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Collectibles and Curiosities For Sale
Period: Late 20th Century
Period: 1930s
Miniature Model of Sicilian Fishing Boat, Handmade, 1980s
Located in Palermo, IT
Miniature model of a Sicilian fishing boat, called a "lance". Made by a craftsman who builds fishing boats and in his free time creates them in miniature, with the same technique as ...
Category

1980s Italian Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Beech

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

American Arts & Crafts: Virtue in Design by Leslie Greene Bowman
Located in valatie, NY
American Arts & Crafts: Virtue in Design by Leslie Greene Bowman. Bulfinch Press, 1992. Stated First edition softcover. 255 pp., profusely illustrated with 190 color and 275 b&w plat...
Category

1990s American Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Colorful Framed Tropical Butterflies Taxidermy Mounted Insect Display 6 Pieces 3
Located in Poperinge, BE
Collection of framed and dried colorful butterflies, 6 pieces in total, nice collection in wooden box with glass, the black frame is decorated with carved patterns, second half of th...
Category

1980s European Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Glass

Vintage Toot-a-Loop Radio by Panasonic, Japan, 1970s
Located in Barcelona, ES
Vintage Toot-a-Loop radio (model nr: Panasonic R-72): an emblematic radio, designed and fabricated by Panasonic Japan in the early 1970s. The radio was designed to be wrapped and car...
Category

1970s Japanese Space Age Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Plastic

1930s Entomology Moth & Butterfly Collection Wall Display Rare Extinct Bugs
By Grant Wood 1
Located in Hyattsville, MD
Interesting piece from an Iowan Estate. This piece is unsigned. The folklore I was told by the seller about the piece is that this was originally from the Grant Wood Estate. Howeve...
Category

1930s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Glass

NCR National Cash Register Special Edition 313 Total Adding Machine 20"
Located in Dayton, OH
The Class 313 Total Adding Cash Register was the most popular model of the Class 300 series of cash registers, which included other models in a variety of widths, key arrangements, a...
Category

Late 20th Century American Classical Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Marble, Brass

Native American Indian Doll with Traditional Lakota Sioux Cherokee Wedding Dress
Located in Vero Beach, FL
Native American Indian doll with traditional Lakota Sioux Cherokee wedding dress with bead-work, one of a kind This is an authentic Native American, Am...
Category

1980s North American Native American Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Leather, Clay

Yayoi Kusama Sogetsu Art Museum 1992 (Rare Kusama exhibition catalogue)
By Yayoi Kusama
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Yayoi Kusama Sogetsu Art Museum Tokyo / Committee of the Exhibition of Yayoi Kusama, 1992: A rare early 1990s Kusama exhibition catalog marking the turning point of Kusama’s interna...
Category

1990s Japanese Bohemian Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

The Statue of Liberty's Torch from the collection of Thierry Despont
Located in New York, NY
Thierry Despont (1948 - 2023) was best-known for his architectural practice—for his his notable private clients like Bill Gates and Calvin Klein, and for is integral role in the re-i...
Category

1980s American Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Plastic, Plaster

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

Pair 1930s Vintage English Mark Cross Leather Footballs Futbols Soccer Balls 6"
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

Bally Skyscraper Pinball Machine from the collection of Thierry Despont
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

Beatrice Wood Signed Book Exhibition Catalog Intimate Appeal The Figurative Art
Located in Studio City, CA
A wonderful and rare signed softcover book/exhibition catalog by Beatrice Wood. The book is titled "Intimate Appeal: The Figurative Art of Beatrice Wood" and was released to coincid...
Category

1980s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Brass sextant signed H. Hughes & Son Ltd No. 32890 of the 1930s
Located in Milan, IT
Brass sextant signed H. Hughes & Son Ltd No. 32890 of the 1930s; instrument complete with optics and housed in its original mahogany wood box of with locking hooks and brass handle,...
Category

1930s Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Brass

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

Large Mid-Century Italian Giorgio Armani Eye Glasses Factice Shop Display Piece
Located in Nuernberg, DE
This is a rare and unique item! The Armani Eyeglasses Factic for display in a shop comes with its original cardboard packaging and is made of metal a...
Category

1980s Italian Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal

Vintage Pink Emerald Green Cartier Panther Silk Scarf with Irish Linen Pillow
Located in Belfast, Northern Ireland
Katie Larmour Studio is the original vintage scarf pillow maker. Gaining notability for her unique idea and creations back in 2013 - featured in the likes of the Financial Times, and first selling here on 1stdibs in 2016 - our creations are of the absolute top most quality, craftsmanship and finesse. Thank-you for looking. Title: Vintage Pink Emerald Green Cartier Panther Silk Scarf with Irish Linen Pillow Cushion Description: This gem is a one-of-a-kind custom made luxury cushion (pillow) from an exquisite and rare vintage vintage pure silk Cartier fashion scarf...
Category

Late 20th Century French Modern Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Linen, Silk

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

Original Exhibition Catalog – 5 Grabats Més 1 Portada by Joan Miró, Sala Gaspar
Located in Barcelona, ES
Original Exhibition Catalog – 5 Grabats Més 1 Portada by Joan Miró, Sala Gaspar, 1976 Artist: Joan Miró Exhibition: 5 Grabats Més 1 Portada – Sala Gaspar, Barcelona Year: 1976 La...
Category

1970s Spanish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Sotheby's Art At Auction 1998-1999 Edited by Emma Lawson, 1st Ed
Located in valatie, NY
Sotheby's Art At Auction 1998-1999 Edited by Emma Lawson. Sotheby's Publications London, 1998. 1st Ed hardcover with dust jacket. This annual reference work provides a view of the ye...
Category

1990s English Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Luger Pistol Table Lighter, 1970s Japan
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This handsome lighter is cast in the shape of a 12 inch Luger pistol. An incredibly rare piece, perfect for any collector of smoking paraphernalia firearm enthusiast, or history buff...
Category

1970s Japanese Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal

French Furniture of the 18th Century
Located in valatie, NY
French Furniture of the 18th century by Pierre Verlet and Penelope Hunter-Stiebel (Translator). University Press of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, 1991. First edition thus hardcover ...
Category

1990s American Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

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

Dunhill 18 Carat Gold Plated Red Lacquered Rollagas Classic Cigarette Lighter
Located in Reading, Berkshire
Elegant Dunhill Red Lacquered 18 Carat Gold Plated Rollagas Classic Cigarette Lighter Made in Switzerland With Dunhill Embossed Box Inscribed with "Dunhill" on the base. Weighs 75g...
Category

Late 20th Century Swiss Art Deco Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Gold Plate

Rare Cartier 18ct Gold Plate Ribbed Godron Cigarette Lighter With Cartier Box
Located in Reading, Berkshire
Elegant Gold Plated Must de Cartier Ribbed Godron Cigarette Lighter In Original Cartier Box. Marked Cartier Paris To Lighter Base Complete With Original Box, Instructions
Category

Late 20th Century French Art Deco Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal, Enamel

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

Vintage English Telescope Walking Stick Cane Dolland 20th Century
Located in London, GB
This is a beautiful vintage telescope walking stick by Dolland London, late 20th century in date. The striking stick features a chrome cap unscrewing to reveal a small telescope wit...
Category

Late 20th Century English Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Chrome

Sphere table cigarette lighter Red enamel Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Sphere table cigarette lighter in 925/1000 gold-plated sterling silver and translucent fire enamel on guilloché, in a modern contemporary style. Piezoelectric mechanism. Dimensions d...
Category

1970s Italian Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel

Rare Set of Three Santa Claus Mercury Glass Christmas Ornament Vintage, 1930s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A rare Christmas ornament set of three. 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...
Category

1930s German Folk Art Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Wire

Art Deco Sterling Silver Cigarette Cigarette Case - Goldsmiths & Silversmiths
Located in New York, NY
Art Deco Period, sterling silver, hinged cigarette case, London, year-hallmarked for 1931, Goldsmiths and Silversmiths (located at 112 Regent Street West, London) - makers. The cigar...
Category

1930s English Art Deco Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Sterling Silver

Art Deco Hand Carved Wooden Figural Humidor Bird Head, ca. 1930s
Located in Barntrup, DE
An Art Deco hand-carved wooden figural humidor in the shape of a bird head, circa the 1930s. This adorable, dark brown, linden wood humidor or a small box is masterfully carved and f...
Category

1930s Swiss Art Deco Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal

Rare Rider Waite Blue Box Tarot, Final Edition Rider & Co, 1976-1977
Located in Den Haag, NL
Rare Rider Waite Blue Box Tarot, Final Edition Rider & Co, 1976-1977 Rider Waite Deck, Complete Blue Box, Tarot Reading, Divination complete deck, no book .With sticker .Thorsons Pub...
Category

1970s English Mid-Century Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Givenchy Vintage Necklace with Sun Pendant, 1980s
Located in Bochum, NRW
Givenchy vintage necklace with sun pendant, France 1980s. Impressive collier made of thick double chain with an amazing sun motif pendant. In excellent preowned condition. Maker's marks, Givenchy Paris...
Category

1980s French Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal

Glass Art Nouveau to Art Deco by Victor Arwas
Located in valatie, NY
Glass Art Nouveau to Art Deco by Victor Arwas. Academy Editions, London, 1980. Second Edition hardcover with dust jacket. 256pp 104 color plates and 212 b&w. The most important and c...
Category

1980s English Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Sotheby's, Objets De Vitrine from the Collection of Mrs. George Keppel, Geneva
Located in valatie, NY
Sotheby's, objects de Vitrine from the collection of Mrs. George Keppel, Geneva 5/11/89. There are 73 lots on 34 pages in this softcover catalogue, all lots are described and color illustrated. The catalog is extremely rare and includes, snuff boxes, scent bottles, objects of Vertu, jewels and other objects from, Cartier, Fabergé, Thomas Hughes...
Category

1980s Swiss Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Joan Miro by Carolyn Lanchner, 1st Ed
Located in valatie, NY
Joan Miro by Carolyn Lanchner. 1st Ed softcover catalog. Published by Museum of Modern Art, New York, NY, 1993. Henri Matisse, 1st Ed softcover catalog. Published in conjunction with...
Category

1990s American Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Andy Warhol a Retrospective Hard-Cover Coffee Table Book, 1989
Located in New York, NY
An '80s Late-20th century 'Andy Warhol A Retrospective' hard-cover library or coffee table book by The Museum of Modern Art, New York, 1989...
Category

1980s American Expressionist Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Sloan French Carom Billards Dining Table from the collection of Thierry Despont
By Blatt Billiards, Thierry Despont
Located in New York, NY
While Thierry Despont (1948 - 2023) was best-known for his architectural practice—for his integral role in the restoration of the Statue of Liberty, his re-imagining of the Ritz in P...
Category

1990s American Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Brass

Decorative Pond Boat Model of Sailboat Sloop
Located in New York, NY
Decorative pond boat, sailboat, sloop model, on original stand. This example is a 20th century ( 1980's ) copy of the 19th century ( 1895 ) original, made in the 1980's The boat ...
Category

Late 20th Century American Late Victorian Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Fabric, Wood

Rolling Stones 1997/98 World Tour Concert Letterman's / Bomber Jacket - Rare
Located in San Diego, CA
Hard to find Rolling Stones 1997, 98 World Tour concert letterman's / bomber jacket, circa 1997. Truly a great piece of rock & roll history from arguably the greatest rock band of ...
Category

Late 20th Century American Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Leather, Wool

Apocalypse Now
Located in London, GB
Apocalypse Now original US film poster for Marlon Brando, Martin Sheen and Robert Duvall's Classic 1979 Vietnam film directed by Francis Ford Coppola. The...
Category

1970s American Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

German WW2era 10 x 80 Binoculars, Emil Busch Binoculars, Superb Optics, 1939
By Emil Busch
Located in Canterbury, England
German WW2era 10 x 80 Binoculars: These Emil Busch Binoculars were primarily used by Luftwaffe Flak Artillery ground crews for spotting and identifyin...
Category

1930s Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Wood

C1930 Vintage & Unusual Form Upright Bass Benedikt Lang Germany
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Spectacular upright bass 4 string by Benedikt Lang c1930. Was told its an unusual form, and from my experience i believe that to be very true. Seems as tho its in fairly good conditi...
Category

1930s German Bohemian Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Fruitwood, Maple

Vintage Magnavox Mid Century Tower Column Pedestal Rodeo Stereo 8 Track Console
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Magnavox Mid Century Tower Column Pedestal Rodeo Stereo 8 Track Console. Item features a working AM/FM radio, side speakers, slate pedestal top, 8 track player (not working),...
Category

Late 20th Century Unknown Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Wood

Vintage 1980s Harley Davidson Motorcycle Electra-Glide Shovelhead Fuel Gas Tank
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage 1980s Harley Davidson Motorcycle Electra-Glide Shovelhead Fuel Gas Tank. Circa Late 20th Century. Measurements: 10.75" H x 19" W x 9.25" D.
Category

Late 20th Century Unknown Other Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Steel

Beautiful Vintage Mounted Oryx Antelope Gemsbok Taxidermy
Located in Poperinge, BE
Beautiful and very impressive mounted oryx antelope bust with glass eyes and removable horns, better known as the gemsbok or oryx gazella, iconic antelope that mainly occurs in South...
Category

Late 20th Century European Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Animal Skin, Wood

Gardner's Art through the Ages Hardcover Book
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Gardner's Art through the Ages. by Fred S. Kleiner (Author), Christin J. Mamiya (Author), Richard G. Tansey (Author)11th Edition. In the mid 1920's a teacher at The School of the Art...
Category

Late 20th Century American Expressionist Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Steiff Collectible Teddy Bear Toy Store Kober Vienna exclusive, Vintage Austria
Located in Nuernberg, DE
The Classic 1920 Teddybear is the perfect gift for every Steiff lover. The teddy bear is made of the finest mohair and is stuffed with wood shavings. This product is not a toy and is...
Category

1980s German Folk Art Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Mohair

Silver Overlaid Polished Steel Cowboy Spurs by Eduardo Garcia circa 1980's
Located in Stamford, CT
Deluxe silver overlaid polished steel spurs by Eduardo Garcia, circa 1980's. Pair of Cowboy / Vaquero Ranch Spurs by Eduardo Garcia (1923-2009), signed E. Garcia. 2 1/2 x 7 1/4 x 5 in. (6.4 x 18.4 x 12.7 cm.) A fine and deluxe set of best quality polished steel spurs from Eduardo Garcia of California. These beautiful spurs are richly overlaid with sterling silver beautifully etched with the stylized form of a swan, the neck and head of the swan supporting the rowel. Sixteen point rowels with the silver rowel plate and jingle bobs make these fine spurs sing! Jingle bobs make a beautiful and rich sound when walking with these on your Lucchese boots...
Category

Late 20th Century American Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Silver, Steel

1933 - A Century of Progress - Chicago Worlds Fair Solid Etched Copper Tray
By Raymond Hood 1
Located in St. Louis, MO
1933 - A Century of Progress - Chicago Worlds Fair solid etched copper souvenir tray, unusual version with handles. The Century of Progress International Exposition, also known as...
Category

1930s American Art Deco Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Copper

Aquascapes II: Water in Japanese Landscape Architecture
Located in Richmond, VA
ESCRIPTION Vintage hardcover monograph on the role of water in contemporary Japanese landscape architecture. Published in 1994, 224 pages. Text in English and Japanese, printed in Ja...
Category

1990s Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Karl Gerstner: The Forms of Color
Located in Richmond, VA
Vintage hardback coffee table book on color theory and geometric perception. By Karl Gerstner, published by The MIT Press in 1986. English translation from the original German editio...
Category

1980s Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Cartier Paris Poker or Bridge Cards in Red Original Box Vintage 1970
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Must De Cartier Paris Vintage Playing Poker or Bridge Cards in Red Original Box. Cartier playing cards, one deck plus joker, poker, bridge playing cards in Cartier red 2-doors case. Les Must De Cartier playing cards were only sold from 1972-1976. This silk-lined box of cards with 18-karat gilded corners, printed with the Les Must De Cartier logo, is a gift for the true collector. The box measures: 6 1/2" by 4 1/4" by 1 3/8" and is marked Cartier. Beautiful deep red color cards with golden accents, Cartier cameo monogram, and 18-karat gold splashed edges. These cards are beautiful and rare, a real treasure. Cartier playing cards in gilt-tooled leather red case, the inside marked "Les Must de Cartier, Paris". Genuine Cartier and marked "Cartier Paris". Cartier playing cards are Monaco grade for casinos and gaming each with the Cartier monogram. Vintage Luxe Must De Cartier poker...
Category

Late 20th Century French Art Deco Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Leather, Paper

Bicycle Model Midcentury Design "Itera" Plastic for Volvo, Sweden
By Volvo
Located in Antwerp, BE
In the current period where the bicycle is undergoing major development and provides a sporty displacement is this very original green rare designed Volvo seventies bike a really collector's item. In response to the 1974 oil crisis, a small group of Swedish engineers obtained government funding to develop a bicycle completely composed of fiber-reinforced composite plastics (FRP). By 1980, the Itera Development Center AB was designing, producing, and marketing injection molded plastic bicycles to a seemingly interested market. The first bicycles were delivered in 1982, the problems with quality assurance and design began stacking up against the company.This bike is in a Vintage original condition. The Itera bicycle...
Category

1980s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal, Chrome

Mid-Century Modernist Brass Menorah signed Morningstar Metalworks
Located in New York, NY
This sleek and elegant Mid-Century Modernist Brass Menorah signed Morningstar Metalworks origiantes from the United States, C. 1998. This piece features a well balanced rectilinear b...
Category

1990s American Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Brass

TIFFANY & CO. 1982 Elsa Peretti Bean Petrol Pocket Lighter In Polished Solid
Located in Miami, FL
Pocket petrol lighter designed by Elsa Peretti (1940-2019) for Tiffany & Co. The bean is one of the most iconic Elsa Peretti's designs, that she created for the Tiffany Studios, back in the 1970's. This petrol pocket lighter is one of her creations, crafted with a sportive casual look in solid brass. Weight: 46.95 Grams, (30.09 Dwt). Measurements: 62 mm by 29 mm by 15 mm (2.44 x 1.14 x 0.59 Inch). Hallmarks: Stamped with the maker's mark and signed in full as follows, "©ELSA PERETTI 1982 TIFFANY & CO. BRASS". Elsa Peretti She was a very important and iconic American designer that joined Tiffany & Co in the 1974 and change the role of diamonds and color gemstones in fashion for the everyday wear and elevating the status of the sterling silver jewelry. Mostly using unusual gemstones and materials, all her creations are as modern today as ever. Collateral: This Elsa Peretti lighter...
Category

1980s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Brass

Complete Boxed 16 Animali Puzzle Set by Enzo Mari for Danesse Milano
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine puzzle set published by Danese Milano By Enzo Mari. Entitled '16 Animali' (16 Animals). Model no. 3015 D. Consisting of 16 form-cut stylized anim...
Category

1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Resin

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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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.

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