Collectibles and Curiosities
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Collectibles and Curiosities For Sale
Antique Cast Figural Medieval Knight in Armor Cigar, Pipe or Cigarette Lighter
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This figural cigar lighter is unsigned, but presumed to have been made in Austria in circa 1930. The lighter is a standing figural cast and cold-painted medieval knight in armor hold...
Category
Early 20th Century Austrian Medieval Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Spelter
Prada Milano, Fotografata Da Albert Watson - Milan, 1988
Located in London, GB
Published by Idea Milan 1988. Softback in printed slipcase. Italian and English text
In 1988 Prada commissioned Albert Watson to create a book interpreting the past and present. Wat...
Category
1980s Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
IMCO 6500 Table Petrol Lighter 1950 By Julius Franz Meister Green Chromed Steel
Located in Miami, FL
Candle Triplex 6500 table lighter designed by IMCO.
This is a brilliantly engineered, unusual and quite ingenious semi-automatic table petrol lighter designed by Julius Franz Meister in Austria, back in the 1950. This model was made by the IMCO company and was named Candle triplex 6500. Has been crafted in solid chromed steel, with aluminum parts and embellished with green lacquer. This lighter is in unused grade, never fired and in superb mint condition with the original box from the stated period. About the mechanic, there is a button on the inserted lighter - pressure solution for stone-flint change. The lighter has a sliding flame regulator or windshield, a space in the base-socket for reserve stones-flints and a special filling tank that you can either pull out for filling or you can pull out the bottom for filling. Stunning modernist design.
Model: Triplex Candle Table lighter 6500.
Materials: Chromed Steel, aluminum and green lacquer.
Weight: All together 66.30 Grams.
Measurements: 63.5 mm by 63.5 mm by 207 mm (2.50 x 2.50 x 8.15 Inches).
Rarity: Rare in mint, never fired condition and with the original box.
Marks: Stamped with the maker's mark and signed as follow; "IMCO MADE IN AUSTRIA 6500".
IMCO
IMCO was a very important Austrian manufacturer of cigarette lighters. Established in 1907 by Julius Franz Meister, who was formerly a manufacturer of brass buttons for the Austro-Hungarian Army. The first IMCO lighters...
Category
1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Aluminum, Steel, Chrome
B&O Cona Passive Subwoofer (in MOMA) and Speakers
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The Beovox Cona, designed in beautifully austere fashion by David Lewis and now permanently in the Moma collection, was the first B&O subwoofer loudspeaker. It was specifically inten...
Category
1980s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal
2 Antique Books, The Lives of Scottish Poets, English, Biographical, Regency
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a 2 volume antique book set, The Lives of Scottish Poets. An English language biographical work, dating to the Regency period, published 1821....
Category
Early 19th Century British Regency Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
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
Large Antique Reference Book, Public Records, English, Parliament, William IV
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a large antique reference book, General Report on the Public Records. Printed in English, a later bound House of Commons record, dating to the William IV period, published 18...
Category
Mid-19th Century British William IV Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Terrestrial globe apres Mr. Rizzi Zannoni, Paris 1762.
Located in Milan, IT
Designed to be hanged to the ceiling, terrestrial globe, made out of paper machè and wood, brass hook. It is reported in the cartouche of the globe: globe terrestre d’après Mr. Rizz...
Category
Mid-18th Century French Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Brass
Antique Book, Days of King Arthur, Mythology, English, Fiction, Late Victorian
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique mythology book, Days of King Arthur by Charles Henry Hanson. An English language, hard bound fictional work with illustrations by Gus...
Category
Late 19th Century British Late Victorian Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Julius Shulman: Palm Springs - Michael Stern & Alan Hess - 1st Edition, 2008
Located in London, GB
A Rizzoli publication, 1st edition, New York, 2008. Hardback with English text.
“His work will survive me. Film is stronger and good glossy prints are easier to ship than brute conc...
Category
Early 2000s Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
20th Century Stuart Devlin Solid Silver Cigar Ashtray, c.1972
Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Modern 20th Century Stuart Devlin solid silver gilt cigar ashtray, the textured surface with an organically formed border, the plain bowl resting on a circular foot. Hallmarked Engli...
Category
20th Century English Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Silver
19th Century Ringed Double Sided Stone French Empire Tub
Located in Madrid, ES
19th Century RINGED DOUBLE SIDED STONE FRENCH EMPIRE TUB
Empire tub in double-sided stone with rings
HEIGHT 52cm
WIDTH 86cms
LENGTH 150cm
INTERNAL DEPTH OF THE BASIN 45 cm
WEIGHT 55...
Category
Early 19th Century French Empire Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Stone
Kazuumi Takahashi: High Tide Wane Moon - Shino Kuraishi - 1st Edition, 2007
Located in London, GB
Published by Nazraelli Press LLC., 1st edition, limited edition of 1000, 2007. Hardback with English text.
The artist’s first monograph, this series of photographs explores the rel...
Category
Early 2000s Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
1852 Map of Haut-Rhin: An Illustrated Gateway to Alsace's Viticultural Splendors
Located in Langweer, NL
This original hand-colored map is from the "Atlas National Illustré," a work by Victor Levasseur, a French geographer and cartographer known for his richly illustrated maps.
The map...
Category
1850s Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Hiroshi Sugimoto: Theaters - Hans Belting - 1st Edition, New York/ London, 2000
Located in London, GB
Published by Sonnabend Sundell Editions & Eystorm, New York & London, 1st edition, 2000. Hardback with English text. Comes with a silver-grey slipcase.
“As soon as the movie started, I fixed the shutter at a wide-open aperture. When the movie finished two hours later, I clicked the shutter closed. That evening I developed the film, and my vision exploded behind my eyes.” - Hiroshi Sugimoto.
This volume features the complete collection of Sugimoto’s renowned ‘Theaters’ series...
Category
Early 2000s Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Claude & Francoise - Xavier Lalanne: 2006 Krakoff, Kasmin, Brown - 1st Edition
Located in Rochester, NY
Claude & Francoise - Xavier Lalanne - Paul Kasmin Gallery, New York / Ben Brown Fine Arts, London - 2006 Published by Reed Krakoff, Paul Kasmin and Ben Brown - Stated 1st Edition. Ha...
Category
Early 2000s Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Oversized Book Emilio Pucci Fashion Story Vanessa Friedman Limited Edition 2010
By Emilio Pucci
Located in North Hollywood, CA
EMILIO. PUCCI Fashion Story by Armando Chitolina Edition and Vanessa Friedman Tashen 2010.
"Limited Edition of 10,000 Copies.
Each unique copy is bound with one of a selection of lim...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Baroque Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Vintage Nautical Signal Flag In Shadow Box Frame
Located in Norwell, MA
Maritime signal flag representing the letter “O”, oscar. The flag has red and yellow stitched panels with canvas hoist. Manila rope and wood toggle. Shadow box frame.
Weight: 8 lbs....
Category
1940s North American Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Linen
Set of 16 Leather Bound Dutch Encyclopedias
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A collection of sixteen volumes of a Dutch encyclopedia set published from 1932-1938. This set of books is leather bound with the Dutch title; Winkle...
Category
20th Century Dutch Other Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Leather, Paper
Stereo System Record Machine 2005 Weltron Stereo
Located in Marbella, ES
Stereo System Record Machine 2005 Weltron Stereo
Setron (Weltron) '2005' Space Odyssey Stereo System From 1973 Film Back To The Future.
Category
Late 20th Century North American Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Iron
Large Antique Reference Book, Parliamentary Record, Latin Language, Georgian
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a large antique reference book, Calendarium Rotulorum Patentium in Turri Londinensi. Printed in Latin, a later bound House of Commons record, dating to the Georgian period, p...
Category
Early 19th Century European Georgian Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Volkswagen 'Bug' Beetle Lighter, 1980s Japan
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Fun, vintage table lighter in the shape of a Volkswagen Beetle. Made completely of metal with a hollow body. Great silver color with nice details throughout and finished off with thi...
Category
1980s Japanese Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal
Bill Brandt - Camera in London 1st edition 1948
By Bill Brandt
Located in London, GB
First edition, first printing, The Focal Press, 1948.
A wonderful publication of Brandt's work in the sought-after Focal Press series. Brandt's photographs show a London that has lo...
Category
Mid-20th Century British Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
A Nautical Brass Desk Bell
Located in New York, NY
Solid brass; on ebonized base.
Category
20th Century Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Brass
Early 20th Century English Solitaire Game Board
Located in London, GB
Early 20th Century English Solitaire Game Board
A nice example of an early 20th century English wooden solitaire game board with stone coloured playing balls. With a deep natural p...
Category
1920s British Early Victorian Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Wood
Transparent blown glass laboratory retort from the early 19th century.
Located in Milan, IT
An early 19th-century transparent blown glass laboratory retort used for distillation, it has an ovoid body and long downward-bent neck that gradually narrows toward the mouth.
Very...
Category
1820s Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Glass
Edwardian Diminutive Post Box, Early 20th Century
Located in Spencertown, NY
The oak box with brass Royal Georgian plaque on top, pick up times on the front. The brass lock and key affixed to the door.
Category
Late 19th Century English Edwardian Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Brass
Thomas Jefferson Signature Collage
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
This is an original Thomas Jefferson signature, presented framed with an etched portrait of Jefferson by Jacques Reich. The cut signature reads “Th. Jefferson” and is signed with a quill in black ink. This rare cut Jefferson signature was one of several prominent American statesman autographs collected together and bound in a 1809 volume of the Baltimore Evening Post.
Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826) was a leading figure in early American history, with a remarkable legacy in politics, law, and academia. He contributed significantly to the development of American democracy as a politician, diplomat, and as the main author of the Declaration of Independence. Throughout his life, Jefferson championed freedom of religion, agricultural innovation, and the importance of education.
During the Revolutionary War, Jefferson served in the Virginia legislature, was governor of Virginia, and a member of the Continental Congress. Among the Committee of Five charged by the Second Continental Congress with authoring the Declaration of Independence, Jefferson was the document's primary author. Jefferson served as United States Minister to France from 1785 to 1789. President Washington then appointed Jefferson as the nation's first secretary of state, where he served from 1790 to 1793.
In the early 1790s, Jefferson and James Madison organized the Democratic-Republican Party to oppose the Federalist Party. Jefferson thought the national government should have a limited role in citizens’ lives. Jefferson lost the 1796 presidential election to Adams, which according to electoral procedure at the time made him Adams' vice president. Jefferson challenged Adams again four years later, in 1800, and won the presidency. During his two terms as president, the U.S. purchased the Louisiana Territory, which doubled the country’s size, he reduced the nation’s debt, established the nation’s first national military university at West Point, declared war on Barbary pirates, and implemented the Embargo Act. After leaving office, he retired to his Virginia plantation, Monticello, and helped found the University of Virginia.
The original signature is paired with a handsome etched portrait of Jefferson by 20th century artist Jacques Reich. A head and shoulders portrait, Reich based his etched rendition off an 1805 oil-on-canvas painting by Gilbert Stuart...
Category
Late 18th Century North American Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Brighton Rock
Located in London, GB
Original British film poster for the 1947 Crome thriller Brighton Rock.
This film was directed by John Boulting and starred Richard Attenborough, Hermonie Baddeley, William Hartnell....
Category
1940s British Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
The Maine House II Book by Maura McEvoy, Basha Burwell, and Kathleen Hackett
Located in New York, NY
The Maine House II
By: Maura McEvoy, Basha Burwell, and Kathleen Hackett
Photography by Maura McEvoy
The authors of the highly successful The Maine House continue their quest to rec...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Carved marine bone chess game consisting of 32 pawns Hong Kong 1950s
Located in Milan, IT
Ivory chess game consisting of 32 carved checkers of different sizes in two different colors. The checkers are housed in their original box lined inside with blue velvet, open has t...
Category
1950s Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Bone
Japanese Camp Knife, 1960s Japan
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Fantastic Japanese camp knife with a leather sheath. Blade stamped 'Japan.' Traditional stacked leather handle in black with red and white accent rings. Full tang blade running strai...
Category
1960s Japanese Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal
Antique Salmon Fishing Priest
Located in Oxfordshire, GB
Wooden Fishing Priest.
A good quality, Victorian, fishing priest. This is a well turned and weighted priest, a beautifully finished piece made of of very heavy hardwood with a polished finish.
A 'priest' is a blunt ended baton used...
Category
20th Century British Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Wood
PAIR OF 20th Century KUDU HUNTING TROPHIES
Located in Madrid, ES
PAIR OF 20th Century KUDU HUNTING TROPHIES
Chest mount, Rowland Ward R.S.A Zimbawe.
Approx. length: 187 cm.
very good condition
Category
20th Century South African Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Animal Skin
"I, Me, Mine" Book and Slipcover Publisher's Edition Signed by Roylances'
Located in San Diego, CA
I ME MINE (PUBLISHER'S COPIES)
The Boxed Set, 2017
Cherished by fans and collectors, I ME MINE is the closest we will come to George Harrison's autobiography. This edition has been ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary English Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Rudyard KIPLING. Life's Handicap. 1891 - FIRST EDITION - PRESENTATION COPY !
Located in Hillsborough, NJ
AUTHOR: KIPLING, Rudyard.
TITLE: Life's Handicap Being Stories Of Mine Own People.
PUBLISHER: London: Macmillan & Co., 1891.
DESCRIPTION: FIRST EDITION PRESENTATION COPY. 1 vol.,...
Category
1890s British Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Fabric
Rudyard KIPLING. The Light That Failed. 1891 - FIRST EDITION PRESENTATION COPY!
Located in Hillsborough, NJ
AUTHOR: KIPLING, Rudyard.
TITLE: The Light That Failed.
PUBLISHER: London: Macmillan & Co., 1891.
DESCRIPTION: FIRST EDITION PRESENTATION COPY. 1 vol., inscribed by Kipling on th...
Category
1890s British Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Fabric
19th Century Lava Cameo Brooch
Located in Bakewell, GB
19th Century Lava Cameo Brooch in patinated brass mount
size 5cms x 4cms overall
Category
19th Century Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Brass
Set of 22 Antique Les Grands Écrivains Books
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A collection of twenty-two volumes of the works of Moliére and Saint-Simon. This set of books are bound in leather with gold lettering stating the author and respective volume. Writt...
Category
19th Century French Other Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
1644 Janssonius Original Wine Regions Map: The Ducal and Comital Burgundy
Located in Langweer, NL
This authentic handcolored map is a detailed 17th-century depiction of the Burgundy region, divided into the Duchy of Burgundy ("ducatus") and the County of Burgundy ("comitatus"), ...
Category
1640s Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Vintage 1990s Artist Made Tribal Bauxite Pottery Beaded Necklace
Located in Seguin, TX
1990's Artist studio made beaded necklace using bauxite, cow horn, vintage pottery spindle whorls, glass trade beads, brass. By Linda Thompson (20th/21st century) Texas, 22" long, sp...
Category
Late 20th Century American Tribal Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Stone, Brass
Vintage India Handmade Hammered Silver Earrings
Located in Asheville, NC
Pair of vintage India handmade silver hammered with hoops and silvers balls.
Category
1960s Indian Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Vintage Black Forest Chamois Trophy on Carved Plaque 1961
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Vintage Black Forest Chamois Trophy on Carved Plaque 1961
An decorative trophy of the chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra), mounted on a carved wooden plaque. The plaque is painted green a...
Category
Mid-20th Century German Black Forest Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Antler, Wood
Copper Kitchen Decoration Vintage Coffee Pots For Rustic Lot of Four Diferent
Located in Mombuey, Zamora
Lot of four vintage copper coffee pots for rustic kitchen decoration
vintage rustic style copper kitchen decoration
They are very decorative ...
Category
20th Century Italian Rustic Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Copper
CHURCHILL - History of The English-Speaking Peoples - ALL FIRST LONDON EDITIONS
Located in Hillsborough, NJ
AUTHOR: CHURCHILL, Winston
TITLE: A History of The English-Speaking Peoples.
PUBLISHER: London: Cassell and Co, Ltd., 1956-8.
DESCRIPTION: ALL FIRST LONDON EDITIONS. 4 volumes. Bo...
Category
1950s British Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Fabric
Frost King Early 20th Century Ice Box
Located in Alpha, NJ
This early piece of 20th century Americana is in fair-good condition. This oak Frost King shows wear commensurate to use and age.
Category
Early 20th Century Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Aluminum, Steel
CHURCHILL. History of The English Speaking Peoples - AMERICAN EDITION - 4 vols
Located in Hillsborough, NJ
AUTHOR: CHURCHILL, Winston.
TITLE: A History of The English-Speaking Peoples.
PUBLISHER: NY: Dodd, Mead & Company, 1956-56-57-58.
DESCRIPTION: 4 vols., 8-1/4" x 5-3/4", title-pag...
Category
1950s American Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Leather
Mariners Chart of Quicks Hole and Tarpaulin Cove by George Eldridge 1901
Located in Norwell, MA
Nautical chart showing the harbor and local waters of Naushon Island Quick Holes. The chart display depths buoys, lightness, etc., The chart shows the cove in Naushon with ships stor...
Category
Early 1900s North American Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Vintage 1960s Souvenir Building Architectural Model Berlin Bear, Metal Statue
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A classic decorative Berlin bear statue. Some wear with a nice patina, but this is old-age. Made of metal. This item was bought as a souvenir in Berlin and was made in the mid-20th c...
Category
1960s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal
Shot in Sicily: 20 Years of Photographs, 1987-2007 - Michael Roberts - 2007
Located in London, GB
Published by Edition 7L Publishers, 1st edition, Paris, 2007. Hardback with English text.
This book showcases Michael Robert’s next works in black-and-white photographs. It presents...
Category
Early 2000s Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
A Rare ‘Adelie’ Penguin Egg from the Australian 1911-14 Expedition
Located in London, GB
A Rare ‘Adelie’ Penguin Egg from the Australian 1911-14 Expedition
Egg, paper, wood
Adelie Land, Antarctic
Early 20th Century
Size: 7cm high, 5.5cm dia. (max) - 2¾ ins high, 2¼ ...
Category
Early 20th Century Antarctican Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Eggshell
Art Deco Styled Chrome Lighted Airplane Smoker's Ashtray Stand or Accent Table
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This very unique lighted smoker's stand is unsigned, but presumed to have been made in North America, likely the United States, in approximately 1950 in an Art Deco style. This smoke...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Art Deco Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal
Pair Davy Jones Pirate Treasure Chest Bookends With Skull And Cross Bones Hats
Located in South Burlington, VT
Antique pair hand cast pirate treasure chest sculptural book ends, circa 1930
Skull and crossbones hats.
Designer: Hubley
Dark original patin...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Iron
Old Map of Vaucluse, France: A Cartographic Celebration of Viticulture, 1852
Located in Langweer, NL
This original hand-colored map is from the "Atlas National Illustré," a work by Victor Levasseur, a French geographer and cartographer known for his richly illustrated maps.
The map...
Category
1850s Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
The Impossible Collection of Art (2nd ed.)
Located in NEW YORK, NY
Modern art is the new intellectual currency, drawing the attention of media moguls, hedge-fund managers, and Hollywood darlings, granting them entry into an exclusive global community. Renowned art dealers Philippe Ségalot and Franck Giraud have curated The Impossible Collection of Art, an unparalleled modern art collection where anything is possible. These 100 extraordinary artworks, introduced by Joachim Pissarro, offer a unique perspective on 20th-century artistic achievements, whether hidden in a museum...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Linen
Dutch 18th Century Fob seal with coat of arms
Located in Delft, NL
Dutch 18th Century Fob seal with coat of arms
A Dutch 18th Century silver (unmarked) fob seal with coat of arms, probably the Family Van Haenen. In the original leather case. A lacq...
Category
18th Century Dutch Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Silver
Serene Vista of Messina and its Strait: An Engraved Jewel, circa 1800
Located in Langweer, NL
Title: "Vue de Messine & de Son Détroit"
This evocative print titled "Vue de Messine & de Son Détroit" presents a picturesque view of Messina and its strait, a vital waterway separa...
Category
Early 19th Century Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Antique gold hidden watch key spinning carnelian pendant, England 1870.
Located in Milan, IT
Antique 14 Kt. gold hidden watch key spinning carnelian seal.
The matrix is made out of Cornelian never engraved, and rectangular shaped with beveled edge...
Category
Late 19th Century English Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Carnelian, Gold
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
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.
Tauba Auerbach’s Geometric Pop-Up Book Is Mighty Rare, Thanks to a Hurricane
This sculptural art book has an epic backstory of its own.
Step inside the Storied Mansions of Palm Beach’s Most Effervescent Architect
From Spanish-style courtyards to fanciful fountains, these acclaimed structures abound in surprising and elegant details.
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