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Collectibles and Curiosities For Sale
Style: Art Nouveau
Style: Louis XVI
WMF Champagne / Wine Cooler with a Hunting scene, Wild Elk Ornament Handles
Located in Buenos Aires, Olivos
WMF Champagne / wine cooler with a Hunting scene, Wild Elk Ornament Handles. It has a scene of dogs running a hare, one of dogs running an elk, and one o...
Category

Early 20th Century German Art Nouveau Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal

18th Century French Louis XVI Marquetry Secretaire or Desk
Located in Winter Park, FL
An 18th century French Louis XVI marquetry secretaire, or secretary desk with bookcase. Beautifully made with book matched veneer of mahogany and fine inlay of walnut and mahogany. I...
Category

Late 18th Century French Louis XVI Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Brass

18th Century Carved & Painted Symbolic Christian Plaque
Located in Dallas, TX
18th century carved & painted symbolic Christian plaque will make a unique and special addition to your devotional display! Hand-carved from fruitwood around the time of the founding...
Category

Late 18th Century French Louis XVI Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Fruitwood

Schafer & Vater White Glazed Drunken Man Dish
By Schafer & Vater
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A delightful and rare antique German porcelain dish or desk stand modelled as a drunken man by Schafer & Vater and dating from around 1890. The figure lies outstretched on a ground w...
Category

1890s German Jugendstil Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Porcelain

Large Jugendstil Style Hand Carved Wooden Sculpture of Mary and Child Jesus
Located in Lisse, NL
Sizable and superb condition work of religious art. This handsomely carved and all original work of religious art could hardly be in better condition. This sculpture is entirely h...
Category

Mid-20th Century European Jugendstil Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Pine, Wood

Parquetry Inlaid Piano by François Linke
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
An important gilt-bronze mounted parquetry inlaid piano a queue, by François Linke, the Movement by Erard.  Signed 'F.Linke' on the keyboard cover mold...
Category

19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Ormolu

Carved Wooden Antique French Barometer with Thermometer, Number 9432 1910s
Located in Verviers, BE
Carved wooden antique French barometer with thermometer Unusual antique carved wooden barometer in a lovely carved case, working order. Number 9432 ...
Category

1910s French Art Nouveau Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Fruitwood

Wall-Mounted Weather Station in Art Nouveau Style Carved Walnut 1910s
By A. de Lambert
Located in Verviers, BE
Wall-mounted weather station in carved walnut made in Belgium by A. de Lambert. High quality mechanism with jeweled movement barometer and thermometer (in centigrade) Unusual design with high relief C-scrolls and flowers in Rococo style (from theArt Nouveau' period) with a lovely walnut case/. Equipment in full working order. Please don't hesitate to get in touch with any further questions.

 With best wishes, Geert 
Early Bird Gallery...
Category

1910s Belgian Art Nouveau Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Walnut

Early 20th Century Toy Step, Step Bike
Located in Antwerp, BE
Antique step bike - antique toy step. This child's bike step dates 1900 - 1920. We found this one out of a collection which came from a castle - royal house. It's a collectable antique bike , antique bicycle, antique vélo...
Category

Early 20th Century Belgian Art Nouveau Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal

Crown Staffordshire Large Porcelain Tudor House Pastille Burner c.1906
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A large and rare antique porcelain pastille burner modelled as a Tudor House set within a walled garden by Crown Staffordshire and dating from around 1...
Category

Early 1900s English Art Nouveau Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Porcelain

Early 20th Century Russian Silver 84 Clutch Purse with Horses Moscow
Located in San Mateo, CA
Russian silver clutch or evening purse. This has repousse horse heads with outstanding detail in the left corner. The clutch is .875 fine silver. There is a glass cabochon for the cl...
Category

1910s Russian Art Nouveau Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Silver

Antique 1909 Song of the English By Rudyard Kipling
Located in Seguin, TX
Song of the English By Rudyard Kipling, Illustrations by W. Heath Robinson, Published by Doubleday, Page & Company, New York, 1909. Red cloth with gilt decoration, tipped in color ...
Category

Early 20th Century Art Nouveau Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Borzoi Dog Companion for French German Doll Jumeau Kestner, Antique German
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A salon dog from Germany for your french fashion doll. Glass amber eyes with black pupils, black nose and wooden sticky legs. Lots of clean fluffy ...
Category

1910s German Art Nouveau Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Fabric, Fur, Wool, Glass, Wood

Set of a Barometer and a Clock, 19th Century
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Set of a barometer and a clock, 19th century Set of a barometer and a clock in carved wood, from the 19th century, Louis XVI style, Napoleon III period, great decoration. The mechanism of the clock is missing, but it is possible on request to put an old clock...
Category

1870s European Louis XVI Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Wood

Thonet H 6760 Prayer Kneeling Chair
Located in Budapest, HU
Prayer Kneeling by Thonet.
Category

Early 20th Century Austrian Art Nouveau Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Wood

Important self-playing piano "La Victoire" stamped Blanche-Petit & Goffart
Located in Paris, FR
Important automatic self-playing piano called "Bastringue", from the beginning of the XXth century, working with an interchangeable cylinder stamped by the organ and piano makers "J....
Category

Early 20th Century French Art Nouveau Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Iron

French Chocolate Box, Edgard Maxence, Marquise de Sévigné Paris
Located in Antwerp, BE
Antique French chocolate box for Chocolate Maison Marquise de Sévigné Paris by Edgard Maxence. A great looking Early 20th Century bonbon ...
Category

Early 20th Century French Art Nouveau Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Other

Antique German Art Nouveau Jewelry Memory Pin Brooch Ormolu with Stone, 1900s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
This lovely stylish sentimental brooch was made to keep a photo of loved ones. Made in Germany, circa 1900. The brooch has a picture inside. It has a blue stone and also has a hangin...
Category

Early 1900s German Art Nouveau Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Ormolu

Archibald Knox for Liberty and Co Silver Buckle, Birmingham, 1902 - 3
Located in Central England, GB
A Rare Archibald Knox for Liberty and Co Silver Buckle A rare silver buckle designed by Archibald Knox for Liberty and Co’s Cymric range. It appears in Dr. Stephen Martin's book, Archibald Knox second edition, page 270. It is probably one of Knox’s most desirable and accomplished buckle designs and shows the influence of Talwin Morris...
Category

20th Century English Art Nouveau Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Silver

Important Pendant In Yellow Gold Cameo Old "Oval" pendant in 18k 20th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
Important Pendant In Yellow Gold Cameo Old "Oval" pendant in 18k set with claws decorated with a shell cameo representing the profile of a young woman. Weight: 25.5g Dimensions: 5x...
Category

Early 20th Century French Art Nouveau Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Gold

Jugendstil prayer chair or altar, side table/display table/stairs Ca. 1890-1914
Located in Ijzendijke, NL
Beautiful Jugendstil prayer chair or altar, also usable as side table/display table/stairs/bookcase. Ca. 1890-1914, Netherlands. Very beautifully executed in wood with curling openw...
Category

Early 20th Century Dutch Art Nouveau Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Wood

Large Antique Art Nouveau Gilt Brass Belt Sash Buckle
Located in Seguin, TX
Antique circa 1890's gilt brass belt or sash buckle. Swirling Art Nouveau design, 2 pc. flat catch hook closure. 7" long when closed 1.5" wide, straping on back allows for it to be s...
Category

Late 19th Century Unknown Art Nouveau Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal

Pair Cherub Decorative Bronze Metal Head Bust Statues Sculptures, Belgium, 1900s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A pair of classic decorative Bust statues. Some wear with a nice patina, but this is old-age. Made of a kind of metal, we think its gilded bronze. Very decorative and nice to display...
Category

Early 20th Century Belgian Art Nouveau Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal

Large Antique Silver Hand Arm Ex Voto, Antique European, 1910s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A cute petite religious Ex Voto. I do not know what it is made of, thin and light filigree silver or silver plated metal. It is handmade, embossed and then welded. Given the delicacy...
Category

Early 20th Century German Art Nouveau Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Silver Plate, Sheet Metal

Original Documented Otto Wagner's Private Belonging Dining Room Chandelier
Located in Vienna, AT
Chandelier for the private dining room in Otto Wagners famous "Erste Villa Wagner," Hüttelbergstrasse, Vienna similar to the crown-rim of the Romanic and Gothic period (see also Jarm...
Category

19th Century Austrian Jugendstil Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Brass, Bronze

Pair Noble Man Decorative Metal Head Bust Statues Sculptures, Belgium 1900s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A pair of classic decorative Bust statues. Some wear with a nice patina, but this is old-age. Made of a kind of metal, we think it's brass, socket nickel plated. Very decorative and ...
Category

Early 20th Century Belgian Art Nouveau Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal

Art Nouveau Antique Sterling Silver Nurses Belt Buckle from 1901 by John Tiley
By John Tiley
Located in London, London
Hallmarked in London 1901 by John Tiley, this stylish, Victorian, Antique Sterling Silver Belt Buckle, measures 3.75"(9.5cm) wide a...
Category

Early 1900s English Art Nouveau Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Sterling Silver

Franz Iffland Bronze Sculpture of a Cupid Boy Ice Skater, ca 1900
Located in Buenos Aires, Olivos
Bronze depicting a young boy (cupid) ice skating, by Franz Iffland (Berlin 1862-1935). A boy in fur-trimmed cape, holds a cupid-like feathered arrow with...
Category

Early 20th Century German Art Nouveau Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Doulton Burslem Series Ware Golfing Scenes Vase by Charles Dana Gibson
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A very rare Doulton Burslem series ware porcelain vase decorated with golfing scenes by renowned American illustrator Charles Dana Gibson (American, 1867-1944) and dating between 190...
Category

Early 20th Century English Art Nouveau Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Porcelain

Emile Gallé, Smoker Set Enameled Topaz Glass 3 Pieces, Thistles
Located in Boulogne Billancourt, FR
Smoker set "Chardons " made in topaz glass with enameled design of thistles by Émile Gallé. Each piece is signed “E.Gallé”. All parts are in perfect con...
Category

Early 1900s French Art Nouveau Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Enamel

Antique French Louis XVI Period Signed Carcano Wall Barometer
By Jean-Joseph de Saint-Germain
Located in Forney, TX
A magnificent nearly 250 year old Louis XVI period (1774–1793) hand carved and painted parcel gilt French wall thermometer and barometer signed Carcano. Exquisitely hand-crafted in Paris, France in the second half of the 18th century, exceptionally executed in Neoclassical inspired opulent period King Louis 16th taste. Impressive large size and fine quality craftsmanship, richly detailed, sculpted, polychrome decorated wooden case, surmounted by an ornate carved pineapple topped urn finial, garnished with a single garland swag, over a contoured and rounded solid wood frame creating a most elegant elongated banjo cartel clock silhouette, adorned with brilliant water gilded running ornamentation, outlining the beautifully aged light and airy muted pale green paint finish. Featuring the original hand decorated enamel dial signed Antonio Carcano (1755-1820) a distinguished scientific instrument inventor. The dial is signed: "Jofeph" "Carcano" "Rue du Faubourg-Saint-Denis"  "Fripiere au phenix" Having a hand-blown glass thermometer retaining remnants of the hand-painted paper label inscribed with atmospheric condition details, over an early barometer with hand painted dial and metal hands, protected behind convex glazed glass face. Mechanical: The wooden planked verso is fitted with an open channel that retains the original mechanical components, including a pair of liquid metal mercury filled glass tubes, vacuum mechanism, long column blown glass tube, stringing, and more. It does not appear to be working / operational, the string/rope deteriorating with age, etc.. but having the original parts is an exceptionally rare occurrence and highly unusual, as workings were commonly damaged and lost centuries ago. Dimensions (approx): 43" High, 12" Wide, 2.5" Deep History: Antoine Carcano (c. 1755-1820) An early maker of barometers, thermometers, and an inventor of various scientific instruments. Of Italian descent, he became famous in Paris, first at 37 rue de la Roquette and then at Place Dauphine. He supplied barometers and other scientific instruments to the Ecole Militaire in 1786; the following year he supplied a tube barometer to British optical instruments manufacturer Peter Dollond (1731-1821). During the Empire his clientele included Sir Benjamin Thompson...
Category

Late 18th Century French Louis XVI Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Blown Glass, Giltwood, Paint, Wood

Pair Cufflinks Antique German Art Nouveau Jewelry, 1900s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Two lovely stylish cufflinks in original old box. Made in Germany, circa 1900. Each is marked with a manufactory mark and "amerikaner". Thats probably the mark for american double. ...
Category

Early 1900s German Art Nouveau Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Ormolu

Antique German Art Nouveau Jewelry Pocket Watch Chain with Fob, 1900s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
This lovely pocket watch chain with sentimental FOB, pendant with a picture of a loved one, is still a beauty. It is circa 1900s or older. A very pretty antique jewellery item whic...
Category

Early 1900s German Art Nouveau Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Ormolu, Metal

King Edward VII Royal Bluthner Piano Exhibited in Paris Exhibition 1900
Located in Leeds, GB
An 1899, Bluthner grand piano with a rosewood case, decorated with Art Nouveau and Empire style elements. It was showcased at the 1900 Paris Exposition Universelle. Piano bought by King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra in the Coronation year of 1902 to be situated in the ballroom of Malborough House. It was sold in 1936 to Major Maconochie in Bath. This piano is in great original condition having only had two previous owners. A rare opportunity to acquire a royal piano. The piano cheek side panel is inlaid with an Art Nouveau design featuring a stylised female head surrounded by whiplash lines and foliage. Musical instruments sit centrally in the design. Columnar, Empire style gilt mounts stand each side of the inlay. Napoleonic emblems of stars, palmettes and foliage feature here. Symmetrical female heads with flowing tresses and floral...
Category

Late 19th Century German Art Nouveau Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Ormolu, Metal

Molds, Castings Fire Screen Hector Guimard
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This set of 3 plates are the Molds made for Casting the Hector Guimard Fire Screen . These were used to produce the Contemporary Castings . They can still be used. There were less th...
Category

1990s North American Art Nouveau Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Epoxy Resin

Obelisk Sculpture Marbled Wood, Black and White, Antique Austria 1900s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
This beautiful pair of 1900s Austrian obelisk will make a definite statement with their classic form and use of black and white marble finish. Handcrafted from wood with a lacquered ...
Category

Early 20th Century Austrian Art Nouveau Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Wood

Late 18th Century French Giltwood Barometer
Located in Essex, MA
Period late 18th century giltwood barometer. Original gilding. Carved overall with globe, and navigation instruments. Foliate and neoclassical motifs. Maker signed.
Category

Late 18th Century French Louis XVI Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Giltwood

Antique German Art Nouveau Jewelry Heart Pin Brooch Ormolu with Stone, 1900s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
This lovely stylish sentimental brooch was made for a loved one. Made in Germany, circa 1900. The brooch has a red stone and a white stone (probably moonstone) in it. A very pretty ...
Category

Early 1900s German Art Nouveau Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Ormolu

Josef Hoffmann Silver Brooch Austrian Jugendstil Embossed Leaves 1912
Located in Klosterneuburg, AT
Silver Brooch Josef Hoffmann Wiener Werkstätte Austrian Jugendstil Embossed Leaves 1912 Josef Hoffmann, a member of the Vienna Secession, was both the co-founder and one of the mo...
Category

1910s Austrian Jugendstil Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Silver

The Seven Seas by Rudyard Kipling First Edition
Located in Dallas, TX
Presenting an extremely rare first edition hardback copy of The Seven Seas by Rudyard Kipling from 1897. This rare book is in fair to good condition for ...
Category

Late 19th Century American Art Nouveau Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

F. Goldscheider - large woman bust Polychrome Terracotta - Art Nouveau signed
Located in Beuzevillette, FR
Beautiful terracotta bust from the factory of Friedrich Goldscheider from the art nouveau period. Girl with flowers. Polychrome terracotta It represents a female bust with her head t...
Category

Early 20th Century European Art Nouveau Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Terracotta

Museum Quality Arts & Crafts Oak Crucifix w Stylished Bronze Sculpture of Christ
Located in Lisse, NL
Unique Arts & Crafts / Jugendstil table or altar crucifix and a wonderful work of religious art. For us the most powerful statement will always be 'the truth will set you free'. It ...
Category

Early 20th Century European Jugendstil Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Bronze

Art Nouveau Waterman 'Ideal' 14 Karat Gold Fountain Pen, circa 1910
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
An early 1900s Waterman 'Ideal' fountain pen in 14 karat gold pierced and engraved filigree design, with a lever filling system. Missing its original bladder but otherwise intact. No...
Category

Early 20th Century American Art Nouveau Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Gold

Louis XVI Period Giltwood Barometer
Located in Ross, CA
This beautifully carved Louis XVI barometer follows the designs of Evangelista Torricelli, an Italian physicist who was a student of Galileo and...
Category

Late 18th Century French Louis XVI Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Glass, Giltwood

Pair of Early Leather Bound Ditzler Automotive Paint Chip Boxes
Located in Ferndale, MI
Early 20th century automotive color chip or sample container. Raised in the leather design the words Compose - Vogue - Series, and automobile colors with the Ditzier logo shown in th...
Category

Early 20th Century North American Art Nouveau Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Leather

Jugendstil Art Nouveau Hard Copy
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The first edition printed in the US in English. A small tear in the front cover page and a small mark on the book. From a private collector.
Category

1980s North American Jugendstil Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

20th Century Automathic Piano-Pianola from France
Located in Vulpellac, Girona
20th Century Luché "ELCE" mechanical piano, France. Roller and crank in perfect working condition.  
Category

Early 20th Century French Art Nouveau Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Wood

Henri Fugere, Bronze Figure, 'Bebe Tapin' Boy Playing His Drum
Located in Buenos Aires, Olivos
Henri Fugere, bronze figure, ' Bebe Tapin ' signed in the bronze. French Boy playing his drum. Henry Fugere, a well listed artist. Mr. Fugere was born in...
Category

Early 20th Century French Art Nouveau Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Marble, Metal

Art Nouveau by Gabriele Far'becker
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Great Art Nouveau Book with lots of photos and details of Art Nouveau pieces. Book is in excellent condition, purchased from a collector.
Category

Early 2000s European Art Nouveau Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

French 18th Century Louis XVI Period Giltwood Barometer Thermometer
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An elegant and extremely decorative French 18th century Louis XVI period giltwood barometer thermometer. The most decorative barometer thermometer retains its original glass pane enc...
Category

18th Century French Louis XVI Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Giltwood

Rene Lalique Electric Blue Coloured Glass 'Graines' Pendant
Located in Chelmsford, Essex
Rene Lalique electric blue coloured glass 'Graines' Pendant. This pattern features a branch with berries. Threaded tassles and necklace. Engraved makers mark, 'Lalique'. Book referen...
Category

1920s French Art Nouveau Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Glass

Art Nouveau Advertising Tile Poster from Codorniu's Cellar, Spain
Located in Vulpellac, Girona
Art Nouveau advertising tile poster from Codorniu Cellar, Spain Ceramic tiles measurements: 15x15 cm (6x6 in). Codorníu is synonymous to th...
Category

Early 20th Century Spanish Art Nouveau Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Ceramic

Antique German Art Nouveau Jewelry Faith, Love, Hope Brooch Ormolu, 1900s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
This lovely stylish sentimental brooch to give it to a loved one. Made in Germany, circa 1900. A very pretty piece of antique jewellery which would make a fine addition to any colle...
Category

Early 1900s German Art Nouveau Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Ormolu

French Mid-19th Century Concert Grand Piano Signed Pleyel
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A spectacular French mid-19th century, circa 1855, Louis XVI st. tulipwood parquetry and ormolu mounted, Model 2 Concert Grand Piano, signed Pleyel...
Category

19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Ormolu

Antique Art Nouveau 10K Yellow Gold Blue Topaz Cocktail Ring 6g
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique 10k yellow gold ring with Art Nouveau and reticulated styling on the band, set with an oval cut blue topaz. Size 6 / stone - 13 mm x 10 mm / 6.1 g.
Category

Early 20th Century Art Nouveau Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Gold

Jugendstil WMF Marked and Silvered Holy Water Font Depicting Mary & Child Jesus
Located in Lisse, NL
Antique silvered wall font with original and excellent condition glass vessel. This rare Jugendstil wall font by German makers WMF is in excellent condition and it even comes with t...
Category

Early 20th Century German Jugendstil Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal

French Late 19th Century Louis XVI St. Giltwood Barometer
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A very handsome and decorative French late 19th century Louis XVI st. giltwood barometer. Fine carvings of scrolls and foliate throughout with a lyre shape above the painted barometer...
Category

19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Giltwood

Filigree Silver Vintage Car Model
Located in Buenos Aires, Olivos
Silver Filigree car model Vintage model car in silver filigree.  
Category

Early 20th Century Italian Art Nouveau Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Silver

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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