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Collectibles and Curiosities For Sale
Period: Mid-20th Century
Period: 1920s
Rare and Collectible 1960's Horikawa Space Station Toy
Located in Redding, CT
Rare and Collectible 1960's Horikawa Space Station Toy. Perfect for that space age toy collector. Tin Lithograph sphere that says Nasa Space Station on t...
Category
1960s Japanese Space Age Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal
The Fashion Makers, A Photographic Record by Walter Vecchio, 1st Ed
Located in valatie, NY
The Fashion Makers, A Photographic Record by Walter Vecchio. 1st Ed hardcover with dust jacket. Published by Crown Publishers, New York, 1968. . 277 pages, introduction followed by c...
Category
1960s American Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Machine Age Art Deco Doctors or Bathroom Floor Model Scale Weigh Master by Hanso
Located in New York, NY
Great Machine Age, American Art Deco floor scale, Weigh Master by Hanson. The scale is fully functional, it shows cosmetic wear to the paint finish, and th...
Category
1930s American Art Deco Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal
Antique 1930's Gretsch Arch Top Acoustic Guitar
Located in New Milford, CT
**Antique 1930s Gretsch 150 Archtop Acoustic Guitar – Vintage Elegance with Timeless Tone**
Step into the golden age of American craftsmanship with this stunning antique 1930s Grets...
Category
1930s American American Classical Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Maple, Rosewood
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 [together with] Through the Looking-Glass, and What Alice Found There. London: Macmillan & Co. Ltd., 1959, 1955. Illustrated by John ...
Category
1950s English Victorian Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Leather, Paper
Classic 1950s Kay M 1 Upright String Bass, Standard 3/4 size
By Kaye
Located in Buffalo, NY
Classic 1950s Kay M 1 Upright String Bass, Standard 3/4 size........ a bass that needs no introduction. Kay's laminate stand-up basses are workhorses that always deliver and sound a...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Brass
Rolex Chronometer "Northern Goldsmiths" – 1939 Vintage 9K Gold Manual-Wind Watch
Located in Encino, CA
A Rare Pre-WWII Rolex Chronometer with Co-Branded Dial and High-Precision 18-Jewel Movement
This is a highly collectible and historically significant 1939 R...
Category
1930s Swiss Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Gold
Czechoslovakian Lignatone Clarinet From the Mid. 20th Century
Located in Opole, PL
Czechoslovakian Lignatone Clarinet From the Mid. 20th Century
A Czechoslovakian Lignatone clarinet, untested, in particularly good condition. Made of wood, the set includes a case branded "Cheney England."
Category
Mid-20th Century Czech Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Wood
Patinated Wrought Iron Art Deco Amsterdam School Gong or Bell, 1930s
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Wonderful Art Deco Amsterdam School gong or bell.
Striking Dutch design from the 1930s.
Patinated wrought iron.
In very good condition with a beautiful patina.
Category
1930s Dutch Art Deco Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Wrought Iron
Vintage Marathon Leather Boxing Gloves c.1950-1960
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT
A pair of authentic vintage boxing gloves with reddish, brown leather. Each glove has gold leather piping. The leather is very soft and is good condition. Stamped "Marathon" o...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Industrial Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Leather
Moby Dick by Herman Melville, Illustrated by R. Kent, First Trade Edition Thus
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
Melville, Herman. Moby-Dick. New York: Random House, 1930. Illustrated by Rockwell Kent. First trade edition (thus). Octavo. Original publisher’s pictorial black front cloth board, s...
Category
1930s American Art Deco Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Fabric, Paper
Bally's 'Dixieland' Pinball Arcade Game, 1968
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage 'DIXIELAND' themed pinball machine from 1968. Made by Bally's. In excellent working condition. Great visuals and sounds. Fun paced gameplay. Game has two small flippers, whic...
Category
1960s American Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal
Solid Brass Yacht Winch with Handle from 1930s
Located in Norwell, MA
Geared yacht winch with handle. Highly polished and lacquered. Varnished handle with a varnished wood grip. This is a line tensioner winch. Fine yachting relic.
Weight: 3 lbs.
Ov...
Category
1950s North American Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Brass
Vintage French Mother-of-Pearl & Brass Opera Glasses with Case by LeMaire Paris
Located in San Diego, CA
Fabulous vintage French mother-of-pearl and brass opera glasses with case by LeMaire of Paris, circa 1950s. #2873
Complete functional glasses with ...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Brass
1960s Stunning Blue Table Lighter in Murano Sommerso Glass By Flavio Poli
By Flavio Poli
Located in Milano, IT
1960s Stunning Blue and Yellow Table Lighter in Murano Sommerso Glass By Flavio Poli for Seguso. Made in italy
The item is in excellent condition and it works perfectly
Dimensions:
2...
Category
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Murano Glass
John Lennon Original Vintage Poster by Richard Avedon for Look magazine, 1967
Located in Devon, GB
Beatles manager Brian Epstein commissioned Richard Avedon to photograph the band and design a set of posters that would visually capture the new psychedelic direction of 'Sgt. Pepper...
Category
1960s American Post-Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Linen, Paper
Mid-Century 1950s Vintage Vaulting Horse by H. Hunt & Son — Liverpool
Located in Alton, GB
A rare and striking example of mid-century athletic design, this 1950s vintage wooden vaulting horse by the esteemed H. Hunt & Son Ltd, Liverpool, represents the perfect marriage of utilitarian craftsmanship and timeless form. Originally intended for gymnasium use, this solid piece bears all the hallmarks of the British educational athletic tradition—built for durability, but beautifully aged with character and grace.
The branding mark on the leg—“H. Hunt & Son Ltd, Woodend Avenue, Liverpool 24”—authenticates its origin and era, placing it within the heart of British post-war industrial design. This firm, known for manufacturing high-quality physical education equipment, produced gym staples that are now coveted for their robust materials and nostalgic appeal.
Constructed from solid beechwood and topped with a plush, aged tan leather or hide, this vaulting horse has gracefully weathered the decades. It separates into two distinct, fully functional components: a bench and a table—each capable of standing on its own both structurally and stylistically. The top section is luxuriously upholstered and softly worn, making it a welcoming seating option, while the lower structure transforms effortlessly into a charming coffee or display table.
Whether placed in a refined living space, a high-concept retail environment, or a creative workspace, this piece adds a quiet sense of heritage and strength. It invites interaction and admiration without pretension.
The mid-20th century was a golden era for British craftsmanship, where even utilitarian school and gym equipment was made to last. H. Hunt & Son Ltd was one of the key suppliers to UK schools and institutions, known for their dedication to quality and consistency. Items such as this vaulting horse were built to withstand generations of rigorous physical use, and now stand as iconic relics of British design history.
Understated and evocative, this H. Hunt & Son vintage vaulting horse...
Category
Mid-20th Century European Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Leather, Wood
Cobalt Blue and Gold Forties Cigarette Case Card Holder
Located in New York, NY
Cobalt blue and gold Forties cigarette case card holder. Vintage enameled blue metal case on gold ball feet with hinged curving lid with small har...
Category
1940s American Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal
Huge Lot 106 Barclay Manoil Podfoot Lead Toy Soldiers US Military Army Figures
Located in Dayton, OH
Lot of 106 mid century die cast lead, podfoot style toy soldiers by the Barclay Manufacturing Company.
"The Barclay Manufacturing Company was an American metal toy company based in New Jersey that specialised in diecast toy cars and hollowcast toy soldiers. Due to their common availability at five and dime stores, collectors often refer to Barclay's toy soldiers as "Dimestore soldiers". Barclay Manufacturing was formed by Leon Donze and Michael Levy in about 1922. In its heyday Barclay produced 500,000 toys a week, making them the largest toy soldier manufacturer at that time in the United States. In 1939 Barclay acquired another toy soldier company, Tommy Toy and its art deco sculptor Olive Kooken. Some of Barclay's first vehicles were slush cast white metal made in the 1930s. Also about this time, and into the 1940s, the company made a variety of military vehicles – tanks, trucks with cannon and other cars painted brown. Despite the inroads of plastic toy soldiers, Barclay kept manufacturing theirs in metal. Following the war, Barclay changed the helmets on their soldiers to the M1 Helmet. In about 1951 Barclay conserved metal by eliminating bases on their soldiers, which collectors nicknamed podfoot soldiers because each foot appeared as a flattened rounded blob. These were painted similar to figures in American comic books of the time – olive drab uniforms with green helmets with "enemy" soldiers in red uniforms with white helmets. In 1960, the lead soldiers...
Category
Mid-20th Century Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Lead
Carl Zeiss cold war era 10 x 50 periscope binoculars
By Carl Zeiss
Located in London, GB
A cold war era Carl Zeiss Oberkochen 10 x 50 periscope binoculars, German, circa 1965.
Specifications: 10 times magnification, coated optics, objective diameter 50 mm, grey filter and drop down grid.
Original transport case. (included protective feet pads and rubber eye guards).
Dimensions of the case: 29 x 18 1/2 x 11 inches. (73 x 47 x 28 cm).
Mounted on an adjustable height tripod. Height of periscope in photographs: 77 inches.
This model of Zeiss periscope...
Category
Mid-20th Century German Industrial Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Aluminum, Brass, Steel
Mid-Century Modern Baldwin Acrosonic Piano in Walnut and Caning, 1960's
Located in Charleston, SC
No description provided Mid-Century Modern Baldwin Acrosonic Piano in Walnut and Caning - 1960's This Mid-Century modern Acrosonic spinet piano made by Baldwin is very sought after and is an amazing addition to any home. It's signature Danish style modern tapered leg design and solid walnut wood cabinet...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Scandinavian Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Brass
Vintage MCM Domino Set in Wooden Box
Located in San Diego, CA
A very cool MCM domino set in lidded wooden box, circa 1970's. The set is in very good condition, includes 28 dominoes and measures 3.5"W x 9"D x 3"H. #4300
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Plastic, Wood
1930s Magnadyne Art Deco Tube Radio, Empire Style, Working, All Original Parts
Located in Vigonza, Padua
Italian 1930s Magnadyne (Turin) Art Deco tube radio, empire style, working, all original parts
Measures in cm: H 45, W 42, D 45.
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Art Deco Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Walnut
Vintage Geloso G72R Radio, italy, 1946-1947
Located in Roma, IT
Vintage Geloso G72R Radio
Fair condition, with diffused oxydation.
Category
1940s Italian Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Resin
Beautiful Antique Brass Scale
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Immerse yourself in the elegance and charm of yesteryear with this exquisite antique brass scale, a true testament to craftsmanship and beauty. Th...
Category
Mid-20th Century Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Marble, Brass
Modern Bronze Verdigris Menorah
Located in San Diego, CA
Gorgeous modern bronze verdigris menorah from Israel, circa 1980s. The menorah measures 8"W x 3"D x 10.5"H and is quite heavy and solid. #3787
Category
Mid-20th Century American Brutalist Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Bronze
Antique World Globe From Fleet Street London 1923 on Wooden Stand
Located in Reading, Berkshire
Antique Terrestrial Geographia of Fleet Street London 12"inch World Globe on handcrafted Wooden Three Legged Base 1923
Made 55 Fleet Street, London
Beautiful desktop globe, sho...
Category
1920s British Art Deco Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Wood, Paper
Texaco Gas Gilbarco gas pump, model 96
Located in Alpha, NJ
This vintage Gilbarco Texico Gas Pump is in very good condition. This pump has been fully restored. Lighting elements are operational, pump elements have been removed.
Category
Mid-20th Century American Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Steel
'Air France Paris' Original Vintage Travel Poster by Bernard Villemot, 1967
Located in Devon, GB
Air France commissioned French artist Bernard Villemot to design this dazzling poster to promote tourism to Paris in 1967. Primarily printed in blue and green, the painterly design f...
Category
1960s French Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
1940s Vintage Vornado Antique Electric Powerful Metal Desk Table Fan
By Vornado
Located in Chula Vista, CA
1940s Vornado vintage antique electric fan powerful and silent.
Art Deco era electric table desk top fan with modern industrial design.
Has one ...
Category
1940s Art Deco Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal
1961 Moto Morini Motom 49cc Wall Hanger
Located in Alpha, NJ
This is a beautifully restored 1961 Moto Morini "wall hanger". This piece is meant to be ornamental or decorative memorabilia but can be brought back to running condition. All fluids...
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Steel
Clairtone Project G1 Hi-Fi Stereo System with Lab 80 Turntable by Hugh Spencer
By Clairtone
Located in Dallas, TX
“Project G epitomized high design, pure form, the perfection of how sacred platonic geometry can bring our banal, everyday products to a higher spiritual art form. It set the trend for stereo equipment to become a composition of extreme pure form, sophisticated materials, and floating sculptural composition for Bang & Olufsen, Brionvega, Telefunken, and others to emulate.” – Karim Rashid
If you are not familiar with the Clairtone project G...
Category
Mid-20th Century Canadian Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Aluminum, Steel
Marble Solitaire Game Hardwood Board with 34 old Glass swirl Marbles, Circa 1930
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a good Marble Solitaire game, having a very good hardwood board and a complete set of 34 glass swirl marbles, all dating to the first half of the 20th century.
The circular ...
Category
Mid-20th Century English Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Glass, Hardwood
Antique Bauhaus Wooden Baby Walker
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
Circa 1940. We offer this rare Antique Bauhaus Wooden Baby Walker, great vintage conditions.
Category
1940s Mexican Bauhaus Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Plywood
1952 Invisible Man
By Ralph Ellison
Located in Bath, GB
The sought after first edition, first printing of Ralph Ellison's monumental award winning novel, his first and only work to be published during his lifetime.
The first edition, fir...
Category
1950s American Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Mid-Century Brass and Gunmetal Chess Set With Mirrored Glass Inset Board, 1970s
By Hermès
Located in Miami, FL
Mid-Century modern chess set with brass and gunmetal pieces on a mirrored glass board. The glass playing board is inset in a raised brass frame.
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal
Vintage Philips Pionnier 751M Radio "Legionary", italy, 1935-1936
Located in Roma, IT
Vintage Philips Pionnier 751M Radio "Legionary", realized in 1935/36.
A very popular model at the time, in good condition.
Category
1930s Italian Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Resin
1928 Gibson TG-1 Vintage Tenor Acoustic Guitar Sunburst w/ Case
Located in Buffalo, NY
Up for sale, a circa 1928 Gibson TG-1 in 100% original condition and in perfect working order, complete with original case.....distressed and minor separation. (see photos) This unc...
Category
1920s American Art Deco Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Wood, Rosewood, Spruce
Vintage 1960s Blue Pedal Car Convertible
Located in Chicago, IL
Vibrant, sleek and full of character, this vintage pedal car was once the prized possession of children all across America. A popular toy since the late 19th century, pedal cars expe...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Steel
Moorish Persian Inlaid Micro Mosaic Backgammon and Chess Board
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Moroccan Moorish Persian Inlaid Micro Mosaic Backgammon and Chess Board.
Intricately inlaid handcrafted Moorish Persian backgammon and chess checker...
Category
Mid-20th Century Turkish Moorish Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Fruitwood
Beautiful Homes and Gardens in California
Located in New York, NY
Important and lavishly produced survey of postwar California domestic architecture, written by Frank Lloyd Wright-trained California architect Herbert Weisskamp and published by Abrams in 1964. First edition, oblong 4to (10.25” x 7.25”) hardcover with pictorial dust jacket, 4 full color photos, 314 black-and-white photos (3/4 of them by Julius Schulman), plus 113 b/w plans, drawings, and elevations. Showcases the work of the following architects and landscape designers: Raphael Soriano, Pierre Koenig, Craig Ellwood, Frank Lloyd Wright, Mark Mills, Aaron Green...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Art Deco Miniature 'Dragon' Sailing Boat
Located in Tilburg, NL
Art Deco Style Miniature 'Dragon' Sailing Boat. Europe, mid to late 20th century.
A wonderful miniature sailing boat - very refined and semi-abstract. Wonderful details and appearan...
Category
Mid-20th Century European Art Deco Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Stone, Metal
JBL Speaker Model C-38 in the Style of George Nelson
By JBL 1
Located in Cincinnati, OH
A JBL speaker with a medium toned walnut cabinet model # C-38 with cast aluminum legs in the style of George Nelson. Inside the enclosure contains one sing...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Walnut
Dr. No
Located in London, GB
Original American film poster for Dr. No starring Sean Connery is the first James Bond film. Based on the 1958 novel of the same name by Ian Fleming. The film was the first of a succ...
Category
1960s British Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Mid-Century Vintage Leather Gymnastics Mat or Headboard
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Large natural leather gym mat with beautiful patina and wear, including staining, small cuts, scratching, tic tac toe game and names scratched into leather. Can be used as headboard ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Dutch Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Leather, Wood
Rare 1929 NATIONAL TRIOLIAN (wood body) Acoustic Resonator Guitar (HULA SCENE)
By National Guitar
Located in Buffalo, NY
Wonderful 1928 / 1929 wood bodied National Triolian with Hula Girl back stencil. Beautiful finish /patina. Guitar in very good original condition. One of the cleanest I have ever se...
Category
1920s American Art Deco Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal
A. A. MILNE. The House At Pooh Corner - 1928 - FIRST DELUXE EDITION - SIGNED
Located in Hillsborough, NJ
AUTHOR: MILNE, A. A. (Alan Alexander).
TITLE: The House At Pooh Corner.
PUBLISHER: London: Methuen & Co. Ltd., 1928.
DESCRIPTION: FIRST DELUXE EDITION SIGNED. 1 vol., 8-7/8" x 7-...
Category
1920s British Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Fabric
Art Deco Madonna Holy Virgen Sculpture, 1920
Located in Saint-Amans-des-Cots, FR
French Art Deco Madonna Holy Virgen statue, France, 1920s. Oak. Hand carved statue from what appears to be a single piece of oak. The size is important and the silhouette fine. It sh...
Category
1920s French Art Deco Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Oak
Mid Century Japanese Fuji Meibo Naval Binocular Nardo Grey & Brass -Original box
By Fuji Meibo
Located in Leicester, Leicestershire
Japanese Fuji Meibo Observation Binoculars 15 x 80 - 4 degree field of view.
A large pair of Japanese naval observation binoculars mounted on an a...
Category
1950s Japanese Industrial Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Aluminum, Brass
Langston Hughes, Best Short Stories by Negro Writers, 1st Ed, Presention Copy
Located in Hillsborough, NJ
Author: Hughes, Langston.
Title: The Best Short Stories by Negro Writers.
Publisher: Boston: Little, Brown & Co., 1967.
Description: First edition presention copy and signed twice. 1 vol., inscribed in his familiar green ink on the half-title "To the (Jack) Aistrops- Happy Holidays and Bon Voyage Sincerely, Langston Hughes...
Category
1960s American Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Fabric
Copper & brass fuel measures by Sutherland Astell
Located in London, GB
Two copper and brass metric "Checkpump" fuel measures by Sutherland Astell, circa 1950.
Made for the County Borough of Blackpool.
Marked: 10 and 20 litres, at 20°.
20L, Height: 23...
Category
Mid-20th Century English Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Brass, Copper
Large Wild Boar Trophy on Wooden Plaque, Germany 1950s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Large wild boar trophy on wooden plaque, Germany 1950s.
A large vintage black forest wild boar (Sus scrofa) trophy on an ebonized nutwood plaqu...
Category
Mid-20th Century German Rustic Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal
Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid
Located in London, GB
Original British film poster for the 1969 classic western staring Paul Newman, Robert Redford, Katherine Ross. This film was directed by George Roy Hill. This size poster would have ...
Category
1960s British Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Vintage Westinghouse Shortwave Radio in French Polished Mahogany Case
Located in San Francisco, CA
A handsome Westinghouse combination shortwave radio, the French polished mahogany case housing a tube movement with multiple radio settings, made and s...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Mahogany
Charming Miniature Seating Group in Bauhaus Style from the 1930s-1940s
By Bauhaus
Located in Knivsta, SE
Charming miniature seating group in aluminium and with a table top in teak. Manufactured during the 1930s-1940s in period-typical Bauhaus style.
Measure: The whole group, arranged l...
Category
1930s European Bauhaus Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Aluminum
Vintage Marx Fire Chief Friction Action Toy Sedan American, Circa 1930
By Marx Toy Co.
Located in Incline Village, NV
This original vintage friction activated toy sedan" Fire Chief" Car by The Marx Toy Company, circa 1930, is a difficult toy to find, especially in this variation, which I have not se...
Category
1930s American Folk Art Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Tin, Steel
Ship's taffrail log by Thomas Walker & Son of Birmingham
Located in London, GB
A "Trident" electric Mark III ship's taffrail log by Thomas Walker and Son, Birmingham, circa 1940 - 1950.
With twin Walker Cherub rotators.
Mounted on oak display base.
For a ...
Category
Mid-20th Century English Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Brass
1950s Vintage Tabletop Flip Scoreboard with Bold, Gold Numbering
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Tabletop flip scoreboard with bold lettering in gold on thick plastic panels. Enameled black base with large rings. Excellent in a study or to mark a special event or lucky number. I...
Category
Mid-20th Century Dutch Other Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal
Antique and Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities for Sale
Antique and vintage collectibles and curiosities can bring whimsy and wonder to any interior.
Decorating with old scientific instruments, historical memorabilia and vintage musical instruments, as well as other authentic collectibles and curiosities that can be found on 1stDibs, presents an opportunity to create a unique, natural history museum-like atmosphere in your home that can provoke conversation as often as it pays tribute to how far we’ve come in understanding our world.
And bringing collectibles and curiosities into your space is actually on trend — Wunderkammern, or curiosity cabinets, were all the rage in Europe during the 1500s and continued to have adherents there and in the U.S. in the following centuries. Today, however, they’re experiencing a real surge in popularity and influencing how many interior designers are furnishing and decorating homes — combining contemporary with antique, scientific with tribal, earthly with extraterrestrial, Les Lalanne tables with Flemish tapestries.
The original Wunderkammern were entire rooms filled with objects demonstrating their owners’ worldly knowledge: A proper one included artificiala or preciosa (objets d’art); naturalia (such as skeletons, shells, minerals); exotica (taxidermy or dried plants); and scientifica (scientific instruments), frequently alongside religious relics and ancient artifacts.
Pay tribute to a history of rich and diverse musical traditions that have taken shape all over the world by decorating your home with a collection of antique and vintage musical instruments — with a little help from strong hanging wire or some wall hooks, vintage brass instruments such as a gong, French horn or trumpet can help elevate a home office or complement the efforts you’ve made to ensure a welcoming vibe in your home’s entryway. Bells or antique wind instruments can add provocative metallic contrasts to dark woods as tabletop decorative objects.
Create an intriguing focal point with Georgian scientific instruments, such as stick barometers with mahogany cases or lacquered brass telescopes. These items stem from an era named for the monarchies of the four King Georges, who ruled England in succession starting in 1714 (plus King William’s reign, which lasted until 1837). Just as there was beautiful jewelry produced during the period that today is coveted by collectors, there is much to be found in the collectibles and curiosities realm too.
Wanderlust, nostalgia and a shared love of good design are contributing factors to certain trends in decorating — just as vintage trunks and luggage have reappeared as furniture or home accents in a bedroom or foyer, decorating with globes, maps or nautical objects is similarly rooted in the allure of travel and a penchant for the stylish finishing touch that collectibles bring to our homes.
Find a wide range of antique and vintage collectibles and curiosities on 1stDibs.
Read More
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Ahoy! You’ve Never Seen a Collection of Sailor Art and Kitsch Quite Like This
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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.