Collectibles and Curiosities
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Collectibles and Curiosities For Sale
1970s Vintage Dewey Weber Wave Mural Surfboard
By Dewey Weber
Located in Haleiwa, HI
Vintage 1970s Dewey Weber wave mural surfboard. Features beautiful airbrushed full length wave mural on the deck with greenish yellow tinted rails/bottom. Swallow tail shape design. ...
Category
1970s American Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Fiberglass, Foam, Softwood
1960s Stunning Grey table Lighter in Murano Sommerso Glass By Flavio Poli for S
By Flavio Poli
Located in Milano, IT
1960s Stunning grey table lighter in Murano sommerso glass By Flavio Poli for Seguso. Made in italy
The item is in excellent condition and it works perfectly
Dimension:
2,75 x 2,75 x...
Category
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Murano Glass
Large Antique Map of the State of Texas, 1861
Located in Langweer, NL
Antique map titled 'Johnson's New Map of the State of Texas' Large map of Texas, shows railroads, wagon roads, the U.S. Mail Route, rivers, ports, ...
Category
Mid-19th Century Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
English Pond Boat on Stand with Original Sails Brass Rudder Zinc Keel C. 1940
Located in Troy, MI
Found in England, this hand made wooden pond boat with original cloth sails dates from the 1940s. This is a single mast sailboat - we believe it is a sloop - and features a bow sprit...
Category
Early 20th Century English British Colonial Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Brass, Zinc
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
Healing of the Paralytic. Oil on panel. Castilian School, 16th century.
Located in Madrid, ES
Healing of the Paralytic. Oil on panel. Castilian School, 16th century.
Partially rebuilt.
A religious scene set in a prestigious interior, made of two-tone stone, depicting a ser...
Category
16th Century Spanish Renaissance Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Other
Novels 'Works & Letters' of Jane Austen, Winchester Edition, 12 Volumes
Located in Hillsborough, NJ
Author: AUSTEN, Jane.
Title: The Novels (Works and Letters) of Jane Austen.
Publisher: Edinburgh: John Grant, 1911-12.
Description: The Winchester...
Category
1910s British Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Leather
German Bronze Historicism Charger Depicting Entry of Henry IV into Paris in 1594
By Ilsenburg Foundry
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
A Fine German Bronze Historicism Charger Depicting Entry Of Henry IV Into Paris March 22, 1594
Second half 19 century.
A finely cast "Historicism" charger commemorating "The Entry Of Henry IV Into Paris, 22 March in 1594.
The image is loosely based on a painting by Francois Gerard...
Category
Mid-19th Century German Renaissance Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Bronze
Vintage Anatomical Model, Man and Woman, 80s 90s Curiosity
Located in Greven, DE
Exceptional Human Anatomy Model from the 80s, 90s.
Male and Female Figures on a black stand.
The outer casting, such as the individual intestines a...
Category
20th Century Unknown Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Plastic
Antique Map of America with California as an Island by Homann '1710'
Located in Langweer, NL
This antique map, titled "Totius Americae Septentrionalis et Meridionalis," represents a significant cartographic piece from 1710 by Johann Baptist Homann. Here's a description of this remarkable map:
- Title: Totius Americae Septentrionalis et Meridionalis (...)
- Date: Published in 1710 by Johann Baptist Homann.
Description:
This map is a first edition of Johann Baptiste Homann's map of America, and it is notable for several cartographic features and historical representations:
1. California as an Island...
Category
Early 18th Century Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Massive Merchant Schooner Model
Located in Greenwich, CT
Impressive and rare example of a model English merchant sailing vessel, circa 1860, that plied the China Trade from England to Hong Kong. The ship has the sail rig of the Sandy Hook pilot boats...
Category
1860s English Sporting Art Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Linen, Wood
Double Front and Back Lithograph Depicting Portovenere and Pisa in Italy, 1930s
Located in Milan, IT
Double front and back lithograph depicting Portovenere and Piazza dei Miracoli in Pisa, dating back to the thirties. Very good condition. Cm 21.5 x 27.5.
Category
1930s Italian Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Floor Standing Globe On A Turned Hardwood & Brass Stand Model No 16
By Cram's
Located in Reading, Berkshire
Crams Imperial World Globe
Floor Standing Globe On A Turned Hardwood & Brass Stand Model No 16
Manufactured by George F Cram Co. Indiana, U.S.A
Category
Early 20th Century American Victorian Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Brass
Vintage Underwood Champion Portable Typewriter c.1946
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT
A vintage portable Underwood Champion Four bank typewriter in grey finish and original case. This typewriter is very clean and in good working order. It has smooth typing and ...
Category
Early 20th Century Industrial Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Steel
Rare Antique Wall-Map of North America: French and Indian War Boundaries, 1793
Located in Langweer, NL
Rare 1793 Map of North America: French and Indian War Boundaries and Historical Notes
This remarkable engraved map of North America, printed in 1793 by Emanuel Bowen and John Gibs...
Category
1790s Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Vintage 20th Century Rare Italian Onyx & Gold Plate Dunhill Table Lighter c.1950
By Dunhill
Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
A wonderful 20th Century Dunhill table lighter, crafted with an Italian white onyx body and fitted with a gold plated mechanism. Stamped with the classic Dunhill name on the gold pla...
Category
20th Century British Other Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Onyx, Gold Plate
DOVES PRESS: Dramatis Personae by Robert BROWNING
Located in Middletown, NY
London: Doves Press, 1910.
Limited Edition
Small 4to, 9 1/8 x 6 3/8 in. (230 x 160 mm); 203 + [7] pp.; one of 250 copies, with an additional 15 on vellum...
Category
Early 20th Century English Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Leather, Paper
Italian Grand Tour Marble Models of Roman ruins
Located in Greenwich, CT
Italian Grand Tour Sienna Marble Desk Models, one of the Temple of Vespasian, the other of the Foro Romano, late 19th / early 20th cent.
Note : Grand Tour travels to the sights of A...
Category
Early 20th Century Italian Grand Tour Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Marble
6 Volumes. John H. Jesse.London: Its Celebrated Characters & Remarkable Places
Located in New York, NY
6 Volumes. John H. Jesse. London: Its Celebrated Characters & Remarkable Places. London: Richard Bentley, 1871. Extra Illustrated. leather bound. Very Good. Bound in full dark olive ...
Category
Late 19th Century English Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Leather
Great book Inferno of the Divine Comedy Dante, illustrations A. Nattini 1931
By Amos Nattini
Located in Milano, IT
Great Inferno book of the Divine Comedy
The 34 illustrations that were contained in the book, drawn by Amos Nattini, have been extrapolated and framed, while inside the book still c...
Category
Early 20th Century Italian Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Leather, Paper
Cigarette Case rounded shaped green fired enamel lines Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Rectangular pocket cigarette case in 925/1000 sterling silver with rounded shaped lines, alternately fire enamelled. With spring opening button and lost hinge, i.e. semi-invisible. M...
Category
1980s Italian Art Deco Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Sterling Silver, Enamel
1 Volume. Bronte, Emily. Wuthering Heights.
Located in New York, NY
1 Volume. Bronte, Emily. Wuthering Heights. With 16 coloured illustrations by Percy Tarrant. Bound in full blue calf by Riviere, all edges gilt, raised b...
Category
Early 20th Century British Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Leather
Early 1900s Vintage Solid Wood Airplane Propeller Sculpture Wall Decoration
By Sensenich
Located in Chula Vista, CA
AMBIANIC offers an Antique vintage circa early 1900 Solid wood
No label or signature.
Provenance Old barn in Buck County PA, Family-owned ranch for over 150 years.
Parts of an airpl...
Category
Early 20th Century Industrial Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Wood
Space Age Orange Vintage Television Ikaro by Minerva, 1970s, Austria
Located in Vienna, AT
Space Age orange vintage television from plastic model Ikaro by Minerva, 1970s, Austria.
This portable television with an orange plastic casing by...
Category
1970s Austrian Space Age Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Plastic
Miniature bow back Windsor armchair by the Riverbend Chair Co.
Located in Kenilworth, IL
Hand made, miniature wood Windsor bow back arm chair painted in dark forest green. Reproduction of a salesman's sample.
Stamped on the underside: Riverbend Chair Co, West Chester, O...
Category
20th Century American Rustic Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Wood
WWII Japanese Army Type 30 Arisaka Bayonet Scabbard Hooked Quillon
Located in Dayton, OH
World War II era Imperial Japanese Type 30 bayonet with hooked quillon, wood grip, and metal scabbard. This early model was made between 1936 and 1943 and came from the Tokyo or Koku...
Category
1940s Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal
Vintage Handmade Miniature Metal Chair with Stick Figure Person Motif
Located in Amityville, NY
Unique handmade vintage miniature chair made from metals with mixed finishes. Geometric in form with a round, concave seat atop an angular, square frame, likely intended to hold an i...
Category
Late 20th Century Post-Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal
MCCS Sphera Black 2-Speaker System
By Mario Cioni
Located in Milan, IT
A new concept of loudspeaker system is now being presented: Mario Cioni Crystal Sound introduces Sphera, a new loudspeaker system. A speaker of high quality made with a precious mate...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Crystal, Metal
Samuel Taylor Coleridge's "Zapolya, a Christmas Tale" in Fine Leather Binding
Located in Middletown, NY
Samuel Taylor Coleridge. Zapolya: A Christmas Tale; in Two Parts: The Prelude entitled "The Usurper's Fortune;" and The Sequel, entitled "The Usurper's Fate."
London: Rest Fenner, ...
Category
Early 19th Century English Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Gold Leaf
Grand Tour Neoclassical Style Faux-Marble Temple
Located in Roma, IT
Beautiful and important wooden memorial temple covered in faux marble.
From the purest neoclassical form, this Grand Tour piece of furniture is a classic piece of furniture of grea...
Category
1810s Italian Neoclassical Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Wood, Paper
Mr. Pidgeon's Island, by Anthony Berkeley
Located in Middletown, NY
Garden City, New York: Doubleday, Doran & Co. (The Crime Club), 1934.
First American Edition. 8vo, 7 1/2 x 5 1/4 inches (190 x 130 mm); (8), 347 pp. Publisher's red cloth title in b...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Cabinet of Curiosities Shelve Sculptural Artwork, circa 1950
Located in Barcelona, ES
Cabinet of curiosities of plaster figures and pieces in a wooden stand.
Made in traditional Catalan atelier in Olot, Spain, circa 1950.
In original condition, with minor we...
Category
1950s Spanish Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Plaster, Wood
Danish Design Midcentury Pianette by Louis Zwicki in Mahogany, 1950s
Located in Breda, Netherlands
Danish design
A rare Danish midcentury pianette made of mahogany. It is called pianette due to the 82 keys rather than the standard 88 of a full size piano. This pianette is made by ...
Category
1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Mahogany
Vanity Dunhill Lighter, 1930, England
By Dunhill
Located in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Vanity Dunhill lighter 1930 England
Circa 1930 Origin England
It works with benzine (gasoline)
Works. In very good condition
It has a compartment f...
Category
1930s English Art Deco Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal
Antique 13-Star Patriotic Sash by Louis E. Stilz & Bros., Late 19th Century
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
Presented is an original patriotic sash from the late 19th century, featuring 13 stars against a bright blue field. This sash features appliqued silver stars on a blue canton, red an...
Category
Late 19th Century American Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Cotton
PH Grand Piano PH170 Curated, Mineral Leather, White Oak and Burned Brass
Located in Copenhagen, DK
- All prices are listed ex works.
- 5-year guarantee.
- We regularly crate, ship, and install PH Pianos worldwide with full insurance.
This spectacular PH Grand Piano Curated Edition is the first of its kind. It has been created in collaboration with Stevns Klint Experience, a UNESCO heritage site located an hour away from Copenhagen, Denmark.
The materials and finishes of this piano have been completely customized to represent key elements of the Stevns Klint Experience geography. From the leather banding, to the type and finish of the wood, to the metal trimming on the case, this piano is very special.
More than Just a Piano- Finishes with Symbolism
The mineral-colored leather banding of this piano represents the Fish Clay found in the chalk cliffs of Stevns Klint. Fish Clay is the layer of gray clay which contains meteorite particulate, and is scientific proof of the collision 55 million years ago of a meteor with Earth, that ended almost all life including the dinosaurs.
Hand-carved beautiful ash-wood frames the delicate and elegant transparent lid, and all metal trim has been done in a semi-matte oxidized brass finish called Burned Brass. All materials and finishes combine to create an extremely elegant, aesthetically stunning-yet approachable- piano.
Stevns Klint Experience has provided four fossils from the site which have been set into the frame of the piano, making this instrument a true collector’s piece.
Original Design, Unique Customization
Designed by Poul Henningsen in 1930, the PH Grand Piano is an iconic design from Denmark that has captured the attention of art collectors everywhere. As a Curated Edition, this instrument is the first of its kind to use a piano action...
Category
2010s Danish Bauhaus Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Brass
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
18th Century Italian Baroque Silver and Rock Crystal Crucifix
Located in Stamford, CT
18th Italian Baroque carved rock crystal crucifix with silver Corpus of Christ flaked by male and female attendants on either side. The stepped base deco...
Category
18th Century Italian Baroque Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Rock Crystal, Silver
Saint Dominic. Oil on canvas. Spanish school, 18th century.
Located in Madrid, ES
Saint Dominic. Oil on canvas. Spanish school, 18th century.
It has some faults.
Oil on canvas with a horizontal layout depicting a Dominican wearing the characteristic habit of the ...
Category
18th Century Spanish Neoclassical Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Other
James T. Moore Memorial Band Hand Painted Parade Drum c.1940
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT
Large stressed vellum parade drum from the James T. Moore Memorial Band out of Philadelphia, PA. Hand painted with brass accents. The piece has retained its original finish an...
Category
Early 20th Century American Industrial Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Brass
Original Antique Map of Ancient Greece- Boeotia, Thebes, 1787
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Great map of Ancient Greece. Showing the region of Boeotia, including Thebes
Drawn by J.D. Barbie Du Bocage
Copper plate engraving by P.F T...
Category
1780s French Other Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Table Lighter Bordeaux Ceramic and Brass by Tommaso Barbi, Italy, 1970s
Located in Rome, IT
Table lighter in bordeaux ceramic and brass by the Italian designer Tommaso Barbi.
Made in Italy in the 1970s.
The lighter is functioning and Barbi's engraved initials...
Category
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal, Brass
46-Star American Flag Printed in Drum Star Configuration
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
This is an original 46-Star American parade flag, celebrating Oklahoma statehood. Each star on the flag's canton represents a state in the Union at the time. The official flag design would update every July 4th, to include any new states added to the Union in the past year. Oklahoma, the 46th state, entered the Union on November 16, 1907. As such, this 46–star flag was the official flag of the United States from July 4, 1908, until July 4, 1912.
The silk flag has a dark blue canton with 46 white printed stars. The stars are printed in an 7-8-8-8-8-7 row configuration, or “Drum design.” The flag design is completed with 13 alternating red and white stripes, each stripe representing one of the original thirteen colonies.
The land that comprises Oklahoma today was added to the United States as part of the Louisiana Purchase of 1803. Throughout the 19th century, the U.S. government relocated Indian tribes from the southeastern United States to the area, and by 1900, over 30 Indian tribes had been moved to what was originally called the Indian Territories. At the same time, ranchers in Texas began to move into the area in search of new pasture lands. Although stipulations in the Indian Relocation Act agreed that the land would forever be Indian Territory, the promise of fertile farmland trumped the government’s promise of sovereignty.
On April 22, 1889, they opened the land to settlement by homesteaders, creating a land run in which settlers, called “Boomers,” were allowed to cross the Texas or Arkansas border at a particular hour to claim homesteads. Settlers who illegally crossed the border earlier to stake prime land were called “sooners,” which eventually became the state’s nickname. Wagons and the Santa Fe railroad carried cartloads of men and women to blank town sites and building plots, creating ten thousand-people communities in a matter of days. The following year, the region was further divided into Indian Territory and Oklahoma Territory...
Category
1910s American Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Silk
Large 19th C. Hand Crafted Birdcage on Stand Antique Decorative Interior Design
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Large 19th C. Hand Crafted Birdcage on Stand Antique Decorative Interior Design. Rare and imposing Chateau large 19th century walnut hand carved and hand forged crafted Birdcage from...
Category
19th Century French Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal, Iron
Issey Miyake: Making Things
Located in Richmond, VA
Vintage hardback coffee table book featuring the work of designer, Issey Miyake. By the Fondation Cartier pour l'art contemporain in Paris, published in 1999. First edition, 174 page...
Category
1990s Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Edwardian Marquetry Marimba / Xylophone
Located in Denton, TX
Antique Edwardian Marimba Xylophone with a combination of hardwoods and iron.
There are two separate tables that bolt together. Each marimba breaks down for transport into three pi...
Category
Late 19th Century English Edwardian Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Iron
Poul Hennigsen Grand Piano
Located in Studio City, CA
Original Poul Hennigsen piano, circa 1930. Has been fully remastered and in beautiful condition. In 1930, the Danish creative genius, Poul Henningsen, reimagined what a piano could be when he created the PH Grand Piano...
Category
1930s Danish Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Leather
Cartier France 1960s Yellow Gold Diamond And Red Cabochon Stone Lion Brooch
By Cartier
Located in Norwood, NJ
Circa 1960s Cartier France 18K yellow gold whimsical and unusual Lion Brooch. Hand chased and detailed gold work and set with round cabochon carnelian stones and further set with dia...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Gold
Midcentury Era Chesterfield Cigarette Metal Tobacciana Advertising Sign
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This midcentury period embossed and painted tin advertising sign was made for the Liggett and Myers Tobacco Company in circa 1965 to promote their Chesterfield cigarette...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal
19th Century Miniature Wardrobe
Located in Stockbridge, GA
19th century miniature wardrobe.
Category
Mid-19th Century European Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Kupjack Studios Miniature Sterling Silver Collectibles - For the Coffee Drinker
Located in Chicago, IL
For the Coffe Drinker
Sterling Silver Coffee Service on Fancy Tray
set includes: tray, coffee pot, creamer, sugar bowl, spoon, plexi-display case with display block
For the first time in over 30 years, we are thrilled to present three curated sets of sterling silver, rhodium-plated miniatures. Within the three sets, you will find something for the writer, the coffee drinker, and any special celebration. Using Eugene Kupjack’s original patterns from the Miniature Reproductions of Antique Silver set...
Category
2010s American Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Sterling Silver
Cotton Nautical Signal Flag for Letter W
Located in Norwell, MA
Framed cotton signal flag for letter W. Nicely framed. Cotton flag with canvas hoist, wood toggle and Manila rope. Nicely framed.
Category
1980s North American Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Cotton
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
19th century Victorian buckle bracelet yellow gold floral blue enamel bracelet
Located in Wommelgem, VAN
Unique antique Victorian bangle bracelet with buckle and enamel.
Hand crafted in solid 14k gold and absolute fabulous blue enamel.
A wide design covered with incredible textured work...
Category
19th Century European Victorian Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Gold
Edgar Allan Poe, 'Edmund Dulac', The Bells & Other Poems. 1ST TRADE EDITION 1912
Located in Hillsborough, NJ
Author: POE, Edgar Allan ( Edmund Dulac ).
Title: The Bells and Other Poems.
Publisher: London: Hodder and Stoughton, n.d., (1912).
FIRST TRADE ...
Category
1910s British Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Leather
1902 The Natural History of Plants
By Anton Kerner von Marilaun
Located in Bath, GB
An excellent set containing this profusely illustrated natural history of plants, translated from the German of Austrian botanist, Anton Kerner von Marilaun.
A new edition of this w...
Category
Early 1900s European Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Brazilian Furniture Design editor Otavio Nazareth (Book)
Located in North Yorkshire, GB
The First in a series of Brazilian furniture design, this book abstains from discourse. The pieces have been chosen for the consistency of the work done by their creators and because...
Category
20th Century Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Odysśee de la Mer Coral Quartz Sea Fan Bronze Sculpture
Located in Houston, TX
Odyssee de la Mer. A large 19th century French cast bronze fragment with a mounding growth of over 5000-carat natural citrine and black tourmaline that surround a giant black sea fan...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Baroque Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Coral, Quartz, Tourmaline, Bronze
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.