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Collectibles and Curiosities For Sale
GERMANY 1915 Art Nouveau Antique Duck Head Cigar Cutter In Plated Silver
Located in Miami, FL
An art-nouveau cigar cutter made in Germany. This is a beautiful cigar cutter created in Germany during the late art-nouveau period, back in the 1910-1920, The cigar cutter has been...
Category

1910s German Art Nouveau Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Silver

1930s Art Deco Zenith Radio Floor Model Console
Located in Chula Vista, CA
AMBIANIC presents Art Deco Vintage Decorative Zenith Floor Model Radio Console 43 h x 24 W x 16.75 Preowned vintage condition Tested not working. Missing...
Category

Mid-20th Century Art Deco Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Wood

Fine Antique Large Russian Icon of the Pokrov, Moscow School, 19th Century
Located in New York, NY
A fine antique Russian icon of The Protection of the Mother of God, Pokrov Moscow School 19th century The Protection Icon depicts the Mother of God appearing above congregants a...
Category

19th Century Russian Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Wood

Jaguar XK 120 Roadster 1950, Rare Collection Car, A+ Condition incl. Expert Op.
By Jaguar Cars Ltd.
Located in Lichtenberg, AT
We offer you the chance of buying this breathtaking, rare Jaguar XK 120 which had its first road legal in february 1950. There has been built only a very little number of these cars,...
Category

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

Materials

Metal

Antique Hand Carved Gothic Church Panel of Feeding Pelican as Symbol of Christ
Located in Lisse, NL
Stunning religious wall panel in thick relief with strong hook for easy mounting. For the collectors of stunning antique church relics we are also offering this marvelously hand carved pelican sculpture for wall mounting. The character ascribed to the pelican in this context is nearly as fabulous as that of the phœnix. From a clumsy, gluttonous, piscivorous water-bird, it was by the growth of legends transformed into a mystic emblem of Christ, whom Dante terms "Nostro Pelicano". St. Hieronymus gives the story of the pelican restoring its young ones destroyed by serpents as an illustration of the destruction of man by the old Serpent, and his salvation by the blood of Christ. The pelican in Christian art is an emblem of Jesus Christ, by "whose blood we are healed" and it is also a symbol of charity. Many early painters and carvers mistakenly represented it more similar to an eagle (much like in this antique church relic), and not as a natural pelican which is why most people today still are a bit confused at first when this stunning hand carved, symbolic bird is called a pelican. This striking and all hand carved, symbolic panel was originally part of a church or monastery communion rail...
Category

Early 20th Century European Gothic Revival Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Gold Leaf

Jean-Michel Basquiat Crossroads
Located in New York, NY
Author Lee Jaffe, Foreword by Franklin Sirmans, Contributions by J. Faith Almiron A rare and poignant compilation of photography and written anecdotes by American photographer and...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Triumph Typewriter, Germany, 1930
Located in Palermo, IT
Triumph typewriter, Germany, 1930 Found in a notary's office, signs of aging.
Category

1930s German Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal

Antique English Brass Cased Folding Magnifying Glass c.1920
Located in Bath, GB
A lovely shaped little folding / pocket magnifying glass which folds into a shaped brass case, marked "Made In England". Dating to c.1920, remaining in excellent condition measuring...
Category

1920s British Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Brass

Mid-Century Giordani Pedal Car, 1960s
Located in Palermo, IT
Mid-Century Giordani pedal car, 1960s It has always belonged to my family and was given to my father by his grandfather. Good condition, small signs of aging.
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal

“Poppies” by Hasharat – 19th Century Glass Cloche with Butterflies
Located in New York, NY
In Poppies, artist Hasharat presents a dramatic vertical composition of real butterflies, meticulously arranged within an antique 19th-century glass cloche measuring 11" x 7" x 23". ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Glass

Mid-Century Aries Green & Gold Leather and Velvet Traveling Backgammon Set
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a mid-century traveling professional backgammon set by the renowned manufacturer, Aries. Aries was highly regarded for its leather quality. Even companies like Hermes used Ar...
Category

Mid-20th Century Mexican American Classical Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Brass

Large-Scale Brass Biplane World War I Airplane Aviation Model
Located in Atlanta, GA
Take flight into history with this breathtaking WWI-era biplane model, expertly hand-crafted in France circa 1950. A true masterpiece of craftsmanship, this large-scale brass airplan...
Category

1950s French Art Nouveau Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Brass

George III Rare Bronze Cased Chronology of the Sovereigns of England
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A rare and very interesting antique Georgian bronze medallion cased set of printed discs titled CHRONOLOGY OF THE SOVEREIGNS OF ENGLAND and believed to have been produced around 1815...
Category

1810s English George III Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Bronze

Wind in the Willows, by Kenneth Grahame, First Edition with Dust Jacket
Located in Middletown, NY
A rare first edition, with near-fine dust jacket of the children's classic. Grahame, Kenneth. The Wind in the Willows; with a frontispiece by Graham Robertson. London: Methuen and Co., 1908. First Edition. 8vo. 7 1/2 x 4 3/4 in. (190 x 120 mm). pp. [1] + viii + 302 + i. Laid paper, deckle edges, t.e.g. With a captioned frontispieces, "And a River went out of Eden", on coated paper after a pen-and-ink drawing by Walford Graham Robertson (1866 – 1948); tissue guard. Original blue-green cloth with gilt illustration on the spine (Toad dressed in a driving outfit and goggles) and upper cover ( Pan playing flute to Rat and Mole by the river) and a single gilt rule on the upper cover. In the second issue publisher's pictorial peach-color dust jacket printed in black with price of 7/6 instead of 6/-.The spine of the dust jacket slightly darkened but in excellent condition with a couple small tears at head expertly repaired on verso; scattered foxing and discoloration to dust jacket and pages, wear to spine edges consistent with age. [Grolier: One Hundred Books Famous in Children's Literature, no.61; Osborne I, p. 349; Hunt p. 45 & 66; Hahn, D. Oxford Companion to Children's Literature, p. 241-242] Condition: Near fine in Near fine dust-jacket. This is the FIRST EDITION with a SCARCE DUST JACKET of one of the essential classics of children's literature. The book is based on bedtime stories that the Scottish-born banker and author Kenneth Grahame...
Category

Early 20th Century English Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

S.T. Dupont X Tournaire Limited Edition Snake Lighter (72/88), France, 2013
Located in Miami, FL
Rare Limited Edition Ligne 2 Snake Lighter. Designed by Philippe Tournaire master jeweler for Simon Tissot Dupont commemorating the Chinese zodiac year ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Gothic Revival Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Silver, Brass, Bronze

Cartier Textured Plorgalva Gold Plated Lighter in Original Box
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A nice Cartier Gold plated lighter in a textured pattern. It comes with its original box. There are no papers with it. The lighter functions as it should as you can see in the photos...
Category

20th Century French Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Gold Plate

Rare Arts & Crafts Standing Floor Crucifix w Stylized Bronze Sculpture of Christ
Located in Lisse, NL
Rare Gothic revival church crucifix and a wonderful hand crafted work of religious art. Made and marked by Brom, Utrecht (see image 17). Brom of Utrecht was a family (or dynasty) of...
Category

Early 20th Century Dutch Gothic Revival Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Brass, Bronze

Eiffel Tower, Sacré-Coeur, Arc de Triomphe Souvenir Building Architectural Model
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A decorative Eiffel Tower, Sacré-Coeur and Arc de Triomphe souvenir building sculpture. Some wear with a nice patina, but this is old-age. Made of metal and a marble base. This item ...
Category

1930s French Art Deco Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Marble, Metal

Leather and Ceramic Ashtray, 1960s France
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful vintage emerald green ceramic ashtray set atop a brown leather-wrapped base. Great sculptural and functional piece. Located at our Los Angeles showroom.
Category

1960s French Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Ceramic, Leather

Stunning Decorative Antique Map of Venice in Italy, ca.1787
Located in Langweer, NL
Title: Piano elevato dell'inclita città di Venezia Bird's-eye view (etching) of Venice. Print made by: Marco Sebastiano Giampiccoli After: Matthäus Merian I Two copper engraved sh...
Category

Late 18th Century Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

David Kleinberg: Interiors
Located in New York, NY
Revered interior designer David Kleinberg invites readers inside a selection of projects representing the height of sophistication, luxury, and refinement For over 35 years, David K...
Category

2010s American Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Queen Conch Shell Aliger Gigas Rare Souvenir Marine Arena Johns Pass Florida 8"
Located in Dayton, OH
Rare marked mid century natural Queen Conch sea shell (Aliger gigas) souvenir from Marine Arena Johns Pass Florida. Off white with a slight flush of coral-pink. Nautical, Maritime, ...
Category

Late 20th Century Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Shell

Antique Edison Model A Cylinder Phonograph & Cabinet W/ 93 Record Music Tubes
Located in Dayton, OH
An exception Early Thomas Edison Model A Cylinder Phonograph with original horn, tube cabinet & 93 records. Phonograph box and cabinet are made from oak in Late Victorian manner wit...
Category

Late 19th Century Late Victorian Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal

1846 "North America" Map, Engraved by I. Dower
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
Presented is an original 1846 map of “North America.” The map was drawn and engraved by I. Dower and published in London by Orr & Company. The map depicts North America, to include G...
Category

1840s English Victorian Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Copernican Delamarche Planetary With Hand Mechanism
Located in Firenze, IT
SHIPPING POLICY: No additional costs will be added to this order. Shipping costs will be totally covered by the seller (customs duties included). Copernican-type planetary globe in cardboard and engraved paper mounted on a blackened wooden stand. France, circa 1810. H. 54 cm Diam. 36 cm Antique armillary spheres...
Category

1810s French Louis XVI Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Wood

French 19th Century Glass Dome on Pedestal
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
Showcase and protect your treasured objects with this unique glass dome from France. Dating to the late 19th century, dome displays like this shielded portico clocks or flora & fauna...
Category

19th Century French Other Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Glass, Wood

Antique 2ft French Box Wood Corpus Christi Olive Wood Cross & Base 17th Century
Located in London, GB
This is a distinctive antique French patinated boxwood altar Corpus Christi of Christ crucified on an olive wood cross, dating from the late 17th Century.   The details  are very impressive, the Corpus Christi is very life-like, wearing a flowing linen cloth, his eyes closed and head upper-turned and raised on a stepped base.   The craftsmanship is second to none throughout all aspects of this magnificent altar Corpus Christi which is sure to add an unparalleled touch of sacred art to your home. Condition: In good condition. As an antique item, the piece shows signs of use commensurate with age, these minor condition issues are mentioned for accuracy and, as seen in the accompanying photographs, it displays beautifully. Dimensions in cm: Height 64 cm x Width 26 cm x Depth 13 cm Dimensions in inches: Height 2 feet, 1 inch x Width 10 inches x Depth 5 inches The Christian cross, seen as a representation of the instrument of the crucifixion of Jesus, is the best-known symbol of Christianity. It is related to the crucifix (a cross that includes a corpus, usually a three-dimensional representation of Jesus' body) and to the more general family of cross symbols, the term cross itself being detached from the original specifically Christian meaning in modern English (as in many other western languages). The basic forms of the cross are the Latin cross with unequal arms (✝) and the Greek cross (✚) with equal arms, besides numerous variants, partly with confessional significance, such as the tau cross...
Category

Late 17th Century French Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Olive

Collected Interiors, Rooms That Tell a Story
Located in New York, NY
Author Philip Mitchell and Judith Nasatir, Foreword by Bunny Williams Modern maximalist designer Philip Mitchell reveals his talent for blending collections, family heirlooms, con...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Fine Museum Quality Large Antique 18th Century Greek Orthodox Icon, Pentecost
Located in New York, NY
An exceptional, museum quality very large 18th century Greek icon of the Pentecost. Egg tempera and gold leaf on wood, primed with gesso. Attributed to Mount Athos...
Category

18th Century Greek Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Wood

Jacques Adnet Chess Set
Located in Atlanta, GA
This stunning and rare original chess board and set of thirty-two game pieces were designed by French designer Jacques Adnet (1901-1984) in the 1950s. The bi-color leather board disp...
Category

1950s French Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Leather

A House in Maine
Located in New York, NY
Author Nina Campbell, with Giles Kime, Photographs by Paul Raeside The interior design of this New England seaside escape—by decorating legend Nina Campbell—explores a myriad of the...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Artist Edition Limited Edition Surf Board by Graham Gillmore for Beau Lake
By BeauLake
Located in Rhinebeck, NY
Limited Edition Surf Board designed by renowned artist Graham Gillmore. In 2023 Beau Lake, the creator of the world's most beautiful paddle boards, collabo...
Category

2010s Canadian Modern Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Foam, Paint, Acrylic

Smith London Nautical Maritime Ships Wheel Brass Porthole Wall Clock 25"
Located in Dayton, OH
Late 20th century nautical wall clock in the shape of a wooden ship's wheel / helm, with the face framed in a brass porthole. White face with Roman numerals. Made in India. Prestige ...
Category

Late 20th Century Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Brass

Antique Vintage Lady's Gentleman's Snakewood Wooden Walking Stick Dress Cane
Located in Dublin, Ireland
Very Stylish Fine Quality Polished Grained Rare Snake Wood Lady’s or Gentleman’s Walking Cane of substantial quality and good weight very suitable to use as an everyday stick, with a...
Category

Late 19th Century British Victorian Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Hardwood

Van Gogh in Arles by Ronald Pickvance
Located in Bradenton, FL
Van Gogh in Arles by Ronald Pickvance. Hardcover book with dustjacket, published in conjunction with the exhibition held at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, between October ...
Category

1980s Swiss Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Chess Set
Located in grand Lancy, CH
Chess set
Category

1970s European Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal

'Taxi Driver' Original Vintage Movie Poster, Japanese, 1976
Located in Devon, GB
Set amidst the moral decay of New York City following the Vietnam War and Watergate scandal, Martin Scorsese's 1976 psychological thriller "Taxi Driver" starred Robert De Niro as a l...
Category

1970s Japanese Post-Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

18th Century Italian Gilded Tabernacle with a Hand-Carved Chalice Fragment
Located in Dublin, Dalkey
18th century Italian gilded and hand-carved tabernacle adorned with an 18th century Italian gilt chalice and Sabina Faye Braxton gaufrage fabric. This tabernacle once belonged in a h...
Category

18th Century Italian Rococo Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Gold Leaf

Treetop Hideaways Treehouses for Adults
Located in New York, NY
A stunning array of rustic and charming treehouses from around the world for inspiration and for those who fantasize about getting away from it all. Whether it’s a yearning to escape the stress of day-to-day existence, or a desire to live more sustainably and to get closer to nature, more and more people are finding reasons to go off-grid, high above the ground. Today’s treehouses have evolved into shapes and sizes that nobody could ever have dreamed of. Philip Jodidio takes us on an exciting international tour of more than 36 structures, revealing how they are designed, built, and appreciated in a wide array of cultures and settings. Each treehouse is presented with breathtaking exterior and interior photography, giving readers an in-depth glimpse of this rapidly evolving symbiosis between nature and shelter, indoor and outdoor, and rustic and polished, in a definitive examination of tree-house living. For people interested in eco-friendly living, this book presents the most innovative inter-pretations of the genre, from a house nestled in the tree trunks of Norway to a hexagon-shaped shelter in Mystic, Connecticut. About The Author Philip Jodidio studied art history and economics at Harvard before moving to Paris, where he was editor in chief of the leading French art monthly Connaissance des Arts from 1980 to 2002. He has written more than 100 books...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Rolling Stones Signed Limited Edition Sumo by TASCHEN
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This book is a sealed copy of the SOLD OUT Limited Edition by TASCHEN. This edition is number 1518 of 1600 Each copy is numbered and signed by all 4 members of the Rolling Stones (Mi...
Category

2010s German Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Italian 18th Century Neoclassical Silvered And Painted Wooden Tabernacle
Located in Buisson, FR
Wonderful small tabernacle that once graced a church altar. Beautiful original silverleaf and faux marble paint. weathered, small losses. Italy circa 1780  
Category

18th Century Italian Neoclassical Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Wood

Henry Troemner Apothecary Cast Iron & Metal Balance Scale #1, Circa 1890s
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Henry Troemner Apothecary Cast Iron & Metal Balance Scale #1—Circa 1890s This Henry Troemner balance scale #1 is a remarkable antique cast iron scale, likely manufactured between th...
Category

Late 19th Century American High Victorian Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal, Iron

18th Century Italian Antique Oil Painting on Canvas, Madonna in prayer
Located in Casale Monferrato, IT
We are pleased to present this captivating religious painting of the Italian school, painted in oil on canvas in the 18th century. This wonderful painting depicting the Madonna in pr...
Category

18th Century Italian Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Canvas

Vintage Stereo Phonograph/AM FM Tuner Console, Model: Brionvega rr126 Radiogram
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Iconic design by the Castiglioni Studio for Brionvega first introduced in 1966. This later example produced circa 1970. This stereo phonograph/AM FM receiver console is fully functio...
Category

20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal

DogDogs
Located in New York, NY
A reissue of the classic and much-loved collection of 500 witty images of dogs by legendary Magnum photographer Elliott Erwitt A dog-lover’s dream, DogDogs presents the largest sele...
Category

2010s Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Antique 3 Draw Telescope, English Brass, Leather, Newton & Co, Victorian, C.1870
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique 3 draw telescope. An English, brass and leather dressed refractor by Newton & Co, dating to the Victorian period, circa 1870. Perfect for bird watching, landscape...
Category

1870s British Victorian Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Brass

1675 Map of the Kingdom of the Black People (Nigritarum Regnum) by Janssonius
Located in Langweer, NL
This original antique map, titled 'Nigritarum Regnum' (The Kingdom of the Black People), was produced by the renowned Dutch cartographer Johannes Janssonius and published in 'Joannis...
Category

1670s Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

19th Century French Gothic Revival Prie-Dieu with Carved Angels and Velvet Seat
Located in Dallas, TX
Add spiritual charm and ecclesiastical elegance to your interior with this antique prayer kneeler, or "Prie-Dieu". Crafted in France circa 1880, the piece is built from richly graine...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Gothic Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Velvet, Walnut

Pocket Telescope for Ship Captains 20th Century Brass Vintage 1900's
Located in Taranto, IT
Very rare and wonderful all-brass pocket telescope, early 1900s. Functioning item, very small internal chips on the lens but not affecting its view. Item in very good conservative ...
Category

1930s Italian Art Deco Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Brass

Art Nouveau French His Master, s Voice Gramophone
Located in Valladolid, ES
Amazing his Master,s Voice Gramophone Features of the Retro His Master's Voice Gramophone Technical Data: Lobed sheet metal trumpet Measurements: 75 cm x 44 cm x 42 cm Original wi...
Category

1910s French Art Nouveau Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Brass

Original Antique Map of Ancient Greece, Achaia, Corinth, 1786
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Great map of Ancient Greece. Showing the region of Thessaly, including Mount Olympus Drawn by J.D. Barbie Du Bocage Copper plate engraving by P.F Tardieu Original hand color...
Category

1780s French Other Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Southern Beasts Ostrich Taxidermy
By Southern Beasts
Located in Houston, TX
21st Century Southern Beasts young ostrich taxidermy newly adorned with antique and vintage texttiles.
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Textile, Feathers

1960's 70's modernist silverplated cigarette box by Gabriella Crespi, signed
Located in London, Fitzrovia
A rare modernist silver plated cigarette box by Gabriella Crespi, Engraved Signature, circa 1960's to 1970's. Streamlined, looks very chic! Please note that our handling time is of...
Category

20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal

Vintage French Mother-of-Pearl and Brass Opera Glasses by Chevalier of Paris
Located in San Diego, CA
Fabulous vintage mother-of-pearl and brass opera glasses made by Chevalier in Paris, circa 1960s. Complete functional glasses that are in good condition and measure 4" x 2.5". Si...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Brass

Early Antique Engraved Silver Crucifix, Reliquary Cross Box Pendant 17th Century
Located in Bristol, GB
ANTIQUE SILVER CRUCIFIX/LATIN CROSS A striking and decorative piece made from continental silver with a central crucifix engraved with a fairly naive depiction of Christ. The centr...
Category

17th Century Spanish Renaissance Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Silver

Large and Striking Antique Bronze & Brass Gothic Revival Torches Chandelier
Located in Lisse, NL
Beautiful and meaningful, Gothic church relic from the late 1800s. This stunning and all handcrafted five-light chandelier from the 1870s is designed in the shape of an advent wreat...
Category

19th Century French Gothic Revival Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Iron, Brass, Bronze

Legendary cube radio by Dario & Mario Bellini for Siemens 1968 RK 501 Alpha 2
Located in München, DE
Iconic orange cube radio by Dario & Mario Bellini for Siemens 1968. Model RK 501 ALPHA 2. Design classic made in Germany. Fully functional with electricity or with battery. Very good...
Category

1960s German Space Age Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal, Chrome

Fine Pair Antique Mother of Pearl Opera Glasses by LeMaire, Paris c.1910
Located in Bath, GB
A very fine pair of Edwardian opera glasses made from Mother of Pearl and the polished brass; made by the creme de la creme of makers, LeMaire of Paris. Both Mother of Pearl eye pie...
Category

Early 20th Century French Edwardian Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Brass

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.

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