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Collectibles and Curiosities For Sale
1709 Map of the Holy Land - Twelve Tribes of Israel, Hand-Colored, Antique Map
Located in Langweer, NL
This is a beautiful 1709 map of the Holy Land, titled "Iudaea seu Terra Sancta quae Hebraeorum sive Israelitarum in suas duodecim Tribus divisa," by Guillaume Sanson and Alexis Huber...
Category

Early 1700s Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

18th-Century Dutch Garden Design by Gijsbert van Laar, Published in 1802
Located in Langweer, NL
18th-Century Dutch Garden Design by Gijsbert van Laar – Magazijn van tuin-sieraaden, 1802 This exquisite hand-colored engraving is from the renowned work 'Magazijn van tuin-sieraa...
Category

Early 1800s Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Luxury Victorian French Lorgnette Opera Glasses Marked "La Roi, Paris" Ca. 1895
Located in Incline Village, NV
Absolutely exquisite pair of operable mother of pearl high quality luxury French Opera Glasses with fancy lorgnette style handle and metal mounts. Premium mother of pearl and only th...
Category

1890s French Victorian Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Mother-of-Pearl

Antique Quran Book With Manuscripts
Located in Long Island City, NY
An antique Quran book with manuscripts. The hardcover of the book is adorned with embossed traditional ornaments. Circa mid to late 19th century. The Qur...
Category

Mid-19th Century Unknown Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Master Drawings and Watercolors in the British Museum
Located in Bradenton, FL
Master Drawings and Watercolors in the British Museum, Fra Angelico to Henry Moore. Softcover book, published in 1984 by British Museum Publications Ltd of Bloomsbury Street, London....
Category

1980s British Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

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

19th Century Turkish Antique Massive Metal Anchor
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A massive, antique Turkish anchor made of cast iron, in good condition. The large detailed metal décor piece was recovered from the ocean floor, 80 miles south of Izmir. Encrusted wi...
Category

Mid-19th Century Turkish Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal, Iron

[1st ed] Teenage Lust (Signed)
Located in New York, NY
First edition of Larry Clark’s iconic second book of photographs (following 1971’s Tulsa) documenting and immortalizing a debauched adolescent subculture. Self-published in 1983. Con...
Category

1980s American Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

FENDI Backgammon Game Set
Located in Los Angeles, CA
FENDI Roma backgammon game set with oak wood box inlaid with Pequin striped motif, embellished with a plexiglass lid and matching color nappa calfskin leather handle / Made in Italy ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Wood

Magnifying Glass in Patinated Brass and Mother of Pearl Early 20th Century
Located in Meer, VAN
Magnifying Glass in Patinated Brass and Mother of Pearl, Europe, Early 20th Century. This is a beautiful and very well made magnifying glass in patinated brass and mother of pearl. ...
Category

Early 20th Century European Art Deco Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Brass

Vintage 1912 Titanic Model Ship In Glass Shadow Box
Located in Long Island City, NY
A vintage 1912 Titanic model ship memorabilia. Presented in a wooden and glass shadow box. Materials: wood, metal, paper, glass, plastic. The background ...
Category

20th Century American Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal

Scale model made in the 1950s of a 15th-century Spanish galleon
Located in Milan, IT
Scale model made in the 1950s of a 15th-century Spanish galleon. Planked hull, 3 masts with sails and 23 guns. Measurements 56x10x42.5 inche 22x3.9x16.8 cm The Galleon was a mighty w...
Category

Mid-20th Century Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Wood

Mid-Century English Hand-Cranked Gramophone With Records, 1930s
Located in Palermo, IT
Mid-Century English hand-cranked gramophone with records, 1930s Intact and in good condition
Category

1930s British Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Wood

Antique EH Sargent Labratory Precision Orsat Gas Analyzer Apparatus Case 21"
Located in Dayton, OH
Late 19th - early 20th century Orsat gas analyzer apparatus with absorption pipettes and hardwood case, produced by E.H. Sargent & Company. An Orsat gas analyser or Orsat apparatus ...
Category

Late 19th Century Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Glass, Rubber, Hardwood

Vintage Heiser Parade Saddle with Bohlin Sterling Silver Accents C. 1940’s
By Edward H. Bohlin
Located in Bernville, PA
Parade saddle by Heiser of Denver with Bohlin sterling silver. Beautiful tooling on the leather and seat marked Hieser, Denver. Name plate marked Kenny Unger Cold Water. Tip of belt ...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Sterling Silver

Marble Solitaire Game 10 inch Hardwood Board 35 mixed Stone Marbles, circa 1945
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a very attractive complete game of Marble Solitaire with a hardwood circular board and 35 mixed stone marbles, probably French. The circular turned board is made of polished hardwood, with a good grain figure. The board has 32 equi-spaced holes with an additional one in the centre and a gallery to the outer perimeter. Three small circular pads have been attached to the base of the board to protect the surface it sits on. It comes complete with a full set of 35 (32 Plus 3 spare) handmade playing marbles of mixed stone, clay and agate and of different colours. Some of the clay marbles...
Category

20th Century French Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Stone

Collection of Leather Bound Classic Books, Easton Press & Franklin Library
By Franklin Press, Easton Press
Located in Peabody, MA
A collection of twenty-seven 1970s-1980s era leather bound and 22kt gold leaf classic novels. Nineteen by Easton Press, and eight published by Franklin Library. Many feature silk mo...
Category

1970s American American Classical Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Gold Leaf

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. Boun...
Category

1920s British Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Fabric

At Home in France: Inspiration and Style in Town and Country
Located in New York, NY
Author Timothy Corrigan, with Michael Boodro In his third book, AD100 and Elle Decor A-List designer Corrigan shares the joys of decorating and living in his Paris apartment and new chateau infectiously inspiring us to design à la française. Having a nineteenth-century apartment in Paris steps from the Trocadero and Eiffel Tower is a dream. So is owning an eighteenth-century chateau in the French countryside known as the “Versailles of the fields.” Having both? That’s the dreamy escapism found in designer Corrigan’s new book, which will enchant Francophiles and design lovers alike with its rich trove of ideas for anyone wanting to decorate in a French-inspired style. In the first section of the book, Corrigan invites readers into his dazzling Paris apartment, walking them through the history of the building and his design plans, from the entryway through the salons, dining room, and bedrooms. In the second part, Corrigan shares his enduring love for French country homes. Traveling through his spectacular new château room by room, he tells the story of its purchase, restoration, and decoration. Layered throughout are insights and advice on topics ranging from antiquing in Paris, hanging art in the French style, hosting with panache, and exploring the French countryside. With gorgeous new photography commissioned for the book, this volume is a must for everyone who dreams of living in France and bringing French chic into their own lives. About The Author Timothy Corrigan has been named to virtually every top designer list including the AD100, the Luxe Gold List, and the 1stdibs 50...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Rare 19th Century Italian Hand Carved Memento Mori Hanging Candle Holder
Located in London, GB
Rare 19th Century Italian Hand Carved Memento Mori Hanging Candle Holder An unusual hand carved pine hanging candle holder in the form of a memento mori religious artefact. This exa...
Category

1890s Italian Early Victorian Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Pine

Blue, Green, & White Semiprecious Stone Pendant Necklace
Located in Warrenton, OR
Blue, Green, & White Semiprecious Stone Pendant Necklace A pretty, polished stone pendant on silvertone chain. Pendant is 1.25" long plus the bail. IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOLLOWS; ...
Category

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

Materials

Stone

Antique Toledo 8400A American Art Deco Green Enameled Porcelain Penny Coin Scale
Located in Dayton, OH
Toledo Scale Company Model 8400A. Features an enameled green porcelain finish and tiled station. Features the iconic Art Deco Skyscraper design with a ...
Category

Early 20th Century Art Deco Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal, Enamel

FENDI Domino Set
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Delightful FENDI Roma domino set, a chic wooden box with skin and blue colored leather embossed with FENDI logo / Made in Italy SKU: 7ALOO2-AM4T-F1K62 Original tags available / comes...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal

FENDI Domino Set
FENDI Domino Set
$4,410 Sale Price
30% Off
Miniature Travelling Chess Set Game handmade & Pokerwork Board / Box, Circa 1900
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a high quality handmade Miniature or travelling wood chess set game of 32 pieces in its own lidded pokerwork decorated box, which we date to the English Edwardian period, cir...
Category

Late 19th Century British Edwardian Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Brass

Tacheometro model Soldati late 19th c. signed La Filotecnica Milano
Located in Milan, IT
Tacheometer model Soldati from the late 19th century signed La Filotecnica Ing. A Salmoiraghi Milan serial no. 18865. Construction site surveying and tracking tool used for calculati...
Category

Late 19th Century Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Brass

Pair of 19th C. Italian Reliquaries
Located in Los Angeles, CA
19th century pair of ornate gilded relicquaries made of brass with a gilt finish. The feature highly decorative Baroque or Rococo-style detailing, including intricate scrollwork, f...
Category

19th Century Italian Baroque Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Brass

Vibrant Antique Red Leatherbound Book Collection
Located in Brønshøj, DK
Transform Your Space with the Bold Elegance of Antique Red Leatherbound Books. Immerse your surroundings in the unmatched sophistication of our antique decorative books—all meticulo...
Category

Early 20th Century Danish Victorian Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Gold

Antique European Carved Gilt And Polychrome Coat Of Arms Wall Plaque
Located in Nuernberg, DE
We are delighted to offer for sale this highly collectable hand carved coat of arms featuring a knightly crest. This is an exceptionally well made and decorative piece. It is a very...
Category

Early 20th Century Spanish Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Wood

19th Century Russian Icon Synaxis of Hierarch Saints, Christ Pantokrator, 1850s
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
19th-Century Russian Icon of the Synaxis of Hierarch Saints with Christ Pantokrator, with Inscribed Dedication, circa 1850 A beautiful 19th-century Russian Orthodox icon depicting t...
Category

Mid-19th Century Russian Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Wood

Mid Century German Grundig 2440 Table Top Tube Radio Stereo
Located in Dayton, OH
Mid century modern circa 1960s Grundig Werke model 2440 walnut bakelite tube radio, made in Germany. Serial #1322605287 Dimensions: 9" x 21.5" x 12"h
Category

Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Bakelite

Dieter Rams for Braun Black Wall Mount Stereo System "Wandanlage"
Located in Seattle, WA
The wall-mounted system is one of the most sought-after hi-fi systems from the 1960s. The combination of the amplifier with radio, reel-to-reel machine, matching speakers, and the re...
Category

1960s German Bauhaus Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal, Aluminum

Classic Cartier Silver Plated Cigarette Lighter & Red Cartier Box Serviced
Located in Reading, Berkshire
Classic Cartier Silver Plated Cigarette Lighter With A Red Cartier Presentation Box Fully Serviced working makes for an ideal gift.
Category

20th Century French Art Deco Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Silver Plate

Farm Life: A Collection of Animal Portraits
Located in New York, NY
Author Randal Ford, Foreword by Brian Patrick Flynn From Highland cows to Polish chickens to Arabian horses, Ford’s compelling animal photography invites readers of all ages on a delightful adventure through the barnyard. Following the acclaimed The Animal Kingdom and Good Dog, Farm Life takes us beyond the barn and into the very heart of America’s vibrant farm animals. This whimsical collection celebrates the spirited charm of these pastoral creatures and invites the viewer on a heartfelt journey of expression, play, and contemplation. There are so many animals—some domestic and some exotic—featured: cows and calves, horses, chickens and chicks, ducks and ducklings, pigs and piglets, sheep and lambs, goats, barn cats, cattle dogs, rabbits, llamas, yaks, and barn owls. Ford’s unmatched ability to capture each animal’s expression not only entertains but also creates a connection between the subject and the reader. Masterful, refreshing, and full of joy, this heartfelt collection of farm animal portraits...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

1970s Stunning Pink and White Chess Set in Volterra Alabaster Handmade Made in I
Located in Milano, IT
1970s Stunning pink and white chess set in Volterra alabaster. Handmade. Made in Italy, this set is in excellent condition, with all the pieces intact and flawless. So rare to find i...
Category

1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Alabaster

Antique Transit Theodolite, English, Surveying Instrument, Thornton, Edwardian
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique transit theodolite. An English, bronze and brass surveying instrument by AG Thornton of Manchester, dating to the Edwardian perio...
Category

Early 20th Century British Edwardian Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Brass, Bronze

Antique Silver Mounted Tigers Eye Agate Cameo Seal
Located in Long Island City, NY
A gilt silver hand seal. Square in cut, richly embossed with ornamental decor and set with tigers eye and onyx stones. The stamp part is set with a carnelian. Unmarked. Collectible D...
Category

Late 19th Century Unknown Victorian Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Onyx, Silver

Ancient Ethnic Brooch Afghan Uzbek Style, 19th Century
Located in Roma, IT
Ancient Ethnic Brooch Afghan Uzbek Style, realized in 19th Century. Metal, enamel, precious stones. Very good condition.
Category

19th Century Afghan Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Stone, Metal, Enamel

Complete Works Of Daniel Defoe - EDITION DE LUXE - 8 vols. - IN A FINE BINDING !
Located in Hillsborough, NJ
AUTHOR: DEFOE, Daniel. TITLE: The Complete Works Of Daniel Defoe. PUBLISHER: NY: National Library Company, 1903. DESCRIPTION: EDITION DE LUXE. 8 vols., 8-11/16" x 6", limited to ...
Category

Early 1900s English Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Leather

Fine Antique Russian Vermeil Silver, Enamel Christ Pantocrator Icon, Moscow 1848
Located in New York, NY
Superb Moscow School antique Russian vermeil silver and enamel icon of Christ Pantocrator, All Powerful, Sustainer of the World Moscow, 1848 The icon of Christ Pantocrator is one of ...
Category

19th Century Russian Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Silver, Enamel

Gianni Versace Pure Parfum Miniature 7.5 ml, Rare 1981 with Original Box
Located in Benalmadena, ES
Original vintage perfume from the 1980s: the very first women’s fragrance launched by the Italian fashion house Gianni Versace Parfum (Extrait), in its rare 7.5 ml / 1/4 fl oz splash...
Category

1980s Italian Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Glass

The Beautiful and Damned by F. Scott Fitzgerald – FIRST EDITION, First printing
Located in Middletown, NY
New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1922. First Edition, First Printing. 8vo, 7 1/2 x 5 1/4 inches (190 x 132 mm); pp. x + 449 + 2, one unopened at the front of the book; 2-page adve...
Category

Early 20th Century American Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Gold Leaf

Round section brass telescope with mahogany wood handle 1850s
Located in Milan, IT
Round-section brass telescope with mahogany wood handle, three-extension focus, complete with dust cap. English manufacture of the mid-19th century. Maximum length cm 43, inches 16.9...
Category

Mid-19th Century Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Brass

First Trade Edition of Winnie-the-Pooh signed by Author & Illustrator, with Orig
Located in Middletown, NY
Milne, A.A. (Alan Alexander): Winnie-the-Pooh An Exceptionally rare copy of the FIRST TRADE EDITION of Winnie-the-Pooh signed by both the Author and the Illustrator, with Original dust-jacket. London: Methuen, 1926.; First Trade Edition. Crown 8vo, 7 5/8 x 5 in (194 x 127 mm), pp. 158, full-page and text illustrations, illustrated endpapers with map of "100 Aker Wood... Drawn by me and Mr. Shepar Helpd (sic.)" Green cloth, gilt stamping on the front board with an illustration of Christopher Robin...
Category

1920s English Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

French 17th Century Baroque Wooden Madonna with Child
Located in Buisson, FR
Lovely hand carved wooden Madonna with child with traces of old color. Despite of the fact this piece has several losses , she has a wonderful and strong expression and beautiful old...
Category

17th Century French Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Wood

1960s Stunning Smoking Set in Ceramic by Rosenthal. Made in Germany
Located in Milano, IT
1960s Stunning Smoking Set in Ceramic by Rosenthal. Made in Germany The table lighter works perfeclty. This smoking set is in excellent condition. Dimension : Ashtray 5,51 x 3,93 x ...
Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Onyx

Bunny Williams: Life in the Garden
Located in New York, NY
Author Bunny Williams, Photographs by Annie Schlechter A natural sequel to the seminal An Affair with a House, this is Bunny Williams’ most ambitious book to date. Inviting us into her impressive grounds with charming personal anecdotes, expert advice, and creative ideas for how to bring natural elements into the home, this is a testament to Bunny Williams’ love affair with the garden and woodlands surrounding her eighteenth-century manor house in Northwestern Connecticut. A popular stop on the Garden Conservancy circuit, Williams’ property boasts a parterre garden...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

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

Impressive Antique Hand Carved Oak Gothic Revival Door Complete with Wall Frame
Located in Lisse, NL
Stunning Gothic architectural door with strong iron hardware in original frame. This striking and all hand carved door was originally probably part of a church or monastery and the ...
Category

19th Century European Gothic Revival Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Iron

Antique Gilt Bronze Reliquary
Located in New York, NY
A late 19th Century French gilt bronze reliquary with removable glass insets that hold an embroidered sachet. Measurements: Height: 14.5" Diameter: 9"
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Bronze

Antique Carved Oak Gothic Revival Bible Stand / Church Book Stand w IHS Symbols
Located in Lisse, NL
Antique bible table stand with hand carved cross and open IHS symbols in Gothic quatrefoil in the sides. This beautifully and fine quality hand-carved Gothic bible stand dates from...
Category

Early 20th Century European Gothic Revival Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Brass

Quad Electrostatic Loudspeakers, Rare Midcentury Modern Set Collectors Speakers
By Quad Manufacturing 1, Design Acoustics
Located in Antwerp, BE
The original ESL decorative pieces of art objects electrostatic speakers in its range in production between 1957 and 1985, has been hailed in Sound & Vision as one of the most import...
Category

1960s English Mid-Century Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal

A Dictionary of the English Language by Samuel Johnson, 1786 - 2 volumes
Located in Middletown, NY
A Dictionary of the English Language; In Which the Words are Deduced From Their Originals and Illustrated In Their Different Significant By Examples From the Best Writers. To Which are Prefixed a History of the Language and an English Grammar London: printed by John Jarvis and sold by John Fielding...
Category

Late 18th Century English Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Gold Leaf

Genuine Old Apothecary Medical Bottles Jars Set Brown Amber Glass
Located in Poperinge, BE
Beautiful set of 9 authentic apothecary bottles or jars, in brown amber blown glass with thick glass stoppers, circa 1960s-70s. This set is very characterful and is full of nice old...
Category

Mid-20th Century Belgian Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Glass

Framed Butterflies XL Troides Rhadamantus Full Body Taxidermy
Located in Poperinge, BE
Pair of framed XL butterflies, 2 pieces Troides Rhadamantus, a butterfly from the pages family, originating from the Philippines. Professionally naturalized under a black box frame ...
Category

2010s Belgian Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Acrylic, Wood

Religious Statue Jesus Christ in Art Deco style by belgian artist André Taeckens
Located in Meulebeke, BE
Belgium / 1930 / Religous statue Jesus Christ / André Taeckens (1906-1965) / plaster, wood / Art Deco Plaster Art Deco statue of Jesus, mounted on a beautifully crafted wooden stand...
Category

1930s Belgian Art Deco Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Plaster, Wood

Chess Board in Onyx and Marble, White and Brown Color
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
Chess Board in Onyx and Marble, White and Brown Color
Category

20th Century Italian Hollywood Regency Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Onyx, Marble

Soldier on Horse Pull Toy Vintage Folk Art Ore Mountains, German, 1950s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
This old hand carved wooden Soldier and horse on wooden wheels Toy, was made in the Ore Mountains (Erzgebirge) in Germany. It remains fully functional. Crafted in Germany during the ...
Category

1950s German Folk Art Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Wood

Rare Antique Qing Dynasty Chinese Ethnic Minority silver Coral necklace
Located in London, GB
A beautiful rare Antique Qing Dynasty Chinese Ethnic Minority silver Coral turquoise necklace from Yunnan. A superb chain necklace with added Taoist charms with turquoise and fine r...
Category

Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Coral, Silver

Genuine Ophiuroidea Brittle Star Fossil (3.6 lbs)
Located in New York, NY
Brittle stars, or ophiuroids, are echinoderms in the class Ophiuroidea, closely related to starfish. They crawl across the sea floor using their flexible arms for locomotion. The mos...
Category

15th Century and Earlier Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Other

The Art of Fine Gardening: Craig Bergmann Landscape Design
Located in New York, NY
The long-awaited debut book on Craig Bergmann, pre-eminent designer of traditional gardens along the North Shore of Chicago For more than four decades, Craig Bergmann has been recog...
Category

2010s American 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

French trendsetter and serial collector Daniel Rozensztroch tells us about his obsession with objects related to seafaring men.

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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