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Collectibles and Curiosities For Sale
Period: Early 20th Century
Period: 1940s
Antique Hanau Silver and Silver-Gilt Nef
Located in London, GB
Antique Hanau silver and silver-gilt nef German, Early 20th Century Height 68.5cm, width 55cm, depth 16cm Weight 4260g This nef is a remarkable example of the antique Hanau style, c...
Category

Early 20th Century German Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Silver

Black Japanned Fly Fishing Box By Mulloch's With Flies.
Located in Oxfordshire, GB
Malloch's Japanned Fly Tin. A good, black japanned swing leaf fly box by Malloch of Perth. The cream interior of this fly box is with 4 boards and a cast compartment. Two of the boar...
Category

Early 20th Century British Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Tin

Brass Boat Compass in Varnished Wood Box
Located in Norwell, MA
Classic early twentieth century boat compass by Dirigo of Seattle Washington. The entire gimballed compass has been meticulously polished and lacquered. This classic marine instrumen...
Category

1940s North American Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Brass

Antique Map of Ireland, 1903, with Intricate County Boundaries & Coastal Details
Located in Langweer, NL
Title: Antique Map of Ireland, 1903, with Intricate County Boundaries and Coastal Detail Description: This antique map of Ireland, engraved and published in 1903 by the esteemed W. ...
Category

Early 20th Century Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Antique Jewelry Box Art Deco Period
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful antique Art Deco period jewelry box, styled by Jacques Kreisler, circa early-20th Century, New York, New York. Box is an aubergine ...
Category

Early 20th Century Art Deco Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal

D-Day Flag, 1940s, one of the first American flags flown on June 6th, 1944.
Located in London, GB
Bayliss Rare Books are delighted to present the Earliest Known American Flag Flown on D-Day (As seen in The Telegraph) Flown on USS-YMS-381, one of the first vessels to enter the assault channels at Utah Beach on D-Day, this battle-worn, 48-star U.S. flag is a rare and significant piece of military history. Its provenance sets it apart: it is the earliest known American flag from D-Day to ever surface, and uniquely, it is the only flag flown from a minesweeper vessel to ever surface for sale. This makes it an artifact unlike any other, with historical weight far beyond its fabric. The flag comes with customs documentation that traces its origin directly to the Normandy beaches, where Captain William Beckham sent it home in September 1944. This direct link to the events of June 6, 1944—when the flag was among the first to be seen by German forces—is confirmed through careful research and verification. As one of the first flags to fly on the French coast during the D-Day landings, it was part of the early waves of vessels involved in Operation Neptune, the maritime portion of the broader Operation Overlord. In addition to its extraordinary provenance, this flag is in remarkable condition for its age and use. With metal grommets and a 30-inch masthead, the flag bears the faintly visible stamp “US Ensign,” further confirming its military authenticity. It was mailed back to a recipient in Tarrytown, NY, in September 1944, accompanied by its original signed U.S. Customs Declaration...
Category

1940s American Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Fabric

Antique American Flag w/ Hand-Written Inscriptions Mourning the Death of FDR
Located in York County, PA
48 STARS ON ANTIQUE AMERICAN FLAG WITH HAND-WRITTEN INSCRIPTIONS AND AN EMBROIDERED DATE OF APRIL 12TH, 1945, MOURNING THE DEATH OF PRESIDENT FRANKLIN DELANO ROOSEVELT: American national parade flag with 48 stars, printed on cotton, embellished with hand-written inscriptions and an embroidered date to commemorate the death of FDR on April 12th, 1945. “On this day in 1945, President Franklin D. Roosevelt died of a massive cerebral hemorrhage at his Warm Springs, Georgia, retreat at the age of 63. Roosevelt’s death in the final months of World War II was met with shock and grief throughout the Western world. Many Americans had no inkling of his decline in health. [He] had been president for more than 12 years, longer than any other person. He led the country through some of its greatest domestic and foreign crises to the impending defeat of Nazi Germany and within sight of Japan’s surrender...
Category

1940s American Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Cotton

Early 20th Century French Spelter Crucifix with Ornate Base and Foliated Cross
Located in Dallas, TX
Add a sense of reverence and grandeur to any sacred or decorative space with this highly detailed altar crucifix. Crafted in France circa 1920, and made of spelter with a silver-ton...
Category

Early 20th Century French Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Silver Plate, Spelter

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

Lot of Deer, Rabbit & Hunter Putz Toy Antique German Erzgebirge Christmas 1900s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Antique German set of 14 Putz stick-legged Deers, Bunny Rabbits, Fox and a Hunter. All of them are genuine antique German Christmas nativity scene or paradise yard garden...
Category

Early 20th Century German Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Composition

Japanese Kimikomi Ningyô Doll by Important Artist Jinku-ru, Ca. 1920
Located in New York, NY
Japanese Kimikomi Ningyô Doll by Important Artist Jinku-ru, Ca. 1920 DIMENSIONS: Height: 9.5 inches Width: 5 inches ABOUT This exquisite Kimikomi Ningyo doll by Jinku-ru, a recog...
Category

1920s Japanese Japonisme Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Wood

American Folk-Art Steam Ship Encased Diorama
Located in London, GB
American Folk-art Steam Ship Encased Diorama We share what we love, and we love this turn of the century hand crafted American folk-art encased steam ship model...
Category

Early 1900s Folk Art Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal

Large Caribou Antler Skull Mount Taxidermy Cabin Decor Skull Antlers
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Large Caribou Antler Skull Mount Taxidermy Cabin Decor Skull Antlers Item e7355 A great antique caribou (Rangifer tarandus) trophy on a wooden plaque. Th...
Category

Early 20th Century German Black Forest Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Antler, Wood

DICKENS, Charles (Arthur Rackham). A Christmas Carol. LIMITED SIGNED EDITION
Located in Hillsborough, NJ
AUTHOR: DICKENS, Charles (Arthur Rackham). TITLE: A Christmas Carol. PUBLISHER: London: Heinemann, 1915. DESCRIPTION: LIMITED SIGNED EDITION. 1 vol., 11-9/16" x 9-3/8", limited t...
Category

Early 1900s American Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Leather

National Cash Register Co. Brass Cash Register, Model 442, Early 1900s on Plinth
Located in Southampton, NY
National Cash Register Co. Brass Cash Register, Model 442-E-L, Early 1900s, on wooden plinth. American. Brass. In 1908, National introduced a new numbering system that grouped their ...
Category

Early 20th Century American Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Brass

Antique Leather Wardrobe Travel Trunk Salesman Sample
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A rare antique leather and wood ribbed wardrobe travel trunk salesman sample with beautifully fitted interior. The trunk with brass capped rounded corners, leather side handles, latc...
Category

Early 20th Century European Hollywood Regency Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal

Antique Sterling Silver Collectible Novelty Pincushion Modelled As A Hedgehog
Located in London, London
Hallmarked in London in 1902 by Goldsmiths & Silversmiths Co. This adorable Antique, Edwardian, Sterling Silver Hedgehog Pincushion is rare and collectible, with the silver overlayin...
Category

Early 1900s English Edwardian Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Sterling Silver

Huge Early 20th century English architectural pine model
Located in London, GB
Huge Early 20th century English architectural pine model A well modelled early 20th century hand carved oversized pine architectural model. Showing natural age and minor loss as sho...
Category

Early 20th Century British Late Victorian Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Pine

Chinese Bamboo Opium Pipe with Red Clay Bowl
Located in Chicago, IL
This long bamboo pipe dates to the late 19th century and was originally used for smoking opium. Unlike a tobacco pipe, the opium pipe was designed especially to allow resinous opium ...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Brass

Queen Anne silver metal table lighter - Ronson - England 1950's vintage
Located in Beuzevillette, FR
Very elegant "Queen Anne" table lighter from Ronson in silver metal from the mid-20th century. This lighter works on gas. This pretty lighter has an elongated, oval shape decorated with pearls and gadroons. The lighter has a flame adjustment dial Under the lighter is engraved the Ronson brand, as well as a label with the control number. Ronson Queen Anne was a very popular wick lighter...
Category

1940s English Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Silver

Antique Walking Stick with Roe Deer Horn
Located in Vo', Veneto
Antique Walking Stick with Roe Deer Horn Measurements: H. 91 cm - L. 20 cm Era: early 1900s Origin: Germany Wood: Chestnut Description Antique walking stick, in wood and deciduous...
Category

Early 1900s German Rustic Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Chestnut

Madonna Della Sedia Antique Framed Hand-Painted Portrait on Porcelain
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This finely executed portrait is unsigned and presumed to have originated from Italy and date to approximately 1900 and done in a Renaissance style. The portrait is hand-painted on a...
Category

Early 20th Century Italian Renaissance Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal

Antique Pump Organ NO50 Chicago Cottage Organ Company
Located in Pasadena, TX
19th Century Eastlake Style Walnut Pump Organ by Chicago Organ Company Gorgeous elaborately carved antique pump organ made by the Chicago Organ Co. Black...
Category

Early 20th Century American Eastlake Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Walnut

Petite Chinese Opium Tool Charm, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
A small Chinese chatelaine tool set strung with a single brass spoon. Suspended from one's clothing at the shoulder, back, or waist, a tool set such as this was used for a variety of...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Brass

Italian Grand Tour Alabaster Model the Roman Forum Temple of Vespasian
Located in Stamford, CT
Italian Grand Tour model of the ancient Temple of Vespasian located in the Roman Forum, Rome. Carved from alabaster, this is a handsome example of a souvenir carving which would have been collected by a European or American sophisticate making a Grand Tour of the ancient sites of Italy. This wonderful architectural miniature is evocative of another time and place. Roma Templo Di Vespasiano' etched into the black marble base. It has been drilled to be wired, not the first time I have owned one of these that had been mounted as a lamp. The Temple of Vespasian and Titus is located in Rome at the western end of the Roman Forum between the Temple of Concordia and the Temple of Saturn...
Category

Early 20th Century Italian Grand Tour Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Alabaster, Marble

Rare American Yacht Binnacle Compass
Located in Norwell, MA
Absolutely awesome yacht binnacle by New York maker T.S & J.D Negus of New York. Varnished base with intricate rope carving. The brass binnacle carries ...
Category

Early 1900s North American Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Brass

Antique World Globe From Fleet Street London 1923 on Wooden Stand
Located in Reading, Berkshire
Antique Terrestrial Geographia of Fleet Street London 12"inch World Globe on handcrafted Wooden Three Legged Base 1923 Made 55 Fleet Street, London Beautiful desktop globe, sho...
Category

1920s British Art Deco Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Wood, Paper

IMCO 1000 Ifa-Storm 1924 Julius Meister Thumbwheel Mechanical Lighter In Brass
Located in Miami, FL
IMCO mechanical lighter made by the Julius Franz Meister Company. This is an amazing authentic petrol lighter original from the art deco period. This industrial piece was originally designed and patented by Hans Silverknopf and was made in Austria back in 1925-26 by the Julius Meister Company, JMCO commonly know as IMCO. This is the final 4th model storm thumbwheel, called IFA-1000. It was crafted in solid polished brass and is fitted with mechanical sliding elements. This lighter has the rare sub-variety in the snuffer, is rounded and domed on top. The function is very simple, the metallic wheel on the lighter, when pushed down by one's thumb, will rub against the ferrocerium to produce a scorching spark. Simultaneously, the petrol vape is released, which is vaporized (depressurized) as soon as it exits the container. This lighter is original not a reproduction and has been cleaned and polished to bring back his original splendor. IMCO The company was founded by Julius Franz Meister in 1907, the Julian Meister Co. (JMCO/IMCO) began as a button and metal goods factory in Vienna. Bernhard Silberknopf became a company partner during 1911. The factory began manufacturing lighters after World War 1. The first lighter model, the "Imko Feuerzeug" was patented in 1920 and several other models were produced during the early 1920s based on this patent. Hans Silberknopf patented the design for the famous "Ifa" Sturmfeuerzeug in 1925. IMCO produced other several models based on this patent. The design was copied by multiple U.S. and Japanese companies during the 1930s and 1940s and countless replicas have been produced. Frequently deceptively characterized as "trench lighters...
Category

1920s Austrian Industrial Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Brass, Bronze, Steel

Large Catholic Altar or Procession Cross - Crucifix in Gilt Bronze
Located in Esbjerg, DK
A gilded bronze alloy early 20th century Processional Cross. On the obverse a central Corpus Christi in raw bronze and arms extended wearing a loincloth. Hidden yet partially exposed...
Category

Early 20th Century European Gothic Revival Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Gold Plate, Bronze

Early 20th Century Softshell Turtle Skeleton (Trionychidae) Taxidermy Curio
Located in Lowestoft, GB
A decorative softshell turtle skeleton, housed and mounted within a shadow box. The skeleton appears to be complete and well detailed, laid on a mottled paper backing, gilt slip and...
Category

Early 20th Century European Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Natural Fiber, Glass, Pine

Polo Match Scene Bronze Sculpture, France, 1920´s
Located in Buenos Aires, Olivos
1920´s Art Deco polo match bronze sculpture. Scene of two polo players on their horses. Made of Silvered Bronze mounted of a Italian Portoro marble base...
Category

1920s French Art Deco Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Marble, Bronze

20 Vols. R.L.Stevenson. The Works
Located in New York, NY
20 Volumes.Robert L. Stevenson. The Works. "Pentland Edition" With Bibliographical notes by Edmund Gosse. Bound in full red morocco, marbled endpapers, top edges gilt, raised bands, ...
Category

Early 20th Century English Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Leather

1903 Art Nouveau Portrait Repousse Gold Filled Pocket watch by Waltham
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Original turn-of-the-century Art Nouveau portrait pocket Gold-filled watch by Waltham featuring a portrait of a female nymph with flowing locks of hair over flowers with matching flo...
Category

Early 1900s American Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Gold, Steel

Antique French Art Deco Mirrored Three-Door Prototype Miniature Armoire, 1920s
Located in Barntrup, DE
Unique and stunning French Art Deco three-door miniature armoire with mirror, brass handles, and hand-carved floral ornaments. Two removable shelves. Most probably it was a prototype of a large Art...
Category

1920s French Art Deco Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal

Aretino Disc Machine Phonograph
Located in Guaynabo, PR
This is an Aretino Machine Phonograph. It depicts a square wood cabinet that has at the top a round platter where a disc/record is placed and can be heard after the needle attached t...
Category

Early 20th Century American American Craftsman Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal

Antique Japanese Epic Novel Book Edo Period, circa 1820
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Antique Japanese epic novel book Edo period, circa 1827 Woodblack print book Book dimensions: 225 mm x 157 mm There are damages because it is antique item as we show on the ph...
Category

1920s Japanese Edo Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

American vintage cash register from NATIONAL, made of metal
Located in Milano, IT
We present a timeless treasure: the antique American cash register from the early 20th century, revisited and enriched with the charm of Italian lire! Enter a world where history an...
Category

Early 1900s American Art Nouveau Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal, Bronze

Early 20th Century Taxidermy Snow White Terrier "Fruach"
Located in Lowestoft, GB
A very well mounted taxidermy snow white terrier with silk bow collar, resting on a scarlet velvet cushion with braided gold fringing and graduated painted blue background. The terr...
Category

Early 20th Century English Edwardian Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Natural Fiber, Glass, Pine

Model gypsies caravan, handmade and painted, folk art, English circa 1900
Located in Central England, GB
This superb and ultra rare early folk art scale model of a gypsy or traveller’s caravan is over one hundred years old. It has been beautifully hand made and finely painted. It has gl...
Category

Early 20th Century English Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Wrought Iron

Colibri Original Swiss Made Lift-Arm Pocket Lighter, 1928
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Colibri was founded in 1928 by Julius Lowenthal, who in the same year, invented the world's first working semi-automatic lighter known as the Colibri "Original". This vintage Swiss-m...
Category

1920s Swiss Art Deco Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Gold

Antique Walking Stick with Roe Deer Horn
Located in Vo', Veneto
Antique Walking Stick in Hazel Measurements: H.91 cm - W. 24 cm Era: early 1900s Origin: Austria Wood: Hazel Description Antique walking stick, in hazel wood and deciduous roe dee...
Category

Early 1900s Austrian Rustic Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Chestnut

Late Art Deco Geometric Beaded Womans Purse Clutch w/ Silvertone & Lucite Clasp
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Late 1940s Art Deco beaded white purse/clutch. This stylish purse features a silvertone & lucite clasp complemented by a stylish chain handle with a beaded bag attached. The interior...
Category

1940s American Art Deco Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Steel

United States Navy 48 Star Union Jack, circa 1912
Located in Nantucket, MA
Antique United States Navy 48 Star Union Jack, circa 1912, a scarce early, World War I era US Navy Jack with 48 embroidered stars on a cobalt field, flown on the bow of Navy, Coast G...
Category

1910s American Other Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Wool

Wind Tunnel Model of a Douglas Destroyer Made by NACA/NASA in 1942
Located in London, GB
A very rare World War II 1/5 scale wind tunnel development model of a Douglas "Destroyer" XSB2D-1 torpedo and dive bomber, circa 1942. The model was made ...
Category

1940s American Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Aluminum

Exceptional , antique wooden Letter Box
Located in Schellebelle, BE
Exceptional letterbox in the form of a miniature English Manor House, from around 1900, beautiful shine and warm patina of the polished Wood, the box has one top lid that can be open...
Category

Early 1900s British Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Satinwood

Antique Bronze Ganesha Seated Meditation Four Hands Hindu Ganapati Sculpture
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Antique Bronze Ganesha Seated Meditation 4 Hands Hindu Ganapati Sculpture of Ganesha, also known as Ganapati, is a revered Hindu deity widely worshipped as the remover of obstacles a...
Category

Early 1900s Anglo-Indian Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Bronze

Museum Quality Bronze of Christ Wall Plaque Sculpture "Jesus Carrying the Cross"
Located in Lisse, NL
Stunningly powerful and meaningful work of religious art. With works of religious art being one of our specialties, over the decades we have sold quite a few special antiques in this field. With this bronze antique the artist clearly shows us a fragment out of one of the most famous scenes that took place in the history of mankind. Christ has already been beaten, mocked, given a wreath of thorns and having to carry the enormous cross. As you can see the quality of the details and the workmanship is excellent, but the scene and its meaning ofcourse is even more impressive. Please notice how particularly the facial features reveil the peaceful state of being that lies underneath the exterior of this Christ sculpture...
Category

Early 20th Century European Arts and Crafts Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Bronze

Antique Scientific Didactic Model of the Yew Seed, Germany made in the Twenties
Located in Milan, IT
Taxus baccata, enlarged and removable didactic model of the yew seed, tree very used as hedge, belonging to the order of the conifers. German manufacture of the twenties made of papi...
Category

1920s German Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Wood

Solid Brass Ships Telegraph by English Maker Chadburns
Located in Norwell, MA
Twin faced head with ships commands is mounted to a sturdy brass column. Meticulously polished and lacquered. Astern and ahead commands with slow half and full are shown. The bells a...
Category

1940s European Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Brass

Antique Golf, Desk Letter Rack
Located in Oxfordshire, GB
Vintage Brass Golf Letter Holder, Letter Rack. A good golf-themed early 20th century brass letter rack. The golf desk piece letter holder end pieces made of brass with two crossed go...
Category

Early 20th Century British Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Brass

The Works of Shakespeare Complete in Seven Leatherbound Volumes
Located in San Francisco, CA
The Works of Shakespeare Complete in 7 duodecimo 3/4 leather bound volumes with marbleized boards and end papers, top edges gilt. A charming set in attractive original condition. Fro...
Category

Early 20th Century American Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Leather, Paper

Gold Fishing Brooch With Trout And Rod
Located in Oxfordshire, GB
Gold, Silver & Enamel Rainbow Trout Fishing Brooch. An exquisite 9 Carat gold fishing brooch by Alabaster & Wilson, Birmingham's Jewellery Quarter (established in 1887). The fishing ...
Category

Early 20th Century British Sporting Art Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Gold, Silver, Enamel

Rosewood Hardwood Carved Judge Auctioneer Gavel
Located in Clifton Forge, VA
This is an elegant looking gavel made of rosewood with the wonderful color, grain and super hardness of the wood. It is nicely carved with the traditional shape of a gavel and is i...
Category

Early 20th Century Unknown Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Rosewood

RONSON 1928 Art Deco Chromed Geometric Perfume Perfu-Mist Dispenser Red Leather
Located in Miami, FL
Art deco mechanical perfume dispenser Perfu-mist designed by Ronson. This is a beautiful and rare perfume dispenser flask, created in the city of Newark, New Jersey United States by...
Category

1920s American Art Deco Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Steel, Stainless Steel

Wooden maquette, depicting the Eiffel Tower, France early 20th century.
Located in Milan, IT
Miniature Wunderkammer architectural model, entirely handmade, in painted balsa wood, depicting the Eiffel Tower. Grand Tour item. Original patina. France early 20th century.
Category

Early 20th Century French Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Wood

M. E. BERNHARDT 1912 Austria Top-Hat Petrol Desk Lighter In Polished Brass
Located in Miami, FL
Top-hat desk lighter designed by M. B. Bernhardt. This is a very unusual novelty petrol desk lighter created in Vienna Austria by the M. B. Bernhardt Co. back in the 1912-1915. The ...
Category

1910s Austrian Art Deco Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Brass

Antique Narragansett Machine Company Mountable Weight Machine , 1920s, USA
Located in San Francisco, CA
Antique wall-mounted cast iron gym exercise machine. This early exercise device, designed for shoulder and arm workouts, features sturdy wooden mounting panels and durable cast iron pulleys. The top wooden panel bears a decal from the Narragansett Machine Company, highlighting its historical craftsmanship. A unique and functional piece, it makes a fantastic addition to any home gym or vintage fitness...
Category

1920s American Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Iron

For Whom The Bell Tolls by Ernest Hemingway, First Blakiston Edition, 1940
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
Hemingway, Ernest. For Whom the Bell Tolls. Philadelphia: The Blakiston Company, 1940. First Blakiston Edition. Rebound in quarter navy leather...
Category

1940s American Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Leather, 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.

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Whaam! Blam! Pow! — a New Book on Pop Art Packs a Punch

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