Collectibles and Curiosities
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Collectibles and Curiosities For Sale
Early 19th Century French Barometer
Located in Charlottesville, VA
This elegant 19th-century French barometer is a beautifully crafted antique weather instrument housed in an octagonal giltwood frame. The a...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Giltwood, Paint
'The Jungle Book' Original Vintage British Double Crown Movie Poster, 1967
Located in Devon, GB
An incredibly rare and charming British Double Crown poster for the 1967 Walt Disney animated classic 'The Jungle Book,' based on Rudyard Kipling's 1894 book of the same name, and th...
Category
1960s British Mid-Century Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper, Linen
Antique American "Bausch & Lomb" Compound Monocular Microscope, Circa 1890-1910.
Located in New Orleans, LA
Antique American "Bausch & Lomb" Microscope in Compound Monocular Design, Circa 1890-1910.
Rochester, NY
Category
Late 19th Century American Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Brass
19th Century French Carved Painted "Stations of the Cross", Complete Set of 14
Located in Dallas, TX
Decorate a private chapel, a staircase or hallway with this important and complete antique set of "The stations of the cross", or "Chemin de Croix" in French. Hand crafted in France...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Gothic Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Plaster, Stucco
Nana & Jorgen Ditzel for Georg Jensen Vintage Clementine Bangle
By Georg Jensen
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A stunning and highly collectable mid-century Danish Georg Jensen silver Clementine bangle in an original box designed by Nana & Jorgen Ditzel in the 1960’s. The heavily made hollow ...
Category
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Silver
Vintage Mexican Charro Hat Decorative Mariachi Sombrero
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Viva Mexico! Decorative Mexican Charro Mariachi Sombrero Hat
21 d x 24 w x 7 h About 7 3/4
Preowned vintage condition top quality.
Some strings are loose.
Refer to all images
Category
Mid-20th Century Mexican Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Fabric
Robert Motherwell
Located in Richmond, VA
Vintage hardback monograph on the work of American abstract expressionist Robert Motherwell. Second edition, new and revised, published by Harry N. Abrams, Inc. in 1983. 250 pages.
...
Category
1980s Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
English Mahogany Steel Engraved Stick Barometer Signed F. Tarone, Circa 1780
Located in Charleston, SC
English mahogany stick Barometer with a broken arch pediment, brass urn finial, Satin wood string inlay, hinged glass door revealing a numeral steel engraved dial with original mounted thermometer and barometric pressure gauge. Signed F. Tarone. Late 18th Century Barometer...
Category
1780s English Sheraton Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Steel
Premier Quality Zebra Taxidermy Shoulder Mount on a Painted Antique Wood Column
Located in New York, NY
This taxidermy African Zebra Head is a truly impressive piece that captures the beauty and majesty of this iconic animal. Mounted on a white washed wooden rustic column pedestal, thi...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary South African Other Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Fur, Wood
Jean Brusselmans Catalogue Raisonné Book Coffee Table Artwork Midcentury 1970s
By Jean Brusselmans
Located in London, GB
Rare Jean Brusselmans Catalogue Raisone by Robert-L. Delevoy on its original bookcase.
This large book would be perfect addition to your library or as a coffee table book or even if...
Category
1970s Belgian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Poul Petersen Solid Gold Jensen Styled Queen's Plate Stakes Horse Racing Trophy
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This solid 14-karat yellow gold Queen's Plate Stakes horse racing trophy was made by renowned Danish Canadian silversmith, Carl Poul Petersen for...
Category
Mid-20th Century Canadian Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Gold
Palermo – 1620 Braun & Hogenberg Bird’s-Eye Map of Palermo, Sicily
Located in Langweer, NL
Palermo – 1620 Braun & Hogenberg Bird’s-Eye Map of Palermo, Sicily
This beautifully detailed bird’s-eye view of Palermo, Sicily, was created by Georg Braun and Frans Hogenberg aro...
Category
1620s Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Antique Golf Club, By Jas. Sherlock
Located in Oxfordshire, GB
Antique Hickory Golf Club, James Sherlock.
A good quality socket head, persimmon and hickory Driver by local golfer James George Sherlock, Hunstanton, Oxford. The original hickory sh...
Category
Early 20th Century English Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Wood, Hickory
A Rare Folio of Swiss Civil & Military Costumes after Hans Holbein the Younger
Located in Middletown, NY
Holbein, Hans the Younger (after) Chrétien de Méchel
Recueil de XII costumes suisses civils et militaires, hommes et femmes, du seizième siècle. Gravés d'après les dessins originaux ...
Category
Late 18th Century Swiss Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Gold Leaf
A rare 18th century VOC notebook with silver fittings VOC Chamber Rotterdam
Located in UTRECHT, UT
The black leather binding in faux shark skin, with silver fittings, unmarked, front and back centrally with a VOC ship within a symmetrical rococo cartouche, the two clasps with VOC ...
Category
18th Century Dutch Dutch Colonial Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Silver
Casa Santa Fe: Design, Style, Arts, and Tradition
Located in New York, NY
Casa Santa Fe: Design, Style, Arts, and Tradition
Photographs by Melba Levick, Text by Rubén G. Mendoza
Presented here are houses to dream of and dream in—a luminous celebration of the finest examples of the Santa Fe Style from the eighteenth century to today, in this high-desert mecca of artists, craftspeople, artisans, and designers.
Desert hues, natural materials, thick hand-plastered walls, and adobe brick construction are hallmarks of the Santa Fe Style, which is as much an expression in architecture, interior design, art, and crafts as it is a way of life. Rooted in a sense of earthy comfort inspired by its history, the surrounding desert, and Native American and Hispanic design influences, the style has a timeless appeal and vibrant ongoing life that has resulted in these extraordinary homes.
With features such as eighteenth-century peeled vigas, tin chandeliers, romantic iron sconces, and hand-hewn wood-beamed ceilings, each house is a rich yet harmonious invitation that will engage the senses and speak to the soul. Beyond the houses, the writer and photographer spotlight those details and spaces that together convey the magic of this very special place, including patios and gardens; fireplaces, kivas, and hornos; ceramics; Native American arts; cabinets and trasteros; folk art; and weaving.
Casa Santa Fe is the definitive sourcebook for architects, designers, builders, homeowners, and interior decorators seeking to expand their visual repertoire of historically defined and classically inspired architectural details and interior appointments.
About The Author
Melba Levick is a Los Angeles–based photographer with more than sixty books to her name, including The Spanish Style House...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Room for Dessert
Located in New York, NY
The definitive guide to perfect pastry from the acclaimed former elBulli pastry chef and his destination restaurant in Bali
As seen on Netflix series Chef's Table: Pastry.
Will...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
$60 / item
1960s Gorgeous Smoking Set in Onyx. Made in Italy
Located in Milano, IT
1960s Gorgeous smoking set in onyx. The table lighter works perfectly. Made in Italy. The items are in excellent condition.
Dimension:
Table Lighter
diameter 2,36" x 4,72" H inches
d...
Category
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Onyx
France Map 1757 – Southern Provinces by Isaak Tirion in Dutch Engraving
Located in Langweer, NL
France Map 1757 – Southern Provinces by Isaak Tirion in Dutch Engraving
This original copperplate engraving published in 1757 by Isaak Tirion in Amsterdam presents a highly detailed...
Category
Mid-18th Century Dutch Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Stunning Vintage Asian Designer silver bead flower petal necklace
Located in London, GB
Stunning Vintage Asian Designer silver bead flower necklace
A faceted and cut silver bead necklace with floral and leaf detailed central section with central pumpkin shaped bead an...
Category
20th Century Chinese Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Silver
Louis XV Kingwood Grand Piano
By Carl Bechstein
Located in Queens, NY
French Louis XV-style ormolu mounted kingwood, tulipwood & parquetry grand piano (sgnd C.BECHSTEIN, numbered 20475 for the date 1888)
Category
19th Century French Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Ormolu, Brass
Cyprien Berard - Lord Ruthwen, ou Les Vampires - 1820 - FIRST FRENCH EDITION
Located in Hillsborough, NJ
AUTHOR: Cyprien Berard and Charles Nodier.
TITLE: Lord Ruthwen, ou Les Vampires.
PUBLISHER: Paris: Chez Ladvocat, Libraire, 1820.
DESCRIPTION: FIRST FRENCH EDITION. 2 vols., 6-3/...
Category
1820s French Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Leather
In Stock in Los Angeles, Pink Kong Mini Portable Charger
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Kong mini power bank battery charger
In stock in Los Angeles
Easily transportable, Kong MINI becomes a stand hugging the mobile phone and an external battery for fast charging mo...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Plastic
$23 Sale Price / item
64% Off
Black Forest Carved Wood Figural Humidor Bear Head with Glass Eyes
Located in Barntrup, DE
The Black Forest carved wood figural humidor in the shape of a bear head with glass eyes, circa 1920.
This antique, dark brown, linden wood humidor is masterfully carved and features...
Category
1920s Swiss Black Forest Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal
Chateau De Groussay, Sotheby's Sale Catalogues (Book)
Located in North Yorkshire, GB
This is a four volume boxed set of the sales catalogues produced by Sotheby's for the contents of this famed collection. The sale took place over 4 days in June 1999 and realized a total of $26.5 million. Many of the contents on the day of the sale had come from another famous home of this renowned collector Carlos de Beistegui...
Category
20th Century Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Fireman's Life Saving Machine, 1907 USA
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Although it may resemble a trampoline, this is an extremely rare fire safety net designed to catch those leaping from burning buildings. The net was patented in 1887 by Thomas F. Bro...
Category
Early 1900s American Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal
Antique Map of Tartary, Also Showing the Great Wall of China
Located in Langweer, NL
Antique map titled 'Carte de Tartarie'. Detailed map of Tartary, consisting of the Eastern part of Russia, Central Asia, China and Korea, first published by Guillaume De L'Isle in 1706. The map extends from the Peninsula of Korea in the east to the Caspian and Black Seas. The Great Wall of China...
Category
Early 18th Century Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
$1,054 Sale Price
20% Off
An art glass table lighter by Murano, mid 20th century
Located in View Park, CA
A vintage Italian art glass lighter by Murano, design attributed to Flavio Poli, circa 1950 - 1960. In tones of violet, azure, and hibiscus pink.
I had this piece appraised and authe...
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal
Käthe Kruse Small Doll, 1970-1980s
Located in Delft, NL
Käthe Kruse small doll, 1970-1980s
A Käthe Kruse, Modell Hanne, made in Germany girl with braids in her hair, wears the original blue dress with an apro...
Category
20th Century German Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Fabric, Plastic
Gym Wall Bars Restored, 1930s
Located in Wien, AT
This wall bar from an old gym was completely restored, the wood shows a beautiful patina. Whether for a daily workout or as an object that also serves as a cl...
Category
Mid-20th Century Czech Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Wood
1982 Basquiat Gallery Advertisements (Basquiat 1982)
Located in Brooklyn, NY
1980's Jean-Michel Basquiat gallery advertisements (set of 2):
A set of two historic, 1982 Basquiat gallery advertisements published on the occasion(s) of:
Jean-Michel Basquiat Fun...
Category
1980s Art Nouveau Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
$460 Sale Price
20% Off
Two Extra Small Dutch Delft Tobacco Jars: no 5 & 6, 18th Century
By De Klaauw
Located in AMSTERDAM, NH
Origin: Delft
Date: Second half of the 18th century
Workshop: De Porceleyne Claauw
A genuine set of two blue and white tobacco jars for the storage of snuff tobacco.
The jars are ...
Category
1760s Dutch Rococo Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Ceramic, Delft, Faience
Antique Religious Print 'No. 39' the Appearance to Mary Magdalene, circa 1840
Located in Langweer, NL
Antique print titled ‘Histoire Sainte, Nouveau Testament, Apparition à la Madeleine.’ This plate shows a scene from the New Testament; The Appearance to Mary Magdelene...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
F. Goldscheider - large woman bust Polychrome Terracotta - Art Nouveau signed
Located in Beuzevillette, FR
Beautiful terracotta bust from the factory of Friedrich Goldscheider from the art nouveau period. Girl with flowers.
Polychrome terracotta
It represents a female bust with her head t...
Category
Early 20th Century European Art Nouveau Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Terracotta
Carroll, Rackham, Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, Limited Edition, 1907
Located in Hillsborough, NJ
AUTHOR: DODGSON, Charles L. (Lewis Carroll) (Arthur Rackham).
TITLE: Alice's Adventures In Wonderland.
PUBLISHER: London: William Heinemann, 1907.
DESCRIPTION: LIMITED EDIT...
Category
Early 1900s Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Leather
Antique Japanese Kusazoshi Book Edo Period, circa 1860
Located in Barcelona, ES
Antique Japanese Kusazoshibook Edo period, circa 1840 Woodblack print book Book dimensions 176mm x 117mm There are damages because it is antique item as we show on the photos....
Category
1860s Japanese Edo Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Anatomical model: a human skull model life size, Stuttgard, Germany 1930.
Located in Milan, IT
Human skull anatomical model life size 1:1 Model with cranial sutures detachable 2 parts plus three cervical vertebrae for medical educational aid. The skull and vertebrae are made o...
Category
Mid-20th Century German Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Iron
'Attack of the 50ft. Woman' Original Vintage US One Sheet Movie Poster, 1958
Located in Devon, GB
Starring Allison Hayes, William Hudson, and Yvette Vickers, the film tells the story of Nancy Archer, a wealthy but troubled woman who encounters an alien and subsequently grows to a...
Category
1950s American Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Linen, Paper
20th Century Chinese Zhongzheng/Chengren Commemorative Short Sword and Scabbard
Located in North Miami, FL
20th Century chinese Zhongzheng/Chengren military commemorative short sword and scabbard gifted by Chiang Kai-shek
By: unknown
Material: iron, metal, paint, bronze, copper, wood, sh...
Category
1930s Chinese Art Deco Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal, Bronze, Copper, Steel, Iron
Mid-Century Italian Carved Painted Triptych with Madonna & Child, and Angels
Located in Dallas, TX
Place this antique triptych on a table for your daily devotions! Created in Italy circa 1960, and carved of pine wood, the religious artwork features ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Renaissance Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Pine
The Material World of Eyre Hall: Four Centuries of Chesapeake History, 1st Ed
Located in valatie, NY
The Material World of Eyre Hall: Four Centuries of Chesapeake History Edited by Carl R. Lounsbury. 1st Ed hardcover with dust jacket. Published by D Giles Ltd, London, 2021. This is ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Edwardian Sterling Silver-Mounted Threaded Crystal Amber Colored Match Striker
Located in New York, NY
Rare, Edwardian Period, sterling silver-mounted, deep amber-colored threaded crystal match striker, probably England, Ca. 1915. The striker measures approximately 2 1/2 inches high...
Category
1910s English Edwardian Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Crystal, Sterling Silver
Boletus Reticulatus teaching model known as Boletus Aestivalis 1950s
Located in Milan, IT
Educational model of the summer porcine, Boletus Reticulatus, also known as Boletus Aestivalis.
It´s all about one of the most well-known and sought-after mushrooms.
Often called s...
Category
Mid-20th Century Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Other
Old Map of the Balkans Incl Greece, Turkey, Serbia, Montenegro, Bulgaria, C.1900
Located in Langweer, NL
Antique map titled 'Carte de la presqu-île du Balcan - Karte der Balkan Halbinsel'.
Original antique map of the Balkans including Greece, Turkey, Serbia, Montenegro, Bulgaria and...
Category
Early 1900s Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
$623 Sale Price
20% Off
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
Italian Wooden Gliedermann / Artist Mannequin
Located in Kastrup, DK
Large Gliedermann drawing mannequin in cherry wood. Italy c. 1950.
A Gliedermann is a wooden jointed mannequin, useful tool for learning to draw the...
Category
20th Century Italian Other Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Cherry
Original 16th Century Engraving of a Medieval Tournament, ca.1578
Located in Langweer, NL
Antique print titled 'Das rennen und stechen'.
Engraving of a Medieval tournament. This print originates from 'Thurnier Buch. Von Anfang, Ursachen, ursprung und herkommen (..)' b...
Category
16th Century Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
$341 Sale Price
25% Off
Large Arts & Crafts Era, Bronze Church Incense Burner Floor Stand w. Christogram
Located in Lisse, NL
Rare and beautifully handcrafted, finest quality and meaningful church censer.
This possibly unique church incense burner was handcrafted arou...
Category
Early 20th Century French Gothic Revival Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Brass, Bronze
Life of Napoleon Bonaparte by William Milligan Sloan, in Four Volumes, 1896
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
Sloane, William Milligan. The Life of Napoleon Bonaparte. New York: Century Co, 1896. Four volume quarto set. Handsomely bound in half red Moroccan leather and cloth boards, spines r...
Category
1890s American Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Practical Early 20th Century Gothic Revival Oak Hall Bench with Amazing Patina
Located in Lisse, NL
Rare Gothic bench with top quality carved, church letter panel and more.
This beautifully hand carved, oak church bench from the early 1900s is in ...
Category
Early 20th Century Dutch Gothic Revival Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Wood, Oak
1980s Original Gorgeous Playing Cards Box by Piero Fornasetti
Located in Milano, IT
1980s Original gorgeous playing cards box by Piero Fornasetti in walnut wood . It's in excellent condition and includes two packs of Dal Negro cards. The box is signed on the botto...
Category
1980s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Wood, Walnut
$1,040 Sale Price
38% Off
19th Century Dutch silver watch key and wax seal stamp
Located in Delft, NL
19th Century Dutch silver watch key and wax seal stamp
A Dutch wax seal stamp with initials (AH) in a trumpet shape with a watch key at the end. These wax seal stamps were worn on a...
Category
Early 19th Century Dutch Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Silver
A Tobacco Jar in Ceramic and Tan Leather - Maison Longchamp, Paris, 1950s
Located in SOTTEVILLE-LÈS-ROUEN, FR
A rare and refined tobacco jar crafted in ceramic and fully wrapped in warm tan leather, attributed to the esteemed Maison Longchamp in Paris. The matching ceramic lid, also sheathed...
Category
1950s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Ceramic, Leather
Extremely Rare Antique Solid Brass Maritime Ships Porthole Storm Cover Window
Located in Dayton, OH
Extremely unique original antique heavy solid brass maritime Ship's Porthole or Hatch. A rare find with storm door, swing plate and barking plate. Its very ...
Category
Early 20th Century Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Brass
$2,000 Sale Price
20% Off
Vintage Backgammon Dominos Briefcase with Multiple Game Set
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Vintage backgammon and dominos briefcase with multiple Game Set monogrammed SB.
Vintage 1970 backgammon, dominos game set grey and black velvet interio...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Leather, Fabric
Bjorn Weckstrom Silver & Acrylic Pendant Necklace Space Apple Lapponia Finland
Located in Troy, MI
Bjorn Weckstrom
"Avaruusomena" or "Space Apple"
Designed in 1975 produced in 1978
Sterling silver and acrylic pendant
Signed to back of pendant:
925 twice
Makers mark
Finland crown ...
Category
1970s Finnish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Sterling Silver
Genuine Ophiuroidea Brittle Star Fossil with Customized Display Stand (1.8 lbs)
Located in New York, NY
Genuine, museum-quality, Ophiuroidea Brittle Star Fossil. Ophiura ophiura or the serpent star is a species of brittle star in the order Ophiurida. This type of species is known for i...
Category
15th Century and Earlier Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Other
Bird
Located in London, GB
Original US film poster for Clint Eastwood's 1988 Biography film about the life of the Jazz musician Charlie "Bird" Parker
The film starred Forest Whitaker, Diane Venora and Michae...
Category
Late 20th Century American Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
$274
Amethyst Geode in 22-Karat Gold Leaf
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Decorative amethyst geode in 22-karat gold leaf
Shows a old internal repair not very visible to photograph.
Offered at Gallery Girasole.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Uruguayan Hollywood Regency Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Amethyst
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
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.