Collectibles and Curiosities
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Collectibles and Curiosities For Sale
Succession De M. Henri Samuel (Book)
Located in North Yorkshire, GB
Christie's Monaco, Sunday 15th December 1996.
Henri Samuel (1904 1996) was one of the foremost French interior designers of the twentieth century, hailed by Architectural Digest as a "supreme master of progressive historicism". He was a leading interpreter of le gout Rothschild after the Second World War and helped restore Chateau de Ferrières...
Category
20th Century Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Beginning Drawing Atelier
By Phaidon
Located in New York, NY
Written by well-known artist and best-selling art-instruction author with almost rock-star popularity in the contemporary world of representational art, beginning drawing atelier, with its unique workbook/sketchbook approach, and high-quality paper, offers a comprehensive and contemporary twist on traditional atelier art instruction practices.
Atelier education is centered on the belief that working in a studio, not sitting in the lecture hall, is the best place to learn about art. Every artist needs to learn basic drawing skills.
In this elegant and inspiring workbook, master contemporary artist and best selling author Juliette Aristides...
Category
2010s Chinese Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Marco Zanuso & Richard Sapper for Brionvega TS 505 Cube Radio, 1976
Located in Naples, IT
The TS 505A is a unique portable transistor radio, designed by designers Marco Zanuso and Richard Sapper in 1962 and launched two years later by the Milan-based company Brionvega.
The TS 505 - also known as the 'Cube' - is a worldwide icon of industrial design, and is exhibited in the most important museums of contemporary art. It can also be found at the MoMa in New York.
A cult object composed of two cubic plastic 'valves' that make it resemble a cuboid shell.
The radio bears the Florentine silver...
Category
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal
Antique Religion Print of the Last Supper, '1913'
Located in Langweer, NL
Large antique print of the Last Supper. Published by Mosella-Verlag, 1913. This print originates from a series titled 'Kathol. Schulbibelwerk von Dr. Ecker'.
Category
Early 20th Century Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Early 20th Century Wooden Prosthetic Articulated Arm and Hand
Located in Buenos Aires, Olivos
This is a very early and prosthetic arm. Looks like it has been made in England, but i´m not sure.
The wooden carved hand is jointed, realistic and ve...
Category
Early 20th Century English Art Nouveau Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Bronze, Iron
Art Deco Cast Iron Stagecoach Door Stop with Original Paint, 1930
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Great example of a western stagecoach in original paint. Colors are still vibrant. C1930 with precise castings. In excellent vintage condition with minimal wear.
Category
1930s American Industrial Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Iron
Napoleon III sword
Located in 'S-HERTOGENBOSCH, NL
A Napoleon III sword in gilt brass. Handle is decorated with 2 mother of pearl plates. Urn shaped pommel. Knuckle guard transitioning into cross guard.
Guard plate with eagle. Black ...
Category
1880s French Napoleon III Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Brass, Steel
Tiffany & Co 'The Paget' Yacht Timer / Stop Watch
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This yacht timer was recently serviced and runs beautifully.
Category
2010s American Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Sterling Silver
Minecraft The Complete Handbook Collection Set of 4 by Stephanie Milton
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Minecraft The Complete Handbook Collection Set of 4 by Stephanie Milton.
Minecraft's four bestselling handbooks are available in this stunning, gold-foiled boxed set.
Includes the Es...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Post-Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Antique Chinese Export Silver Cheroot Case
By Khe Cheong
Located in New York, NY
Chinese export silver cheroot case, ca 1860. Oval with hinged push-button cover. Allover repousse. On front are scenes of daily life with indigenous spear...
Category
Mid-19th Century Chinese Chinese Export Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Silver
Large Ship Model of La Sirene with Cannons & Mermaid Masthead, France circa 1880
Located in Round Top, TX
This impressive large ship model depicts the French vessel “La Sirene." This three-masted ship of the line “La Sirene" was in use 1691–1702.
Impressiv...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal
Collection of Six Silver Figurative Ex Voto Infant Child Antique Italy, 1900s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A collection of six cute petite religious Ex Voto. I do not know what it is made of, thin and light filigree silver or silver plated metal. Each is handmade, embossed and then welded...
Category
Early 20th Century Italian Art Nouveau Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Silver Plate, Sheet Metal
Nautical Signal Flag of Letter "U" in Shadowbox Frame
Located in Norwell, MA
International maritime signal flag of letter 'U' set into a shadowbox frame. The cotton flag has a white canvas hoist with a sisal rope and wood toggle, with a maker's label from fla...
Category
1950s North American Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Cotton
Nautical Signal Flag of Letter "L" in Shadowbox Frame
Located in Norwell, MA
International maritime signal flag of letter "L", "LIMA", set into a shadowbox frame. The cotton flag has a white canvas hoist with a sisal rope and wood toggle. With makers label fr...
Category
1950s North American Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Cotton
Nautical Signal Flag of Letter "I" in Shadowbox Frame
Located in Norwell, MA
International maritime signal flag of letter "I", "India", set into a shadowbox frame. The cotton flag has a white canvas hoist with a sisal rope and wood toggle, with a maker's labe...
Category
1950s Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Cotton
Nautical Signal Flag of Letter "Y" in Shadowbox Frame
Located in Norwell, MA
International maritime signal flag of letter 'Y', 'YANKEE,' set into a shadowbox frame. The cotton flag has a white canvas hoist with a sisal rope and wood toggle, with the maker 'An...
Category
1930s North American Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Cotton
Nautical Signal Flag of Letter "D" in Shadowbox Frame
Located in Norwell, MA
International maritime signal flag of letter 'D', 'DELTA,' set into a shadowbox frame. The cotton flag has a white canvas hoist with a sisal rope and wood toggle. The cotton field is...
Category
1950s North American Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Cotton
Accordion by Sabatino Nocentini & Figli Made in Florence, Italy
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Antique Italian custom made accordion by Sabatino Nocentini Castiglion & Figli.
Antique pearl white accordion, Italian accordion with profuse inlay decoration, gorgeous hand made wit...
Category
Early 20th Century Italian Art Deco Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Abalone, Wood, Shell
Antique Vintage Lady's Gentleman's Walking Stick Sterling Silver Crook Handle
Located in Dublin, Ireland
Stylish Well Grained Stepped Partridge Wood Ladies or Gentleman's Walking Stick with Crook Handle and ornate chased Sterling Silver collar and mount, made by English World famous...
Category
Early 20th Century British Edwardian Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Sterling Silver
Design 1935-1965: What Modern Was Edited by Martin Eidelberg (Book)
Located in North Yorkshire, GB
This book offers a unique perspective on the decorative arts of the mid-twentieth century. The first serious book on a period just beginning to be researched by scholars and little k...
Category
20th Century Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Pair of Exhibition Catalogs, Chinese Glass, Phoenix Art Museum & China Institute
Located in valatie, NY
1. Clear As Crystal, Red As Flame: Later Chinese Glass, by Claudia Brown, Donald Rabiner. Natural History, University of Washington Press, 1990. Gloriously colored Chinese glass arti...
Category
1990s American Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Vintage 1970s Lightning Bolt surfboard by Tom Parrish
Located in Haleiwa, HI
Mid-1970s vintage Lightning Bolt surfboard made by Tom Parrish. Features bright yellow tint with double rail lightning bolt pinstripes. Beautiful red lightning bolt design with complimentary black shadow. A remarkable example of highly coveted 1970s Tom Parrish shaped Lighting Bolt surfboard.
In 1972, Gerry Lopez and Jack Shipley started the popular lightning bolt surfboards label in Honolulu...
Category
1970s American Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Fiberglass, Foam, Softwood
Museum Quality Hand Crafted Bronze Corpus of Jesus Christ fr Wall Mounting 19thC
Located in Lisse, NL
Stunning, one of a kind bronze corpus of Christ.
The meaning of this antique sculpture obviously needs no explanation. However, not everybody looks at the corpus of Christ with the same ideas and emotions. And each individual may also have different emotions and ideas depending on his or her state of mind at a certain moment in the day or at a certain time in his or her life. Besides that, every artist/sculptor may also have his or her own ideas of what he or she is trying to express and communicate. What is important to us, is that a work of religious art speaks to us. If it speaks to us then almost always there will also be someone else who sees the beauty, deeper meaning, quality, style and uniqueness. This particular corpus stands out for its exceptional physical details and its painful facial features. We also rarely seen an antique Christ sculpture...
Category
19th Century European Renaissance Revival Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Bronze
Antique Bronze Figure of a Lady Golfer
Located in Oxfordshire, GB
Vintage Jose Dunach Bronze Lady Golf Figure.
A very nice French Art Deco style sculpture of a lady golfer mounted on a round naturalistic base, the golfer ...
Category
1920s French Sporting Art Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Bronze
Italian Renaissance Star of David Book Stand
Located in Queens, NY
Italian Renaissance style rass filigree religious book stand with Star of David and 7 candleholders (19th Cent.)
Category
19th Century Italian Renaissance Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Brass
20th Century Sculptural Italian Chess Game
Located in VALENZA, IT
Brass chess board and chess game made with the ancient casting technique.
After casting, the finish was chiseled and subsequently silvered and finished with 24-carat gold plating.
The figures are in Florentine medieval style then painted with antioxidant treatment using a special transparent lacquer.
The two-tone mirrored glass chess top which highlights the high quality of execution.
Italian silverware, already with a centuries-old tradition, had a great development in the twentieth century and produced pieces of the highest quality that the whole world envies. Italian craftsmanship had a kind of new Renaissance after the war.
A great many high-quality silverware was born where exceptional pieces were produced that now decorate the most prestigious houses.
Made entirely by hand in the artisan workshop of piero Benzoni...
Category
1980s Medieval Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Silver Plate
Sotheby's; Highly Important Americana from the Stanley Paul Sax Collection
Located in valatie, NY
Sotheby's; highly important Americana from the Stanley Paul Sax Collection. Sotheby's: New York, 1998. Unpaginated hardcover with dust jacket. The single-owner sale includes Stanley ...
Category
20th Century North American Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Theodore Alexander 16th Century Style German Hammered Bronze Suit Armour Knight
Located in Dayton, OH
Theodore Alexander Medieval Suit of Armour. Styled after an original 16th Century German suit that sold at auction for well over $50,000. Retai...
Category
Late 20th Century Renaissance Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Bronze
Air Force B-2 Bomber Desk Model
Located in San Diego, CA
Air Force B-2 Bomber desk model, circa 1989. A very cool piece made of high quality plastic measuring 11" wide on a walnut base. The bomber is marked "Northr...
Category
Late 20th Century American Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Plastic, Walnut
Plaster Religious Baby Jesus Traditional Figure, circa 1950
Located in Barcelona, ES
Traditional religious plaster figure of a baby Jesus.
Embodied within this exquisite plaster figure, portraying the beloved infant Jesus, is a sacred aura of tradition.
Crafted in ...
Category
1950s Spanish Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Plaster
Language of Home, The Interiors of Foley & Cox
Located in New York, NY
Incorporating both formal details and welcoming elements, a sophisticated and balanced look tailored to a sense of home, as shown through the portfolio of Foley & Cox
Foley & Cox is a New York-based interior design firm renowned for serene spaces subtly layered with color and texture that create a sense of welcome and comfort. Taking creative cues directly from their clients–their perceptions, preferences, and passions–the firm creates serene interiors infused with personal style.
This elegant book presents 24 homes, ranging from elegant prewar apartments in Manhattan to retreats in the Hamptons and summer places along the coast of New England and in Europe, and even to a private jet and a yacht that cruises the Mediterranean. What unites these spaces is an overall balance and elegance, infused with luxurious fabrics in subtle tonal variations and a judicious use of highlight color, often in the artwork and accessories. Founder Michael Cox...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Sinbad the Sailor. ILLUSTRATED BY EDMUND DULAC - IN A FINE ONLAY BINDING !
Located in Hillsborough, NJ
AUTHOR: DULAC, Edmund.
TITLE: Sinbad the Sailor and other Stories from the Arabian Nights.
PUBLISHER: London: Hodder Stoughton, n.d., (1914).
DESCRIPTION: ILLUSTRATED BY EDMUND D...
Category
1910s British Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Leather
Cesar, Graphic Experiences, French Book by Frederic Ballester and Jean Ferrero
By Cesar
Located in Atlanta, GA
César, Experiences Graphiques (César, Graphic Experiences) is a French book by Fredreic Ballester and Jean Ferrero, published in 2015, from the Jean Ferrero Inedits Collection.
This ...
Category
2010s French Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
19th Century Masterpiece BIG Book "The Superstitions of Humanity"
Located in Miami, FL
19th Century. Impressive book
Works illustrated with gorgeous stickers and engravings depicting historical and mythological scenes momuments and copied art objects of the most auth...
Category
1880s Spanish Baroque Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Cáceres 1901: Mapping the Crossroads of Extremadura, Western Spain
Located in Langweer, NL
The map depicts the province of Cáceres in Spain, dated 1901. Key features of the map include:
The map shows detailed contour lines indicating the diverse terrain, which includes the northern part of the province being part of the Sistema Central mountain range. Blue lines mark the rivers and larger bodies of water, likely including the Tagus River, which passes through the province. Red lines indicate roads and railways, highlighting the connections within the province and to neighboring areas.
The coat of arms of Cáceres is featured prominently, displaying a castle and a lion, symbols associated with the historical heritage of the region. It is highlighted with a gold coating in the crown.
About the province of Cáceres:
Cáceres is one of the two provinces in the autonomous community of Extremadura, in western Spain, bordering Portugal. The province is known for its extensive natural environments, including part of the Monfragüe National Park, which is a UNESCO-designated Biosphere Reserve, and the Tagus River International Natural Park. The capital city, also named Cáceres, boasts a well-preserved old town with a wealth of Renaissance architecture...
Category
Early 1900s Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Vintage Triangular Hanukkah Menorah
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful vintage Hannukah Menorah. This vintage piece is a replica of a menorah from the 14th century southern Europe. Made in Israel, this piece is ...
Category
1970s Israeli Baroque Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Brass
Pair of rare Sosaku Kokeshi, Japan, 1970s
Located in Lyon, FR
Beautiful pair of big size Sosaku Kokeshi, made in the 1970s by great Kokeshi masters, each have been awarded prizes by the Primer Minister of Japan.
Hand-carved and hand-painted, th...
Category
1970s Japanese Japonisme Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Wood, Paint
Antique Vintage English Walking Stick Cane Wooden Gold Plated Cow Horn Handle
Located in Dublin, Ireland
Very Stylish Fine Quality Polished Rosewood Wooden Lady’s or Gentleman’s Walking Cane of substantial quality and good weight very suitable to use as an everyday stick, with an elegant decoratively carved classical Cow Horn L shaped handle above a finely repousse chased gold plated collar with a cartouche engraved with H C. Last quarter of the Nineteenth Century, of English origin
Condition: Good condition with nice patination, few small character dents to gilt mounts, complete with its original firm fitting solid steel and polished brass ferrule which is slightly worn. Nice straight stick in wonderful condition.
Length: 32.75" (89cm) Width of handle: 4.25" (10.75cms).
Location: Dublin City, Ireland.
Affordable fixed price Worldwide Store to door Shipping offered by Seller.
*TIP: When deciding to purchase a Walking Stick on-line, always check the dimensions especially its length. Many antique sticks...
Category
Late 19th Century British Victorian Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Sterling Silver
Vintage Brown Leather Horse Sculpture
Located in Kastrup, DK
Vintage sculpture representing a horse. In light brown leather with glass eyes.
Presumably originating from Italy.
Good condition with natural age-related patina.
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Other Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Leather
Vintage Wooden Hat Form Mold with Stand, Hatter Tool, Vienna, Austria, 1910s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Stunning beautiful wooden hat form mold, found at an estate sale in Vienna, Austria. Has the form of the typical Art nouveau style. So we believe it was made in the 1910s. Nice decor...
Category
1910s Austrian Art Nouveau Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Wood
Large Art Deco Airplane Model by ART BOIS 1930s
Located in Saint-Amans-des-Cots, FR
Large French Art Deco airplane by Anthoine ART BOIS, France, 1930s. Wood, thuja, metal and marble. Wooden airplane. Thuja ball (earth). Black marble base...
Category
1930s Art Deco Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Marble, Metal
Antique Engraving with a Plan of Rhodes, Greece, 1688
Located in Langweer, NL
Description: Antique map, titled: 'Rhodos.' - Plan of Rhodes, Greece. This map originates from 'Nauwkeurige Beschrijving der eilanden in de in de Archipel der Middellantsche Zee', by...
Category
1680s Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Stunning Design Glass Art Madonna and Child Jesus Sculpture w. Stand and Light
Located in Lisse, NL
Beautiful and inspiring Mother Mary statuette by Steph Uiterwaal.
If you are a collector of stylish and meaningful religious art then this serene and divine sculpture of Mary holdin...
Category
Early 20th Century Dutch Art Deco Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Brass
Fantasy Island Wooden Bag by Sarah's Bag
Located in Benalmadena, ES
This clutch bag from Sarah's Bag will transport you to a tropical paradise. Made of wood and adorned with a vibrant illustration that evokes the magic of a fantasy island, this bag i...
Category
Early 2000s Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal
Early 19th century brass surveyor's level with compass
Located in London, GB
An early 19th century brass surveyor's level with telescope, compass and spirit level.
With original brass mounted pine case.
Telescope length: 18 1/4 inches. - 46.5 cm.
Fitting for tripod mount, now re-mounted on a modern brass plate for desk top display.
Category
Early 19th Century English Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Brass
19th Century Victorian Games Box Compendium, England, Circa 1895
Located in Incline Village, NV
My description is quite lengthy and thorough because I feel this is an important piece of museum quality antiquity and significance; worthy ...
Category
1890s English Victorian Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Wood
Picasso's Drawings, 1890-1921 Reinventing Tradition Marilyn McCully
Located in valatie, NY
Picasso's Drawings, 1890-1921 : Reinventing Tradition by Marilyn McCully; Susan Grace Galassi. Yale University Press, 2011. 1st Ed hardcover with dust jacket. 74 drawings with detail...
Category
2010s American Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Pair of Salterini Iron Peacock Salesman Sample Chairs
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Phenomenal pair of miniature wrought iron peacock chairs designed by John Salterini. This diminutive set of doll size chairs were made as sa...
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Iron
Hand-Made Working 100 Year Old Victorian Style Submarine Model
Located in Peekskill, NY
This is a model that will stop you in your tracks. It's just amazing and in working. At 40 inches long this makes a very impressive display. We did rewire the lights and motor and to...
Category
Early 20th Century American Victorian Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Brass
DC-3 Dakota Aircraft Reduced Model Scale, Model 1936
Located in Paris, FR
DC-3, Dakota aircraft reduced model scale model.
Handcrafted in aluminium foil,
with engraved metal rivets, 1936.
.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary British Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Aluminum
Moroccan Dagger Metal Silver Decorative Collector Khoumya
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Handcrafted decorative Moroccan dagger hammered metal silvered nickel.
Decorative Moroccan knife with sheath carved metal khoumiya dagger, of typical s...
Category
Late 20th Century Moroccan Islamic Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal
Vintage 1970s Ocean Pacific Wave Mural Surfboard
Located in Haleiwa, HI
Vintage 1970s Ocean Pacific (Op) wave mural surfboard. Features stunning airbrushed work of art depicting a nocturnal wave mural. Rounded pintail shape design. A beautiful example of...
Category
1970s American Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Fiberglass, Foam, Softwood
American Brass Nautical Ship Wheel Mounted on Geared Pedestal w/ Rope Base 1890
Located in Charleston, SC
American brass nautical ship wheel with a central circular brass hub, eight brass spindles with bulbous handles, solid brass geared pedestal, rudder indicat...
Category
1890s American American Empire Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Brass
Antique Map of North America, 1821
Located in Langweer, NL
Antique map of America titled 'Carte de l'Amerique septentrionale'. Scarce map of North America, shortly after the Louisiana Purchase and the first ...
Category
19th Century Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
1880 Earnst Plank Magic Lantern, Box Plus 72 Slides
Located in Peekskill, NY
This is a beautiful and decorative 1800 magic lantern full boxed set. It was created by Ernst Plank and each slide box is signed. It comes with an amazing ...
Category
Late 19th Century German Victorian Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Glass
Gentleman's Art Deco Pocket Knife in Sterling Silver, by H.J & Co Denmark
Located in Esbjerg, DK
A stylish gentlemans pocket knife featuring a hammered silver frame in hall-marked sterling. The two knives are made by G. Felix in Solingen Germany. Suitable for pipe cleaning or fr...
Category
Early 20th Century Danish Art Deco Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Sterling Silver, Steel
Antique national cashier register with key
Located in Brea, CA
Antique national cashier register model 324 with a key , the drawer can open , there is a key , it is a beautiful piece .
Category
1920s American American Classical Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Brass
GUCCI by Tom Ford Black Leather Boots 1999
By Gucci
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Tom Ford’s Gucci pair of knee-high leather boots, circa 1999.
In a sleek silhouette, these vintage Gucci boots are crafted in black lamb supple lea...
Category
20th Century Italian Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Leather
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.