Collectibles and Curiosities
to
2,503
4,868
2,106
7,130
739
156
101
93
89
69
62
43
33
30
25
17
16
14
14
6
4
4,392
6,610
13,345
2,717
3,500
4,619
3,045
520
300
590
738
463
901
877
904
664
576
3,219
2,062
1,782
610
505
3,403
1,586
925
726
648
7,130
7,130
7,130
104
30
11
9
8
Collectibles and Curiosities For Sale
Period: 19th Century
Period: Early 1900s
French Crowned Dragon Silver Plate Pendent Heraldic King Francis 1st Emblem
Located in Van Nuys, CA
This vintage French crowned salamander pendant, crafted in silver circa the 1900s, embodies the elegance of French monarchy-inspired design. The intricately detailed salamander, a hi...
Category
Early 1900s American Late Victorian Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Silver
Early Jaques Chess Set Circa 1870
Located in Flower Mound, TX
An fabulous early Victorian Jaques & Son of London turned ebony and boxwood weighted chess set entitled ‘The Staunton Chess-Men’.
Housed within the...
Category
Late 19th Century English Victorian Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Ebony
Antique Russian Agate & Silver Gilt Walking Cane Stick 19th Century 88cm/34.5 in
Located in London, GB
A decorative antique Russian silver gilt and agate handled walking cane, Circa 1880 in date.
It has a beautiful cylindrical agate pommel topped with a decorative silver gilt lizard,...
Category
19th Century Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Agate, Silver
Winston CHURCHILL. Lord Randolph Churchill - 2 VOLS. - FIRST EDITION - 1906
Located in Hillsborough, NJ
AUTHOR: CHURCHILL, Winston.
TITLE: Lord Randolph Churchill.
PUBLISHER: London: Hodder & Stoughton, 1906.
DESCRIPTION: FIRST EDITION. 2 vols., 8-11/16" x 5-7/8", illustrated with ...
Category
Early 1900s British Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Leather
Antique 19th Century Forged Iron Runner & Painted Wood Child Size Sled
Located in Lafayette, IN
Charming child-size sled from the mid to late 19th century. Sled features forged/riveted iron runners, wooden deck, and original hand painted patina. Wonderful size and wonderful pat...
Category
Mid-19th Century American Industrial Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Iron
Lot of Three Indian Terracotta Processional Figures
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
Lot of three Indian terracotta processional figures.
Krishnanagar, Bengal, 19th Century.
Painted terracotta figures, depicting two males and one female musician...
Category
19th Century Indian Tribal Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Terracotta
Gilt Silver Reliquary – 19th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
Interesting religious reliquary in gilt solid silver filigree, dating from the 19th century. This is a piece of exquisite craftsmanship, featuring an openwork design of plant motifs ...
Category
19th Century Spanish Romantic Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Silver
Violin In Majolica Manufacture Rouen Early 1800s French Musical Ceramics
By Rouen
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
Original Antique Map of the American State of Indiana, 1903
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Antique map of Indiana
Published By A & C Black. 1903
Original colour
Good condition
Unframed.
Free shipping
Category
Early 1900s English Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Elegant English miniature chest of drawers in walnut burl from Mid-19th Century
Located in Knivsta, SE
Elegant English miniature chest of drawers in walnut burl from Mid-19th Century.
Perfect as a jewelry or collector’s box.
Wear consistent with age and use
Category
Mid-19th Century English Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Walnut
Following the Equator: A Journey Around the World by Mark Twain, First Edition
By Mark Twain
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
Twain, Mark. Following the Equator: A Journey Around the World. Hartford: The American Publishing Company, 1897. First Edition. Rebound in publisher’s blue cloth laid down, with colo...
Category
1890s American Victorian Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Leather, Fabric, Paper
Large 19th Century English Brass Scale with Weights and Bull Finial
Located in Atlanta, GA
This monumental 19th-century English brass scale presents a rare double-tiered configuration, combining technical function with sculptural elegance. Standing at 48 inches tall, the s...
Category
19th Century English Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Brass
Antique maritime navy compass Francis Barker & Son
Located in Banská Štiavnica, SK
Antique maritime navy compass Francis Barker & Son London
Category
19th Century British Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Brass
19th Century Spanish Colonial Santos Shrine With Gilt Wood
Located in Stamford, CT
19th century Spanish Colonial shrine for a Santos or statue of the Virgin Mary in the form of a church likely from New Mexico. Topped with three crosses with traces of gilding, two c...
Category
19th Century Mexican Spanish Colonial Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Wood, Giltwood
Small French PISTOL FLASK, CUPID, 19th Century
Located in TEYJAT, FR
SMALL FRENCH PISTOL FLASK, 19TH CENTURY
A finely crafted brass and copper flask, measuring 11.5 cm overall, featuring a heavily embossed design of a Cup...
Category
19th Century French Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal
Antique French Silver Walking Cane Stick 19th Century
Located in London, GB
This is a beautiful antique sterling silver pommel walking stick circa 1880 in date
The striking stick features an ornate silver chequered pommel on a gentle tapering ebonized shaft...
Category
1880s English Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Sterling Silver
Spanish Colonial Giltwood Altar
Located in New York, NY
A 19th century Spanish colonial altar of Virgin and child with mirror insets. Piece with original patina. Some mirror pieces show small cracks, consistent with age. The base with ang...
Category
19th Century Spanish Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Regency Mahogany Miniature Bowfront Chest
Located in Bedfordshire, GB
A Very Good Quality Late Regency Period Mahogany Miniature Chest, Of Bowfronted Form, Having Well Figured Top With Ebonised Stringing, Over Two Short And Three Long Drawers Retaining...
Category
Early 19th Century English Regency Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Mahogany
Antique Vintage Lady's Gentleman's Walking Dress Stick Cane English Bulldog 1900
Located in Dublin, Ireland
Stylish Solid Polished Honey Coloured Malacca Wood Lady’s or Gentlemans Walking Stick Dress Cane with Traditional formed Tau shaped handle in Art Nouveau style, possibly of French or...
Category
Late 19th Century British Edwardian Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Hardwood
Late 19th Century French Tricycle Horse
Located in Buisson, FR
Beautiful and complete tricycle horse with its cast iron details with a stunning patina. Amazing period piece.
This type of 19th century French velocipede tricycle horse was origina...
Category
19th Century European Belle Époque Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Iron
A 19th Century Dutch miniature Doll house silver tea caddy
Located in Delft, NL
A 19th Century Dutch miniature Doll house silver tea caddy
A Dutch silver tea caddy of 2.5 cm high in octagonal shape with a thumb spoon (typical...
Category
Early 19th Century Dutch Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Silver
Ezra POUND. Personae. FIRST EDITION - INSCRIBED BY THE DEDICATEE TO POUND’S SON
Located in Hillsborough, NJ
AUTHOR: POUND, Ezra.
TITLE: Personae.
PUBLISHER: London: Elkin Mathews, 1909.
DESCRIPTION: FIRST EDITION INSCRIBED BY THE DEDICATEE TO POUND’S SON. 1 vol., inscribed on the dedic...
Category
Early 1900s British Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Antique maritime navy compass
Located in Banská Štiavnica, SK
Antique maritime navy compass in very nice original condition.
Category
19th Century European Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Brass
Solid Brass Plumb Bob with Twine c.1940
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT
Solid brass plumb bob.
CREATOR Gammon Reel Co.
DATE OF MANUFACTURE c.1940-1950.
MATERIALS AND TECHNIQUES Solid Brass, Plastic.
CONDITION Good. Wear consisten...
Category
19th Century Industrial Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Brass
Rare Antique Novelty Sterling Silver Cigar Cutter, 1899
Located in Bath, GB
A magnificent and rare figural sterling silver cigar cutter; the terminal beautifully cast as a Boar's head retaining two original red stone / glas...
Category
1890s British Late Victorian Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Sterling Silver
Late 19th Century Terrestrial Globe, French
Located in Firenze, IT
SHIPPING POLICY:
No additional costs will be added to this order.
Shipping costs will be totally covered by the seller (customs duties included).
By Charles Delagrave, Paris. On eb...
Category
1890s French Napoleon III Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Dutch silver cigar case by Willem de Peijt, Schoonhoven, 1856
Located in Delft, NL
Dutch silver cigar case by Willem de Peijt, Schoonhoven, 1856
A silver cigar case for 5 cigars in size 12 cm x 1 cm. The silver case is decorated with floral engravings on the fron...
Category
Mid-19th Century Dutch Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Silver
Lewis Carroll (Dodgson) - Through The Looking-Glass. 1877 - PRESENTATION COPY
Located in Hillsborough, NJ
AUTHOR: DODGSON, Charles Lutwidge: (Lewis Carroll).
TITLE: Through The Looking-Glass And What Alice Found There.
PUBLISHER: London: Macmillan & Co., 1877.
DESCRIPTION: PRESENTATI...
Category
1870s Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
19th Century North African Calligraphy Manuscript Leaves, Set of Six
Located in Stamford, CT
Wonderful group of 6 colorful pages of a 19th century North African prayer book with expressive calligraphic script in black ink with red, green and yellow highlights. These are trul...
Category
Mid-19th Century Moroccan Islamic Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Beautiful Original Antique Print of Indian Decorative Art, 1869
Located in Langweer, NL
Old print of Indian decorative art. This print originates from 'L'Ornement polychrome'. A beautiful work containing about 2000 patterns of all the st...
Category
1860s Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
1900s Decorative Wall Hanging „Multimeter“ Scientific Slide Rule Calculator
Located in Vienna, AT
A dekorative appr. 120-year-old, large, wall-mounted round „Multimeter“ analog slide rule calculator. Dated around 1900, made in Germany. It has a rotatable glass disc and offers multiple features like multiplication, division, interest-calculation and square root...
Category
Early 1900s German Art Nouveau Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Glass
Antique Large Hand Carved Oak Gothic Art Panel, Depicting Christ and 12 Apostles
Located in Lisse, NL
Stunning and unique 'sermon on the mount' wall plaque with Jesus and the apostles carved in high relief.
This large size work of religious art dep...
Category
Early 19th Century Dutch Gothic Revival Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Oak
Antique 19th Century Ivory 14 k Gold Pre-Raphaelite Cameo Brooch Pendant 1870
Located in Portland, OR
A very elegant carved ivory & 14 karat gold cameo brooch & pendant, Italy, circa 1870.
This very lovely cameo is carved as a beautiful Pre-Raphalite maiden, the cameo is finely & dee...
Category
1870s Italian Pre-Raphaelite Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Gold
PLANCHE - The Vampire; or Bride of the isles - 1820 - FIRST AND ONLY EDITION
Located in Hillsborough, NJ
AUTHOR: PLANCHE, James Robinson: Pierre-Frederic-Adolphe Carmouche.
TITLE: The Vampire; or, Bride of the isles, A Tale, founded on the popular superstition of Caledonia.... From wh...
Category
1820s British Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Leather
Antique Chinese Engraved Paktong Opium Water Pipe
Located in Chicago, IL
Antique Chinese paktong alloy water pipe, most likely mid to late 19th century. All pieces are still together, including the down stem and two tweezer and brush smoking tools. Two si...
Category
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Silver Plate, Brass
Antique 19th C. W & A K Johnston 18" Celestial Library Floor Globe Stand 1879
Located in Portland, OR
A very fine antique Celestial floor globe on stand by W. & A.K. Johnston, 1879.
Representation of stars and constellations as they would appear on a...
Category
1870s Victorian Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Brass
Antique Walking Cane Stick Silver Gilt Handle 19th Century
Located in London, GB
This is a beautiful continental antique silver gilt pommel walking stick, circa 1890 in date
The striking stick features an ornate silver ...
Category
19th Century Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Silver
De Indische Archipel by C.W. Mieling, 1865-1876
Located in Langweer, NL
'De Indische Archipel: Tafereelen uit de natuur en het volksleven in Indië' by C.W. Mieling. This is a very rare first edition (only 1 copy in Nederlandse Centrale Catalogus – NCC and only 1 copy in JAP, sold in 1974) of a sumptuous work originally published in 12 instalments (started in 1865 by C.W. Mieling and completed in 1876 by J.M. van ‘t Haaff, both in The Hague). It was in January 1862 that a Prospectus was issued by C. W. Mieling, The Hague, announcing the publication of what is the most spectacular of the plate works of Indonesia, De Indische Archipel, which commenced publication in The Hague in 1865. The work contains 24 large chromolithograph plates which are among the largest published on Indonesia. From both a topographical and artistic point of view the plates are of considerable interest as they present a comprehensive series of views in the archipelago, ranging through Java. Borneo, Sumatra and Minahasa, after drawings by virtually all the prominent mid-19th century artists of Indonesia:
Raden Saleh...
Category
Mid-19th Century Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Italian Bronze Mortar and Pestle, Original Patina, Italy, Pharmacy or Herbalist
Located in Roma, IT
Antique bronze mortar. Handmade with pestle. Original patina
Mortar from pharmacy or herbalist.
Italian bronze mortar and pestle
Measure: Pe...
Category
Mid-19th Century Italian Other Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Bronze
Jeweled silver walking stick depicting chrysanthemums, by Tiffany, USA 1890-1900
Located in Milan, IT
Walking Stick: A jeweled cane, a curved handle in sterling silver, 925/1000, embossed and chiselled, featuring the Tiffany Chrysanthemum floral motif. The design is distinguished by ...
Category
Late 19th Century American Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal, Silver
19th Century Dentist's Treadle Drill, by Ss White Dental Manufacturing Co.
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
S.S. White Dental Manufacturing Company Treadle Drill, Operational *
USA, circa late 19th century
*Operational means, when the foot pedal is engaged the engine wheel turns, there are no attachments to test, we do not know if the mechanism will do anything more than spin the 'wheel engine'
An intact, very complete (except for drill attachments ) antique dental...
Category
Late 19th Century American Industrial Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Iron, Steel
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
Lewis Carroll - through the Looking-Glass. 1872 First Edition Presentation Copy
Located in Hillsborough, NJ
AUTHOR: DODGSON, Charles Lutwidge: (Lewis Carroll).
TITLE: Through The Looking-Glass And What Alice Found There.
PUBLISHER: London: Macmillan & Co., 1872.
DESCRIPTION: PRE-...
Category
1870s British Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Leather
Antique Quran Book With Manuscripts
Located in New York, NY
An antique Quran book with manuscripts. The hardcover of the book is adorned with embossed traditional ornaments. Circa mid to late 19th century. The Qur...
Category
Mid-19th Century Unknown Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Antique Museum Quality Carved Oak Church Statue of Mother Mary & Child Jesus
Located in Lisse, NL
Beautiful, early 1800s, wooden sculpture of a Holy Mary with child Jesus on her arm.
This stunning church relic is another great example of the quality of 19th century, European craftsmanship and we are grateful for it to have found its way to our gallery. Also, because we are certain we will make a private collector or someone's congregation very happy with it. From the amazing body posture, the wonderfully serene facial expressions and the superb manner in which Her draped clothes are hand carved, one can see that this antique and sizeable Virgin Mary statue is the work of a master sculptor. This rare antique statue is made of solid oakwood and can be enjoyed on the floor, on a table, on a wall bracket or even mounted on your wall (via the sturdy antique metal hook...
Category
Early 19th Century European Gothic Revival Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Wood, Oak
Antique Gothic Hand-Carved Crucifix w. Polychrome Corpus, European Church Relic
Located in Lisse, NL
Gothic Revival hand-carved crucifix with original polychrome, 19th Century European ecclesiastical ART.
An exquisite and spiritually moving 19th-century fine hand-carved oakwood cru...
Category
1890s French Arts and Crafts Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Wood, Oak, Paint
DICKENS. A Christmas Carol. FIRST EDITION 2ND ISSUE - 1843 - IN ORIGINAL CLOTH
Located in Hillsborough, NJ
AUTHOR: DICKENS, Charles.
TITLE: A Christmas Carol In Prose Being A Ghost Story of Christmas.
PUBLISHER: London: Chapman and Hall, 1843.
DESCRIPTION: FIRST EDITION SECOND ISSUE. ...
Category
1840s British Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Fabric
Exquisite Victorian English Gold and Scottish Agate Perfume Bottle, Circa 1870
Located in New York, NY
Exquisite Victorian English Gold and Scottish Agate Perfume Bottle, Circa 1870
Presenting a truly exceptional Victorian gold perfume bottle, crafted in England around 1870, and showcasing the distinctive "Scottish pebble" design. This exquisite piece is a masterpiece of Victorian artistry, blending luxurious materials with impeccable craftsmanship.
The perfume bottle is elegantly tapered and cylindrical in form, adorned with a stunning array of alternating lozenge, diagonal, and wavy band panels, meticulously inlaid with a rich selection of hardstones, including jasper, agate, and bloodstone. The intricate patterning of these precious stones creates a captivating visual display, embodying the refined taste of the Victorian era.
A touch of opulence is added by the hinged lid, crowned with a striking bloodstone, and the delicate pearl push-button release, which adds a subtle, yet luxurious detail. This beautiful piece is further complemented by its original fitted box, a rare find that enhances its historical value and desirability.
This Victorian perfume bottle...
Category
19th Century Scottish Victorian Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Agate, Gold
French 19th Century Brass Altar Candlestick Lamp and Shade
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
An antique brass altar candlestick from 19th century France, that has been converted into an electrified lamp. This gorgeous fixture i...
Category
19th Century French Gothic Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Brass
The Genealogy of Jesus, print on Italian paper from 1820.
Located in Milan, IT
A paper print depicting the genealogy of Jesus, his family tree, with the charm of a time machine reconstructs the genealogy of Christ's ancestors, as per the Gospel according to Mat...
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Glass, Fruitwood, Paper
Antique Chinese Bronze Foreigner Figural Censer Ming Xuande Mark Ming to Qing
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique Chinese Bronze Foreigner Figural Censer Ming Xuande Mark Ming to Qing. Item features two servants carrying a planter, signed on underneath, the men...
Category
19th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Bronze
Historical Map of Canaan with Insets of Jerusalem and Surrounding Regions, 1880
Located in Langweer, NL
The map titled "CANAAN" depicts the historical region known as Canaan, located in the Levant, which corresponds to modern-day Israel, Palestinian territories, Lebanon, and parts of S...
Category
1880s Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Ebony, brass octant signed Hughes London made around 1830
Located in Milan, IT
Ebony wood, brass and marine ivory octant, scale from 0° to 100°,signed Hughes London made around 1830.
Good condition, complete with custom-made display base made of wood and brass....
Category
1830s Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Wood
Erard Parallel-Strung Grand Piano with Bench, Paris, 1895
By Maison Erard, Sébastien Érard
Located in Littleton, CO
This beautiful grand piano was built by Erard in Paris in 1895.
With irreplaceable original cabinet art created and signed by an artist named Finel - specifically commissioned by th...
Category
1890s French Romantic Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal
Rare 19th Century Folding Pew, Altar, Desk from Regency Period, England or U.S.
Located in Lomita, CA
Form and function make this piece of furniture unique. If a piece of furniture could be clever, this desk, bench, altar, pew, would go to the head of the Sunday School class. It is v...
Category
Late 19th Century English Regency Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Burl
Antique Walking Stick with Roe Deer Horn
Located in Vo', Veneto
Antique Walking Stick with Roe Deer Horn
Measurements: H. 91 cm - L. 20 cm
Era: early 1900s
Origin: Germany
Wood: Chestnut
Description
Antique walking stick, in wood and deciduous...
Category
Early 1900s German Rustic Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Chestnut
Erard Parallel-Strung Grand Piano, Paris, 1845
Located in Littleton, CO
This Erard parallel-strung grand piano, crafted in Paris in 1845 (serial number: 18725), has been extraordinarily well-tended, restored and maintained, enduring today as not only a spectacular example of the pinnacle of 19th Century piano design - characterized by its innovative construction and exceptional sonoral qualities - but also as a premium instrument by the most advanced modern standards, concert-ready for world-class, discriminating performers and their audiences.
Erard was a renowned piano manufacturer established by Sébastien Erard, and for much of the 19th Century, the company produced some of the most exquisite and innovative European pianos of the era.
The sound produced by this parallel-strung grand piano is characterized by a clarity and transparency that distinguishes it from its contemporaries. The parallel arrangement of strings contributes to a more direct transfer of sound energy, resulting in a balanced and articulate tone across the instrument's registers.
This piano's tone is beloved for its sweetness in the treble range and a robust quality in the bass, while also allowing for an especially nuanced and expressive interpretation of the musical repertoire of its era.
The ebony and ivory keyboard is a testament to the meticulous attention Erard paid to the tactile experience of playing. Each key is precision-weighted, providing a responsive touch that allows the pianist to articulate a wide range of dynamics and expressiveness.
An interior faux tableau latches to the outer case lid in an open position for maximum concert volume, and rests in a lowered position to maintain a softer, more muted experience.
The year 1845 places this Erard instrument in the heart of the Romantic era, a period marked by a surge in musical creativity and emotional expression. Composer/performers like Chopin and Liszt were drawn to Erard grand...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Romantic Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Wood
Antique Rare Judaica Dreidel Germany 19th Century
Located in Doha, QA
An absolutely unique Bone Dreidel originated from Germany in 19th century. It has six sides shaping Star of David. Each side has one or two Yiddish letters on top which refer to an O...
Category
19th Century German Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Bone
Antique and Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities for Sale
Antique and vintage collectibles and curiosities can bring whimsy and wonder to any interior.
Decorating with old scientific instruments, historical memorabilia and vintage musical instruments, as well as other authentic collectibles and curiosities that can be found on 1stDibs, presents an opportunity to create a unique, natural history museum-like atmosphere in your home that can provoke conversation as often as it pays tribute to how far we’ve come in understanding our world.
And bringing collectibles and curiosities into your space is actually on trend — Wunderkammern, or curiosity cabinets, were all the rage in Europe during the 1500s and continued to have adherents there and in the U.S. in the following centuries. Today, however, they’re experiencing a real surge in popularity and influencing how many interior designers are furnishing and decorating homes — combining contemporary with antique, scientific with tribal, earthly with extraterrestrial, Les Lalanne tables with Flemish tapestries.
The original Wunderkammern were entire rooms filled with objects demonstrating their owners’ worldly knowledge: A proper one included artificiala or preciosa (objets d’art); naturalia (such as skeletons, shells, minerals); exotica (taxidermy or dried plants); and scientifica (scientific instruments), frequently alongside religious relics and ancient artifacts.
Pay tribute to a history of rich and diverse musical traditions that have taken shape all over the world by decorating your home with a collection of antique and vintage musical instruments — with a little help from strong hanging wire or some wall hooks, vintage brass instruments such as a gong, French horn or trumpet can help elevate a home office or complement the efforts you’ve made to ensure a welcoming vibe in your home’s entryway. Bells or antique wind instruments can add provocative metallic contrasts to dark woods as tabletop decorative objects.
Create an intriguing focal point with Georgian scientific instruments, such as stick barometers with mahogany cases or lacquered brass telescopes. These items stem from an era named for the monarchies of the four King Georges, who ruled England in succession starting in 1714 (plus King William’s reign, which lasted until 1837). Just as there was beautiful jewelry produced during the period that today is coveted by collectors, there is much to be found in the collectibles and curiosities realm too.
Wanderlust, nostalgia and a shared love of good design are contributing factors to certain trends in decorating — just as vintage trunks and luggage have reappeared as furniture or home accents in a bedroom or foyer, decorating with globes, maps or nautical objects is similarly rooted in the allure of travel and a penchant for the stylish finishing touch that collectibles bring to our homes.
Find a wide range of antique and vintage collectibles and curiosities on 1stDibs.
Read More
Medal-Worthy Memorabilia from Epic Past Olympic Games
Get into the games! These items celebrate the events, athletes, host countries and sporting spirit.
Ahoy! You’ve Never Seen a Collection of Sailor Art and Kitsch Quite Like This
French trendsetter and serial collector Daniel Rozensztroch tells us about his obsession with objects related to seafaring men.
Pamela Shamshiri Shares the Secrets behind Her First-Ever Book and Its Effortlessly Cool Interiors
The sought-after designer worked with the team at Hoffman Creative to produce a monograph that beautifully showcases some of Studio Shamshiri's most inspiring projects.
Moroccan Artworks and Objects Take Center Stage in an Extraordinary Villa in Tangier
Italian writer and collector Umberto Pasti opens the doors to his remarkable cave of wonders in North Africa.
Montecito Has Drawn Royalty and Celebrities, and These Homes Are Proof of Its Allure
Hollywood A-listers, ex-pat aristocrats and art collectors and style setters of all stripes appreciate the allure of the coastal California hamlet — much on our minds after recent winter floods.
Whaam! Blam! Pow! — a New Book on Pop Art Packs a Punch
Publishing house Assouline and writer Julie Belcove have teamed up to trace the history of the genre, from Roy Lichtenstein, Andy Warhol and Yayoi Kusama to Mickalene Thomas and Jeff Koons.
The Sparkling Legacy of Tiffany & Co. Explained, One Jewel at a Time
A gorgeous new book celebrates — and memorializes — the iconic jeweler’s rich heritage.
What Makes a Gem-Encrusted Chess Set Worth $4 Million?
The world’s most opulent chess set, weighing in at 513 carats, is literally fit for a king and queen.