Collectibles and Curiosities
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Collectibles and Curiosities For Sale
Period: Mid-20th Century
Period: 18th Century and Earlier
King Edward V111 Royal Commemorative Pottery Beaker, May 12th 1937
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a royal commemorative earthenware (pottery) beaker celebrating the planned coronation of King Edward V111th on May 12th 1937.
The tapering beaker or cup would have been made...
Category
Mid-20th Century English Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Earthenware
18th Century Italian Crucifix with Malachite, Calcite, and Raspberry Garnet
By Interi
Located in Dublin, Dalkey
18th century Italian crucifix mounted on green malachite, calcite with fluorite, and raspberry garnet. The piece is adorned with Carnelian pebbles and garnet. The minerals are from a...
Category
18th Century Italian Baroque Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Rock Crystal, Carnelian, Malachite
1930's Japanese WW2 Nippon Kogaku Bronze & Aluminium 60° Inclined binoculars
By NIKKO
Located in Leicester, Leicestershire
A refurbished set of Nippon Kogaku 'Nikko' 60 degree inclined 15 x 80 4 degree field of view WW2 binoculars originally used for land, sea and air observation.
Stripped of the origin...
Category
1930s Japanese Industrial Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Aluminum, Bronze
A Brass Butterfield Type Dial French Early 18th Century
Located in Firenze, IT
signed Buterfield A Paris., the octagonal dial with hinged gnomon and bird pointer, inset compass and engraved with hour scales, the reverse engraved with towns and their latitudes, ...
Category
Early 18th Century French Napoleon III Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Brass
EVANS 1940 Spitfire Pocket Lighter With Windshield Chromed Steel & Black Lacquer
Located in Miami, FL
Spitfire pocket lighter designed by Evans.
Rare automatic spitfire pocket lighter, created in America by the Evans Company, back in the 1940. This very handsome piece has been crafted with deco-modernist patterns in chromed steel with accents decorations in black lacquer. This model is fitted with the hinged windguard adding extra rarity. It it never used or fired and is offered with the original box. Stunning modernist design, very decorative and surely a great conversation piece.
Model: The Spitfire with windguard pocket lighter.
Year: 1940.
Materials: Chromed steel and black lacquer.
Weight: 50 Grams.
Measurements: 62 mm by 37 mm by 13 mm (2.44 x 1.46 x 0.52 Inches).
Rarity: Rare with windshield and never fired condition.
Marks: Lighter is stamped with the maker's mark and signed as follow; "EVANS FUEL U.S. PAT. REG, 19023".
Evans
The Evans Company first started out as a handbag and accessory manufacturing company, originating from Attleboro, Massachusetts as a novelty company in 1918. However, by the late 1920’s, the company took on a different path and began to manufacture lighters with a “lift arm system”. This system is very similar to the one used by the Alfred Dunhill Company – minus the fact that the flint wheel was located vertically, rather than horizontally. Many lighters were manufactured by the Evans Company with this “lift arm system” with a variety of attractive styles, including enameled cases. In addition, the Evans Company produced complementary cigarette cases and perfume sprays...
Category
1940s American Art Deco Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Steel, Chrome
KARL GLAZER 1932 Austria Schnauzer Dog Table Petrol Lighter Bronze & Red Lacquer
Located in Miami, FL
Petrol lighter designed by Karl Glazer.
Fabulous and rare antique table petrol lighter, created in Vienna Austria by the Karl Glazer Metallwarenfabrik, back in the 1932-1933. This u...
Category
1930s Austrian Art Deco Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Brass, Bronze
Anatomical model: a male human body in life-size proportions, Italy 1930.
Located in Milan, IT
Anatomical model for schools, educational use, depicting the flayed male human body in life-size proportions, with removable organs, made of painted resin, all placed on a black wood...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Resin, Wood
Albert Engstrom Leather & Gilt Swedish Book Set, C. 1945
By Bonniers
Located in Ross, CA
Set of 6, leather bound book set written by Albert Engstrom (1869-1940), published by Bonnier's in Stockholm in 1945. The Swedish language books are books are filled with the author...
Category
1940s Swedish British Colonial Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Leather
Midcentury Made, Cast Aluminum Batmobile Classic Car Deskpiece Mercedes SSK
Located in Lisse, NL
Great for a mancave and very cool on a desk also.
This mid-century eye catcher is incredibly cool and tactile. It is the only one of it's kind we can find and it is in excellent condition. The real car that comes closes (in our view) to this aluminum model is the 1930s Mercedes Benz SSK (see image nr. 10). It may have been made as a luxurious ashtray, but with a shape and a look like this, it does not need to be functional. This is a work of art and can certainly be displayed as such. This one-piece, cast aluminum car...
Category
Mid-20th Century European Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Aluminum
1960s Mughal Style Indian Brass Cigarette Holder / Trinket Box
Located in New York, NY
Indian brass lidded cigarette holder / trinket box, with hand engraved Mughal floral designs all around. Completely hand wrought piece with exquisite detail. Hand crafted in India, c...
Category
Mid-20th Century Indian Anglo-Indian Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Brass
1955 Hickory Dickory Dock
Located in Bath, GB
A vanishingly scarce to see signed first edition of this classic Poirot tale.
The first edition, first impression, with no other impressions stated.
Signed and dedicated by the aut...
Category
1950s British Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
18th Century Italian Carved Giltwood and Polychrome Musician Cherub Sculpture
Located in Dallas, TX
This antique cherub figure was crafted in Italy, circa 1780. The hand carved cherub depicts a putti with wing and playing the guitar; the sculpture is very expressive in his movement...
Category
Late 18th Century Italian Neoclassical Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Giltwood
A Hizen Katana in koshirae
Located in Milano, IT
A Hizen Katana in koshirae
Signed 肥前國河内大掾藤原正廣
Hizen kuni kawachi daijō Fujiwara Masahiro
-
Early Edo Period (1615-1867)
-
NBTHK Hozon Tōken
-
Nagasa [leng...
Category
17th Century Japanese Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Steel
Sculptural 18th Century Italian Black Crucifix with Tourmaline in Matrix
By Interi
Located in Dublin, Dalkey
18th century Italian crucifix adorned with tourmaline and mounted on tourmaline in a crystal matrix from Brazil.
The piece is put together by Jean O'Reilly Barlow, the artist and c...
Category
18th Century Italian Baroque Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Rock Crystal, Tourmaline
Rare English Queen Anne Antique Miniature Salesman Sample Tilt-Top Table
Located in Shippensburg, PA
A RARE AND FINE QUEEN ANNE MAHOGANY MINIATURE SALESMAN'S SAMPLE TILT-TOP CANDLESTAND
England, circa last quarter of the 18th century
Item # 403RPJ02P
An exceedingly fine and rare sa...
Category
18th Century English Queen Anne Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Mahogany
Laverne Originals Catalog (ABCDEF)
Located in New York, NY
Early catalog for Laverne Originals, the modern design company founded by Estelle and Erwine Laverne in 1938. From its modest origins producing primarily wallpapers and textiles, Lav...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Mid 20th Century Pair Of Schneider German Anti-Aircraft Binoculars c.1940
Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Exceptional 20th Century WWII German Joseph Schneider Steel observation telescope binoculars on a later telescopic stand. This model was originally designed by Emil Busch and it has ...
Category
1940s German Other Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal
Berkel LP Scales
By Berkel 2
Located in Roma, IT
Berkel scale mod.LP from the 1960s made in the Netherlands
Category
1960s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Iron
Finnair Caravelle 1960
By Schaarschmidt
Located in Weesp, NL
Take flight into aviation history with the iconic 1960's Finnair Aero Caravelle airplane model, meticulously crafted by Schaarschmidt Modelbau in Berlin. This exquisite model pays ho...
Category
1960s Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Aluminum, Sheet Metal
1940s Art Deco French Oversized set of two Bakelite Butterscotch Caramel Dice
Located in Haarlem, NL
Very pretty set of two large and heavy oversized jumbo bakelite dice in luscious dark butterscotch and delicious caramel swirl colour.
Art Deco at its best in design and colour, these are must have for a collector and they are not easy to find in this colour.
So far they belonged to my own extensive dice collection...
Category
1940s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Bakelite
Sculptural 18th Century Italian Crucifix with Selenite Sunrays and Apophyllite
By Interi
Located in Dublin, Dalkey
Sculptural 18th century Italian crucifix with selenite in matrix and adorned with gem beading around the cross. The selenite in matrix creates the sunrays around the crucifix. The pi...
Category
18th Century Italian Rococo Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Rock Crystal
Rare Mid-Century Modernist Sterling Silver Petal Earrings By Art Smith
By Art Smith
Located in Brooklyn, US
Exceptional and pair of kinetic earrings designed by Greenwich Village modernist jeweler Art Smith in the 1950's. Smith is considered a master jewelers during the modernist movement ...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Brass
Midcentury Modern Lighter Ronson Silver 925 Design 1960s
By Ronson
Located in Palermo, IT
Rare Ronson pocket lighter in 925 silver with an elegant line. Italy of the 60s.
Note: We try to offer our customers an excellent service even in shipments all over the world, coll...
Category
Mid-20th Century British Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Silver
Art Deco Ashtray Stand, Chrome and Bakelite by Demeyere, Belgium, 1930s
By Demeyere
Located in Saarburg, RP
Art Deco ashtray stand
This beautiful and rare Art Deco Ashtray Stand from the 30s/40s is in the streamline modern art deco style. The designer of this extraordinary object has succ...
Category
1930s Belgian Art Deco Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal, Chrome, Iron
Solid Brass Ship Captains Telescope
Located in Norwell, MA
Ships spyglass telescope appropriate for use on a yacht, ship, or anywhere with a view. This has been meticulously polished and lacquered. We just restored a great collection of thes...
Category
1930s European Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Brass
Vintage Stag Horn Carving Set by Anton Wingen, Solingen
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Vintage Stag Horn Carving Set by Anton Wingen, Solingen
A rustic carving set consisting of fork and knife. The handles are made of genuine stag horn and feature a silver knob on the...
Category
Mid-20th Century German Black Forest Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal
Vintage Lady's Gentleman's Mother of Pearl Traveling Walking Swagger Stick Cane
Located in Dublin, Ireland
Very unusual and stylish heavy gauge Mother of Pearl Lady’s or Gentleman’s Travelling two-piece Walking Stick with lavish allover inlay of multi colour Mother of Pearl. Mid Century p...
Category
Mid-20th Century British Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Hardwood
17th Century Sterling Silver Traveler Reliquary Case/Eucharist Bread Keepsake
Located in Guaynabo, PR
This is a 17th Century Sterling Silver Traveler Reliquary Round Case/Eucharist Bread Keepsake Box Pendant. It depicts a round wide hinged case engraved in the front with an IHS Chris...
Category
17th Century Unknown Baroque Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Sterling Silver
20th Century Large English Made Wooden Pond Yacht c.1930
Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Superb 20th Century pond yacht known as "Sea Mist". This J Class beauty showcases a meticulously crafted planked wood hull, adorned with gaff rigging supporting four sails, alongside...
Category
1930s British Other Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Fabric, Wood
Set of Three Vintage Leather Medicine Balls, circa 1940
Located in San Francisco, CA
Set of three vintage leather medicine balls, circa 1940
Great collection of old school medicine balls.
Hippocrates is said to have stuffed animal skins for patients to toss for...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Leather
18th Century Maria Crown Vermeille Silver Gilded Illegible Hallmarks Flanders
Located in Antwerpen, BE
Crafted from luxurious Vermeille Silver, this exquisite religious artifact hails from Flanders, where it once adorned the sacred statue of Maria. Adorned...
Category
Late 18th Century Belgian Baroque Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Silver
Altamira: Italian Furniture Glassware Lamps Accessories
Located in New York, NY
Catalog showcasing high-end Italian furnishings and accessories, published circa 1956 by the fabled Altamira design center located at 18 East 50th St in New York City. Per the introduction, “Altamira is the only center in this country where Interior-Architecture by Italy’s foremost architects is represented together with furniture, handicrafts, accessories and every other element essential to the modern interior.” Altamira commissioned a line of furniture from Gio Ponti in 1953, crafted by Giordano Chiesa in Milan. Included were a number of Ponti’s iconic mid-century designs—the Distex lounge chair and a self-described masterpiece, the two-drawer desk, model AP 1025, are shown in the present catalog. Shown, too, are furniture designs by Ponti’s fellow “interior architects” and designers Marco Zanuso (produced by Arflex Milano), Enrberto Carboni, Enrico Peresutti of BBPR, Carlo Pagani, Enrico Taglietti, Nino Zancada, Ico and Luisa Parisi, Ignacio Gardella...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Pair of brass artillery shell casings
Located in 'S-HERTOGENBOSCH, NL
Pair of antique brass artillery shell casings from World War II. Made out of brass, these impressive heavy pieces of artillery are round in shape and dated on the bottom (1944). Thes...
Category
1940s Central American Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Brass
1950s Spanish Metal Dog Toy with Ball
Located in Marbella, ES
1950s Spanish metal dog toy with ball.
Category
Mid-20th Century Spanish Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal
Marelli Fan
Located in Roma, IT
The company was founded in 1891 in Milan as a sole proprietorship by Ercole Marelli, in his youth a worker at the Italian Tecnomasio in Milan. Initially the company manufactured elec...
Category
1960s Italian Industrial Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Brass, Iron
Vintage Hand Painted Saint Nicholas Icon, Orthodox Church
Located in Vero Beach, FL
Vintage Hand Painted Saint Nicholas Icon Orthodox Church
The hand painted icon is mounted on velvet and framed in a beautiful Renaissance style wo...
Category
Mid-20th Century Unknown Renaissance Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Velvet, Wood
Pair of Large Rustic Religious Stripped Wood Antique Santo Altar Figures
Located in Forney, TX
A rare one-of-a-kind pair of large rustic antique European hand carved stripped and scraped wood Santo church altar figures.
18th/early 19th century, primitive hand-crafted construc...
Category
Late 18th Century Spanish Colonial Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Wood, Paint
Large Black Forest Deer Trophy on Wooden Plaque - Germany ca. 1900s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Large Black Forest Deer Trophy on Wooden Plaque - Germany ca. 1900s
An antique 8 pointer red deer (Cervus elaphus) trophy from the Black Forest. The trophy was shot around 1900. The...
Category
Mid-20th Century German Black Forest Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Antler, Wood
Ronson 1937 Art Deco Heart Lighter Faux Tortoise Lacquer And Chromed Steel
Located in Miami, FL
Heart shaped lighter designed by Ronson.
This an extremely rare heart shaped pocket petrol lighter, created in New Jersey United States by The Ro...
Category
1930s American Art Deco Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Steel, Chrome
Vintage Longines Wittnauer 14K White Gold Diamond 17 Jewel Ladies Wrist Watch
By Longines
Located in Dayton, OH
Beautiful vintage Longines Wittnauer Watch Co Inc. 14K white gold and diamond ladies mechanical wrist watch. Band resembles a vine of leaves...
Category
Mid-20th Century Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Gold
Rare English Sterling Silver Yad - Hallmarked in London in 1937
By A. Taite & Sons Ltd
Located in London, London
Hallmarked in London in 1937 by A. Taite & Sons, this handsome, Sterling Silver Yad, is of traditional form. The yad measures 12"(30.5cm) in length, by 1.25...
Category
1930s English Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Sterling Silver
1950s Vintage Italian Cigarette Holder Dispenser
Located in Chula Vista, CA
1950s Vintage Italian Cigarette Dispenser
7.25 h x 3.25 d x 3
Unrestored original vintage condition
Refer to images
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Brass
The Book Of Common Prayer - 1960 - IN A SCARCE EARLY BINDING BY PHILIP SMITH !
Located in Hillsborough, NJ
AUTHOR: BOOK OF COMMON PRAYER.
TITLE: The Book Of Common Prayer, And Administration of the Sacraments, & other Rites & Ceremonies of The Church, According to the use of The United ...
Category
1960s British Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Leather
Art Deco Sterling Silver Darts Trophy - Hallmarked in 1938
Located in London, London
Hallmarked in Birmingham in 1938 by A. L. Davenport, this Sterling Silver Darts Trophy, is modelled as three darts and presented on its original base. The trophy measures 9.75"(25cm)...
Category
1930s English Art Deco Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Sterling Silver
Altamira Catalog Circa 1956
Located in New York, NY
Mid-1950’s catalog for the fabled Altamira design center, located at 18 E 50th St in New York City, one of the top U.S. venues for high-end Italian design. Altamira commissioned a li...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
18th Century Italian Carved Giltwood Putti Cherub Wall Sculpture Holding Grapes
Located in Dallas, TX
This antique cherub figure was crafted in Italy, circa 1780. Hand carved, the putti carving is shown holding a bunch of grapes in his hands. The cherub is expressive in it's movement...
Category
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Giltwood
Collection of Vintage Bocci and Croquet Balls c.1970-(FREE SHIPPING)
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT
A collection of ten vintage bocci and croquet balls: two large vintage bocci balls with original label, four croquet balls and four small ceramic bocci balls.
CREATOR Boc...
Category
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Wood, Ceramic
Vintage Brooke Bond Tea and Coffee Cast Iron Horse and Wagon with Driver
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Vintage Brooke Bond Tea and Coffee Cast Iron Horse and Wagon, Driver included.
Please look at all the pictures antique Cast iron coach, horse and wagon in good vintage condition, whe...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Iron
Asprey - Art Deco Engine Turned Butt Marker - Shooting Interest - Chester 1937
Located in London, London
Hallmarked in Chester in 1937 by Asprey & Co. Ltd., this very stylish, Art Deco period, Sterling Silver Butt Marker, features engine turned decorati...
Category
1930s English Art Deco Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Sterling Silver
Brionvega Radiocubo by Zanuso & Sapper, 1960s
Located in Parma, IT
Radiocubo Mod.TS502 produced by Brionvega, designed by Zanuso & Sapper in the 1960s.
PVC body in the very rare brick red colour, chromed and black metal finishes, with removable ant...
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Plastic
Exceptional pair of sterling silver modernist cufflinks designed by Sam Kramer
By Modern Aesthetic Design
Located in Brooklyn, US
A fantastic pair of sterling cufflinks designed by iconic Greenwich Village Modernist jeweler Sam Kramer. The biomorphic design are emblematic of his surrealistic style . He was kno...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Sterling Silver
Black Forest Vintage Roe Deer Trophy on Carved Plaque
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Black Forest Vintage Roe Deer Trophy on Carved Plaque
A large vintage roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) trophy on a wooden carved plaque. The trophy was shot in Germany ca. 1960s. Good...
Category
Mid-20th Century German Black Forest Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Wood, Antler
20th Century Japanese Pair Of Naval Bridge "Big Eye" Binoculars By Nikon c.1940
By Nikon
Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
A rare set of Japanese naval bridge “big eye“ binoculars by Nikon manufactured during WWII by Tokyo Kogaku Kikai (Tokyo Optical Company). They have been expertly cleaned and hand pol...
Category
1940s Japanese Other Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal
Vintage Backgammon Game Board and Carrying Case in Brown and White
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A vintage backgammon set in a carrying case. This set includes brown and white game pieces and dice and is in a faux leather carrying case. This is a complete set. The carrying case ...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Plastic
Vintage Apollo 11 "Voyage to the Moon" Pennant, 1969
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
Presented is a vintage pennant from 1969 highlighting the Apollo 11 space mission. The felt pennant features a white field with the words "A Voyage to the Moon- Collins - Aldrin- Arm...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Felt
Flemish Hand Embroidery 15th & 16th Century Gothic Silk & Gold threat Liturgical
Located in Antwerpen, BE
Flemish hand embroidery from the 15th to 16th century adorns this chasuble fragment, depicting scenes of the Virgin Mary Madonna and child amidst a garden setting. Created with lavis...
Category
16th Century Belgian Gothic Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Gold
Polaire Paris 1938 Art Deco Table Desk Petrol Lighter-Clock In Chromed Steel
By Polaris
Located in Miami, FL
A desk lighter clock designed by Polaire Paris.
A beautiful desk lighter-clock, created in Paris France by the Alphonse Brun company know as Polaire Paris, back in the 1938. This pi...
Category
1930s French Art Deco Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Steel, Chrome
Wall Fish Skeleton Thermometer St Labre Indian School Ashland Montana
Located in Chula Vista, CA
AMBIANIC presents
Wall Fish Thermometer St Labre Indian School Ashland Montana
Maker stamp
6.5 h x 2.5 w x .13
Original unrestored vintage untested decorative item
Refer to images.
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Plastic
Antique and Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities for Sale
Antique and vintage collectibles and curiosities can bring whimsy and wonder to any interior.
Decorating with old scientific instruments, historical memorabilia and vintage musical instruments, as well as other authentic collectibles and curiosities that can be found on 1stDibs, presents an opportunity to create a unique, natural history museum-like atmosphere in your home that can provoke conversation as often as it pays tribute to how far we’ve come in understanding our world.
And bringing collectibles and curiosities into your space is actually on trend — Wunderkammern, or curiosity cabinets, were all the rage in Europe during the 1500s and continued to have adherents there and in the U.S. in the following centuries. Today, however, they’re experiencing a real surge in popularity and influencing how many interior designers are furnishing and decorating homes — combining contemporary with antique, scientific with tribal, earthly with extraterrestrial, Les Lalanne tables with Flemish tapestries.
The original Wunderkammern were entire rooms filled with objects demonstrating their owners’ worldly knowledge: A proper one included artificiala or preciosa (objets d’art); naturalia (such as skeletons, shells, minerals); exotica (taxidermy or dried plants); and scientifica (scientific instruments), frequently alongside religious relics and ancient artifacts.
Pay tribute to a history of rich and diverse musical traditions that have taken shape all over the world by decorating your home with a collection of antique and vintage musical instruments — with a little help from strong hanging wire or some wall hooks, vintage brass instruments such as a gong, French horn or trumpet can help elevate a home office or complement the efforts you’ve made to ensure a welcoming vibe in your home’s entryway. Bells or antique wind instruments can add provocative metallic contrasts to dark woods as tabletop decorative objects.
Create an intriguing focal point with Georgian scientific instruments, such as stick barometers with mahogany cases or lacquered brass telescopes. These items stem from an era named for the monarchies of the four King Georges, who ruled England in succession starting in 1714 (plus King William’s reign, which lasted until 1837). Just as there was beautiful jewelry produced during the period that today is coveted by collectors, there is much to be found in the collectibles and curiosities realm too.
Wanderlust, nostalgia and a shared love of good design are contributing factors to certain trends in decorating — just as vintage trunks and luggage have reappeared as furniture or home accents in a bedroom or foyer, decorating with globes, maps or nautical objects is similarly rooted in the allure of travel and a penchant for the stylish finishing touch that collectibles bring to our homes.
Find a wide range of antique and vintage collectibles and curiosities on 1stDibs.
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