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Collectibles and Curiosities For Sale
Style: Mid-Century Modern
Style: Art Nouveau
Style: Rococo
Vintage Penknife Pocket Knife Germany "Native American" - 1960s or older
Located in Nuernberg, DE
We are offering a small souvenir penknife/pocket knife from 1950s or older produced to commemorate the Native Americans. The overall condition is very nice with celluloid scales and ...
Category
1950s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal
Moto Guzzi Nuovo Falcone Military 500cc 1972
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Italian motorcycle order to made for the Yugoslavian Special Force Tito . Made only 500 pieces.
70 of them was used for the President Tito military ...
Category
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal
1930's Jacques Adnet Style Barometer by Dirk Muller
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Leather and brass barometer by Dirk Muller, 1930's. In good, working, original condition with visible wear consistent with its age and use.
Category
1930s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Brass
Vintage Wood Shield Key Ring or Ring Toss Game with Hooks after Abercrombie
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A vintage wood ring toss game board, or hotel key holder. This piece is after Abercrombie & Fitch and is created from wood. It is in the shape of a sh...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal
Carl Auböck Handcrafted Midcentury Brass Shell Figurine Key Ring Chain Holder
Located in Vienna, AT
A charming modernist shell keyring / key holder / keychain, designed by Carl Auböck in the 1950s. Handmade of solid polished brass by Werkstätte Auböck in Austria. Fully stamped and ...
Category
20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Brass
Olivetti Lettera 36 Portable Typewriter Designed by Ettore Sottsass. circa 1970s
Located in Miami, FL
Vintage Olivetti Lettera 36 Portable Typewriter with the Original Case. circa early 1970s
Created by famed Italian designer/architect Ettore Sottsass...
Category
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal
Vintage 1960s Blue Pedal Car Convertible
Located in Chicago, IL
Vibrant, sleek and full of character, this vintage pedal car was once the prized possession of children all across America. A popular toy since the late 19th century, pedal cars expe...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Steel
1977 Mahjong Bakelite Set with Original Case
Located in Redding, CT
National Mahjong League Bakelite set with original case. Special 40th anniversary production. Dated 1977-1978. Original carrying case is a faux alligator finish in red. The set come...
Category
1970s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Bakelite
Vintage Chinese "Go" or ""Weiqi" Board and Game
Located in San Diego, CA
A very nice and well contructed vintage Chinese "Go" or ""Weiqi" board and game with play instructions, circa 1970s. The set is in very good condition and comes with a large wood boa...
Category
Late 20th Century Chinese Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Wood
JBL Speaker Model C-38 in the Style of George Nelson
By JBL 1
Located in Cincinnati, OH
A JBL speaker with a medium toned walnut cabinet model # C-38 with cast aluminum legs in the style of George Nelson. Inside the enclosure contains one sing...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Walnut
Rare Chanel Multi-Strand Pearl Necklace , Original 1980's
By Chanel
Located in Plainview, NY
A rare and gorgeous vintage Chanel pearl four strand necklace. The statement necklace is made of round and drop shaped faux pearls and is marked ...
Category
20th Century French Art Nouveau Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Mother-of-Pearl
Roy Lichtenstein The Paris Review, 1992 (Lichtenstein 1992)
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Roy Lichtenstein The Paris Review:
1992 The Paris Review book, featuring an interior spread of Roy Lichtenstein's "__" (1992). Imagery features 8 detailed segments of this esteemed 1...
Category
1990s Art Nouveau Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Claude Lalanne, a Rare Gilt-Bronze Dragonfly Frame, France, C. 1985
Located in New York, NY
Claude Lalanne (1925-2019) A rare gilt-bronze dragonfly frame, France C. 1985,
Signed on reverse Cl. Lalanne Artcurial 25/450.
Measures: 4" high x 3...
Category
20th Century French Art Nouveau Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Bronze
1960s Stunning Blue Table Lighter in Murano Sommerso Glass By Flavio Poli
By Flavio Poli
Located in Milano, IT
1960s Stunning Blue and Yellow Table Lighter in Murano Sommerso Glass By Flavio Poli for Seguso. Made in italy
The item is in excellent condition and it works perfectly
Dimensions:
2...
Category
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Murano Glass
Niederwald Monument Souvenir Building Architectural Model Germany 1910s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A decorative building sculpture as a souvenir. Some wear with a nice patina, but this is due to age. Made of metal. This item was purchased as a souvenir at a Grand Tour in Europe and was probably made in the 1910s or earlier. Found at an estate sale in Brussels, Belgium. A nice addition to any collection or just to display and put on display as a memento of places visited.
The Niederwald monument (German: Niederwalddenkmal) is a monument located in the Niederwald, near Rüdesheim am Rhein in Hesse...
Category
1910s Belgian Art Nouveau Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal
Art Nouveau Sculptural Fish Tank
Located in Alhambra, CA
Likely a 1920's/30's Art Nouveau fish tank, made of cast aluminum and iron. Griffon corner pedestals are beautifully cast and in fantastic condition. All 5 sheets of glass are intact...
Category
Early 20th Century Art Nouveau Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Aluminum
Antique German Girl Figural Cigar Cutter for Pocket Watch Chain, FOB, 1890s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A beautiful cigar cutter, showing a dancing lady. Some wear with a nice patina, but this is old-age. Made of silver-plate metal. Marked Germany it the base. A beautiful nice collecti...
Category
1890s German Art Nouveau Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal
1960s Stunning Blue Table Lighter in Murano Sommerso Glass By Flavio Poli
By Flavio Poli
Located in Milano, IT
1960s Stunning red and yellow table lighter in Murano sommerso glass By Flavio Poli for Seguso. Made in italy
The item is in excellent condition and it works perfectly
Dimension:
2,7...
Category
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Murano Glass
1960's Gucci Horsebit Silver Bracelet by Antonio Fallici
By Gucci
Located in Van Nuys, CA
An early 1960's Gucci silver bracelet featuring the classic Horsebit design, a metal piece traditionally used in horse bridles consisting of two rings connected by a bar, famously used on Gucci loafers.
Antonio Fallaci...
Category
1960s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Silver
Small Vintage Display Dome, English Glass Showcase, Mid 20th Century, Circa 1950
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a small vintage display dome. An English, glass and mahogany showcase, dating to the mid 20th century, circa 1950. A charming, petite dome ideal for tabletop display, offerin...
Category
1950s British Mid-Century Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Leather, Glass, Mahogany
18th century Portrait of Lady Oil on Canvas in Giltwood Frame
Located in Savannah, GA
English oil on canvas portrait dating from the late 1700s painted in the manor of Joshua Reynolds. We believe the giltwood frame could be the original as it is right for the period. ...
Category
1790s English Rococo Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Canvas, Wood
Chatelaine from the Early 20th Century.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Chatelaine from the early 20th century.
An early 20th century silver-plated chatelaine.
H: 36cm, W: 5cm, D: 2cm
Category
Early 20th Century French Art Nouveau Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Silver Plate
Pablo Picasso: 1881-1973 Genius of the Century Book, Printed in Germany, 1986
Located in New York, NY
Hardcover book of Picasso illustrations and paintings published by Taschen, Ingo F. Walther, 1986, printed in Germany. Text in English.
This book explores the many contributing elem...
Category
20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Complete Austin Cox Alcoa chess set 1962 with display box and board
Located in Ferndale, MI
AUSTIN E. COX (American 1924-2015) Designed this aluminum chess set originally for Alcoa aluminum as gifts to their best clients . This complete set includes the wall hanging case...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Aluminum
Vintage Mid-Century White Pedal Airplane
Located in Chicago, IL
Vibrant, sleek and full of character, this vintage pedal plane was once the prized possession of children all across America. A popular toy since the late 19th century, pedal cars an...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Steel
18th Century Italian Cross with Kyanite, Calcite Crystals, and Baroque Pearls
By Interi
Located in Dublin, Dalkey
18th century Italian crucifix with gold-plated kyanite, calcite crystals in matrix, and baroque pearls. The crucifix is originally from a church in Liguria. It is hand-carved and pai...
Category
18th Century Italian Rococo Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Rock Crystal, Gold Plate, Gold Leaf
Adorable and Therapeutic Musical Clown Automaton Figure Toy
Located in Miami, FL
A fine quality therapeutic musical automaton clown toy in wonderful vintage condition.
Features porcelain head, hands and feet.
Made in France during the ...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal
James Bond 'Dr. No' Original Vintage British Quad Movie Poster, 1962
Located in Devon, GB
A scarce and sought after country-of-origin poster for the first release of the first James Bond film. Based on Ian Fleming's novel of the same name, the 1962 release of 'Dr. No' fir...
Category
1960s British Mid-Century Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Linen, Paper
Vintage Gray Hound Talking Parrot Prize Every Time Vending Machine
Located in Chicago, IL
Gray Hound (JPM) 25 Cent Talking Parrot “Prize Every Time” Vending Machine
Talking Parrot Coin Operated Prize Arcade Game.
This arcade vending machine would be perfect for any home...
Category
Mid-20th Century Unknown Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal
IMCO 6300 Primex 1953 Julius Franz Meister Petrol Lighter Chromed Steel In Box
Located in Miami, FL
Primex 6300 lighter designed by IMCO.
This is a brilliantly engineered, unusual and quite ingenious semi-automatic pocket lighter designed by Julius Franz Meister in Austria, back i...
Category
1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Steel, Chrome
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
Louis Zwicki Danish Teak Pianette Circa 1960's
Located in Norwalk, CT
Step back in time with this masterfully-crafted Danish Mid-Century Teak Pianette by the renowned Louis Zwicki. From the heart of the 1960's, a period when design and craftsmanship me...
Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Teak
FORNASETTI Chess Board Game Set Box
By Fornasetti
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage chess board - game set box for Dal Negro by Piero Fornasetti, made in Italy in the 1970s. The box is made in walnut wood, and it includes chess game, checkers game, card game...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Wood
1960s Italian Three Piece Orange Genuine Hand Carved Alabaster Smoking Set
Located in Haarlem, NL
Very decorative 1960s Italian hand carved orange alabaster smoking set by Romano Bianchi.
Consists of a heavy ashtray, also very useful as trinket dish or vide-poche.
A table lighter (which also fits a wax tea light candle).
And a very pretty lidded hinged box, which originally would have held cigarettes but also could be used to keep jewellery or little treasures in.
Cigarette sales peaked in the 20th century, people were allowed to smoke in the office, the cinema, at restaurants, indoors and outdoors. Once women were able to smoke freely, smoking became a social norm and in general it was considered an act of elegance and sophistication. Businessmen in the 1960s were rarely seen without a cigarette in their hand.
So needles to say you needed pretty smoking accessories...
Category
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Alabaster
Mid-century Novelty "M.V. Queen of Esquimalt" Cruise ship Enameled Lighter
By Sarome
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Mid-century Sarome 'Cruiser' lighter, shaped like a Cruise ship, features a chrome body enameled red and crème accents and "M.V. Queen of Esquimalt" lettering. It includes a thumb st...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Steel
Vintage Western Tooled Leather Horse Saddle Line of Texas
By Visalia Stock Saddle Co.
Located in Chula Vista, CA
\
Vintage Saddlery Tooled Leather Horse Saddle
Saddle Line of Texas Quality Vintage Leather Horse Saddle
15 h x w 22 w x 27d
Preowned vin...
Category
Late 20th Century Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Leather
Set Of 3 Miniature Amber And Silver Harley Davidson Style Motor Bikes
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Set of 3 Miniature Amber and Silver Harley Davidson Style Motor Bikes
925 stamped silver.
Category
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Silver
Louis Zwicki Danish Teak Pianette Circa 1960's
Located in Norwalk, CT
Step back in time with this masterfully-crafted Danish Mid-Century Teak Pianette by the renowned Louis Zwicki. From the heart of the 1960's, a period when design and craftsmanship me...
Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Teak
Cigarette Case light blue cabochon sapphire and hand-engraved finishing Salimben
Located in Firenze, FI
Handbag cigarette case in 925/1000 sterling silver with black fire enamel. Opening with spring button. Size cm. 6.3 x 9.7 x 1.5. Weight gr. 215. Created in Art Deco style for Cartie...
Category
1970s Italian Art Nouveau Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Sterling Silver, Enamel
B&O Cona Passive Subwoofer (in MOMA) and Speakers
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The Beovox Cona, designed in beautifully austere fashion by David Lewis and now permanently in the MOMA collection, was the first B&O subwoofer loudspeaker. It was specifically inten...
Category
1980s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal
Antique Estwing Geological Rock Hammer Leather Handle
By Stanley
Located in Chula Vista, CA
AMBIANIC presents
Antique Rock Hammer Leather Handle Geology Pick Hammer
Vintage Tool attributed to Estwing.
12.5 long x 7 w x .75
unsigned
Original vintage condition
Refer to all im...
Category
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal
Carl Auböck Model #4500 'Lucky Pig' Brass Figurine Keyring
Located in Glendale, CA
Carl Auböck Model #4500 'Lucky Pig' brass figurine keyring. Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and sculptural object is hand fabricated in polish...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Austrian Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Brass
Two-Tone Enamel Lighter & Cigarette "Slide-A-Lite Lighter/Case" by Marathon
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Text on bottom:
Trademark
MARATHON
Made in U.S.A.
4 1/4" x 2 5/8" x 5/8"
Category
1950s North American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Enamel
Rare Cigar Striker Bergman Style Cold Painted Art Deco Arabian Carpet Trader
Located in Reading, Berkshire
An Unusal Cigar Striker In The Franz Xaver Bergman Style Art Deco Cold Painted Vienna Bronze, Arabian Carpet Trader With Camel Mounted on a Black Glaze...
Category
Early 20th Century Austrian Art Nouveau Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Spelter
Mid-Century 1950s Vintage Vaulting Horse by H. Hunt & Son — Liverpool
Located in Alton, GB
A rare and striking example of mid-century athletic design, this 1950s vintage wooden vaulting horse by the esteemed H. Hunt & Son Ltd, Liverpool, represents the perfect marriage of utilitarian craftsmanship and timeless form. Originally intended for gymnasium use, this solid piece bears all the hallmarks of the British educational athletic tradition—built for durability, but beautifully aged with character and grace.
The branding mark on the leg—“H. Hunt & Son Ltd, Woodend Avenue, Liverpool 24”—authenticates its origin and era, placing it within the heart of British post-war industrial design. This firm, known for manufacturing high-quality physical education equipment, produced gym staples that are now coveted for their robust materials and nostalgic appeal.
Constructed from solid beechwood and topped with a plush, aged tan leather or hide, this vaulting horse has gracefully weathered the decades. It separates into two distinct, fully functional components: a bench and a table—each capable of standing on its own both structurally and stylistically. The top section is luxuriously upholstered and softly worn, making it a welcoming seating option, while the lower structure transforms effortlessly into a charming coffee or display table.
Whether placed in a refined living space, a high-concept retail environment, or a creative workspace, this piece adds a quiet sense of heritage and strength. It invites interaction and admiration without pretension.
The mid-20th century was a golden era for British craftsmanship, where even utilitarian school and gym equipment was made to last. H. Hunt & Son Ltd was one of the key suppliers to UK schools and institutions, known for their dedication to quality and consistency. Items such as this vaulting horse were built to withstand generations of rigorous physical use, and now stand as iconic relics of British design history.
Understated and evocative, this H. Hunt & Son vintage vaulting horse...
Category
Mid-20th Century European Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Leather, Wood
1970s Astonishing Belem Model Ship. Handmade. Made in England
Located in Milano, IT
1970s Astonishing Belem model ship in walnut wood. Handmade. Made in England. This model is amazing and in excellent condition and all handmade. A true piece of history.
Dimension:
...
Category
1970s English Mid-Century Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Wood
Set of 7-20th Century Art & Design Catalogs Doyle's New York
Located in valatie, NY
Set of 7-20th century Art & Design Catalogs from Doyle New York. 1st Ed softcovers. 11/17/1998--11/17/1999--4/11/2000--11/14/2000--4/04/2001--4/17/2001--11/13/2001--4/17/2002. Some w...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
1950s Los Castillo Nautilus Pin Malachite Silver Tile Mosaico Azteca
By Los Castillo
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Los Castillo Brooch Pin Malachite Silver Tile Mosaico Azteca
made in Mexico
stamped by maker
2.25 W x 1.88 H x .38 D
0.67 grams
Preowned original v...
Category
Mid-20th Century Mexican Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Malachite, Sterling Silver
Gallé Drawings, French Book by Philippe Thiebaut, 1993
By Gallé
Located in Atlanta, GA
Les Dessins de Gallé, (Gallé Drawings), French Book by Philippe Thiebaut, 1993.
A selection of the most beautiful sketches, studies, and models intended for Gallé's performers bequea...
Category
1990s French Art Nouveau Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Gucci Italian Sterling Silver and 18 Karat Gold Cigarette or 420 Lighter
By Gucci
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Stunning Gucci Italy signed Cigarette, Cigar or 420 Lighter. A Waffle pattern sterling that is print resistant... with a solid 18k Gold Strike. The perfect compliment to any bar, ...
Category
20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Gold, Sterling Silver
1960s, Stunning Green Alabaster Smoking Set by Romano Bianchi
Located in Milano, IT
1960s Gorgeous green alabaster smoking set by Romano Bianchi with ashtray, box and table lighter, everything is handmade carved. Made in Italy. This smoking set is in excellent condi...
Category
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Alabaster
Ed Wiener Modernist Sterling Silver Cuff / Bracelet New York 1950's .925
By Ed Wiener
Located in Buffalo, NY
A cuff bracelet designed by Ed Wiener (1918-1991).
This rare sculptural modernist piece is one of Wiener's first creations as a jeweler-artist in New York city, circa 1950's. This b...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Sterling Silver
Rare Baldwin Acrosonic Spinet Piano in Walnut, Brass & Cane, USA, c. 1960s
Located in Deland, FL
Introducing a stunning Mid-Century Modern Acrosonic spinet piano made by Baldwin in the late 1960's. It's Danish modern tapered leg design and solid walnut wood cabinet...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Brass
Vintage 70s Adidas Tennis Racket bag
Located in Linkebeek, BE
Vintage 70s Adidas Tennis Racket bag
Sport - collectible - Vintage
Measures : 74x12cm H:33cm
Materials : Imitation leather - fabric - metal
Wear consisten...
Category
20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Faux Leather
Vintage Swiss Powder Compact in Mother of Pearl & Gold Plating
Located in Esbjerg, DK
A stylish vintage powder compact with mirror executed in gold plated metal and showcasing a front tiled with mother of pearl. Swiss made circa 1930-60. Measurements: D: 8 cm, H:dept:...
Category
Mid-20th Century Swiss Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Gold Plate
Elipson AS 30 Speakers 1969
By Elipson
Located in Santa Gertrudis, Baleares
Original 1969 Elipson AS30 speaker in staff with its round, sensual and warm shape, was an Elipson bestseller. It was relatively compact for its time (30 cm in diameter, with a 16 cm...
Category
1960s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Plaster
Carl Auböck Chess Set #5606
Located in Glendale, CA
Carl Auböck chess set, originally designed in the 1950s.
Authorized re-edition of a design originally produced by Carl Auböck III. This set is handm...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Austrian Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Iron, Nickel
Vintage 2-in-1 Pendant Map Measure, German, Navigational Tool, Mid Century, 1960
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a vintage 2-in-1 pendant map measure. A West German, cast metal and glass navigational tool, dating to the mid 20th century, circa 1960.
Fascinating pendant style map measu...
Category
Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal
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.