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Collectibles and Curiosities For Sale
Period: 20th Century
Period: 19th Century
Large Antique Pipe Wall Rack & Antique Pipe Stand w. Barrel & Many Carved Pipes
Located in Lisse, NL
Antique oak pipe wall rack and nutwood table pipe stand/holder with antique/vintage pipe collection. This beautiful collection for pipe smoking enthusiasts consists of a whole lot o...
Category

Early 20th Century European Arts and Crafts Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Sterling Silver, Metal

Ancient Ethnic Brooch Afghan Uzbek Style, 19th Century
Located in Roma, IT
Ancient Ethnic Brooch Afghan Uzbek Style, realized in 19th Century. Metal, enamel, precious stones. Very good condition.
Category

19th Century Afghan Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Stone, Metal, Enamel

Fine large Vintage Native American Navajo Bolo Tie Sterling Turquoise
Located in London, GB
A Fine handsome Large hand-crafted Navajo design Bolo tie in sterling silver with blue green turquoise circa 1960s. With plaited black leather tie and sterling & turquoise tips. Mea...
Category

20th Century American Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Silver

Set of 2 Brass Furniture Leg Embellisher, circa 1930
Located in Barcelona, ES
Set of two brass decorative embellishers imitating feline paws. Designed by unknown manufacturer, circa 1930. In original condition, with minor wear consistent with age and use...
Category

1930s Spanish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Brass

Antique Gun Slip Case, English, Leather, Leg of Mutton Rifle Sleeve, Victorian
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique gun slip case. An English, leather leg of mutton shotgun or rifle sleeve, dating to the late Victorian period, circa 1900. Superb, antique country pursuits gun ca...
Category

Early 20th Century British Late Victorian Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Leather

Antique 1915 Mahogany Chicago Cable Company Carolina Inner Player Upright Piano
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique Victorian player piano by The Cable Company of Chicago which features a Carolina Inner-player. Circa 1915. Includes: I Love Paris and Oh Lady Be Good by Max Kortlander, He...
Category

1910s American Edwardian Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Mahogany

Lavishly-Filled German Wooden Grocery Dollhouse Store Toy 1900s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A beautiful grocery shop room box, painted and stained wood with lithographed wall and floor papers, side stair case and upper gallery, some drawers on rear w...
Category

Early 1900s German Folk Art Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Porcelain, Fabric, Wood

19th Century Scottish capercaillie foot brooch
Located in Delft, NL
19th Century Scottish capercaillie foot brooch A Scottish capercaillie foot, also known as the leg of a grouse set as a brooch or kilt pin mounted on silver (not hallmarked) The bac...
Category

19th Century Scottish Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Silver

Vintage Sterling Silver Horses Brooch/Pin, stamped Beau Sterling
Located in Warrenton, OR
Vintage Sterling Silver Horses Brooch/Pin, stamped Beau Sterling UPDATE: Due to agreement with 1stDibs, we'll be staying through the end of the year. This is a Beau Sterling running...
Category

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

Materials

Sterling Silver

Chess Board in Onyx and Marble, White and Brown Color
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
Chess Board in Onyx and Marble, White and Brown Color
Category

20th Century Italian Hollywood Regency Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Onyx, Marble

French 19th Century Culinary Scale
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A 19th century French counter or grocer’s scale with two brass trays mounted on a white marble top. This wonderful antique instrument was used to measure various ingredients and prod...
Category

19th Century French French Provincial Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Marble, Brass

Zenith Console Radio Model 9-S-262
Located in Fulton, CA
A Philco Model 9-S-262 console radio with multiple band dial. Circa. 1938. All electrical components and speaker intact, but not tested. Beautiful dial, grill cloth and finish. 42 ...
Category

Early 20th Century American Art Deco Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Walnut

Zenith Console Radio Model 9-S-262
Zenith Console Radio Model 9-S-262
$1,250 Sale Price
24% Off
Set of 9 Antique Brass Scale Weights in Wood Block Apothecary 1920s
Located in Dayton, OH
1920's brass apothecary scale weight set including nine weights (one 50 gram, three 100 grams, one 200 grams, one 500 grams, one 1 kilo, and one 2 ki...
Category

1920s Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Brass

Rare Antique Russian Moscow School Silver Enamel Icon of the Holy Trinity, 1853
Located in New York, NY
Fine and rare antique Russian silver and enamel Holy Trinity icon Moscow, 1853 Marks: Cyrillic D O maker's mark, A C assay master's mark for Aggey Grigorievich Svechin ( Postnikova-L...
Category

19th Century Russian Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Silver, Enamel

French 19th Century Glass Dome on Pedestal
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
Showcase and protect your treasured objects with this unique glass dome from France. Dating to the late 19th century, dome displays like this shielded portico clocks or flora & fauna...
Category

19th Century French Other Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Glass, Wood

Silver gold gilt Persian bib necklace with turquoise Middle Eastern Antiques
Located in London, GB
Silver gold gilt Persian bib necklace with turquoise Middle Eastern Antiques A Highly detailed gold gilt metal Persian bib necklace influenced by the ancient style with turquoise and...
Category

Early 20th Century Persian Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Silver

Lot of 61 Britains Toy Soldiers Deetail Scots Guards Highlanders Band Mounties
Located in Dayton, OH
Lot of 61 circa 1960s - 1970s Deetail plastic toy soldiers by Britain Ltd. Lot includes Royal Canadian Mounties (two on horseback), Scots Guards, Scottish Highlanders including pipes and drums (one on horseback), and seven guardhouses. "The "W. Britain" brand name of toy and collectable soldiers is derived from a company founded by William Britain Jr., a British toy manufacturer, who in 1893 invented the process of hollow casting in lead, and revolutionized the production of toy soldiers. In 1907 the family proprietorship, William Britain & Sons, incorporated as "Britains, Ltd". The Britain family controlled the firm until 1984 when it was sold to a British conglomerate, Dobson Park Industries. They combined the operations with an existing line of toys and renamed the company Britains Petite, Ltd. In the early 1950s Britains was associated with W. Horton Toys and Games which made the die-cast Lilliput ranges of small-scale, rather generic, cars and trucks and other vehicles. In 1959, Britains acquired Herald Miniatures which produced plastic figures designed by Roy Selwyn-Smith. In the 1950s, besides soldiers, a variety of vehicles began to appear, mostly in the military field. In 1966 safety regulations in the United Kingdom combined with rising costs halted the production of lead toy soldiers. Britains shifted most production of Herald plastic to Hong Kong from 1966. In 1971 Britains started Deetail plastic figures with metal bases that were initially manufactured in England but later outsourced to China. In 1973 Britains introduced New Metal models, which are die cast in a durable alloy. Initially these sets were aimed at the British souvenir market. In 1983 Britains responded to a growing collectors' market by introducing additional models and limited edition sets. In 1997, Britains Petite, Ltd was bought by Ertl Company of Iowa, a maker of die-cast toys. Ertl was subsequently bought by RC2 LLC, another American die-cast miniature and plastic kit maker. At this time, production of toy soldiers was moved to China. In 2011, Japanese-headquartered toy company Tomy acquired RC2 which included the Britains die-cast farm miniatures range. In 2005, the W. Britains brand was acquired by First Gear...
Category

Mid-20th Century Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Plastic

George III Rare Bronze Cased Chronology of the Sovereigns of England
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A rare and very interesting antique Georgian bronze medallion cased set of printed discs titled CHRONOLOGY OF THE SOVEREIGNS OF ENGLAND and believed to have been produced around 1815...
Category

1810s English George III Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Bronze

Eiffel Tower, Sacré-Coeur, Arc de Triomphe Souvenir Building Architectural Model
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A decorative Eiffel Tower, Sacré-Coeur and Arc de Triomphe souvenir building sculpture. Some wear with a nice patina, but this is old-age. Made of metal and a marble base. This item ...
Category

1960s French Art Deco Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Marble, Metal

Triumph Typewriter, Germany, 1930
Located in Palermo, IT
Triumph typewriter, Germany, 1930 Found in a notary's office, signs of aging.
Category

1930s German Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal

1960s Vintage Original Disney Snow White & Seven Dwarf Rubber Squeak Toy
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Vintage Set of Snow White and the seven Dwarf squeak rubber toy made by Ledraplastic Italy in the 1960s. These toys have a peculiar asymmetric position of the ears making it particul...
Category

1960s Italian Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Plastic, Rubber

Clavichord, 20th Century
Located in Greding, DE
Clavichord housed in a veneered walnut case of simple rectangular form. Numbered "284" on the inside. The instrument is currently un-tuned but remains in playable condition. A charmi...
Category

20th Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Walnut

Henry Troemner Apothecary Cast Iron & Metal Balance Scale #1, Circa 1890s
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Henry Troemner Apothecary Cast Iron & Metal Balance Scale #1—Circa 1890s This Henry Troemner balance scale #1 is a remarkable antique cast iron scale, likely manufactured between th...
Category

Late 19th Century American High Victorian Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal, Iron

Rare Antique 1901 Steinway Model B Rosewood Grand Piano Louis XV Rococo Restored
Located in Dayton, OH
Fully Restored 1901 Steinway & Sons Model B Louis XV Baroque Rococo Grand Piano – Serial Number 99151, Full 88 key keyboard. The most exquisitely d...
Category

Early 20th Century American Louis XV Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Fruitwood, Rosewood

Gianni Versace Pure Parfum Miniature 7.5 ml, Rare 1981 with Original Box
Located in Benalmadena, ES
Original vintage perfume from the 1980s: the very first women’s fragrance launched by the Italian fashion house Gianni Versace Parfum (Extrait), in its rare 7.5 ml / 1/4 fl oz splash...
Category

1980s Italian Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Glass

Genuine Old Apothecary Medical Bottles Jars Set Brown Amber Glass
Located in Poperinge, BE
Beautiful set of 9 authentic apothecary bottles or jars, in brown amber blown glass with thick glass stoppers, circa 1960s-70s. This set is very characterful and is full of nice old...
Category

Mid-20th Century Belgian Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Glass

Sergio Rodrigues (Book)
Located in North Yorkshire, GB
This book provides a unique insight into the Brazilian designer Sergio Rodrigues world by reflecting on his lifetime achievements, from design to architecture, his design concepts, h...
Category

Late 20th Century Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Early 20th century English Enamel Equestrian Silver Flask
Located in Leesburg, VA
Early 20th century English Enamel Equestrian Silver Flask Unidentified Maker England; early 20th century Silver, enamel Approximate size: 6 (h) x 3 (w) x 1.25 (d) in. Crafted in E...
Category

Early 20th Century English Edwardian Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Silver, Enamel

The Writings Of Benjamin Franklin. 10 VOLUMES - IN A FULL LEATHER BINDING!
Located in Hillsborough, NJ
AUTHOR: FRANKLIN, Benjamin (Albert Henry Smyth - editor). TITLE: The Writings Of Benjamin Franklin. Collected And Edited With A Life & Introduction. PUBLISHER: New York: The Macmi...
Category

Early 1900s American Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Leather

Antique Burmese Silver Ebonised Walking Stick Cane 19th C 91cm/36inches
Located in London, GB
This is a beautiful Burmese silver handled walking cane,  Circa 1880 in date. With chased scrolling foliate decoration above figures in ogee niches, on an ebonised shaft. This deco...
Category

1880s Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Silver

Iconic set Grundig Audiorama 4000 Bullet speakers 1970s Germany
Located in Den Haag, NL
Grundig Pair of Audiorama 4000 Bullet Speakers by Grundig, 1970s on Aluminum Tulip base. Iconic German design with 360-degree surround sound. Compatible with any sound system, includ...
Category

1970s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Chrome

2 Miniature Picture Frames Erhard & Söhne Antique German Dollhouse Toy 1900s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
This rare Set of two Pictures framed in Gold plated ormulu frames is a must-have for Dollhouse and Doll collectors and enthusiasts alike. With its beautiful intricate design, it is suitable for any room and adds a touch of elegance to your Dollhouse. You will get 2 Erhard and Söhne Frames and one framed pictures with a landscape to place it in your dollhouse. Made of high-quality gold-plated metal and handmade by skilled craftsmen, this original piece is a testament to the rich history of German toys. Whether you're a fan of entertainment or vintage items, this Erhard & Söhne dollhouse toy...
Category

Early 1900s German Folk Art Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal, Gold Plate

Antique Hand Carved Gothic Revival Oak Church Lectern Desk w. Bible Compartment
Located in Lisse, NL
Top quality crafted and incredibly durable Gothic church lectern. This practical size lectern is remarkably well crafted and the design and patina are ...
Category

Late 19th Century European Gothic Revival Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Oak

Antique book collection of French photos and portraits 19th century
Located in Cantù, IT
Antique book collection of French photos and portraits 19th century
Category

19th Century French Art Nouveau Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Vintage Gray Hungarian Partridge Game Bird Taxidermy Mount 20"
Located in Dayton, OH
Vintage Gray Hungarian Partridge game bird taxidermy mount on oak base with driftwood and foliage. Dimensions: 12" x 8" x 19.5" (Width x Depth x Height)
Category

Late 20th Century American Country Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Feathers

The Complete Works Of Charles Dickens - 36 vols. - IN A FINE LEATHER BINDING !
Located in Hillsborough, NJ
AUTHOR: DICKENS, Charles. TITLE: The Complete Works Of Charles Dickens. PUBLISHER: NY: Chas. Scribner's Sons, 1902. DESCRIPTION: 36 vols., 8-1/4" x 6", all illustrations after th...
Category

Early 1900s American Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Leather

Eiffel Tower, Sacré-Coeur, Arc de Triomphe Souvenir Building Architectural Model
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A decorative Eiffel Tower, Sacré-Coeur and Arc de Triomphe souvenir building sculpture. Some wear with a nice patina, but this is old-age. Made of metal and a marble base. This item ...
Category

1930s French Art Deco Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Marble, Metal

Large Vintage Aztecs vs Conquistadors Stone, Resin, and Wood Chess Set
Located in Boynton Beach, FL
Large vintage Aztec vs. Conquistadors chess set. A true piece of functional art. Each piece is a resin mold with what I believe is stone pieces. Each chess piece is molded as well as...
Category

Mid-20th Century Mexican Spanish Colonial Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Resin, Wood

Cartier 18k Gold Plated Working Pocket Cigarette Lighter & Cartier Box
Located in Reading, Berkshire
Elegant Cartier 18k Gold Plated Art Deco Design Oval Pocket Cigarette Lighter With A Red Cartier Presentation Box Serviced & Fully working makes for an ideal gift.
Category

20th Century French Art Deco Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal, Gold Plate

Mid-Century Brass Wall Barometer, 1950s
Located in Palermo, IT
Mid-Century Brass Barometer, 1950s Working and in good condition.
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Brass

Torricellian mahogany barometer signed Davis 65 Bold St. Liverpool 1839/1841
Located in Milan, IT
Torricellian mercury barometer in mahogany wood, signed Davis 65 Bold St. Liverpool active at this address from 1839 to 1841, complete with reading nonius for checking pressure varia...
Category

Mid-19th Century Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Wood

Cabinet of Curiosities Display Sculptural Artwork, circa 1950
Located in Barcelona, ES
Exquisite cabinet of Curiosities showcasing a stunning collection of plaster figures and pieces, elegantly presented within a wood and glass display case reminiscent of a Classic scu...
Category

1950s Spanish Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Plaster, Wood

Antique Chinese Silver Walking Stick Cane Dragon Handle 19th Century 92cm/36inch
Located in London, GB
This is a very beautiful antique Chinese gentleman's silver mounted walking stick, circa 1880 in date and bearing the impressed Chinese makers marks. The exquisite hook-shaped Chine...
Category

1880s Chinese Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Silver

North American Wild Flowers by Mary Vaux Wolcott 6 Volumes Limited Edition Rare
Located in San Francisco, CA
North American Wild Flowers by Mary Vaux Walcott, signed limited edition 1925 This is copy #129 of 500 Published by The Smithsonian Institution Washington, D.C. 6 volumes. Folio (14....
Category

1920s American Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Leather, Paper

English Pond Sailing Yacht on Stand from the Edwardian Era (H 61 1/2 x W 56)
Located in Austin, TX
A handsome large English pond yacht from the Edwardian era, handcrafted from wood and brass and featuring vintage cloth sails and fittings. Displayed on a separate, custom-fitted st...
Category

Early 20th Century English Edwardian Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal, Brass

Vintage Danish Kay Bojesen Guardsmen Soldier Royal Guard Figure 2 available
Located in Stow on the Wold, GB
Wonderful Royal Guard soldier, designed and manufactured by Kay Bojesen, Denmark. Originally designed in the 1950s, these date from the 1960s and are good vintage editions. Articul...
Category

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

Materials

Wood

Antique Swiss 8-Tune Cylinder Music Box C1890
Located in Big Flats, NY
Antique Swiss 8 Tune Cylinder Music Box Unsigned C1890 4 3/4" x 14 1/4" x 7 1/8". This antique Swiss music box from circa 1890 features a beautifully crafted wooden case with a subt...
Category

Late 19th Century Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Wood

19th Century, Antique, Great Quality Bronze Wall Crucifix Signed: F. Barbedienne
Located in Lisse, NL
Rare and important bronze crucifix by the French ‘fondeur’ F. Barbedienne. Ferdinand Barbedienne (1810-1892) does not need any further introduction, but that he also made this type...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Gothic Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Bronze

Asian Ethnographic woven silver cuff Bracelet Indian Rajasthan Vintage Jewellery
Located in London, GB
A Fine antique Indian  tribal bracelet from Rajasthan made from Woven silver in strikingly simple but highly stylistic zigzag form. The Bracelet is open at one end so can be shap...
Category

Early 20th Century Indian Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Silver

Jaguar XK 120 Roadster 1950, Rare Collection Car, A+ Condition incl. Expert Op.
By Jaguar Cars Ltd.
Located in Lichtenberg, AT
We offer you the chance of buying this breathtaking, rare Jaguar XK 120 which had its first road legal in february 1950. There has been built only a very little number of these cars,...
Category

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

Materials

Metal

Vintage Red Deer Antler Handle Cigar Cutter Germany 1960s or older
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Vintage cigar cutter with handmade red deer antler handle. One of a kind item. Highly collectable piece. Manufactured by a unknown Company in Germany. Manufactured in Germany in prob...
Category

1960s German Folk Art Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal

Lifesize Spanish 16th Century Style Medieval Suit Armor Knight Statue Sculpture
Located in Dayton, OH
Spanish suit of armour of the XVI century, realized on the basis of the ones belonged to Charles V and Philip II, today part of the collection of the Real Armeria in Madrid. The armour has been made from metal with an arabesqued fabric gown, Dragon sword...
Category

20th Century Spanish Colonial Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal

1930s AM Radio Map of US, Canada, Cuba, Mexico – Stations & Frequencies
Located in Langweer, NL
Title: 1930s Lewis Bros. Limited Detailed Radio Station Map of the United States and Canada – AM Stations, Call Signs, Frequencies, Vintage Advertising Detailed Description: This v...
Category

1930s Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Antique Cribbage Board, English, Oak, Brass, Card Game Scoreboard, Circa 1920
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique Cribbage board. An English, oak and brass card game scoreboard with pin storage, dating to the early 20th century, circa 192...
Category

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

Materials

Brass

19th Century Top Hat and Leather Hat Box
Located in Chicago, IL
This late 19th-century English leather top hat box, paired with an American-made beaver fur top hat, exudes timeless craftsmanship and style. The b...
Category

19th Century English Edwardian Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Leather

Cartier Lacquer de Chine 18ct Gold Plate Trinity Cigarette Lighter With Box
Located in Reading, Berkshire
Cartier Lacquer de Chine Vendome 18ct Gold Plate Trinity Pocket Cigarette Lighter With A Red Cartier Presentation Box Fully working makes for an ideal gift.
Category

20th Century French Art Deco Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal, Gold Plate

Mid Century Playing Cards Box in Patinated Silver Plated Brass and Velvet 1960s
Located in Meer, VAN
Mid Century Playing Cards Box in Patinated Silver Plated Brass and Velvet, Europe, 1960s. This is a wonderful and very nicely patinated mid century playing cards box. Makes for very...
Category

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

Materials

Silver Plate

Chinoiserie Grand Piano From Rogers and Sons London
Located in Berlin, DE
Chinoiserie Grand Piano by Rogers and Sons London The grand piano was manufactured according to the device number 1930. The grand piano was sold in 1932 by Harrods London to a lady ...
Category

1930s Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Wood

Cars Tin Toy Dreams by Teruhisa Kitahara, First Edition
Located in valatie, NY
Cars: Tin Toy Dreams by Teruhisa Kitahara. Chronicle Books, 1985. First Edition softcover. Contains hundreds of full color and black and white illustrations from the T. Kitahara coll...
Category

1980s American Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Pocket Telescope for Ship Captains 20th Century Brass Vintage 1900's
Located in Taranto, IT
Very rare and wonderful all-brass pocket telescope, early 1900s. Functioning item, very small internal chips on the lens but not affecting its view. Item in very good conservative ...
Category

1930s Italian Art Deco Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Brass

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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