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Collectibles and Curiosities For Sale
Mid-Century Modern Architecture Travel Guide East Coast USA
Located in New York, NY
A curated list of more than 250 must-see destinations organized geographically from Maine to Florida Featuring architecture by some of the biggest midcentury names, including Mies ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary European Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Elvis at 21 New York to Memphis 1st Limited Edition Hardcover
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Elvis at 21: New York to Memphis 1st edition. Limited edition photo-journal by Wertheimer (2006). It's truly a standout book and one of the greatest relea...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Lonsdale Library Book, Hounds and Dogs
Located in Oxfordshire, GB
Hounds & Dogs, Lonsdale Library Book. One of the volumes from Lonsdale Library, Hounds & Dogs, their care, training & working. The book with over one hundred illustrations. The Lonsdale Library of Sports, Games & Pastimes, Editors The Right Hon. The Earl of Lonsdale, Sir Theodore Cook & Mr. Eric...
Category

1940s English Sporting Art Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Decorative Fluted Pedestal Table with Inlaid Compass Motif Top
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Made in the Philippines, in the style of Theodore Alexander. A tapering cylindrical fluted support with a banded round top and an inlaid compass. With a gilt faux tan leather apron w...
Category

20th Century Philippine Georgian Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Wood

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

Cinema Pinball Arcade Game, 1976 USA
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage 'CINEMA' pinball machine from 1976. Made by Chicago Coin Machine Manufacturing Company and designed by Albin Peters, Jerry Koci and Wendell McAdam...
Category

1970s American Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal

17th Century Thai Buddha Bronze Head
Located in Kastrup, DK
Buddha bronze head from Thailand (1600-1700s), loosely mounted on a black-painted wooden base. The head has a beautiful and serene expression, while the bronze features a natural, a...
Category

17th Century Thai Other Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Bronze

Omas 1997 18-Karat Gold Return to the Motherland Limited Edition Fountain Pen
Located in Weesp, NL
New Return to the Motherland 18-karat gold 1997 limited edition fountain pen. After 150 years of the British Union Jack waving over Hong Kong, this influential territory returns to its Motherland, China in July 1, 1997. From a Historic perspective, we cannot ignore the worldwide significance of this event. Authorized by the Association for Celebration of Reunification of Hong Kong with China, Omas creates a magnificent commemorative collection with a prestigious and emblematic design. This distinguished writing instrument, New Old Stock never used, shows distinctive aspects of both Hong Kong and China in 18-karat gold. The cap displays treasured symbols of both Hong Kong and China, with the Bauhinia flower encircled by the words "Return to the Motherland" enameled in the original red color of the Association's official logo. The clip is embellished in the same hue by a thin linear element reminiscent of basic calligraphy. The band around the cap synthesizes the Great Wall of China, one of the most recognized monuments on this earth, the OMAS logo emerging from one of the Wall's majestic gates, and the 4 ideograms meaning "Return to the Motherland" in Chinese. Comes with the original Omas Return to the Motherland inkt. The barrel of the pen follows this theme of combining Hong Kong and Chinese motifs. Sculpted in to the metal sheath of the barrel, two Chinese dragons, mother and child, allude to the relationship between Hong Kong and China and support the emblem of their unity, the pink Chinese dolphin. The OMAS 1997 18 karat gold 063/200 Edition is comprised of 200 fountain pens and features an 18-karat gold calligraphic nib inlaid with a dragon head and engraved with the words "Hong Kong 1997...
Category

1990s Italian Modern Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Gold

Large Kodak Folding No. 3A Camera with Mahogany Inlay c.1910
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT A large Eastman Kodak No. 3A folding camera with red bellows and Mahogany inlay. The body is wrapped in leather with chrome and brass accents. The camera folds to 2.5 inches. ...
Category

Early 20th Century Industrial Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal, Brass, Chrome

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

Large Vintage Santos Mahogany Pond Yacht Ship Model
Located in Kastrup, DK
A very elegant wooden pond yacht ship model. High quality, hand-built. Hull and mast made in santos mahogany with fine details. Set onto a custom...
Category

Mid-19th Century Danish Modern Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Hardwood

Vintage Red Deer Shoulder Mount Antler Horn Rack Taxidermy Cabin Wall Decor #2
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Red Deer Shoulder Mount Antler Horn Rack Taxidermy Cabin Wall Decor #2. Circa Late 20th Century. Measurements (Overall): 36" H x 22" W x 23" D. Each antler approx 12" Long me...
Category

Late 20th Century Unknown Rustic Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Horn

"November 26, 1963" JFK Limited Edition Book Signed by Ben Shahn & W. Berry
Located in San Diego, CA
"November Twenty Six Nineteen Hundred Sixty Three / November 26, 1963" John F. Kennedy book with sleeve signed by artist, Ben Shahn and poet, Wendell Berry, circa 1964. This limited ...
Category

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

Materials

Paper

Shepherd & Wooly Sheep Putz Toy Set Antique German Christmas 1900s, original Box
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Antique German set of eleven Putz stick-legged sheep with a shepherd boy and his dog. All of them are genuine antique German Christmas nativit...
Category

Early 1900s Austrian Folk Art Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Composition

French Model 1855 Army Officers Sword with Scabbard
Located in Victoria, BC
This is an original French Model 1855 Army Officer’s Sword, complete with its full-length steel scabbard. Used during the mid-to-late 19th century, this regulation sidearm was standa...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Steel

nendo - The ultimate monograph on the legendary multidisciplinary design studio
Located in New York, NY
The ultimate monograph on one of the world's most creative, prolific, and legendary multidisciplinary design studios nendo's extensive, idiosyncratic body of work flows seamlessly ac...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Large oak dinner gong
Located in Cheshire, GB
Large oak dinner gong the arch top with lion mask head, and suspended ring, surrounded by carved scrolls and foliage, above two figures supporting the original brass gong. All raised...
Category

Late 19th Century British Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Oak

Women And Art Contested Territory by Judy Chicago 1st Ed 1999 Hardcover Book
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Women And Art Contested Territory by Judy Chicago and Edward Lucie-Smith Hardcover Book. Published: Watson-Guptill. Publications, New York. 1999, First Edition First Printing. This h...
Category

Late 20th Century American Art Deco Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Rare and Important Italian Alabaster Bust Sculpture of Jesus Christ, C. 1860
Located in New York, NY
A rare and important Italian alabaster bust sculpture of Jesus Christ, C. 1860 A modeled bust of Holy Christ wearing a crown of thorns, excep...
Category

19th Century Italian Baroque Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Alabaster

31-Star Printed American Flag, Celebrating California Statehood, Circa 1850
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
This is a rare 31-star medallion printed American flag, celebrating the addition of California to the Union. The flag is printed on silk and has a spectacular “Great Star” canton pat...
Category

1850s American Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Silk

Braun FS-80 Television by Dieter Rams, 1964
Located in Virginia Beach, VA
Braun FS-80 Television designed by Dieter Rams ca. 1964 in plastic, glass, and powder coated steel. A rare offering, these televisions rarely surface. Recently seen in the Apple TV a...
Category

1960s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Plastic

Set of Sixteen Leather Bound Book by Charles Reade
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Set of sixteen leather bound books by Charles Reade. Charles Reade was known for his novels that often combined elements of romance, social injustice, and moral earnestness. His wo...
Category

19th Century American Other Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Leather, Paper

1890s Vintage Ship Project by Charles Sibbick from the Uffa Fox archives
By Charles Sibbick
Located in Milan, IT
Structure of his favourite kind of keel by Charles Sibbick the designer, similar to the modern boats racing today in America's cup. It is a part of a project for a 52' linear rater f...
Category

Early 1900s British Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Edgar Brandt Silver Brooch Art Nouveau
Located in NANTES, FR
Edgard Brandt, Rare art nouveau brooch. Blue heart-cut glass set in the middle. Foliage finely hammered with the mastery of Brandt's work on wrought iron. Signed Edgard Brandt. Note ...
Category

Early 20th Century French Art Nouveau Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Silver

A Hermitage of American Paintings from the National Gallery of Art
Located in Bradenton, FL
A Hermitage of American Paintings from the National Gallery of Art by William James Williams. A leather bound, hardcover book published by Hammond Inc. of Maplewood, New Jersey. Stat...
Category

1980s American Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Leather, Paper

Antique Eastman Kodak 3A Folding Pocket Camera with Leather Case
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Collectible antique 1920s Kodak film camera in hard leather case. With original leather case stamped made in Belgium. Antique No. 3A Special Autographic Folding Pocket Model C Kodak with Zeiss Kodak Anastigmat Lens 6.3. The 3A Folding Pocket Kodak, Eastman Kodak...
Category

Early 20th Century American Art Deco Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Aluminum

Large Antique Taxidermy Dome, English, Display Showcase, Late Victorian, C.1880
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique taxidermy dome. An English, glass collectible display showcase, dating to the late Victorian period, circa 1880. Quality and generously sized display dome Display...
Category

Late 19th Century British Late Victorian Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Glass

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

1935 Ronson Hound Dog Table Striker Lighter by Ronson
Located in Van Nuys, CA
In 1935, a desk-mounted striker lighter was crafted. It featured a basset hound canine adorned with a layer of chromium plate, positioned on a sleek black enameled metal base. The tail of the hound was ingeniously shaped into a small handle. This unique lighter...
Category

1930s Art Deco Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Chrome

Tropical Flair: Vibrant Taxidermy Keel-Billed Toucan on Display
Located in New York, NY
This striking taxidermy specimen of a Keel-Billed Toucan showcases the vibrant beauty of one of the world’s most colorful bird species. Known for its distinctive beak with vivid bands of green, orange, yellow, and red, this toucan is mounted in a dynamic pose on a sleek black base, capturing the essence of its natural elegance and playful character. The glossy black feathers and bright yellow chest...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Colombian Victorian Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Wood, Feathers

Original Hand-Colored Antique Map of America by Danckerts, circa 1680
Located in Langweer, NL
Antique map titled 'Novissima et Accuratissima Totius Americae Descriptio per I. Danckerts'. Striking map of America. California is shown as an island, Based Upon Sanson's model. The Great Lakes are shown with an open western coastline. No Northwestern Coast beyond 40 degrees. The seven cities of Cibola appear in the Southwestern US. The conception of the Mississippi River is still very vague and pushed far west of its true mouth. The large lake in the Southeastern US first seen on Le Moyne's map is still present. South America retains its excessively wide format. A hopeful extension from Button's Bay is shown portending a possible Northwest Passage. The map is richly embellished with two cartouches, 9 sailing vessels and elaborate vignettes of native villages, native warriors...
Category

Late 17th Century Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Exquisite Albino Peacock Taxidermy: A Majestic Display of Rarity and Elegance
Located in New York, NY
This magnificent taxidermy specimen showcases an albino (leucistic) peacock, skillfully mounted on an oval wooden base. The intricate details of the peacock's unique coloring are cap...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Late Victorian Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Feathers

Art of Collecting, The Spaulding Brothers and Their Legacy, First Edition
Located in valatie, NY
Art of Collecting, The Spaulding Brothers and Their Legacy by Frederic A. Sharf. Boston: MFA Publication/Museum of Fine Arts Boston, 2007. First Edition softcover. 144 pp. The history of the Spaulding brothers as members of the Boston society, architectural patrons, and art collectors. The book is illustrated with 108 color and 20 black and white photos of the Spaulding’s collections from the Museum of Fine Arts Boston as well as period photographs. Works include: major European paintings by Degas, Cézanne, Van Gogh, Matisse, American Masters, World War I propaganda posters...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

A rare 18th century VOC notebook with silver fittings VOC Chamber Rotterdam
Located in UTRECHT, UT
The black leather binding in faux shark skin, with silver fittings, unmarked, front and back centrally with a VOC ship within a symmetrical rococo cartouche, the two clasps with VOC ...
Category

18th Century Dutch Dutch Colonial Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Silver

Mushroom Botanical Scientific Specimen Model Europe, 1950s or older
Located in Nuernberg, DE
This rare vintage model of a botanical scientific specimen depicts a mushroom native to Central Europe. This kind of items are used as teaching material in German schools or as showp...
Category

20th Century Czech Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Wood, Paper

"Art =" Book
Located in New York, NY
A fresh and unconventional approach to exploring 6,000 years of art history through 800 masterpieces from The Metropolitan Museum of Art Featuring more than 800 artworks from the ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Fine Steinway & Sons Wedgwood Ormolu Mounted Mahogany Baby Grand Piano Model M
Located in Roslyn, NY
Steinway & Sons Ormolu Mounted Mahogany Baby Grand Piano Model M, serial no. 244684, circa 1926 With Wedgwood Light Blue Jasperware / Wedgwood Framed Ov...
Category

20th Century American Regency Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Bronze, Ormolu

Oeuvres Completes De Colette. Complete Works of Colette - FIRST COLLECTED EDITON
Located in Hillsborough, NJ
AUTHOR: COLETTE, Sidonie-Gabrielle. TITLE: Oeuvres Completes De Colette. (The Complete Works of Colette). PUBLISHER: Paris: Flammarion, Le Fleuron, 1948-1950, DESCRIPTION: THE FI...
Category

1940s French Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Leather

Cigarette Case Silver 925 Absolute Striped Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Cigarette case silver 925 , striped and oval section in 925/1000 sterling silver. Opening button and spring opening . Early 20th century Art Deco style. ...
Category

1970s Italian Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Sterling Silver

Carolina Rice Plantation of the 50's Signed by the Illustrator, Publisher's Copy
Located in valatie, NY
A CAROLINA RICE PLANTATION OF THE FIFTIES: Narrative By Herbert Ravenel Sass, With Chapters From The Unpublished Memoirs Of D.E. Huger Smith. Publisher, New York: William Morrow, 1936. Signed 1st Ed hardcover with book plate of Ellen Doubleday, publishers personal copy. Illustrated with reproductions of 30 paintings in watercolor by and signed by Alice R. Huger Smith. The magic of the Low Country, the rice coast of South Carolina and Georgia has been captured with rare beauty and fidelity in the paintings of Alice R. Huger Smith. Her water-colors of sea-island beaches, of sea marshes, of black waters in cypress swamps...
Category

1930s American Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Tesla Carbon Fiber Surfboard 1 of 200
Located in Haleiwa, HI
Tesla carbon fiber surfboard, 1 of only 200 ever made. This example remains in it’s original packaging, still sealed. Tesla Design Studio in collaboration with Lost Surfboards and Matt “Mayhem” Biolos, surfboard shaper for World Surf League Championship athletes. This Limited Edition Tesla Surfboard...
Category

2010s American Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Fiberglass, Foam, Carbon Fiber

Art Deco 1930s-1940s Stylish Pyramid Shaped Box Bag
Located in Devon, England
For your consideration is this superbly stylish and rare 1930s Art Deco pyramid box bag, a beautiful design. I can't sing the praises of this bag enough, it's an absolute delight. Th...
Category

Mid-20th Century English Art Deco Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Brass

Miniature Swedish Four-Drawer Chest
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Miniature four-drawer Swedish chest with original paint and glass knobs.
Category

19th Century Swedish Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Wood

Pair of Bronze Faux Elephant Tusks
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Pair of bronze elephant tusks.
Category

1980s Unknown Hollywood Regency Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Bronze

The Knopf Collectors' Guides to American Antiques - Set of 4
Located in Bradenton, FL
The Knopf Collectors' Guides to American Antiques. Furniture volumes one and two, Pottery & Porcelain, and Silver & Pewter. All are stated first printings, published between 1982 and...
Category

1980s Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Antique Atlas Strongman Iron Circus Dumbbell 65 Pounds Vintage Carnival Relic
Located in Hyattsville, MD
Ancient and heavily pitted iron dumbbell, weighs about 65 pounds. Maker and history remain unknown, at point of purchase I was told it came from a Circus.
Category

1920s American Industrial Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Iron

Exquisite Antique French Silver and Niello Enamel Sculptural Pectoral Cross
Located in New York, NY
Superb, museum quality antique French silver and niello enamel high relief sculptural pectoral cross 19th Century Complex and beautifully rendered crucifix done in finely detailed ni...
Category

19th Century French Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Silver, Enamel

Late 19th Century Folk Art Victorian Miniature English Taxidermy Dog
Located in Lowestoft, GB
A very rare late Victorian/Early Edwardian taxidermy dog, often scaled down by the best naturalist of the period. Housed in its original glazed and gil...
Category

Late 19th Century English Victorian Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Natural Fiber, Glass, Pine

Pair of Vintage Coco Chanel Clip On Earrings Costume Jewelry
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
Dimensions: L: 1 3/8in W: 1 3/8in This Pair of Vintage Coco Chanel Clip On Earrings are truly spectacular!! If you look at the photos provided you will see the attention to detail ...
Category

20th Century French Art Deco Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal

Carl Auböck Model #5607 'Elephant' Brass Figurine Keyring
Located in Glendale, CA
Carl Auböck model #5607 'Elephant' brass figurine keyring. Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and sculptural object is hand fabricated in polished brass. Price is per i...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Austrian Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Brass

Vintage Style Ski Photography, Framed Alpine Ski Photograph, Panoramic View
Located in Oxfordshire, GB
'PANORAMIC VIEW', a modern framed and mounted black and white photograph after an original 1930's skiing photograph. The frame is black with burgundy undercoat, the glazing is clarit...
Category

1930s English Sporting Art Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper, Wood

Gulfstream Pinball Arcade Game, 1972 USA
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage 'Gulfstream' pinball machine from 1972. Designed by Norm Clark and manufactured by Williams Electronics. 4175 produced in total. In excellent working condition. Great visuals...
Category

1970s American Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal

American Election Map and 1960 Presidential Fact Sheet, Published 1960
Located in Langweer, NL
Title: “The 50 United States of America” Subject: United States, Presidential Elections Date: 1960 (dated) Color: Printed Color Size: 24.9 x 17.9 inches (63.2 x 45.5 cm) This colorful map of the United States was drawn by Lorin Thompson and published by the General Foods Corporation. The map has an unusual coloring style with symbols of American history including past presidents, Native Americans, important buildings (White House, Statue of Liberty, Alamo), agriculture, industry, and more. Includes inset maps of Hawaii and Alaska with small American flags...
Category

1960s Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

W. Hartmann Antique Oak & Copper Ships Binnacle Nautical Maritime Compass
By A. Lietz Co.
Located in Dayton, OH
Late 19th Century Ships Binnacle by W. Hartmann. Binnacles are an important navigation tool. They are often in the helm of the ship and allow sailor to maintain the correct course. This beautiful example has an octagonal case made from oak with brass fittings and removable copper dome...
Category

Late 19th Century Late Victorian Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Brass, Copper

Vintage Underwood Champion Portable Typewriter c.1946
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT A vintage portable Underwood Champion Four bank typewriter in grey finish and original case. This typewriter is very clean and in good working order. It has smooth typing and ...
Category

Early 20th Century Industrial Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Steel

Early 20th century London News advertising figure
Located in London, GB
Early 20th century London News advertising figure We share what we love, and we love this rare example of a first quarter English London News advertising figure in the form of a beefeater. Produced by Pytram Limited of New Malden Surrey England. This figure is made of composite form and would have sat on the shop counter. A rare example in this condition and size. unusual fully articulated Edwardian prosthetic leg...
Category

Early 20th Century British Early Victorian Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Composition

Empire Backgammon Games Box in Mahogany with Pieces, early 19th Century
Located in Knivsta, SE
An Elegant Empire Backgammon Game Box in Mahogany (Swietenia Mahogani) with details in Hallmark Silver. Made in the early 19th Century. This Games Box for Backgammon is the perfect decorative piece that is also complete with pieces for playing the game! A refined Empire outside which lets the expensive materials of the piece convey the object's elegance. The interior of the box's lid forms one of the playing fields, the other being the bottom part. The backgammon board on the inside of the box is made out of intarsia wood...
Category

Early 19th Century European Empire Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Silver, Brass

1940s Large Medical School Anatomical Heart Model
Located in Montclair, NY
A circa 1940s to mid 1950s large anatomical model of the human heart used to teach anatomy in medical school. Hand painted in multi color mat enamel with all the chambers and parts o...
Category

1940s North American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Plaster, Wood, Rubber

Antique and Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities for Sale

Antique and vintage collectibles and curiosities can bring whimsy and wonder to any interior. 

Decorating with old scientific instruments, historical memorabilia and vintage musical instruments, as well as other authentic collectibles and curiosities that can be found on 1stDibs, presents an opportunity to create a unique, natural history museum-like atmosphere in your home that can provoke conversation as often as it pays tribute to how far we’ve come in understanding our world. 

And bringing collectibles and curiosities into your space is actually on trend — Wunderkammern, or curiosity cabinets, were all the rage in Europe during the 1500s and continued to have adherents there and in the U.S. in the following centuries. Today, however, they’re experiencing a real surge in popularity and influencing how many interior designers are furnishing and decorating homes — combining contemporary with antique, scientific with tribal, earthly with extraterrestrial, Les Lalanne tables with Flemish tapestries.

The original Wunderkammern were entire rooms filled with objects demonstrating their owners’ worldly knowledge: A proper one included artificiala or preciosa (objets d’art); naturalia (such as skeletons, shells, minerals); exotica (taxidermy or dried plants); and scientifica (scientific instruments), frequently alongside religious relics and ancient artifacts.

Pay tribute to a history of rich and diverse musical traditions that have taken shape all over the world by decorating your home with a collection of antique and vintage musical instruments — with a little help from strong hanging wire or some wall hooks, vintage brass instruments such as a gong, French horn or trumpet can help elevate a home office or complement the efforts you’ve made to ensure a welcoming vibe in your home’s entryway. Bells or antique wind instruments can add provocative metallic contrasts to dark woods as tabletop decorative objects.  

Create an intriguing focal point with Georgian scientific instruments, such as stick barometers with mahogany cases or lacquered brass telescopes. These items stem from an era named for the monarchies of the four King Georges, who ruled England in succession starting in 1714 (plus King William’s reign, which lasted until 1837). Just as there was beautiful jewelry produced during the period that today is coveted by collectors, there is much to be found in the collectibles and curiosities realm too.

Wanderlust, nostalgia and a shared love of good design are contributing factors to certain trends in decorating — just as vintage trunks and luggage have reappeared as furniture or home accents in a bedroom or foyer, decorating with globes, maps or nautical objects is similarly rooted in the allure of travel and a penchant for the stylish finishing touch that collectibles bring to our homes.

Find a wide range of antique and vintage collectibles and curiosities on 1stDibs.

Read More

Medal-Worthy Memorabilia from Epic Past Olympic Games

Get into the games! These items celebrate the events, athletes, host countries and sporting spirit.

Ahoy! You’ve Never Seen a Collection of Sailor Art and Kitsch Quite Like This

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

Pamela Shamshiri Shares the Secrets behind Her First-Ever Book and Its Effortlessly Cool Interiors

The sought-after designer worked with the team at Hoffman Creative to produce a monograph that beautifully showcases some of Studio Shamshiri's most inspiring projects.

Moroccan Artworks and Objects Take Center Stage in an Extraordinary Villa in Tangier

Italian writer and collector Umberto Pasti opens the doors to his remarkable cave of wonders in North Africa.

Montecito Has Drawn Royalty and Celebrities, and These Homes Are Proof of Its Allure

Hollywood A-listers, ex-pat aristocrats and art collectors and style setters of all stripes appreciate the allure of the coastal California hamlet — much on our minds after recent winter floods.

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

Publishing house Assouline and writer Julie Belcove have teamed up to trace the history of the genre, from Roy Lichtenstein, Andy Warhol and Yayoi Kusama to Mickalene Thomas and Jeff Koons.

The Sparkling Legacy of Tiffany & Co. Explained, One Jewel at a Time

A gorgeous new book celebrates — and memorializes — the iconic jeweler’s rich heritage.

What Makes a Gem-Encrusted Chess Set Worth $4 Million?

The world’s most opulent chess set, weighing in at 513 carats, is literally fit for a king and queen.

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