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Collectibles and Curiosities For Sale
Period: 20th Century
Period: 18th Century
Original Antique Map of Jerusalem Based on Josephus' Writings by Weigel, ca.1720
Located in Langweer, NL
1720 Weigel Map of Jerusalem Based on Josephus' Writings
This intricate 1720 bird's-eye view map of ancient Jerusalem by I.H. Coccejo, engraved by Christoph Weigel, offers a fasc...
Category
1720s Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Spanish Baroque Carved Mini Sized Sunburst Mirror, Gold Leaf, Giltwood
Located in Barcelona, ES
Antique Spanish Baroque carved giltwood sunburst miniature mirror with crest. Spain, 19th century- Early 20th century.
This lovely collection mirror has a carved frame covered with g...
Category
Early 20th Century Spanish Baroque Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Gold Leaf
Miniature Model of Sicilian Fishing Boat, Handmade, 1980s
Located in Palermo, IT
Miniature model of a Sicilian fishing boat, called a "lance".
Made by a craftsman who builds fishing boats and in his free time creates them in miniature, with the same technique as ...
Category
1980s Italian Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Beech
Vintage Military Terrestrial Telescope, Canadian, Officer Of The Watch, CKC, WW2
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a vintage military terrestrial telescope. A Canadian, chromed brass naval Officer of the Watch refractor by the Canadian Kodak Company, dating to the WWII period, circa 1940...
Category
Early 20th Century Canadian Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Brass
Large, Good Condition and Stylish Antique English Victorian Oak Wall Barometer
Located in Lisse, NL
Stunning design and top quality executed antique barometer.
This late 19th-early 20th century, English manufactured wall barometer has everything that makes an antique worthwhile. F...
Category
Early 20th Century English Victorian Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Brass
1950s Olympic Tape Measure Peoples Republic of China
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Vintage Tricle Bakelite Olympic Tape Measure
made Peoples Republic of China
Cover made from dappled rich dark tricle bake-lite
includes gilt brass fittings and cloth tape.
5.25 dia...
Category
1950s Chinese Mid-Century Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Brass
Vintage English Poker Game Set in a Burl Box
Located in New York, NY
Handsome vintage poker and card set .The box and container is made of burl wood . Inside features four fitted carousel boxes that come in and out and hold all the poker chips along w...
Category
Early 20th Century English Art Deco Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Plastic, Bakelite, Burl
Double Deck Boxed Set of Playing Cards by Harrods of London - New Old Stock
By Harrods
Located in San Diego, CA
A very cool double deck boxed set of playing cards by Harrod's of London, circa 1970s. . The set is in new unused condition and the box measures 5"W x 3.75"D x 1"H. Fun, high qualit...
Category
Mid-20th Century Austrian Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Plastic, Paper
TOLKIEN. The Hobbit. 1937 - 1st ED 2nd IMPRESSION - THE FIRST WITH COLOR PLATES!
Located in Hillsborough, NJ
AUTHOR: TOLKIEN, J. R. R.
TITLE: The Hobbit or There and Back Again.
PUBLISHER: London: George Allen & Unwin Ltd, 1937.
DESCRIPTION: FIRST EDITION SECOND IMPRESSION AND THE FIRST...
Category
1930s British Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Leather
Lalique "Arethuse" Masque De Femme Art Deco Black & Clear Crystal Set
By René Lalique
Located in Delft, NL
Lalique "Arethuse" Masque De Femme Art Deco Black & Clear Crystal set
A set of 2 black resin pendants and a brooch with clear crystal on black resin and the pendants with twisted ...
Category
20th Century French Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Crystal
Bally Skyscraper Pinball Machine from the collection of Thierry Despont
By Bally
Located in New York, NY
This extraordinary depression-era pinball machine came from the personal collection of Thierry Despont (1948 - 2023), perhaps best known for his architectural practice—which played i...
Category
1930s Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal
Vintage Map of the Greater Antilles and Lesser Antilles
Located in Langweer, NL
Vintage map titled 'Antilles'. Original map of the Antilles. Shows the Cayman Islands, Cuba, Hispaniola (subdivided into the nations of the Dominican Republic and Haiti), Jamaica, and Puerto Rico. Also shows the Lesser Antilles...
Category
20th Century Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Yamaha Baby Grand Quality Mahogany Piano Model C2
Located in Suffolk, GB
Quality Yamaha baby grand piano with an overstrung iron frame, frame and sound board in perfect condition, mahogany case standing on square tapering legs wi...
Category
Late 20th Century English Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Other
Large and Hand Carved Gothic Revival with Carillon Sound Wall Clock, ca 1900
Located in Lisse, NL
Stunning clock for the collectors of rare and truly stylish Gothic antiques.
Gothic wall clocks are a rare find and this more than three feet tall specimen probably is the best an...
Category
Early 20th Century French Gothic Revival Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Wrought Iron, Brass, Enamel
Vintage Toot-a-Loop Radio by Panasonic, Japan, 1970s
By Panasonic
Located in Barcelona, ES
Vintage Toot-a-Loop radio (model nr: Panasonic R-72): an emblematic radio, designed and fabricated by Panasonic Japan in the early 1970s. The radio was designed to be wrapped and car...
Category
1970s Japanese Space Age Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Plastic
Vintage Hardstone Chess Set
Located in Savannah, GA
A vintage hardstone and marble chess set, mid-20th century.
12 inches wide by 12 inches deep by 3 inches tall
Category
Mid-20th Century Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Marble
TOLKIEN, J. R. R. - The Hobbit - 1937 - FIRST EDITION - FIRST PRINTING !
Located in Hillsborough, NJ
AUTHOR: TOLKIEN, J. R. R.
TITLE: The Hobbit or There and Back Again.
PUBLISHER: London: George Allen & Unwin Ltd, 1937.
DESCRIPTION: FIRST EDITION FIRST PRINTING. 1 vol., 7-11/16...
Category
1930s British Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Fabric
Carroll - Alice in Wonderland - Illustrated & signed by Dali - Limited to 200
Located in Hillsborough, NJ
AUTHOR: DODGSON, Charles L. (Lewis Carroll) (Salvador Dali - illustrator).
TITLE: Alice's Adventures in Wonderland.
PUBLISHER: NY: Maecenas Press - Random House, 1969.
DESCRIPTION...
Category
1960s American Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Leather
Extra Large Crucifix with Hand Carved Oak Corpus of Christ for Church or Chapel
Located in Lisse, NL
Beautifully carved and large size corpus of Jesus, made in the Arts & Crafts era.
This meaningful and unique crucifix from the early 1900s comes with a larger than life, hand carved oak Corpus of Christ. The details in the anatomy of this Christ are very well carved and they clearly reveal the suffering and dehydration that His body endured in the final days of his life. The artist/sculptor is clearly showing us the image of Jesus when or right after he bowed his head and died. The solid oak cross is original to this corpus and it was given a different color so that the unique and impressive corpus stands out perfectly. Have you also noticed the perfectly carved and thick crown of thorns on the head of Christ. The patina of this excellent condition and large corpus is another great feature that will never fail to impress. The former owners gave us the photo that you see in image 3 in this listing and in it you can see where this antique corpus...
Category
Early 20th Century European Arts and Crafts Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Oak
Stunning Austrian Christmas Paper mache Santa St.Nicholas Candy Container 1920s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
This vintage St.Nicholas, Santa Claus candy container made of composition, cardboard and Papermache was made in the 20th century and is a charming addition to any Christmas collection. This original period piece was made in Austria and features a vintage finish. This Santa Claus figurine...
Category
20th Century German Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Composition
Antique Map of India during the height of the Mughal Imperial Expansion, 1713
Located in Langweer, NL
Antique map titled 'L'Inde de ca le Gange (..)'. Beautiful original antique map embracing most of India, made during the height of the Mughal imperial expansion. The map encompasses ...
Category
Early 18th Century Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Antique Hand-Crafted Solid Bronze Mortar with Pestle and Great Original Patina
Located in Lisse, NL
Decorative and tactile, late 18th century mortar set.
Mortars have been used for centuries by private people and by people in certain trades. In the kitche...
Category
Late 18th Century European Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Bronze
Antique English Field Glasses / Binoculars by Lawrence and Mayo - With Compass
Located in Bath, GB
A superb and very handsome pair of the unusual and sought-after "Lynx" binoculars by Lawrence and Mayo, dating to c.1900. These English pocket sized Field glasses or binoculars are m...
Category
Early 1900s British Edwardian Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Brass
Vintage Magnavox Mid Century Tower Column Pedestal Rodeo Stereo 8 Track Console
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Magnavox Mid Century Tower Column Pedestal Rodeo Stereo 8 Track Console. Item features a working AM/FM radio, side speakers, slate pedestal top, 8 track player (not working),...
Category
Late 20th Century Unknown Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Wood
Vintage Wood Geloso Television GT1014, 1950s, Italy
Located in Rome, IT
This GTV1014 was one of the first 21-inch b / w televisions produced by Geloso.
It uses the intercarrier system as an audio-video medium frequency. The chassis is mounted inside th...
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Glass, Plastic, Wood
AUSTRIA 1915 Bergman Style Viennese Art Deco Desk-Striker In Enameled Bronze
Located in Miami, FL
An art deco desk striker made in Austria, attributed to Franz Xaver Bergman.
This is a gorgeous original early Art Deco sculptural desk-striker lighter, depicting two Arabian mooris...
Category
1910s Austrian Art Deco Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Bronze, Enamel, Spelter
Museum Quality Bronze of Christ Wall Plaque Sculpture "Jesus Carrying the Cross"
Located in Lisse, NL
Stunningly powerful and meaningful work of religious art.
With works of religious art being one of our specialties, over the decades we have sold quite a few special antiques in this field. With this bronze antique the artist clearly shows us a fragment out of one of the most famous scenes that took place in the history of mankind. Christ has already been beaten, mocked, given a wreath of thorns and having to carry the enormous cross. As you can see the quality of the details and the workmanship is excellent, but the scene and its meaning ofcourse is even more impressive. Please notice how particularly the facial features reveil the peaceful state of being that lies underneath the exterior of this Christ sculpture...
Category
Early 20th Century European Arts and Crafts Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Bronze
Plaster Virgin Traditional Figure, circa 1950
Located in Barcelona, ES
Traditional religious plaster figure of a virgin. Made in traditional Catalan atelier in Olot, Spain, circa 1950. In original condition, with minor wear consistent with age and...
Category
1950s Spanish Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Plaster
Large Antique Oil on Canvas Painting of Saint Joseph W. Lily and the Child Jesus
Located in Lisse, NL
Early religious work of art, presented in the original antique frame.
This beautiful and uplifting portrait of Saint Joseph holding hands with the child Jesus is an oil on canvas an...
Category
18th Century European Baroque Revival Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Linen, Wood, Paint, Plaster
Finely Engraved Historical Map of Middle East and Asia, c.1745
Located in Langweer, NL
Description: Antique map titled'Theatrum Historicum pars Orientalis.'
Finely engraved historical map with a profusion of details. It shows the Middle East and Asia. Decorative ti...
Category
1740s Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Antique Rosewood and Mahogany Putty Knives
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT
A set of antique putty knives with Rosewood, Mahogany and brass handles.
CREATOR Embee, Red Devil
DATE OF MANUFACTURE c.1920-1950.
MATERIALS AND TECHNIQUES Steel...
Category
Early 20th Century Industrial Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Steel
Decorative Pond Boat Model of Sailboat Sloop
Located in New York, NY
Decorative pond boat, sailboat, sloop model, on original stand. This example is a 20th century ( 1980's ) copy of the 19th century ( 1895 ) original, made in the 1980's The boat ...
Category
Late 20th Century American Late Victorian Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Fabric, Wood
Spectacular Antique Original Engraving of a Town Plan of Jerusalem, 1708
Located in Langweer, NL
Description: Antique map titled 'Erster Abriss der Stadt Jerusalem wie sie Furnemblich zur Zeit des Hernn Christi beschaffen (..).'
Spectacular town plan...
Category
Early 1700s Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Cinema Pinball Arcade Game, 1976 USA
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage 'CINEMA' pinball machine from 1976. Made by Chicago Coin Machine Manufacturing Company and designed by Albin Peters, Jerry Koci and Wendell McAdam...
Category
1970s American Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal
Iron Germany Early 1700s Hourglass
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).
The hourglass cage displays hexago...
Category
Early 18th Century British Georgian Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Iron
15 Vols. William Shakespeare. The Plays
Located in New York, NY
15 Volumes. William Shakespeare. The Plays.
With corrections & Illustrations of various commentators to which are added notes by Samuel Johnson and George Steevens. Fourth Edition Wi...
Category
Late 18th Century English Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Leather
Russian Silver 1913 Commemorative Icon / Portrait Czar Nicholas II, Inscribed
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An exceptional Objet'd'Art, a Russian Silver 1913 Commemorative Travel Icon, is a poignant tribute to the reign of Czar Nicholas II. Made in 1913 to commemorate the Great Pilgrimage of Emperor...
Category
Early 20th Century Russian Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Silver
Eudald Serra
Located in Richmond, VA
Vintage hardcover monograph on Catalan sculptor Eudald Serra, published in 1979. 140 pages. Text in Catalan and English, printed in Spain.
Written by Joan Teixidor, this richly illu...
Category
1970s Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Jean-Michel Frank: Interieurs (Book)
Located in North Yorkshire, GB
("Aux Source du XXeme siecle" 2)
Softcover catalogue of an exhibition held at the esteemed Galerie Jacques De Vos in Paris in 1990 featuring works by Frank, Adolphe Chanaux, Diego an...
Category
20th Century Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Leather Football
Located in Oxfordshire, GB
Vintage No.5 Leather Soccer Ball.
A great vintage leather football ball with twelve guaranteed hand sewn leather panels. The ball is stencilled but unreadable, it has a lace-up slit ...
Category
20th Century Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Leather
Aquascapes II: Water in Japanese Landscape Architecture
Located in Richmond, VA
ESCRIPTION
Vintage hardcover monograph on the role of water in contemporary Japanese landscape architecture. Published in 1994, 224 pages. Text in English and Japanese, printed in Ja...
Category
1990s Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Karl Gerstner: The Forms of Color
Located in Richmond, VA
Vintage hardback coffee table book on color theory and geometric perception. By Karl Gerstner, published by The MIT Press in 1986. English translation from the original German editio...
Category
1980s Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Pair 1930s Vintage English Mark Cross Leather Footballs Futbols Soccer Balls 6"
By Mark Cross
Located in Dayton, OH
Pair of circa 1930s brown leather footballs / soccer balls manufactured by Mark Cross Company. Made in England.
Dimensions:
5.5" x 5.5" x 5.5" (Width x Depth x Height)
Category
1930s English Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Leather, Cotton
Antique Marimbaphone, English Brass, Oak, Musical Instrument, Glockenspiel, 1920
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique marimbaphone. An English, brass and oak decorative musical instrument, dating to the early 20th century, circa 1920.
A striking, concussive idiophone with beautif...
Category
1920s British Arts and Crafts Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Brass
18th Century Italian Carved Painted Wood Reliquary Altar Figure Bust Pair
Located in Forney, TX
A remarkable pair of scarce large Italian Baroque period carved and painted wood church altar reliquary busts.
Born in Italy in the 18th century / possibly late 17th century, figural form, each hand carved from a single log, modeled as opposing figures, parcel gilt polychrome decorated, hollowed central cavity with original glazed glass relic viewing panel, rising on integral marbleized scroll foot base.
Dimensions: (each)
21.25" Tall, 8.5" Wide, 8" Deep;
16.25lbs Total
Condition Report:
Very good original unrestored antique condition with beautifully aged patina. Wear consistent with age and use, including scattered nicks, chips, and chippy paint losses. One glazed panel with losses to sides. Overall in great shape, strong, sturdy, stable, and structurally sound. Presents splendidly
We here at Lynx Hollow Antiques absolutely love decorating with religious antiques! From an antique altarpiece, tabernacle, reredos, shrine niche, baptismal font, crucifix, santo statue, icon, religious folk art, retablo, monastery table to church architectural elements...
Category
18th Century Italian Baroque Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Blown Glass, Wood
1930s Entomology Moth & Butterfly Collection Wall Display Rare Extinct Bugs
By Grant Wood 1
Located in Hyattsville, MD
Interesting piece from an Iowan Estate. This piece is unsigned. The folklore I was told by the seller about the piece is that this was originally from the Grant Wood Estate. Howeve...
Category
1930s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Glass
Vintage Ashtrays and Lighter in Crystal by Rosenthal Studio Linie Design, 1970s
Located in taranto, IT
particular set consisting of a Ronson lighter and crystal ashtray, with an inclined shape, in the style of mangiarotti design
measurements: the ashtr...
Category
1970s Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Crystal
DUPONT Paris 1940-1945 Deco Petrol Pocket Lighter In Solid Aluminum
By S.T. Dupont
Located in Miami, FL
A Dupont petrol lighter made in France.
This is a very nice pocket petrol lighter created in Paris France during the post war period, back in the 1940's. The lighter has been produc...
Category
1940s French Art Deco Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Aluminum
Fine Brass Cased Pocket Compass by Short & Mason Ltd., London c.1910
Located in Bath, GB
A very fine English brass cased compass, professionally cleaned and polished restoring it to it's former glory. The face signed Short & Mason / London together with the brand name "...
Category
1910s British Edwardian Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Brass
Early Japanese Takeda Ningyo
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Early Japanese Takeda Ningyo, depicting an actor on stage in the role of an emperor, standing, costumed in silk and kinran brocades holding a paper scepter (shaku), the head carved o...
Category
Late 18th Century Japanese Edo Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Wood
Ulm Minster Church Souvenir Building Vintage, Germany, 1930s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A 1930s souvenir building architectural model. Some wear with a nice patina, but this is old-age. Made of metal. A beautiful nice desktop item or jus...
Category
1930s German Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal
Andrew Wyeth: Looking Out, Looking In by Nancy K. Anderson & C Brock (Book)
Located in North Yorkshire, GB
One of Andrew Wyeth’s most important paintings, Wind from the Sea, a recent gift to the National Gallery of Art, is also the artist’s first full realization of the window as a recurr...
Category
20th Century Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Beautiful and Rare Mahogany Tennis Racket Tensioner from Early 20th Century
Located in Knivsta, SE
Beautiful and rare English Tennis Racket Tensioner from early 20th century or maybe late 19th Century. Made in mahogany (Swietenia mahagoni) with brass details.
Wear consistent wi...
Category
Early 20th Century English Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Brass
Large Mid-Century Italian Giorgio Armani Eye Glasses Factice Shop Display Piece
Located in Nuernberg, DE
This is a rare and unique item! The Armani Eyeglasses Factic for display in a shop comes with its original cardboard packaging and is made of metal a...
Category
1980s Italian Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal
BR Western Highlands Original Vintage Travel Poster by Edward Halliday, 1950
Located in Devon, GB
Produced for British Railways to promote rail travel to the Scottish Highlands, this scarce British quad royal travel poster for the Western Highlands features a picturesque and peac...
Category
1950s British Mid-Century Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper, Linen
Vintage Pink Emerald Green Cartier Panther Silk Scarf with Irish Linen Pillow
By Cartier
Located in Belfast, Northern Ireland
Katie Larmour Studio is the original vintage scarf pillow maker. Gaining notability for her unique idea and creations back in 2013 - featured in the likes of the Financial Times, and first selling here on 1stdibs in 2016 - our creations are of the absolute top most quality, craftsmanship and finesse. Thank-you for looking.
Title:
Vintage Pink Emerald Green Cartier Panther Silk Scarf with Irish Linen Pillow Cushion
Description:
This gem is a one-of-a-kind custom made luxury cushion (pillow) from an exquisite and rare vintage vintage pure silk Cartier fashion scarf...
Category
Late 20th Century French Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Linen, Silk
1952 Invisible Man
By Ralph Ellison
Located in Bath, GB
The sought after first edition, first printing of Ralph Ellison's monumental award winning novel, his first and only work to be published during his lifetime.
The first edition, fir...
Category
1950s American Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Antique Fine Handcarved Oak Gothic Revival Wall Shrine / Chapel for Statuette
Located in Lisse, NL
Rare and good condition, Gothic-art shrine for standing or wall-hanging.
This handsome and decorative, Gothic wall shrine is completely hand-crafted out of solid oak and it will look awesome, no matter where you decide to mount or place her. It must have taken its creator quite a few days to first draw this intricate design on paper and then hand carve the entire piece out of solid oak. The Gothic Style elements are deeply handcarved in both doors and they make this shrine highly decorative and an absolute joy to own and look at. This cabinet chapel (or chapel cabinet) comes with its brass lock in perfect working order and also with its original gothic style key. The handgrip is in fact a Gothic trefoil symbol (for the trinity). What also makes this piece extra attractive is the Gothic church window-like frame behind the doors. It is among the finest we have seen to date and on top of that this antique also has a beautiful and rich patina. By the way, the bronze Mary statuette is not included in our price. Finally, thanks to the hook in the back, mounting this antique chapel...
Category
Early 20th Century French Gothic Revival 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
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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.