballs Futbols Soccer Balls 6"
By Mark Cross
Located in Dayton, OH
Pair of circa 1930s brown leather footballs / soccer balls manufactured by Mark Cross Company. Made in England.
Dimensions:
5.5" x 5.5" x 5.5" (Width x Depth x Height)
Category
1930s English Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Leather, Cotton
TOLKIEN. The Hobbit. 1937 - 1st ED 2nd IMPRESSION - THE FIRST WITH COLOR PLATES!
Located in Hillsborough, NJ
AUTHOR: TOLKIEN, J. R. R.
TITLE: The Hobbit or There and Back Again.
PUBLISHER: London: George Allen & Unwin Ltd, 1937.
DESCRIPTION: FIRST EDITION SECOND IMPRESSION AND THE FIRST...
Category
1930s British Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Leather
Mid-20th Century English Hand-Crafted Rooftop Frame Model
Located in London, GB
Mid-20th Century English Hand-Crafted Rooftop Frame Model
A true example of an Early-20th Century English hand-crafted rooftop frame model. A highly collectable and sculptural pie...
Category
1920s British Late Victorian Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Wood
TOLKIEN, J. R. R. - The Hobbit - 1937 - FIRST EDITION - FIRST PRINTING !
Located in Hillsborough, NJ
AUTHOR: TOLKIEN, J. R. R.
TITLE: The Hobbit or There and Back Again.
PUBLISHER: London: George Allen & Unwin Ltd, 1937.
DESCRIPTION: FIRST EDITION FIRST PRINTING. 1 vol., 7-11/16...
Category
1930s British Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Fabric
Mid-20th Century Italian Leather Playing Card Case
Located in Stamford, CT
Wonderful Italian handcrafted tooled leather playing card case with painted enamel-like decoration of cards on the sides and symbols for all the suites, clubs, diamonds, spades and hearts on the cushion top. Beautifully made and clearly loved, a charming gift for the poker player or gambler. Holds two decks.
Stamped on the bottom in gold letters, 'Genuine Leather, Made in Italy'. With a fleur di lis mark stamped...
Category
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Leather
1950s Olympic Tape Measure Peoples Republic of China
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Vintage Tricle Bakelite Olympic Tape Measure
made Peoples Republic of China
Cover made from dappled rich dark tricle bake-lite
includes gilt brass fittings and cloth tape.
5.25 dia...
Category
1950s Chinese Mid-Century Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Brass
Moroccan Stone Encrusted Silver and Bone Dagger
Located in Douglas Manor, NY
3-451 hand crafted Moroccan silver dagger with stone inlay and animal bone handle.
Category
1920s Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Agate, Silver
Moroccan Brass and Mother of Pearl Dagger
Located in Douglas Manor, NY
3-452 Moroccan brass and mother of pearl inlayed wood dagger.
Category
1940s Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Brass
English mahogany wood decorative airplane propeller from the 1940s.
Located in Milan, IT
English-made mahogany wood decorative airplane propeller from the 1940s. Very Good Condition. Length 200x18x10 cm - inches 78.7x7.1x3.85.
Curiosity
The first airplane proper saw the ...
Category
1940s Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Wood
Mid-Century Aries Green & Gold Leather and Velvet Traveling Backgammon Set
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a mid-century traveling professional backgammon set by the renowned manufacturer, Aries. Aries was highly regarded for its leather quality. Even companies like Hermes used Ar...
Category
Mid-20th Century Mexican American Classical Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Brass
Vintage Hardstone Chess Set
Located in Savannah, GA
A vintage hardstone and marble chess set, mid-20th century.
12 inches wide by 12 inches deep by 3 inches tall
Category
Mid-20th Century Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Marble
1930s Hallloween Papier Mache Black Cat Candy Box Rare American Mid-Century
Located in Hyattsville, MD
Early 20th century polychrome painted Papier-mache Halloween Candy Box, with painted Black Cat on lid.
Overall W 14.25 x D 8 x H 19 in
Box W 10.25 x D 7.5 x H 5.75 in
Category
1930s American Folk Art Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Vintage Suit of 16th Century Style Armour - Castell Gyrn 20th Century
Located in London, GB
This is a fabulous hand crafted complete suit of 16th Century style armour dating from the second half of the 20th century.
The fully articulated suit is mounted on a wooden stand complete with a two handed double edged sword.
This is an fabulous quality life size suit of armour...
Category
1960s English Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Steel
Vintage Wood Geloso Television GT1014, 1950s, Italy
Located in Rome, IT
This GTV1014 was one of the first 21-inch b / w televisions produced by Geloso.
It uses the intercarrier system as an audio-video medium frequency. The chassis is mounted inside th...
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Glass, Plastic, Wood
Bally Skyscraper Pinball Machine from the collection of Thierry Despont
By Bally
Located in New York, NY
This extraordinary depression-era pinball machine came from the personal collection of Thierry Despont (1948 - 2023), perhaps best known for his architectural practice—which played i...
Category
1930s Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal
Pocket Telescope for Ship Captains 20th Century Brass Vintage 1900's
Located in Taranto, IT
Very rare and wonderful all-brass pocket telescope, early 1900s.
Functioning item, very small internal chips on the lens but not affecting its view.
Item in very good conservative ...
Category
1930s Italian Art Deco Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Brass
Plaster Virgin Traditional Figure, circa 1950
Located in Barcelona, ES
Traditional religious plaster figure of a virgin. Made in traditional Catalan atelier in Olot, Spain, circa 1950. In original condition, with minor wear consistent with age and...
Category
1950s Spanish Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Plaster
Vintage Floor Ashtray Stand - Hollywood Regency Style - Bass and Onyx
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
A beautiful vintage floor ashtray, made of brass, with beautiful onyx elements.
The ashtray has a turning system, when you press the top button, the bowl in the middle turns around a...
Category
1960s Belgian Hollywood Regency Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Onyx, Metal, Brass
Carroll - Alice In Wonderland & Looking Glass. LIMTED EDITIONS CLUB BOTH SIGNED!
Located in Hillsborough, NJ
AUTHOR: DODGSON, Charles L. (Lewis Carroll).
TITLE: Alice's Adventures In Wonderland - Through The Looking-Glass.
PUBLISHER: NY: The Limited Editions Club, 1932, 1935.
DESCRIPTION...
Category
1930s American Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Leather
1960s Coca-Cola Trade Sign 'Drugs & Soda' From WPB, Florida Clematis Street
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
1960s Coca-Cola Trade Sign: 'Drugs & Soda'
Salvaged from a pharmacy on Clematis Street, West Palm Beach, Florida
A piece of Americana history: a 1960s Coca-Cola Trade Sign advertising "Drugs & Soda," salvaged from a pharmacy on Clematis Street in West Palm Beach, Florida. This sign stands as a rare survivor, retaining its original presence and bearing the iconic Coca-Cola logo that has resonated through generations.
Untouched and naturally preserved, this dual-sided sign is a testament to the golden era of soda fountain culture. Standing at an impressive 55.5 inches high, including the hanging brackets, it commands attention with its vibrant polychrome finish. The sign itself measures 45 inches high by 46 inches wide, with a depth of 8 inches.
This artifact not only embodies the fusion of pharmacy and soda fountain traditions but also serves as a nostalgic reminder of a bygone era. Its presence evokes memories of simpler times when soda shops...
Category
1960s American Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal
Vintage Scandinavian Table Oil Lamp in Brass & Diamond Glass, 1970s
Located in Esbjerg, DK
In the style of Hans Agne Jakobsson comes this stylish oil lamp fashioned from solid patinated brass and featuring and diamond-pattern pressed clear glass shade. It was made anonymou...
Category
1960s Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Brass
1950s Zenith Brown Bakelite Portable Radio Nonworking
By Zenith
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Vintage Zenith portable radio
9 h x 14.5 w x 8.75
Bakelite cover with rubber handle.
Original knobs. Minos scuffs present.
Tested and not working.
Review images listed.
Category
1950s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Bakelite
Rare 1939 Vintage Viking Oak Corner Console Radio by Romweber
Located in Lafayette, IN
Very rare corner radio with custom Viking Oak cabinet by the Romweber Furniture Company of Batesville, IN.
Radio features:
- Stromberg Carlson M...
Category
1930s Gothic Revival Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Oak
Set of 5 Handpainted Swedish Traditional Dala Horse Toys
By Nils Olsson
Located in Barcelona, ES
Set of 5 Handpainted Swedish Traditional Dala Horse Toys – Designed by Nils Olsson, Sweden, Circa 1960
Experience the timeless charm of Sweden with this set of five handpainted trad...
Category
1960s Swedish Folk Art Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Wood
Ulm Minster Church Souvenir Building Vintage, Germany, 1930s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A 1930s souvenir building architectural model. Some wear with a nice patina, but this is old-age. Made of metal. A beautiful nice desktop item or jus...
Category
1930s German Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal
Rare Set of Two Santa Claus Mercury Glass Christmas Ornament Vintage, 1930s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A rare Christmas ornament set of two. Each is made from mouth blown glass, this would be a great addition for your Christmas or feather tree. Size always given for the tallest item i...
Category
1930s German Folk Art Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Wire
Matisse Picasso & Gertrude Stein. 1ST ED, LIMITED ISSUE, PRESENTATION COPY 1933
Located in Hillsborough, NJ
AUTHOR: STEIN, Gertrude.
TITLE: Matisse Picasso And Gertrude Stein With Two Shorter Stories.
PUBLISHER: Paris: Maurice Darantiere for the Plain Edition, 1933.
DESCRIPTION: FIRST ...
Category
1930s French 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.
Read More
Medal-Worthy Memorabilia from Epic Past Olympic Games
Get into the games! These items celebrate the events, athletes, host countries and sporting spirit.
Ahoy! You’ve Never Seen a Collection of Sailor Art and Kitsch Quite Like This
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Pamela Shamshiri Shares the Secrets behind Her First-Ever Book and Its Effortlessly Cool Interiors
The sought-after designer worked with the team at Hoffman Creative to produce a monograph that beautifully showcases some of Studio Shamshiri's most inspiring projects.
Moroccan Artworks and Objects Take Center Stage in an Extraordinary Villa in Tangier
Italian writer and collector Umberto Pasti opens the doors to his remarkable cave of wonders in North Africa.
Montecito Has Drawn Royalty and Celebrities, and These Homes Are Proof of Its Allure
Hollywood A-listers, ex-pat aristocrats and art collectors and style setters of all stripes appreciate the allure of the coastal California hamlet — much on our minds after recent winter floods.
Whaam! Blam! Pow! — a New Book on Pop Art Packs a Punch
Publishing house Assouline and writer Julie Belcove have teamed up to trace the history of the genre, from Roy Lichtenstein, Andy Warhol and Yayoi Kusama to Mickalene Thomas and Jeff Koons.
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.