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Collectibles and Curiosities For Sale
Period: Mid-20th Century
Period: 1910s
British Rail Railway Speed Restriction Sign 45 MPH Original and very tall
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
British Rail Railway Speed Restriction Sign 45 MPH Original and very tall, the sign is in good condition the paint has been restored in recent times Overall height 115” (293cm), the...
Category

Mid-20th Century Industrial Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Iron

Set of Three “Ultima” Solid Brass Ashtrays by Bäckström & Ljungberg, Sweden 1960
Located in Roma, IT
Fantastic Mid-Century complete set of the iconic "Ultima" brass ashtrays designed by Holger Bäckström and Bo Ljungberg and produced by Diverse Ting in Sweden during the 1960s. The...
Category

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

Materials

Metal, Brass

Art Deco Propeller Plane in Carved Wood and Metal
Located in Tilburg, NL
Art Deco Propeller Plane in Carved Wood and Metal Sometimes you find a piece that is just right…. This Art Deco propeller plane is a wonderful example of a fun and easthetic object....
Category

Mid-20th Century European Art Deco Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal

Long Silver Necklace by Marianne Berg for Uni David-Andersen, Norway, 1960s
Located in Stockholm, SE
Lovely silver necklace by designer Marianne Berg for Uni David-Andersen 1960s Norway. This is a two-section longer pendant with Viking inspired patterns on a long silver chain neckla...
Category

1960s Norwegian Scandinavian Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Silver

Vintage Craftsmanship: Set of Four Solid Wood Shoe Lasts, c. 1940
Located in Barcelona, ES
Era: circa 1940 Material: Solid Wood Original Condition Vintage Charm Timeless Craftsmanship Discover the allure of authentic craftsmanship with this set of four solid wo...
Category

1940s Spanish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Wood

14 demountable geometric solids in oak height inch 4.8 1960 Vallardi Milan
Located in Milan, IT
Box containing 14 detachable geometric solids made of oak wood, height 12 cm, housed in their original wooden box. Produced for educational purposes for schools by Antonio Vallardi e...
Category

1960s Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Wood

Rare Set of Six Mercury Glass & Cotton Christmas Ornament Vintage, 1910s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A rare Christmas ornament set from Germany or Austria. Each is made from mouth blown glass, one of pressed cotton, this would be a great addition for your Christmas or feather tree. ...
Category

1910s German Folk Art Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Wire

Charlotte’s Web by E. B. White First Edition, First Printing, 1952
Located in Southbury, CT
This exceedingly rare hardcover first edition, first printing of E.B. White's timeless classic, "Charlotte's Web" is a literary classic and trophy for the book collector. The book ...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Modernist Space Age Clairtone G3 T13 Stereo System with Globe Speakers
Located in Buffalo, NY
Vintage classic Modernist / Spaceage of high design Clairtone G3 T13 with Garrard turntable all made in Canada.Amazing design.. All functions workin...
Category

1960s Canadian Space Age Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal, Chrome

Rare Set of Five Mercury Glass Christmas Ornament Vintage, 1930s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A rare Christmas ornament set from Germany or Austria. Each is made from mouth blown glass, these would be a great addition for your Christmas or feather tree. Size always given for ...
Category

1930s German Folk Art Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Wire

Sears Tower Constellation Portable Typewriter W/Metal Case. Circa 1960s.
Located in Miami, FL
Vintage Sears Tower Constellation Portable Typewriter W/Metal Case. Circa 1960s. Manufactured for SEARS is the equivalent of a Smith-Corona Classic 12. Features a stylish mid century...
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal

Hermes Solid Silver Cigarette Box & Matchbox With Gold Horse Detail c.1960
Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
A Vintage mid-20th Century Hermes cigarette box and matchbox holder crafted from solid silver, adorned with exquisite gold horse detailing. This exceptional set, dating back to 1960,...
Category

1960s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Silver

"The Second World War, " by Winston Churchill
Located in Austin, TX
The Second World War by Winston Churchill from Houghton-Mifflin Company, Boston. A vintage edition of Winston Churchill's six-volume memoir, The Second World War, for which he was a...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Modern Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Bose 901 Series Speakers On Eero Saarinen Tulip Bases
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Pair of newly finished and upholstered, mid-century modern, Bose 901 series speakers on tulip base stands designed by the Finnish-American designer and architect Eero Saarinen, circa...
Category

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

Materials

Metal

1960s Vintage Hansen classic longboard
Located in Haleiwa, HI
Vintage 1960s Hansen classic longboard made in the early 1960s. Features beautiful aqua blue and red color scheme with matching pinstripes. Incredible 21 piece redwood/balsawood with...
Category

1960s American Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Fiberglass, Foam, Hardwood, Softwood

Medieval Knight Helmet Chrome Eletric Lighter by Omsco
Located in Van Nuys, CA
The Vintage Knight Chrome Electric Lighter by Osco is a classic and elegant piece of smoking paraphernalia crafted with precision and attention to detail, this lighter is a testament...
Category

1940s American Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Chrome

1940s Art Deco French Oversized set of two Bakelite Butterscotch Caramel Dice
Located in Haarlem, NL
Very pretty set of two large and heavy oversized jumbo bakelite dice in luscious dark butterscotch and delicious caramel swirl colour. Art Deco at its best in design and colour, these are must have for a collector and they are not easy to find in this colour. So far they belonged to my own extensive dice collection...
Category

1940s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Bakelite

Daiya Japan 1960s Motorcycle - Stunt Driver - Tin Motorcycle Tin Toy
Located in Catania, IT
Daiya brand tin motorcycle made in Japan 1960s in very good condition consistent with the wear and tear of time See photos in details. Measures: Length 27 cms Width 13 cm Height ...
Category

1960s Japanese Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal

Brass Vintage Clip on Earrings by Anna Greta Eker, Norway, 1960s
Located in Stockholm, SE
Midcentury brass clip earrings with a dark purple glass stone in the middle with a cut rock shape. Designed by Anna Greta Eker, Norway, 1960s. A typical couple of vintage earrings re...
Category

1960s Norwegian Scandinavian Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Stone, Brass

"Alphaville" Original Japanese Movie Poster
Located in London, GB
Original Japanese movie poster for Jean-Luc Godard's 1965 French New Wave film starring Eddie Constantine, Anna Karina, Akim Tamiroff.
Category

1960s Japanese Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Rare Set of Four Mercury Glass & Plastic Christmas Ornament Vintage, 1910s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A rare Christmas ornament set from Germany or Austria. Each is made from mouth blown glass, the 4 mushrooms with wire are made of plastic and are younger age, this would be a great a...
Category

1910s German Folk Art Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Wire

1930s Elastolin Farm / Yard. 65 pc. O&M Hausser.. Antique toy, made in Germany
Located in Buffalo, NY
Rare 1930s Elastolin Farm / Yard. over 65 pc. O&M Hausser.. Antique toys, made in Germany,,Over 50 year collection. Amazing Early Elastolin Farm compri...
Category

1930s German Country Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Composition

David Marshall hexagonal ashtray in cast brass and aluminum from the 1970s
Located in Roma, IT
Wonderful hexagonal ashtray in solid brass and aluminum. This lovely piece was designed by David Marshall in Spain during the 1970s. The simple straight lines and contrast between the different materials make this David Marshall ashtray...
Category

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

Materials

Brass, Aluminum

Carl Auböck Pipe Holder, Austria 1960s
Located in Berlin, DE
Carl Auböck Pipe Holder, Austria 1960s.
Category

1960s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Brass

Midcentury Sailor Scottish Terrier Drinking Beer Cigarette Box, 1950s
Located in Saint-Amans-des-Cots, FR
Midcentury sailor Scottish terrier drinking beer cigarette box, France, 1950s. Wood, metal and synthetic. Glass eyes. Measures: Height 8.2" (20.8cm), width 9" (22.9cm), depth 5.3" (1...
Category

1950s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal

Midcentury Made, Cast Aluminum Batmobile Classic Car Deskpiece Mercedes SSK
Located in Lisse, NL
Great for a mancave and very cool on a desk also. This mid-century eye catcher is incredibly cool and tactile. It is the only one of it's kind we can find and it is in excellent condition. The real car that comes closes (in our view) to this aluminum model is the 1930s Mercedes Benz SSK (see image nr. 10). It may have been made as a luxurious ashtray, but with a shape and a look like this, it does not need to be functional. This is a work of art and can certainly be displayed as such. This one-piece, cast aluminum car...
Category

Mid-20th Century European Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Aluminum

Rene Mercier French Art Deco Mother & Child Sculpture, 1930s
Located in Saint-Amans-des-Cots, FR
Beautiful French Art Deco mother & child statue by René MERCIER, France, 1930s. Wood. Hand carved.. Height : 16.1"(41cm), width : 9"(23cm), depth : 9.8"(25cm). A perfectly made and m...
Category

1930s French Art Deco Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Wood

Modernist Architectural Model in Stained Plywood 1950s
Located in Tilburg, NL
Modernist Architectural Model in Stained Plywood, presumably Dutch, 1950s. This highly tasteful 1950s Modernist architectural model is well crafted in stained plywood and solid wood...
Category

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

Materials

Wood

Midcentury Modern Lighter Ronson Silver 925 Design 1960s
Located in Palermo, IT
Rare Ronson pocket lighter in 925 silver with an elegant line. Italy of the 60s. Note: We try to offer our customers an excellent service even in shipments all over the world, coll...
Category

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

Materials

Silver

1960s Mughal Style Indian Brass Cigarette Holder / Trinket Box
Located in New York, NY
Indian brass lidded cigarette holder / trinket box, with hand engraved Mughal floral designs all around. Completely hand wrought piece with exquisite detail. Hand crafted in India, c...
Category

Mid-20th Century Indian Anglo-Indian Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Brass

KARL GLAZER 1932 Austria Schnauzer Dog Table Petrol Lighter Bronze & Red Lacquer
Located in Miami, FL
Petrol lighter designed by Karl Glazer. Fabulous and rare antique table petrol lighter, created in Vienna Austria by the Karl Glazer Metallwarenfabrik, back in the 1932-1933. This u...
Category

1930s Austrian Art Deco Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Brass, Bronze

Mid-20th Century Brutalist Iron Hanukkah Lamp Menorah by David Palombo
Located in New York, NY
Hand forged, iron Hanukkah lamp Menorah in the style known as “Brutalism”, David Palombo, Jerusalem, Israel, circa 1950. David Palombo (1920-1966), was a sculptor and painter. He wa...
Category

Mid-20th Century Israeli Brutalist Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Iron

1930's Japanese WW2 Nippon Kogaku Bronze & Aluminium 60° Inclined binoculars
By NIKKO
Located in Leicester, Leicestershire
A refurbished set of Nippon Kogaku 'Nikko' 60 degree inclined 15 x 80 4 degree field of view WW2 binoculars originally used for land, sea and air observation. Stripped of the origin...
Category

1930s Japanese Industrial Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Aluminum, Bronze

King Edward V111 Royal Commemorative Pottery Beaker, May 12th 1937
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a royal commemorative earthenware (pottery) beaker celebrating the planned coronation of King Edward V111th on May 12th 1937. The tapering beaker or cup would have been made...
Category

Mid-20th Century English Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Earthenware

Anatomical model: a male human body in life-size proportions, Italy 1930.
Located in Milan, IT
Anatomical model for schools, educational use, depicting the flayed male human body in life-size proportions, with removable organs, made of painted resin, all placed on a black wood...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Resin, Wood

Albert Engstrom Leather & Gilt Swedish Book Set, C. 1945
Located in Ross, CA
Set of 6, leather bound book set written by Albert Engstrom (1869-1940), published by Bonnier's in Stockholm in 1945. The Swedish language books are books are filled with the author...
Category

1940s Swedish British Colonial Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Leather

Laverne Originals Catalog (ABCDEF)
Located in New York, NY
Early catalog for Laverne Originals, the modern design company founded by Estelle and Erwine Laverne in 1938. From its modest origins producing primarily wallpapers and textiles, Lav...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Antique Oak Victor Victor I Victrola Phonograph Talking Machine with Horn
Located in Oakland, CA
Antique Oak Victor Victor I Victrola Phonograph Talking Machine with Horn. Very good working condition with original crank and nameplate: “His Mast...
Category

1910s North American Art Nouveau Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal

Berkel LP Scales
Located in Roma, IT
Berkel scale mod.LP from the 1960s made in the Netherlands
Category

1960s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Iron

Weltron Model 2001 Space Ball, AM/FM Radio 8 Track Stereo
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Introducing the Weltron Model, a fully functioning ultra-modern space ball AM/FM stereo with an integrated 8-track player. This rare audio gem from the iconic Weltron brand boasts cu...
Category

Mid-20th Century North American Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Chrome

1955 Hickory Dickory Dock
Located in Bath, GB
A vanishingly scarce to see signed first edition of this classic Poirot tale. The first edition, first impression, with no other impressions stated. Signed and dedicated by the aut...
Category

1950s British Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

1960s Music Radio TV Record Player Cabinet, Mahogany, Osvaldo Borsani attributed
Located in Vigonza, Padua
Midcentury music radio TV record player cabinet (or Dry Bar cabinet) in mahogany Osvaldo Borsani attributed Rare and important polyvalent enterta...
Category

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

Materials

Copper

Finnair Caravelle 1960
By Schaarschmidt
Located in Weesp, NL
Take flight into aviation history with the iconic 1960's Finnair Aero Caravelle airplane model, meticulously crafted by Schaarschmidt Modelbau in Berlin. This exquisite model pays ho...
Category

1960s Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Aluminum, Sheet Metal

Art Deco Ashtray Stand, Chrome and Bakelite by Demeyere, Belgium, 1930s
Located in Saarburg, RP
Art Deco ashtray stand This beautiful and rare Art Deco Ashtray Stand from the 30s/40s is in the streamline modern art deco style. The designer of this extraordinary object has succ...
Category

1930s Belgian Art Deco Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal, Chrome, Iron

Tiffany Co. Paris 1919 French Table Petrol Lighter In Brass & Carved White Nacre
Located in Miami, FL
Table petrol lighter designed by Tiffany & Co. Beautiful and unusual antique table petrol lighter, created in Paris France by the Tiffany & Co., back in the 1919. Crafted after the WWI as a trench-art piece in solid brass with high polished finish and embellished with a round flat holed piece, carved from natural white nacre. It is mounted in a round flat base and is fitted with a thumbwheel and a chained snuffer lid. This antique lighter should be a great conversation piece. Trench Art This is a term used to describe objects made from the debris and by-products of modern warfare. Trench Art is usually associated with the First World War, although similar items have been produced in other conflicts too. Most trench art was made by servicemen to pass the time when not in the front line. Weight: 124.7 Grams, (79.94 Dwt). Measurements: Diameter of 42 mm and a height of 94 (1.65 x 3.68 Inches). Hallmarks: Stamped with the maker's mark, attached with the French tax plaque Ministere Des Finances and signed, "TIFFANY & CO. FRANCE". Ministere Des Finances Lighter Tax 1911-1945 Historic Taxation Data On 10th December 1910 the French state adopted a new tax regulations on all devices indented to produce spark or fire by friction, or by any other means, and of the combustion of a flammable substance. Since 1st January 1911 every lighter in France that was intended for sale in the French market had to be taxed and adequately marked. To confirm that the excise duty was paid to the Ministry of Finance a special duty metal plate (stamp) was attached (usually welded) to the lighter by the lighter manufacturers. The fees charged by the French state were high but the tax rates levied by the state were varying depending on the type and finish of the lighter. Following tax rates were used: 2 French francs for common pocket lighters, 5 Fr for pocket lighters made of silver, 20 Fr for luxury pocket lighters made in gold, 5 Fr for common table/desk lighters (lower 10 cm), 10 Fr for table/desk lighters (over 10 cm) made of silver, 50 Fr for luxury table/desk lighters (over 10 cm) made of gold or platinum. Between 1911 and 1916 a simple cooper plate was used which had the date 1911 engraved. Later, between 1916 and 1945 a new plate (undated) was introduced with the letters "C" and "I" (stands for indirect taxes) and a profile of Mercury (patron god of financial gain, commerce and messengers) with an inscription "Ministère Des Finances" (Ministry of Finance). Two shapes were used for the plate – oval for table lighters, the other one for pocket lighters. Additional to the two duty plates a marking "BL" (Briquet de Luxe, eng. luxury lighter...
Category

1910s French Art Deco Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Brass, Nickel

Solid Brass Ship Captains Telescope
Located in Norwell, MA
Ships spyglass telescope appropriate for use on a yacht, ship, or anywhere with a view. This has been meticulously polished and lacquered. We just restored a great collection of thes...
Category

1930s European Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Brass

Ronson 1937 Art Deco Heart Lighter Faux Tortoise Lacquer And Chromed Steel
Located in Miami, FL
Heart shaped lighter designed by Ronson. This an extremely rare heart shaped pocket petrol lighter, created in New Jersey United States by The Ro...
Category

1930s American Art Deco Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Steel, Chrome

20th Century Large English Made Wooden Pond Yacht c.1930
Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Superb 20th Century pond yacht known as "Sea Mist". This J Class beauty showcases a meticulously crafted planked wood hull, adorned with gaff rigging supporting four sails, alongside...
Category

1930s British Other Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Fabric, Wood

Vintage Lady's Gentleman's Mother of Pearl Traveling Walking Swagger Stick Cane
Located in Dublin, Ireland
Very unusual and stylish heavy gauge Mother of Pearl Lady’s or Gentleman’s Travelling two-piece Walking Stick with lavish allover inlay of multi colour Mother of Pearl. Mid Century p...
Category

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

Materials

Hardwood

Vintage Stag Horn Carving Set by Anton Wingen, Solingen
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Vintage Stag Horn Carving Set by Anton Wingen, Solingen A rustic carving set consisting of fork and knife. The handles are made of genuine stag horn and feature a silver knob on the...
Category

Mid-20th Century German Black Forest Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal

Edwardian Sterling Silver-Mounted Cranberry/Red Threaded Crystal Match Striker
Located in New York, NY
Edwardian, sterling silver cranberry/red, tyg-form (a tyg is a three-handled Scottish drinking cup), threaded crystal match striker, having three, clear handles, London, 1916, Robert Pringle and Sons...
Category

1910s English Edwardian Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Crystal, Sterling Silver

Altamira: Italian Furniture Glassware Lamps Accessories
Located in New York, NY
Catalog showcasing high-end Italian furnishings and accessories, published circa 1956 by the fabled Altamira design center located at 18 East 50th St in New York City. Per the introduction, “Altamira is the only center in this country where Interior-Architecture by Italy’s foremost architects is represented together with furniture, handicrafts, accessories and every other element essential to the modern interior.” Altamira commissioned a line of furniture from Gio Ponti in 1953, crafted by Giordano Chiesa in Milan. Included were a number of Ponti’s iconic mid-century designs—the Distex lounge chair and a self-described masterpiece, the two-drawer desk, model AP 1025, are shown in the present catalog. Shown, too, are furniture designs by Ponti’s fellow “interior architects” and designers Marco Zanuso (produced by Arflex Milano), Enrberto Carboni, Enrico Peresutti of BBPR, Carlo Pagani, Enrico Taglietti, Nino Zancada, Ico and Luisa Parisi, Ignacio Gardella...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Pair of brass artillery shell casings
Located in 'S-HERTOGENBOSCH, NL
Pair of antique brass artillery shell casings from World War II. Made out of brass, these impressive heavy pieces of artillery are round in shape and dated on the bottom (1944). Thes...
Category

1940s Central American Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Brass

Asprey - Art Deco Engine Turned Butt Marker - Shooting Interest - Chester 1937
Located in London, London
Hallmarked in Chester in 1937 by Asprey & Co. Ltd., this very stylish, Art Deco period, Sterling Silver Butt Marker, features engine turned decorati...
Category

1930s English Art Deco Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Sterling Silver

Vintage Hand Painted Saint Nicholas Icon, Orthodox Church
Located in Vero Beach, FL
Vintage Hand Painted Saint Nicholas Icon Orthodox Church The hand painted icon is mounted on velvet and framed in a beautiful Renaissance style wo...
Category

Mid-20th Century Unknown Renaissance Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Velvet, Wood

Rare English Sterling Silver Yad - Hallmarked in London in 1937
By A. Taite & Sons Ltd
Located in London, London
Hallmarked in London in 1937 by A. Taite & Sons, this handsome, Sterling Silver Yad, is of traditional form. The yad measures 12"(30.5cm) in length, by 1.25...
Category

1930s English Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Sterling Silver

Large Black Forest Deer Trophy on Wooden Plaque - Germany ca. 1900s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Large Black Forest Deer Trophy on Wooden Plaque - Germany ca. 1900s An antique 8 pointer red deer (Cervus elaphus) trophy from the Black Forest. The trophy was shot around 1900. The...
Category

Mid-20th Century German Black Forest Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Antler, Wood

Theodore Roosevelt Signed Letter Collage
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
Presented is a Theodore Roosevelt signed letter to Colonel C. D. MacDougall, dated August 16, 1910. In the letter, Roosevelt politely declines MacDougall’s invitation to speak, as he...
Category

1910s American Vintage 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.

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