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Collectibles and Curiosities For Sale
Period: 19th Century
Period: 1960s
French 19th Century Culinary Scale
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A 19th century French counter or grocer’s scale with two brass trays mounted on a white marble top. This wonderful antique instrument was used to measure various ingredients and prod...
Category
19th Century French French Provincial Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Marble, Brass
Rare Antique Russian Moscow School Silver Enamel Icon of the Holy Trinity, 1853
Located in New York, NY
Fine and rare antique Russian silver and enamel Holy Trinity icon
Moscow, 1853
Marks: Cyrillic D O maker's mark, A C assay master's mark for Aggey Grigorievich Svechin ( Postnikova-L...
Category
19th Century Russian Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Silver, Enamel
French 19th Century Glass Dome on Pedestal
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
Showcase and protect your treasured objects with this unique glass dome from France. Dating to the late 19th century, dome displays like this shielded portico clocks or flora & fauna...
Category
19th Century French Other Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Glass, Wood
George III Rare Bronze Cased Chronology of the Sovereigns of England
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A rare and very interesting antique Georgian bronze medallion cased set of printed discs titled CHRONOLOGY OF THE SOVEREIGNS OF ENGLAND and believed to have been produced around 1815...
Category
1810s English George III Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Bronze
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
1960s Vintage Original Disney Snow White & Seven Dwarf Rubber Squeak Toy
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Vintage Set of Snow White and the seven Dwarf squeak rubber toy made by Ledraplastic Italy in the 1960s. These toys have a peculiar asymmetric position of the ears making it particul...
Category
1960s Italian Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Plastic, Rubber
Henry Troemner Apothecary Cast Iron & Metal Balance Scale #1, Circa 1890s
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Henry Troemner Apothecary Cast Iron & Metal Balance Scale #1—Circa 1890s
This Henry Troemner balance scale #1 is a remarkable antique cast iron scale, likely manufactured between th...
Category
Late 19th Century American High Victorian Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal, Iron
Antique Burmese Silver Ebonised Walking Stick Cane 19th C 91cm/36inches
Located in London, GB
This is a beautiful Burmese silver handled walking cane, Circa 1880 in date.
With chased scrolling foliate decoration above figures in ogee niches, on an ebonised shaft.
This deco...
Category
1880s Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Silver
Antique Hand Carved Gothic Revival Oak Church Lectern Desk w. Bible Compartment
Located in Lisse, NL
Top quality crafted and incredibly durable Gothic church lectern.
This practical size lectern is remarkably well crafted and the design and patina are ...
Category
Late 19th Century European Gothic Revival Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Oak
Antique book collection of French photos and portraits 19th century
Located in Cantù, IT
Antique book collection of French photos and portraits 19th century
Category
19th Century French Art Nouveau Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Torricellian mahogany barometer signed Davis 65 Bold St. Liverpool 1839/1841
Located in Milan, IT
Torricellian mercury barometer in mahogany wood, signed Davis 65 Bold St. Liverpool active at this address from 1839 to 1841, complete with reading nonius for checking pressure varia...
Category
Mid-19th Century Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Wood
Antique Chinese Silver Walking Stick Cane Dragon Handle 19th Century 92cm/36inch
Located in London, GB
This is a very beautiful antique Chinese gentleman's silver mounted walking stick, circa 1880 in date and bearing the impressed Chinese makers marks.
The exquisite hook-shaped Chine...
Category
1880s Chinese Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Silver
Antique Swiss 8-Tune Cylinder Music Box C1890
Located in Big Flats, NY
Antique Swiss 8 Tune Cylinder Music Box Unsigned C1890
4 3/4" x 14 1/4" x 7 1/8".
This antique Swiss music box from circa 1890 features a beautifully crafted wooden case with a subt...
Category
Late 19th Century Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Wood
$760 Sale Price
20% Off
19th Century, Antique, Great Quality Bronze Wall Crucifix Signed: F. Barbedienne
Located in Lisse, NL
Rare and important bronze crucifix by the French ‘fondeur’ F. Barbedienne.
Ferdinand Barbedienne (1810-1892) does not need any further introduction, but that he also made this type...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Gothic Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Bronze
Vintage Red Deer Antler Handle Cigar Cutter Germany 1960s or older
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Vintage cigar cutter with handmade red deer antler handle. One of a kind item. Highly collectable piece. Manufactured by a unknown Company in Germany.
Manufactured in Germany in prob...
Category
1960s German Folk Art Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal
19th Century Top Hat and Leather Hat Box
Located in Chicago, IL
This late 19th-century English leather top hat box, paired with an American-made beaver fur top hat, exudes timeless craftsmanship and style. The b...
Category
19th Century English Edwardian Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Leather
Antique 3 Draw Telescope, English Brass, Leather, Newton & Co, Victorian, C.1870
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique 3 draw telescope. An English, brass and leather dressed refractor by Newton & Co, dating to the Victorian period, circa 1870.
Perfect for bird watching, landscape...
Category
1870s British Victorian Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Brass
19th Century traditional Russian Religious Icon “Dormition Of The Holy Virgin”
Located in Meulebeke, BE
Russia / 19th century / Religious Icon / oak / Baroque / Antique
Traditional antique Russian Icon from the estate of a collector. Hand painted in tempura on an oak wooden panel in t...
Category
19th Century Russian Baroque Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Oak
Antique Map of the Northeastern United States and Canada by Tardieu, 1802
Located in Langweer, NL
This antique map titled "Carte de la Partie Septentrionale des Etats Unis," created by Pierre Antoine Tardieu, depicts the northeastern part of the United States and parts of Canada....
Category
Early 1800s Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
$521 Sale Price
20% Off
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
$838 Sale Price
40% Off
Antique Greek Goddess Plaque Bas Relief Neo-Gothic Revival 29cm
Located in Poperinge, BE
Beautiful antique gilt bronze plaque in bas relief of a Greek goddess depicted with wings, probably the goddess Clio, the plaque is mounted on a hardwood carving in neo-Gothic reviva...
Category
Late 19th Century European Gothic Revival Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Bronze, Gold Leaf
Antique Victorian Vintage Chinese Ivory Bovine Walking Stick Cane Carved Dragon
Located in Dublin, Ireland
An Exceptionally Fine Example of a Chinese Export Hand Carved Bovine Ivory Walking Stick of small proportions, last quarter of the Nineteenth Centu...
Category
Late 19th Century British Victorian Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Horn, Ebony
Small Cast Iron Sewing Machine 1890 Junker & Ruh Art Nouveau Germany
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Small Cast Iron Sewing Machine 1890 Junker & Ruh Art Nouveau
Category
1890s German Art Nouveau Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal
$1,397 Sale Price
20% Off
French 19th Century Glass Dome with Brass Decoration
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
Popular in the 19th century, domed glass displays offered protection for portico clocks and flora & fauna specimens without compromising visibility. Inside this cloche is an oval eas...
Category
19th Century French Art Nouveau Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Silver, Brass
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
Antique Schaeffer & Budenberg Stationary Steam Engine Model w Copper Boiler
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique 19th century Schaeffer & Budenberg stationary steam engine model. Made of cast iron featuring copper boiler
The Budenberg Gauge Company was founded in 1918. The original pa...
Category
Late 19th Century English Industrial Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal, Copper
$5,600 Sale Price
20% Off
19th Century Leather and Gold Leaf Hand Fan
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A stunning and rare example of a 19th century hand fan, made of black leather and decorated with gold leaf. The fan has a brisé style, meaning th...
Category
Mid-19th Century Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Gold Leaf
Small Figural Romantic Dagger - late 19th century
Located in TEYJAT, FR
Small figural romantic dagger - late 19th century
- with 10.75cm double edged tapering plated bade with cast and silver plated grip in the form of a ...
Category
Late 19th Century Spanish Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal
Small Map of the United States
Located in Langweer, NL
Antique map titled 'Amérique septe. Physique'. Small map of the United States. lithographed by C. Callewaert brothers in Brussels circa 1870.
Category
Mid-19th Century Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
$69 Sale Price
20% Off
FIRST APPEARANCE OF. A Visit from St. Nicholas - Twas the Night Before Christmas
Located in Hillsborough, NJ
AUTHOR: MOORE, Clement Clarke.
TITLE: The New-York Book Of Poetry. (A Visit from St. Nicholas / Twas the Night Before Christmas).
PUBLISHER: New York: George Dearborn, 1837.
DESC...
Category
1830s English Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Fabric
Elegant cigarette case in silver from Birmingham in 1899
Located in Knivsta, SE
Elegant cigarette case in silver from Birmingham, England in 1899. Beautifully decorated with leaves and gilding on the inside.
Wear consistent with age and use.
Category
1890s English Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Silver
La Plume, Special Issue Devoted to Alphonse Mucha
Located in New York, NY
Re-bound set of six consecutive issues of the renowned French magazine La Plume devoted to the work of Art Nouveau artist and graphic designer Alphonse Mucha. Founded in 1889 by Leon...
Category
1890s French Art Nouveau Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Antique 19th Century Map of Ancient Syria & Assyria - Historical Regions, c.1802
Located in Langweer, NL
19th Century Map of Ancient Syria and Assyria: 'Tabula Regiones inter Syriam et Assyriam continens'"*
This beautifully detailed 18th-century map, titled...
Category
Early 1800s Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
$288 Sale Price
20% Off
19th Century Brass and Gold Watch-Key
Located in Delft, NL
19th Century Brass and Gold Watch-Key
19th century brass and gold Watch-Key hanging on a small chain
The measurement is 6 cm high in total and the key is 2,5 cm wide
The weight is...
Category
Early 19th Century Dutch Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Gold, Brass
Late 19th Century Holy Water Font - Crucifix Bronze Jesus - Cloisonné Enamel
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
A refined holy water font features a finely detailed crucifix, portraying Christ in a traditional posture of sacrifice and serenity. At its center stands a finely cast bronze figure ...
Category
Late 19th Century French Belle Époque Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Marble, Brass, Bronze, Enamel
Italian Alabaster Bust of a Young Woman, Possibly Saint Catherine of Siena c1890
Located in Lisse, NL
Museum quality sculpture of a serene possibly Saint Catherine of Siena.
This exquisite Italian alabaster bust, carved circa 1890 and set upon a dark, polished marble base, emanates ...
Category
Late 19th Century Belgian Gothic Revival Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Alabaster, Marble
Antique Edison Model A Cylinder Phonograph & Cabinet W/ 93 Record Music Tubes
Located in Dayton, OH
An exception Early Thomas Edison Model A Cylinder Phonograph with original horn, tube cabinet & 93 records. Phonograph box and cabinet are made from oak in Late Victorian manner wit...
Category
Late 19th Century Late Victorian Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal
$2,120 Sale Price
20% Off
Great Quality Carved & Superb Condition Wooden Corpus Christi on Crucifix, 1800s
Located in Lisse, NL
Antique crucifix with stunning hand carved details and an amazing patina.
This remarkable and good size crucifix with a sculpture of a suffering Christ on the cross is another one...
Category
Early 19th Century German Gothic Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Fruitwood, Oak
19th Century French Iron Balance - Antique Brass Scale
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An antique French intricate brass balance with different weights in solid brass, in good condition. The iron scale is topped with the original polished brass plates. The scale reads ...
Category
19th Century French Mid-Century Modern Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal, Brass, Iron
Original Old Handcolored Print Featuring Various Sea Shells, ca. 1852
Located in Langweer, NL
Untitled antique print featuring various sea shells.
This print originates from 'A History of the Earth and Animated Nature' by O. Goldsmith. Goldsmith's Animated Nature went thr...
Category
1850s Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
$167 Sale Price
20% Off
Mid-Late 19th c. Carved Horse c.1850-1890
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT
A mid to late 19th century carved wooden horse with horsehair mane and tail, fabric ears, saddle, harness and nail-head eyes.
CREATOR Unknown. Made in Germany or the USA....
Category
Mid-19th Century American Industrial Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Wood, Fabric
Ladies Wristwatch of 18k gold by Vivianna Torun Bülow-Hübe for Georg Jensen
By Georg Jensen
Located in Berlin, BE
Ladies Wristwatch of 18k gold by Vivianna Torun Bülow-Hübe for Georg Jensen, 1970s
Vivianna Torun Bülow-Hübe (1927–2004) was one of Sweden's most important 20th century silversmiths and the first female silversmith to attract international attention. She secured her first exhibition aged 21. By the late 1940s and early 1950s, she was part of the Paris art studio fraternity, counting Picasso and Billie Holiday as friends.?
Torun created the Vivianna watch in 1962, a spoon-shaped ‘never-ending’ bangle with a mirrored dial and simple hands but devoid of numerals. Originally commissioned for an exhibition at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris, she said her decision to leave out the hour markers suggested a kind of non-time, so that each time the wearer looked at the dial, the message that ‘life is now...
Category
1960s Danish Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Gold
Flora Conspicua by Richard Morris
Located in Middletown, NY
One of the most desirable of all nineteenth century color plate books. RARE.
Morris, Richard. Flora Conspicua; A Selection of the most ornamental flowering, hard, exotic and indig...
Category
Early 19th Century English Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Leather, Paper
Antique Map of South Carolina, North Carolina, and Virginia by Tardieu, 1802
Located in Langweer, NL
This is an original antique map titled "Carte de la Caroline Méridionale et Septentrionale et de la Virginie," depicting the regions of South Carolina, North Carolina, and Virginia in the early 19th century. Created by Pierre Antoine Tardieu, this map provides a detailed view of the geographical and political landscape of these southeastern United States areas.
Map Details:
- **Title**: Carte de la Caroline Méridionale et Septentrionale et de la Virginie
- **Creator**: Pierre Antoine Tardieu (1784-1869)
- **Publication Date**: Early 19th century
- **Dimensions**: Approximately 34.5 x 43.5 cm (13.5 x 17.25 inches)
- **Features**: The map includes detailed representations of South Carolina, North Carolina, and Virginia, highlighting political boundaries, major cities, rivers, and other geographical features. The title cartouche is located in the lower right corner, and the outlines are hand-colored to distinguish different regions.
Key Geographic Features and Areas:
1. **South Carolina**:
- Major cities such as Charleston and Columbia are marked.
- The map details the rivers and topography, including the Savannah River and various inland features.
2. **North Carolina**:
- Key locations such as Raleigh and New Bern...
Category
Early 1800s Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
$521 Sale Price
20% Off
Rare Antique Gothic Revival Gilt Bronze Wall Cartel Clock with Griffin Sculpture
Located in Lisse, NL
Stunning and perfect running Gothic architectural design bronze wall clock, from circa 1880.
If you like rare antiques in general and one of a kind clocks in particular then this handcrafted specimen for wall mounting could be the perfect addition to your collection or Gothic (inspired) interior. This fine quality antique...
Category
Late 19th Century French Gothic Revival Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Brass, Bronze
Exquisite Antique French Silver and Niello Enamel Sculptural Pectoral Cross
Located in New York, NY
Superb, museum quality antique French silver and niello enamel high relief sculptural pectoral cross
19th Century
Complex and beautifully rendered crucifix done in finely detailed ni...
Category
19th Century French Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Silver, Enamel
The Wealth of Nations, A New Edition, by Adam Smith, Three Volume Set, 1812
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
Smith LL.D F.R.S., Adam. An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations. A New Edition, to Which is Prefixed an Account of the Life of the Author, and A View of His D...
Category
1810s English George III Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Leather, Paper
Ancient Bulgarian Belt Buckle, 19th Century
Located in Roma, IT
Ancient Bulgarian Belt Buckle in silvered metal encrusted with mother-of-pearl reliefs, realized in 19th Century.
Excellent condition.
Category
19th Century Bulgarian Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal
Antique Horn Gold Mounted Walking Cane Stick Late 19th Century
Located in London, GB
This is a beautiful antique English horn handled gold mounted handle walking stick/swagger stick, circa 1880 in date
The striking stick features an ornate gold mounted horn crutch h...
Category
19th Century English Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Gold
Antique Vintage Lady's Gentleman's Snakewood Wooden Walking Stick Dress Cane
Located in Dublin, Ireland
Very Stylish Fine Quality Polished Grained Rare Snake Wood Lady’s or Gentleman’s Walking Cane of substantial quality and good weight very suitable to use as an everyday stick, with a...
Category
Late 19th Century British Victorian Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Hardwood
Antique Gothic Hand-Carved Crucifix w. Polychrome Corpus, European Church Relic
Located in Lisse, NL
Gothic Revival hand-carved crucifix with original polychrome, 19th Century European ecclesiastical ART.
An exquisite and spiritually moving 19th-century fine hand-carved oakwood cru...
Category
1890s French Arts and Crafts Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Wood, Oak, Paint
French Colonies in the Caribbean: Maps of Martinique and Guadeloupe (1852)
Located in Langweer, NL
This pair of maps, published in 1852, provides a detailed representation of the French Caribbean colonies, specifically Martinique and Guadeloupe. They were part of the *Atlas Univer...
Category
1850s Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
$307 Sale Price / set
20% Off
Large Antique Apothecary Weighing Scales, English, Countertop Balance, Victorian
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a fine set of antique apothecary weighing scales. An English, brass, mahogany and walnut countertop balance for the tobacconist or chemist’s shop, dating to the early Victori...
Category
1850s British Early Victorian Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Brass
Antique Book, Days of King Arthur, Mythology, English, Fiction, Late Victorian
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique mythology book, Days of King Arthur by Charles Henry Hanson. An English language, hard bound fictional work with illustrations by Gus...
Category
Late 19th Century British Late Victorian Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Iconic Brionvega radio turntable, Italian Mid Century by Achille Castiglioni
Located in Milano, IT
Brionvega RR126 radio turntable, Italian Mid Century by Achille Castiglioni
Designed in 1964 by Achille and Pier Giacomo Castiglioni, two of the most famous Mid-Century Modern era de...
Category
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Steel
Eagle & Eaglets Cast Iron Mechanical Bank by J. & Stevens ca. 1890 All Original
Located in Petaluma, CA
One of the more popular mechanical banks, and from my own long time collection of these banks. Made for children to teach them to save their money by putting a penny away and have f...
Category
1890s American Other Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Iron
Italian 19th Century Carved Wooden Saint Figure
Located in Buisson, FR
Very nice saint figure. Hand carved wood with glass eyes
Italy, circa 1800-1850. Weathered, small losses.
Category
19th Century Italian Baroque Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Wood
$786 Sale Price
50% Off
A Spanish Giltwood Polychrome Decorated Figure of a Saint, Early 19th Century
Located in ARMADALE, VIC
A Spanish Giltwood Polychrome Decorated Figure of a Saint, Early 19th Century
Provenance: Private American Collection.
Description:
Depicted with a full head of curly hair and st...
Category
Early 19th Century Spanish Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Wood
Persian Boxed Pahlavi Koran Quran Arya-Mehr By Shah of Iran gold leaf Manuscript
Located in Long Island City, NY
Persian Boxed Pahlavi Koran Quran Arya-Mehr By Shah of Iran gold leaf Manuscript. Large Persian Boxed Koran Arya-Mehr By Shah of Iran gold leaf Manuscript. S...
Category
19th Century Unknown Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
19th Century Complete Games Compendium in Hardwood Jointed Box Many Games
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a high quality antique Games Compendium, complete with over 8 individual games, all in its original hardwood storage box with a hinged lid.
All the pieces are well made and complete.
The box is made of a jointed hardwood, possibly red walnut and is a high quality piece in its own right.
The box has developed a lovely color and patination from use and wear.
The box lid has two brass hinges and two brass loop catches to secure it closed. The interior is sectioned into different sub compartments by hardwood dividers.
Many different games are included within the compendium, including;
Horse racing game...
Category
19th Century English Victorian Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Brass
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
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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.