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Collectibles and Curiosities For Sale
Large 1750 Map of the Kingdoms of Spain and Portugal by Robert de Vaugondy
Located in Langweer, NL
1750 Map of the Kingdoms of Spain and Portugal by Robert de Vaugondy Description: This map, titled *"Royaumes d'Espagne et de Portugal,"* was created in 1750 by the esteemed French ...
Category

Mid-18th Century Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

1902 The Works of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
Located in Bath, GB
A striking limited edition set of the collected works of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, a beautiful and illustrated set. A limited edition. The 'Author's Edition' limited to one-thousand s...
Category

Early 1900s American Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Original Antique Map of Normandy, France
Located in Langweer, NL
Antique map titled 'Carte de Normandie (..)'. Attractive map of Normandy, France. it depicts the former French Duchy of Normandy, covers the region fro...
Category

Mid-18th Century Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Think Big Giant Matches and Matchbox
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Fantastic set of oversized matches and matchbox, made by Think Big NYC in 1984. Set contains all 8 original matches. Box slides open as a normal matchbox...
Category

1980s American Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Plastic, Paper, Felt, Wood, Paint

Mario Buccellati Sterling Silver Corinthian Column-Shaped Ashtray
Located in New York, NY
Mario Buccellati, Italian sterling silver ashtray in a rare and unique shape as a Corinthian column. Finely executed, it measures 3 1/2'' in height by 3 1/2'' in depth (4 1/2'' diago...
Category

Early 20th Century Italian Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Silver, Sterling Silver

Grinling Gibbons, His Work as Carver by David Green, First Edition
By David Green 1
Located in valatie, NY
Grinling Gibbons, his work as carver and statuary by David Green. London: Country Life Ltd., 1964. First edition hardcover with dust jacket. 207 pp. Illustrated throughout with black...
Category

20th Century English Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

United's "Carnival Gun" Arcade Game, circa 1954 USA
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage circa 1954 “Carnival Gun” arcade rifle game manufactured by United Mfg. Large Dale-style gun game. As the targets are on the move, use the gun to ...
Category

1950s American Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal

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

1970s French Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Felt

Antique Chinese Export Silver Cheroot Case
Located in New York, NY
Chinese export silver cheroot case, ca 1860. Oval with hinged push-button cover. Allover repousse. On front are scenes of daily life with indigenous spear...
Category

Mid-19th Century Chinese Chinese Export Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Silver

GUFRAMINI Pratone by Ceretti, Derossi & Rosso
Located in La Morra, Cuneo
The mini Pratone® plays with the juxtaposition of a "large-small" proportion by reducing to 7/8 the giant Pratone that was designed in 1972 by Ceretti, Derossi, and Rosso, and exhibited that year at the MoMA as part of the Italy: The New Domestic Landscape exhibition. Just like the original version, the base of the "mini" sculpture shows the writing ‘Pratone’ on one of the sides, and 42 soft stems stretching in different directions complete the radical look of this little icon. As if in a fairy tale, the Gufram icons have become smaller and have now turned into Guframini®! The most radical Italian design...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Foam

Selection of Antique Grand Tour Marbles, Italy, 1850.
Located in Milan, IT
A selection of antique Grand Tour marbles. In an inclined display structure made of lacquered cherry wood and profiled in black (ebony wood), a coll...
Category

Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Marble

Antique Lifesize Crowned Mother Mary and Child Jesus Gothic Revival Sculpture
Located in Lisse, NL
Hand carved wood antique statue of Mother Mary wearing a Gothic crown. This original and all hand carved sculpture of the mother of all mothers is anothe...
Category

Early 20th Century European Gothic Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Wood

Rare Antique English Long Brass and Wood Billiard/Snooker Table Level
Located in Bridgeport, CT
By I. & D. Smallwood Makers Birmingham, major makers for these levels. The long rosewood implement with brass attachments. With both inches, foot and millimeter measurements. Missing...
Category

19th Century English Georgian Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Brass

Rock 'n' Roll Billboards of the Sunset Strip Signed by Robert Landau
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Rock 'n' Roll Billboards of the sunset strip by Robert Landau Signed. Signed, as well as Inscribed by author Robert Landau. Title: Rock 'n' Roll Billbo...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Scientific tool for demonstrating the refraction of light, Italy 1920.
Located in Milan, IT
Scientific tool for demonstrating and assessing the refraction of light. Constructed in boxed metal with a square section, it consists of a horizontal tube that bends a few grids in ...
Category

Early 20th Century Italian Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal

Cabinet of Curiosities Antique Book Sculptural Artwork, circa 1950
Located in Barcelona, ES
Discover the enchanting allure of this Cabinet of Curiosities, a unique antique book and plaster sculptural artwork created circa 1950. This captivating piece, crafted by an unknown ...
Category

1950s Spanish Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Plaster, Wood

Goldsmith's Almanack for the Year of Our Lord God M.DCC.LXXXIV. 1784
Located in Middletown, NY
Goldsmith, John An Almanack for the Year of Our Lord God M.DCC.LXXXIV. 1784 London: Company of Stationers, 1784 48mo, 4 x 2 1/2 in. (113 x 53 mm); pp. 48 + blank pages for each mont...
Category

18th Century English Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Gold Leaf

Silvered Sea Shell Scotch Bonnet
Located in New York, NY
Scotch Bonnet fully silvered 4". Creel and Gow has been working with the same atelier in Rome, Italy for over 20 years to make our signature silvered she...
Category

2010s Italian Victorian Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Sterling Silver

Early 20th century hand crafted pine architectural roof model
Located in London, GB
Early 20th century hand crafted pine architectural roof model A highly decorative example of an early 20th century hand crafted English architectural roof top model. This perfect f...
Category

1920s British Victorian Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Pine

Chess Checker Board with Hand Crafted Ceramic Chess Pieces
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Solid Wood Chess Checker Board with small raised feet and underside felt lined. Accompanied with hand made Ceramic Chess Pieces by Sally Anderson - in ...
Category

20th Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Ceramic, Felt, Wood

Large Gilt Bronze Medallion Plate with putti, mythology, nymph - Italy - 19th
Located in Beuzevillette, FR
Very beautiful italian medallion plaque in gilded and patinated bronze decorated in the style of pieces from the Northern Renaissance period. The pla...
Category

19th Century Italian Baroque Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Bronze

Mid-Century Large Brass Hourglass
Located in Queens, NY
Mid-Century large brass hourglass with white sand
Category

20th Century Unknown Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Glass

Vintage Wood and Bronze Cannon Model
Located in San Diego, CA
A very well made vintage wood and bronze cannon model, circa 1970s. The piece is in good condition with nice detailing and measures 4.5"W x 8.5"D x 3.5"H. #3810
Category

Mid-20th Century American Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal

Antique Vintage English Walking Stick Cane Wooden Gold Plated Cow Horn Handle
Located in Dublin, Ireland
Very Stylish Fine Quality Polished Rosewood Wooden Lady’s or Gentleman’s Walking Cane of substantial quality and good weight very suitable to use as an everyday stick, with an elegant decoratively carved classical Cow Horn L shaped handle above a finely repousse chased gold plated collar with a cartouche engraved with H C. Last quarter of the Nineteenth Century, of English origin Condition: Good condition with nice patination, few small character dents to gilt mounts, complete with its original firm fitting solid steel and polished brass ferrule which is slightly worn. Nice straight stick in wonderful condition. Length: 32.75" (89cm) Width of handle: 4.25" (10.75cms). Location: Dublin City, Ireland. Affordable fixed price Worldwide Store to door Shipping offered by Seller. *TIP: When deciding to purchase a Walking Stick on-line, always check the dimensions especially its length. Many antique sticks...
Category

Late 19th Century British Victorian Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Sterling Silver

Large South Pacific Tridacna Gigas Clam Shell
Located in Copenhagen, K
Large South Pacific Tridacna Gigas Clam shell The shell is in very good condition and with a beautiful pink tint.  
Category

15th Century and Earlier Pacific Islands Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Shell

Antique Book, Bones and I, Whyte-Melville, English, Novel, Victorian, Circa 1880
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique book, Bones & I by George Whyte-Melville. An English language, bound novel, dating to the late Victorian period, circa 1880. First published in 1868, Bones & I is a humorous novel written about a man - Jack Raggles - who gains possession of a human skeleton. Written by George Whyte-Melville (1821 - 1878), the book is a comedic and macabre blend of satire and class division. Nicely presented example of this unusual title Displays a desirable aged patina, lightly time-worn but intact Bound with cloth over board in navy blue with gold...
Category

Late 19th Century British Late Victorian Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Art Deco Silver Plate Cigarette Case - Monogrammed - Unsigned - Circa 1930's
Located in Chatham, ON
Art Deco period silver-plate cigarette case - 'D' monogram - delicate diagonal tooling - interior gilt wash - unsigned - United States (likely) - circa 1930's. Excellent vintage con...
Category

Early 20th Century American Art Deco Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Silver Plate

IMPORTANT PORTUGUESE ORATORY WITH CALVARY 18th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
IMPORTANT PORTUGUESE ORATORY WITH CALVARY 18th Century Portuguese, from the 18th century in carved Brazilian rosewood. Decoration with interrupted pediments, volutes, floral motifs...
Category

Early 18th Century Portuguese Baroque Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Silver

Antique Gold Filled Presentation Cane or Walking Stick with Chased Decoration
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This antique gold-filled and handcrafted presentation walking stick is hallmarked for presumably an English maker and believed to have been made in circa 1910 in the period Edwardian...
Category

Early 20th Century English Edwardian Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal

Solid Brass Antique Ship Wheel Cigar Cutter
Located in Norwell, MA
Nautical cigar cutter with a hole and cutting blade in the column. When the wheel is turned, the blade is engaged to cut the tip off the cigar. This cutter has been meticulously poli...
Category

1950s Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Brass

1950s Tiled Mid Century and Wood Chess Board With Chess Figurines - Set of 33
Located in Pasadena, CA
Tiled Mid Century and Wood Chess Board With Chess Figurines. Green and White tiles throughout. Each chess piece is placed above a wooden stand. Each piece is hand painted. There are ...
Category

20th Century American Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Wood

The Works of William H. Prescott - 11 vols. - IN A FULL POLISHED CALF BINDING
Located in Hillsborough, NJ
AUTHOR: PRESCOTT, William H.. TITLE: The Works of William H. Prescott. Ferdinand & Isabella - Philip The Second - Charles The Fifth - Conquest Of Peru - Conquest Of Mexico. PUBLIS...
Category

1850s British Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Leather

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

KAWS + Warhol
Located in New York, NY
A never-before-seen look at the striking thematic parallels between KAWS and Andy Warhol, two of the most iconic artists of our time As celebrated artists that draw from popular cul...
Category

2010s American Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

KAWS + Warhol
KAWS + Warhol
$70 / set
Francis Jourdain Mobilier (Book)
Located in North Yorkshire, GB
This book is the third volume in the portfolio collection, inaugurated with the first two volumes devoted to the work of Pierre Chareau. Volume III is dedicated this time to the work...
Category

20th Century Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

18th Century Hirate Clan Samurai Armor with Signed Kabuto Helmet
Located in Fukuoka, JP
This is a truly exceptional set of 18th century Samurai armor that is sure to impress any collector or enthusiast. The patinated iron used in its construction has aged beautifully, giving the armor a truly unique appearance that is sure to catch the eye. The brocade silk and cotton padding used to line the armor not only provide a comfortable fit for the wearer, but also add an extra layer of decorative flair. One of the most striking features of this armor is the crests of the Hirate samurai clan that adorn it. These crests are a symbol of the clan's identity and heritage, and their presence on the armor speaks to the deep connection between samurai warriors and the clans they belonged to. The Kabuto...
Category

18th Century Japanese Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Iron

Blue Hand Painted Baroque Cherub or Angel Portuguese Ceramic Tile or Azulejo
Located in Coimbra, PT
Gorgeous blue hand painted Baroque cherub or angel 18th century style Portuguese ceramic tile/azulejo The tile painted in cobalt blue over wh...
Category

Late 20th Century Portuguese Baroque Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Delft, Faience, Terracotta

Vintage Bavarian Traditional Costume Jewelry Charivari with Hunting Pendants
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Vintage Bavarian Traditional Costume Jewelry Charivari with Hunting Pendants Item e7409 A Bavarian Charivari from the middle of the 20th century. A beautiful piece of historical Bava...
Category

Mid-20th Century German Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal, Silver

1st US Edition of ‘Enquiry Concerning Political Justice’ by W Godwin 1796
Located in Dallas, TX
PRESENTING AN EXTREMELY RARE FIRST US EDITION hardback copy of “Enquiry Concerning Political Justice and Its Influence on Morals and Happiness by William Godwin, First American from ...
Category

Late 18th Century American George III Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Leather, Paper

Barcelona Olympic Boxing Mascot Cobi (1992) by Javier Mariscal
Located in London, GB
The 1992 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XXV Olympiad, were held in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain, from 25 July to 9 August 1992. Commonly referred to as Barcelona '92, these games were notable for being the last Summer and Winter Olympics to be held in the same year, as the International Olympic Committee (IOC) decided thereafter to alternate the events in separate even-numbered years, starting in 1994. This was a pivotal moment in Olympic history, as the Barcelona Games marked the first Summer Olympics held in the post-Cold War era and were free from the boycotts that had plagued previous events, a situation not seen since the 1972 Munich Olympics. Barcelona '92 is widely regarded as one of the most successful Olympic Games, contributing significantly to the modernization and global image of the city. It was also a Games of many firsts: the debut of the "Dream Team" in basketball, which featured NBA players like Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, and Larry Bird, and the reintegration of South Africa into the international sports community after a 32-year ban due to apartheid. The participation of a unified German team following the reunification of East and West Germany, and the absence of the Soviet Union (though its former republics competed as the Unified Team), further emphasized the geopolitical shifts of the time. The official mascot for the 1992 Barcelona Games was *Cobi*, a stylized sheepdog designed by Catalan artist and designer Javier Mariscal. Mariscal, already a significant figure in contemporary design, was known for his eclectic and playful style, often blending comic art with a modernist sensibility. His creation of Cobi was a departure from previous Olympic mascots...
Category

1990s Spanish Post-Modern Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Resin

Rare Antique Classical Roman Bronze & Glass Inkstand with Crystal Glass Inkwell
Located in Lisse, NL
Stylish, rare and mint condition bronze, brass and glass desk piece. This completely original inkstand dates from the late 19th century and it has a large number of striking Roman...
Category

Late 19th Century French Classical Roman Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Crystal, Brass, Bronze

Pair of Sculptural Summit Speakers
Located in Antwerp, BE
Pair of sculptural summit speakers.
Category

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

Materials

Acrylic

Cabinet Size Bronze Sculpture of Venus de Milo after Ron Liod Sauvage
By Ron Sauvage
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine Venus de Milo bronze after Sauvage. In an diminutive size that is perfect for the desk, mantel or vitrine. Simply a wonderful little...
Category

20th Century French Grand Tour Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Bronze

Cristallino Outdoor Edition Foosball Table with White Corian by Teckell
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Cristallino Outdoor Foosball designed by Teckell. The playing field is structured with white Corian and teams of players are covered with black or whi...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Brass, Steel, Chrome

Italian Radiophonograph RR126 and Record Player by Castiglioni, Brionvega 1960s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian Radiophonograph RR126 and Record Player by Castiglioni Brothers for Brionvega, 1960s. RR126 radio phonograph and turntable with a rectangular wooden base with dark brown prof...
Category

1960s Italian Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal

Blue Hand Painted Baroque Cherub or Angel Portuguese Ceramic Tile Azulejo
Located in Coimbra, PT
Gorgeous blue hand painted Baroque cherub or angel 18th century style Portuguese ceramic tile/azulejo The tile painted in cobalt blue over white in typical 18th century Portugal set...
Category

Late 20th Century Portuguese Baroque Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Delft, Faience, Terracotta

Pierre Chareau (Book)
Located in North Yorkshire, GB
A fine pocket-sized catalogue of furniture designed by this master of metalwork, published with a showing at the Galerie De Vos, in Paris, during October and November, 1993. 5 in the...
Category

20th Century Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

18-inch Globe, Cary's, London, 1840
Located in Milano, IT
John and William Cary Updated by George and John Cary Terrestrial Globe London, 1840 lb 22 (kg 10) Slight surface abrasions due to use. A small crack on the horizon circle. The globe rests in its original Dutch style stand with four supporting turned wood columns. It measures 26 in in height x 23.6 in in diameter with the diameter of the sphere measuring 18 in; 66 cm in height x 60 cm in diameter with the diameter of the sphere measuring 45.72 cm. The 18 inch...
Category

1840s English Early Victorian Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper, Wood

Vintage Clear Glass Sculpture of a Classic Porsche 911, Racing Car Memorabilia
Located in Milano, IT
Little but realistic miniature model of a classic Porsche 911 - most likely a "G Model" from the late 1970s/early 1980s. It is made in pressed clear glass, and is rich in details, to...
Category

1970s Italian Space Age Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Crystal

In Stock in Los Angeles, Green Killer Shark Mini Portable Charger
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Killer shark mini power bank battery charger In stock in Los Angeles "Mr Holder was a shark who loved swimming but could not do it. He was mocked by all the other sharks who call...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Plastic

The Great Lady Decorators by Adam Lewis (Book)
Located in North Yorkshire, GB
:The Women Who Defined Interior Design. 1870-1955 Mixing gorgeous interiors with sparkling social history, this is the first book on the visionary women whose work gave us the timel...
Category

20th Century Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Vintage Ski Photography, Antique Alpine Ski Photograph, 'OPPS'
Located in Oxfordshire, GB
Vintage Ski Photography, antique Alpine Ski photograph. 'OPPS!', a new mounted black and white photographic image after an original 1930s skiing...
Category

1930s English Sporting Art Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

19th C. French 'Ave Maria' Bénitier / Holy Water Font, Devotional Reliquary
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
19th C. French 'Ave Maria' Bénitier / Holy Water Font, Devotional Reliquary  France, circa 1890s, artist signed 'Ale'  A stunning late 19th-century French Bénitier/Holy Water Font D...
Category

Late 18th Century French Belle Époque Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Marble, Bronze, Ormolu

Midcentury Brass Pommel with Inset Compass Gadget Cane or Walking Stick
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This vintage walking stick or cane is unsigned, but presumed to have been made in England in circa 1965 in the period style. The walking stick is...
Category

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

Materials

Brass

1960s, Stunning Alabaster Smoking Set by Romano Bianchi
Located in Milano, IT
1960s Stunning alabaster smoking set by Romano Bianchi with ashtray, cigarette box and table lighter, everything is handmade carved. Made in Italy. This smoking set is in excellent c...
Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Alabaster

Petite Silver Perfume Bottle, c. 1930s
Located in Chicago, IL
This petite silver perfume bottle from early 20th century once kept a lady's fragrance close to hand, perfectly sized to tuck into a pocket or evening bag. The small bottle is shaped...
Category

Early 20th Century American Art Deco Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Sterling Silver

Mid-century porcelain table lighter, Bjorn Wiinblad for Rosenthal, 1970s
Located in Firenze, IT
Mid-century porcelain table lighter Bjorn Wiinblad (Danish, 1918-2006) for Rosenthal, 1970s Quatre couleurs series Marked on the bottom H 10 cm - Diam. 10 cm Conditions: excelle...
Category

1970s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Ceramic

RONSON USA 1927 Art Deco Tabourette Desk Lighter In Chromed Steel
Located in Miami, FL
A Tabourette desk lighter designed by Ronson. Very beautiful Tabourette desk lighter, created in New Jersey United States by The Ronson Co. during the art deco period, back in the 1...
Category

1920s American Art Deco Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Steel, Chrome

Art Deco French Chrome & Enamel Ladies Powder Compact, C1930s
Located in Devon, England
This is a really cute and rare find, a 1930's Art Deco compact with the most delightful green and black enamel decoration on a chrome casing . The interior is an engineers delight with a sliding latch on the side of the compact to secure the power in place. Upon opening the lid reveals the mechanics that operates and reveals a powder dispenser...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Art Deco Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Enamel, Chrome

Lonsdale Library Book, Hounds and Dogs
Located in Oxfordshire, GB
Hounds & Dogs, Lonsdale Library Book. One of the volumes from Lonsdale Library, Hounds & Dogs, their care, training & working. The book with over one hundred illustrations. The Lonsdale Library of Sports, Games & Pastimes, Editors The Right Hon. The Earl of Lonsdale, Sir Theodore Cook & Mr. Eric...
Category

1940s English Sporting Art 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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Pamela Shamshiri Shares the Secrets behind Her First-Ever Book and Its Effortlessly Cool Interiors

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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.

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