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Collectibles and Curiosities For Sale
Aircraft Engine Gold Speaker
Located in Paris, FR
Speaker Aircraft Engine Gold is inspired by radial aircraft engines from early 20th-century radial aircraft engines. Structure in aluminum alloy wi...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Aluminum, Gold Plate, Chrome

Large Original Antique Map of Massachusetts, USA, circa 1900
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Fabulous map of Massachusetts In 2 sheets. They can be joined but I have not done it Original color Engraved and printed by the George F. Cram ...
Category

1890s American Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

20th Italian Renaissance Religious Crucifix
Located in Queens, NY
Italian Renaissance style religious carved crucifix (19th century).  
Category

20th Century French Renaissance Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Walnut

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

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

Antique Japanese Damascene Cigarette Case with Ornate Mt. Fuji & Dragon Decor
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This antique cigarette case is unsigned by the maker, but presumed to have originated from Japan and date to approximately 1920 and done in the perio...
Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Japonisme Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal

Water Buffalo Horn Mount, Africa, Early 20th Century
Located in Atlanta, GA
the partial skull reinforced by concrete, having a shield-form backplate
Category

Early 20th Century African Collectibles and Curiosities

Original Antique Map of Canaan, Armenia, Syria, Mesopotamia and Arabia, 1709
Located in Langweer, NL
Antique map titled 'Descriptio Paradisi et Terrae Canaan'. Original antique map of Canaan, Armenia, Syria, Mesopotamia and Arabia. It displays the Middle East from the eastern Mediterranean Sea to the Persian Gulf...
Category

Early 1700s Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Mark Twain Boxed Set of Two Books
Located in Bradenton, FL
A boxed set of two Mark Twain hardcover books, with illustrations by Norman Rockwell. Includes The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. Published by Abbev...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Mid-Century Modern Coral Pink Crosley Model T-60 AM Tube Table Radio
By Crosley Radio
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This Mid-Century Modern working tube radio was made by Crosley in Toronto Canada in approximately 1965 in the period stream-lined style. The radio is done with a molded coral pink pl...
Category

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

Materials

Metal

Wooden Lawn Tennis Racket, Wonder
Located in Oxfordshire, GB
Wooden Lawn Tennis Racket, WONDER A nice ash frame lawn tennis racket with unusual long and narrow shape head, with convex walnut wedge. The wedge ...
Category

Early 1900s British Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Ash

Ceremonial pectoral plastron in the form of a half moon, Tibet, 19-20th C
Located in Leuven , BE
Old large pectoral necklace in the shape of a breastplate, originating from Tibet. Magnificent color work with a mixture of turquoise stones, red beads, silver and copper. The suppor...
Category

Late 19th Century Tibetan Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Multi-gemstone

An Extremely Rare Massive 19th Century Oak and Brass Ships Wheel
Located in Dublin, IE
An extremely rare 19th Century well figured oak and brass ships wheel of exceptional quality, grand proportions and finely hand carved with rich patination, grain and finely cast bra...
Category

19th Century English Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Brass

Vintage Ocean Rolling Chair Co. Inc. Boardwalk Cart: A Timeless Seaside Treasure
Located in New York, NY
Step back in time with this fun Early 20th Century Wicker Boardwalk rolling cart crafted by the renowned "Ocean Rolling Chair Co. Inc," as evidenced by delicately placed porcelain si...
Category

Early 20th Century American Other Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Rattan

Vintage Bronze Porthole With Mesh Screen #2
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A heavy classic port hole with its mesh insect screen intact under the glass door. Along with two screws for attachment. Dimensions: 14" diameter x 6 3/4" high Condition: Please r...
Category

20th Century Industrial Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal, Bronze

Antique Brass Nautical Maritime Plunger Operated Yacht Boat Fog Horn 27"
Located in Dayton, OH
Late 19th - early 20th century brass plunger operated fog horn. Cylindrical body with horn attached to one side, pierced lid, and round, black finial on the plunger. Pair of brackets...
Category

Early 20th Century Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Brass

Vintage French Military Academy Officers Hat, Mid Century
Located in South Salem, NY
A rare French Military Academy Officer's hat or cap from the 1970s. These special and unique hats are part of the uniform of students studying to become officers in the French Milita...
Category

1970s French Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Felt

Birks Sterling Silver Ladies Compact with Enamel Portrait & Guilloche Decoration
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This sterling silver ladies compact was made for the Birks retailer in presumably France in circa 1950. This compact features an enamel portrait done in...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Renaissance Revival Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Sterling Silver

Italian Renaissance Carved Wood Crucifix
Located in Queens, NY
Italian Renaissance style (19th Cent) carved wood crucifix on square base with figure
Category

19th Century Italian Renaissance Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Wood

Antique 14K Gold Victorian Vintage Spectacles Lorgnette Eyeglasses with Handle
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
Gorgeous Victorian old fashioned antique lorgnette with a refined design on the handle. The lens glass is in excellent shape and is framed by decorat...
Category

Late 19th Century American Victorian Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Gold

Art Deco Styled Chrome Lighted Airplane Smoker's Ashtray Stand or Accent Table
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This very unique lighted smoker's stand is unsigned, but presumed to have been made in North America, likely the United States, in approximately 1950 in an Art Deco style. This smoke...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Art Deco Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal

Limited Edition Fabergé Egg by Victor Mayer – No. 3 of 25
Located in Braintree, GB
Limited Edition Faberge Egg by Victor Mayer – Number. 3 of 25 A magnificent and highly exclusive Faberge collector’s egg, crafted by the esteemed workmaster Victor Mayer. This except...
Category

1990s German Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Gold, Enamel

Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass by Lewis Carroll
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
Carroll, Lewis. Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking-Glass. New York: The Macmillan Company, 1921. Illustrated by John Tenniel. Octavo. Rebound in full red leathe...
Category

1920s American Edwardian Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Leather, Fabric, Paper

Pair of Reindeer Antique Still Banks, American, circa 1910
Located in Incline Village, NV
These two authentic cast iron antique still banks depict a large reindeer and a smaller one standing nearby. Together, they make a wonderful Christ...
Category

1910s American Folk Art Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Iron

Antique Novel, The Snow Ship, Percy St John, English, Fiction, Victorian, C.1880
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique novel The Snow Ship by Percy St. John. An English language fiction book with secondary title Merchant of Yakoutsk, dating to the Vict...
Category

Late 19th Century British Victorian Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Art Deco Chrome Lighted Smoker's Stand or Ashtray with Electric Lighter
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This Art Deco styled lighted smoker's stand is unsigned but presumed to have been made in the United States in the 1950s. The stand features a light at the top and base made of swirled glass of orange and cream hues to replicate alabaster which emits a warm glow when lit. The central post is also accented with a marbled and tapered, possibly alabaster cylinder which is separated by a chrome ring. The top features two removable ashtray cups and a covered tobacco canister...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Art Deco Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal

Islamic Antique Qajar Blue Tile with Koranic Script 19th C.
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Antique 19th century Qajar blue tile with Islamic calligraphy writing. Antique 19th century Islamic Koranic calligraphy with Koranic script. Qajar dynasty, a blue and white Islamic ...
Category

19th Century Turkish Islamic Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Ceramic, Pottery

Treasury of American Design Volume 1 & 2 Ed. Clarence P. Hornung
Located in CA, CA
Treasury of American Design Ed. Clarence P. Hornung; J. Carter Brown (foreword); Holger Cahill (introduction) Published by Harry N. Abrams Inc, New York 1976. 2 volume hard back ...
Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

19th Century Andrew J. Lloyd Boston Brass Telescope on Wooden Tripod with Case
Located in Milford, NH
A fine antique brass telescope, stamped Andrew J. Lloyd Company, a Boston, MA retailer active 1850-1875. Brass tubes and fittings, includes the original collapsible wooden tripod sta...
Category

Mid-19th Century American Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Brass

Vintage 1970s Paolo Soleri Bronze Bells Wind Chime Cosanti Originals Iconic MCM
Located in Hyattsville, MD
Wonderful and rare variation of a large Paolo Soleri wind chime, with a wind span of 17 inches. No breaks, no loose welds, each bell is signed...
Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Bronze

The Adventures of Pinocchio, FIRST AMERICAN EDITION, illustrated by A. Mussino
Located in Middletown, NY
The Adventures of Pinocchio by Carlo Collodi [pseud. of Carlo Lorenzini]; translated by Carol della Chiesa and illustrated by Attilio Mussino New York: Macmillan Company, 1929. F...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Barnum & Bailey Circus Horse Collar
Located in Fulton, CA
Vintage and historical leather and painted wood horse collar from Barnum & Bailey Circus. Embossed in leather "Barnum & Bailey" and "King". Assuming the name of the horse was King. C...
Category

20th Century American Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Brass

Giant Golfball, 1980s
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Giant vintage golfball in cream plaster/plastic. 8.5" diameter. Likely used as a store display. Whimsical desktop object or paperweight. Very heavy a...
Category

1980s American Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paint, Plastic

Guhl & Harbeck Style Chain Stitch Hand Crank Sewing Machine
Located in Guaynabo, PR
This is a Guhl & Harbeck style chainstitch hand crank sewing machine. The C shaped cast iron machine is painted black and its rectangular bas...
Category

20th Century German Industrial Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Iron

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

1940s American Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Fabric

1816 Large Southern Hindostan Map by J. Thomson – New General Atlas
Located in Langweer, NL
Title: 1816 Southern Hindostan Map by J. Thomson – New General Atlas This map, titled "Southern Hindostan," was published in 1816 as part of J. Thomson’s *New General Atlas*. The ma...
Category

1810s Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

A Dutch Architectural Bird Cage, 19th Century
Located in ARMADALE, VIC
A Dutch Architectural Bird Cage, 19th Century Provenance: Private Australian Collection. Description: The birdcage comprising two levels, the upper floor with a trefoil gallery sur...
Category

19th Century Dutch Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Wood

Violin In Majolica Manufacture Rouen Early 1800s French Musical Ceramics
Located in Milano, MI
French Faience Violin Manufacture of Rouen Beginning 1800 with a side pocket and two holes for hanging on the wall by means of a string, missing. This stanniferous glaze majolica vi...
Category

Early 19th Century Baroque Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Majolica

1986 Sotheby's New York Contemporary Art Auction Catalog
Located in Bradenton, FL
Sotheby's New York Contemporary Art Auction Catalog from May 5th and 6th, 1986. Paperback, 237 lots. Includes sales results stapled to front page.
Category

1980s American Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

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

19th Century English Leather Bound Family Bible with Brass Mounts and Clasps
Located in Dallas, TX
This beautiful antique Holy Book was printed in England circa 1870. The impressive Victorian family Bible, titled "The National Comprehensive Family Bible", was edited by Rev. John E...
Category

Late 19th Century English Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Brass

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

Star Wars 'Return of the Jedi' Original Vintage US One Sheet Movie Poster, 1983
By Tim Reamer
Located in Devon, GB
Tim Reamer's simple and effective poster design for the final instalment of George Lucas' original Star Wars trilogy has become emblematic of the entire saga, with its glowing lights...
Category

1980s American Post-Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Antique Map of the Township of Zuidlaren, Drenthe in the Netherlands, 1865
Located in Langweer, NL
Drenthe: Gemeente Zuidlaren, Midlaren, Plankersloot. These scarse detailed maps of Dutch Towns originate from the 'Gemeente-atlas' of Jacob Kuyper. This atlas of all towns in the Net...
Category

19th Century Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Four Antique Italian Extreme Erotica Hand Painted Pottery Tiles of Monks & Nuns
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This set of four antique hand painted pottery tiles are all unsigned, so no specific artist can be identified, but are presumed to have be...
Category

Late 18th Century Italian Neoclassical Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Pottery

Inverary Set of Fifteen Leather Bound Books
Located in New York, NY
Inverary set of fifteen leather bound books. The Annual Register or A View of the History, Politics, and Literature for the year comprising the years 1765-1792: volume 8, 9, 10, 11,...
Category

18th Century English Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Leather, Paper

Christie's The Personal Property of Marilyn Monroe (Book)
Located in North Yorkshire, GB
Christie's hardback auction catalogue Wednesday 27th and Thursday 28th October 1999 New York. In October of 1999, Anna Strasberg sourced Christie’s, the renowned auction company, to ...
Category

20th Century Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Awesome Antique Bronze Gothic Revival 9 Light Chandelier with Phoenix Sculpture
Located in Lisse, NL
Handcrafted and truly impressive Neo-Gothic Church fixture that can also be used for candles. Over the decades we have sold a number of very good antique bronze, Gothic light fixtures for both candles and electrical bulbs. However, we never offered one as high and with as many Gothic details as this hand-crafted chandelier. You will rarely come across a Gothic work of religious art that is more elaborate and with as many Gothic details as this fit-for-a-castle pendant...
Category

Late 19th Century French Gothic Revival Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Gold, Bronze

2 Antique Nautical Woven Hemp Rope Braided Marine Ship Boat Bumper Fender Pair
Located in Dayton, OH
Pair of early 20th century boat bumpers / fenders, rectagnular shape woven from natural hemp rope with handle. Dimensions: 13" x 7" x 16" (Width x Depth x Height)
Category

Early 20th Century Bohemian Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Rope

Antique/Vintage Austrian watch chain fob of a pistol circa 1900
Located in Central England, GB
This rare pocket watch fob is intended as an eye catching and interesting decoration for a watch chain. It is beautifully made in polished steel with silver mounts in the form of a m...
Category

Early 20th Century Austrian Edwardian Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Steel

Omega Jumbo Triple Date Moonphase Cosmic Vintage Watch 1952
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Omega Triple Date Moonphase Cosmic Vintage Watch 1952 Ref. 2486-1, caliber 381 (Lemania 27DL) Patinated silver dial, alternating applied Arabic numer...
Category

1950s Swiss Other Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Stainless Steel

Breakfast at Tiffany's, Signed by Truman Capote, First Edition, 1958
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
Capote, Truman. Breakfast at Tiffany's: A short novel and three stories. New York: Random House, 1958. First edition, first issue printing. Signed by Truman Capote. In the original publisher’s orange first issue dust jacket and yellow cloth binding. Presented with an archival clamshell case. This is a signed, first edition, first issue of Truman Capote's classic novella chronicling the adventures of the free-spirited Holly Golightly, Breakfast at Tiffany's. In addition to the title novella, the book also includes three other short stories: House of Flowers, A Diamond Guitar, and A Christmas Memory. The book is issued its first issue dust jacket with the 10/58 date code one the front flap. "First Printing" is stated on the copyright page and the book signed by the author “Truman Capote” on the front flyleaf. Capote originally sold his story Breakfast at Tiffany's to Harper's Bazaar for $2,000, with intended publication in its July 1958 issue. Shortly after the publication was scheduled, Harper's editor Carmel Snow was ousted by the magazine's publisher, the Hearst Corporation, and Hearst executives began asking for changes to the novella's language as there was concern that Tiffany's & Co., a major advertiser, would react negatively. The story was removed from the Harper’s Bazzar publication schedule but Capote soon resold the work to Esquire for $3,000. His novella appeared in Esquire’s November 1958 issue. A collection of the Breakfast at Tiffany’s novella and three short stories by Capote was published by Random House in the same year. The novella received glowing reviews. "If you want to capture a period in New York, no other book has done it so well. He could capture a period and place like few others" (Norman Mailer). The novella was quickly adapted for the 1961 hit film starring Audrey Hepburn and George Peppard. Truman Capote was born in New Orleans and educated in New York and Connecticut. He worked in the Art Department of The New Yorker and as a writer on a television show before going on his own as a full-time writer. His first novel at age 24, Other Voices, Other Rooms, brought him literary fame and a strong following, which continued throughout his life, reaching a peak with the success of his "nonfiction” true...
Category

1950s American Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Late 19th C Anthropomorphic Taxidermy Scene Artist & His Muse by William Drew
Located in Lowestoft, GB
Late 19th Century cased anthropomorphic taxidermy scene of two Squirrels and a stoat in bedroom/boudoir setting. One squirrel dressed as an artist in a beret, painting smock smoking ...
Category

1890s British Late Victorian Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Natural Fiber, Glass, Pine

Dunhill Mid-Century Modern Chrome Stylized Sabre Jet Airplane Table Lighter
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This chrome table lighter was made by the renowned Alfred Dunhill Company of England and dates to 1960 and done in the period Mid-Century Modern style. The lighter is made in the lik...
Category

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

Materials

Metal, Chrome

Stylish Early 1900s Art Deco Bronze Wall Plaque of Jesus Christ by S. Norga
Located in Lisse, NL
Beautifully handcrafted and meaningful religious plaque. This heavy and high quality bronze wall plaque depicts Christ with a realistic crown of thorns and a stylized Art Deco halo ...
Category

Early 20th Century Belgian Art Deco Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Bronze

Antique Map of Arkansas
Located in Langweer, NL
Antique map titled 'Arkansas'. Original antique map of Arkansas, United States. This print originates from 'Encyclopaedia Britannica', Ninth Edition. P...
Category

Late 19th Century Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Antique Map of Arkansas
Antique Map of Arkansas
$276 Sale Price
20% Off
Only the Best, Masterpieces of the Calouste Gulbenkian Museum Lisbon
Located in Bradenton, FL
Only the Best, Masterpieces of the Calouste Gulbenkian Museum, Lisbon. Hardcover book with dustjacket, published by The Metropolitan Museum of Art, in conjunction with the exhibition...
Category

1990s Spanish Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

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

Early 20th Century English Edwardian Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Natural Fiber, Glass, Pine

The Good Shepherd by C. S. Forester
Located in Bradenton, FL
The Good Shepherd by C. S. Forester. Hardcover book, published in 1955 by Little, Brown and Company. Printed in the United States of America. 310 pages.
Category

1950s American Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Rare German 1800s Anatomical Horse Model, Signed A.M.Sommer
By Frederik Sommer
Located in Peekskill, NY
This is an important handmade large scale papier mâché anatomical model of a horse. It's close to two thirds scale and over four foot long. At the turn of the century France and Berl...
Category

Late 19th Century German Industrial Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Antique and Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities for Sale

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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.

Tauba Auerbach’s Geometric Pop-Up Book Is Mighty Rare, Thanks to a Hurricane

This sculptural art book has an epic backstory of its own.

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