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Collectibles and Curiosities For Sale
Period: 1970s
Period: 1940s
Man in Cosmos ring by Björn Weckström
Located in Uccle, BE
Original ring by Björn Weckström. The shank is made of sterling silver and would best fit a ring size 7,5 / 8. However, due to the design of the ring, it would be comfortable worn by anyone, on any finger (except maybe the smallest). The head is composed of a big acrylic ball with air bubbles floating between the hands of a human-like silver-made figure. It has yellow and green details inside the head. Björn Weckström is a Finnish designer and sculptor (born 1935). Formed at the Helsinki Goldsmith School, he started designing with a typical Scandinavian Minimalist approach, but soon found his own particular style. He mainly uses of acrylic, gold, silver and semi precious stones. Often asymmetrical, mixing rough and matt surfaces with shiny ones, his creations have a bio organic feel. Taking inspiration from nature, both from mineral phenomenon and living creatures, he infuses his designs with a particular touch that can give them an almost alien look. His most famous piece was probably the Planetoid...
Category

1970s Finnish Space Age Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Silver

The Album Cover Album
Located in Bradenton, FL
The Album Cover Album, the Book of Record Jackets. Edited by Hipgnosis & Roger Dean, introduced by Dominy Hamilton. Softcover book. First edition, published...
Category

1970s Dutch Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Silver Nugget necklace by Björn Weckström
Located in Uccle, BE
Original Björn Weckström pendant necklace. The link type chain, typical of Weckström's chain designs, is sterling silver and 43 cm long. It makes the pendant sit close to the neck, as if a unique drop of water was resting between your clavicles. The pendant (diameter 4cm) is made of acrylic with an air bubble protecting a tiny gold nugget inside. It is part of the Nugget series, inspired by gold nuggets from Lapland. The uneven and matt aspect of the rough gold nuggets are used as a central design feature of this series that seeks to recognise the role of Nature as its own jewellery maker. Björn Weckström is a Finnish designer and sculptor (born 1935). Formed at the Helsinki Goldsmith School, he started designing with a typical Scandinavian Minimalist approach, but soon found his own particular style. He mainly uses of acrylic, gold, silver and semi precious stones. Often asymmetrical, mixing rough and matt surfaces with shiny ones, his creations have a bio organic feel. Taking inspiration from nature, both from mineral phenomenon and living creatures, he infuses his designs with a particular touch that can give them an almost alien look. His most famous piece was probably the Planetoid...
Category

1970s Finnish Space Age Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Silver, Gold

Robert Larin Brutalist Modernist Sculptural Bracelet, Canadian Art Jewelry
Located in Chesterfield, NJ
Striking and dramatic brutalist style sculptural gold tone bracelet by acclaimed Canadian jewelry artist, Robert Larin. The dimension when closed is 2.5 inches diameter. Made of hand...
Category

1970s Canadian Brutalist Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal, Pewter

1970s Emerald Cut Diamond Engagement Ring 4.08 Carat GIA Certified
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Elegant Diamond Ring with GIA Certified Diamond 4.08 Carat N/VS2 Mid Century Modern Emerald Cut Diamond Engagement Ring With very good polish and symmetry. 11.35 x 8.40 x 4.99 mm. Di...
Category

1970s North American Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Gold

Ceramic Medieval Chessboard with Chesses, 1970s
Located in Roma, IT
This Ceramic Medieval Chess is a ceramic chess set consisting of medieval characters and a wooden chessboard. Dimensions: cm 26 x 60 x 60. Good conditions. The shape of the set reminds an ancient medieval castle. If you are fascinated by crusaders, knights, steel armor, castles or dragons, this medieval chess set...
Category

1970s European Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Ceramic, Wood

1970s Stunning Purple Smoking Set By Antonio Imperatore in Murano Glass.
Located in Milano, IT
1970s Stunning purple smoking set by Antonio Imperatore in Murano glass. Made in Italy The items are in excellent condition. The table lighter works perfectly, This smoking set is go...
Category

1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Murano Glass

Cigarette Case Black Baroque style hand engraving Sterling Silver Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Rectangular cigarette case with rounded corners in 925/1000 sterling silver with Baroque style hand engraving and black fired enamel, Russian niello type. Measurement cm. 5.8 x 9 x 1...
Category

1970s Italian Baroque Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Sterling Silver, Enamel

Mid Century Heavily Tooled Western Leather Saddle
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Well tooled and embossed leather western riding saddle. Possibly a junior size. In excellent vintage condition with minimal wear.
Category

1940s American Country Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Aluminum

Small travel checkers, beech wood, 1970s
Located in Manzano, IT
Small travel checkers, beech wood, 1970s Measurements: CLOSED: H6 X W26 X D13 OPEN: H3 X W26 X D6 KG2 New, slight signs of wear and tear Material Beech Color White, Beige, Brown Weig...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Beech

Vintage Cricket Bat, The Nonpareil
Located in Oxfordshire, GB
Juniors Willow Cricket Bat. A good quality willow cricket bat 'The Nonpareil'. The two shoulders stamped 'W.J. Breeden', blade syamped to the front and rear 'The Nonpareil, Extra Spe...
Category

1940s British Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Willow

1940s Classics Club Books, Set of 10
Located in Bradenton, FL
A collection of ten Classics Club books from the 1940s. Published between 1942-1948, printed in the United States of America. Hardcovers.
Category

1940s Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Robert Simpson Golf Bookends
Located in Oxfordshire, GB
Robert Simpson Bookends, No. 3 Iron & Wood. A pair of bookends hand crafted from high quality traditional materials with original 1940's club heads. The...
Category

1940s British Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Oak

Brass and aluminum aviation compass complete with azimuth circle 1940 U.S.A
Located in Milan, IT
Brass and aluminum aeronautical compass complete with azimuth circle, supplied to U.s: Army Air Force aircraft during the world War II. Good condition and functioning. Compass diame...
Category

1940s Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Aluminum

Swiss Air Boeing 747 Chrome Plated Ashtray
Located in Weesp, NL
Presenting the Ultimate Collectible: Rare Mid-Century Modern Swiss Air Ashtray with a Boeing 747 Model! Imagine owning a piece of aviation history an...
Category

1970s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal, Brass, Chrome

GYPSIES - Josef Koudelka - 1st U.S. edition, New York, 1975
Located in London, GB
An Aperture publication, 1st U.S edition, New York, 1975. Hardback, English text. Koudelka‘s first project in his photography career - The Gypsies, is considered a seminal work in t...
Category

1970s Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Old Brass British Military Issue Brass Handbell A Great Piece, Second World War
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Old Brass British Military Issue Brass Handbell A Great Piece, Second World War, dated 1942, marked A.S.1942, and with the broad arrow insignia denotin...
Category

1940s British Colonial Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Brass

Wurlitzer Juke Box Model 700 Original and Restored Art Deco Circa 1940
Located in Oakland, CA
Wurlitzer 700 was a design masterpiece by Paul Fuller, its smooth art deco lines have stood the test of time, and it is a beautiful creation. This model plays 78-style records and th...
Category

1940s American Art Deco Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal

Journey into Fear
Located in London, GB
Original American photographic production still. For the 1942 Film Noir Journey into Fear. The film starred Joseph Cotten, Dolores Del Rio, Orson Welles ...
Category

1940s American Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Baby Jesus in Wax, Music Box and Movement, Italy, 1940s
Located in Palermo, IT
Baby Jesus in wax, music box and movement, Italy, 1940s He gently moves his head and opens and closes his eyes. Intact and functioning. Small signs of wear, as per descriptive photog...
Category

1940s Italian Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Other

Mario Bellini for Brionvega 'RR 130 Totem' Stereo System in Chipboard
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Mario Bellini for Brionvega, 'RR 130 Totem' radiogram, chipboard, plastic laminate, Italy, 1970 Postmodern stereo system designed by Mario Bellini (1935-) for Brionvega, Milan. The ...
Category

1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Plastic

Vintage French Fireman Officers Kepi Hat
Located in Sheridan, CO
This is a vintage French Kepi/Hat was acquired on a buying trip to France in 2019. In black felt with black plastic peak, gold braid. Made by Balsan Paris,...
Category

1970s French Charles X Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Leather, Wool, Felt, Plastic

1947 Hand Painted Premier British Royal Airforce Drum with Royal Coat of Arms
Located in Morristown, NJ
1947 England, a hand painted Premier Percussion British Royal Air Force drum. The drum has been painted with a black main body, a richly colored royal coat of arms and the motto of t...
Category

1940s English Campaign Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Animal Skin, Paint, Rope, Leather

Postmodern Rimini Blue Ceramic Fish Money Box by Bitossi, Italy
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in Italy, 1970s. This is a Rimini blue lacquered ceramic money box by Bitossi, one of the most known Italian ceramic company that was founded i...
Category

1970s Italian Post-Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Ceramic

Vintage French Military Academy Officers Kepi Hat
Located in Sheridan, CO
This rare Vintage French Military Academy Officers hat was acquired on a buying trip to France in 2019. The French Army Saint Cyr Officer Kepi is an...
Category

1970s French Charles X Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Leather, Wool, Felt, Polyester

The Telephone Book
Located in Bradenton, FL
The Telephone Book - Bell, Watson, Vail and American Life 1876-1976. Hardcover book with dustjacket. First edition, published in 1977 by Riverwood Publishers Limited of Croton-on-Hud...
Category

1970s American Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Vintage Remington Rand Typewriter, 1947
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
Presented is a vintage Remington Rand typewriter from 1947. The typewriter is the portable De Luxe Model 5, issued in a sleek carrying case. Still functional, this classic design features a black crinkle finish, and a QWERTY keyboard. Included in the set of metal rimmed black keys are fun features like a shift key, shift lock key, self-starter key, marginal release, and a back space key. A touch regulator is also included in this De Luxe model. The touch regulator is an adjustment mechanism that permits the keyboard tension to be set at any one of five positions, as indicated by the number in the center of the touch regulator slot. This enables the operator to easily set the key action to suit light, medium, or heavy touch, ensuring maximum typing comfort and speed. The first commercially successful typewriter was designed by Christopher Sholes and Carlos Glidden and manufactured by gunmakers E. Remington and Sons in 1868. In 1886, E. Remington and Sons sold the entirety of their typewriter interests to Wyckoff, Seamans & Benedict. Wyckoff, Seamans & Benedict manufactured their typewriters under the Remington Standard Typewriter Company name beginning in 1892. The company became the Remington Typewriter Company in 1902, before merging with the Rand Kardex Company in 1927 to become Remington Rand. Remington Rand continued to sell typewriters until around 1955, when it was acquired by the Sperry Corporation. Among the early famous typewriter users was Mark Twain. Twain said in a letter to Remington, “Please do not use my name in any way. Please do not even divulge the fact that I own a machine. … I don’t like to write letters, and so I don’t want people to know I own this curiosity-breeding little joker,” talking about his 1875 Remington model. Twain was the first author ever to have a manuscript typed. Other famous users include Agatha Christie, Rudyard Kipling, who made good use of the Remington Noiseless...
Category

1940s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal

Ceramic Piggy Bank by Eva Jancke Björk, Bo Fajans, 1940s
Located in Grythyttan, SE
A charming piggy bank designed by Eva Jancke Björk for Bo Fajans. While the piggy banks from Bo Fajans may share similar shapes, each one boasts a distinct hand-painted face and atti...
Category

1940s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Ceramic

Paul Strand: Photograph 1915-1945 - Nancy Newhall - 1st edition, 1945
Located in London, GB
Published by the Museum of Modern Art, 1st edition, New York, 1945. Hardback, English text. This exhibition catalogue is the first critical monograph issued by MoMA on a photographer. It was published in conjunction with a planned series of one-man focal retrospectives to bring some of the prominent American and European photographers to the fore, and photography has since then entered the category of fine art as far as MoMA is concerned. A catalyst and legend among his peers and the photography world at large, Strand’s revelatory photography captures a subtle change of mood, a slipt-second thought; his ‘nature morta’ of a kitchen bowl...
Category

1940s Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Invisible in America: An Exhibition of Photographs by Marion Palfi, 1st edition
Located in London, GB
Published by University of Kansas Museum of Art, 1st edition, 1973. Soft cover, English text. This book was originally published alongside a photography exhibition by Marion Palfi, ...
Category

1970s Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Vintage Accutron Bulova Universi of Dayton Quartz Pocket Watch & Chain
Located in Dayton, OH
Vintage University of Dayton (UD) Accutron Bulova floral etched pocket watch and chain / fob. Circa 1970s. DIMENSIONS 1.25" x 0.25" x 2" (Width x Depth x Height) / Chain Length ...
Category

1970s Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal

Tapio Wirkkala Hopeakuu Sterling Pendant
By Nilo Westerback, Tapio Wirkkala
Located in Brooklyn, NY
“Silver Moon” (Hopeakuu) sterling silver pendant comprising nine kinetic concentric rings of differing widths secured through a vertical rod, designed by Tapio Wirkkala in 1970 and p...
Category

1970s Swedish Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Silver

Paris Ephemeral Decorations, French Book by André Granet, Original 1948 Edition
By General Decoration
Located in Atlanta, GA
Décors éphémères: Les Expositions Jeux d'Eau et de Lumière, (Ephemeral decorations: water and light games exhibitions,) French book by André Granet, Original edition 1948, Preface by...
Category

1940s French Art Deco Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Isamu Noguchi by Sam Hunter 1st Edition 1979
Located in London, GB
1st edition published by Thames and Hudson 1979. Hardcover This sizeable monograph documents the remarkable life and career of artist and designer, Isamu Noguchi. From the ups and Do...
Category

1970s Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Francine Del Pierre 1913 - 1968 Poteries et Dessins
Located in London, GB
Published by Musées des Beaux-Arts de Caen, 1st edition, Caen, 1976. Soft cover, French text. Francine Del Pierre has moulded the precious earth in inexhaustibly diverse forms. She ...
Category

1970s Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Leather Fishing Fly and Cast Wallet
Located in Oxfordshire, GB
Vintage Leather Fly Wallet. A good pigskin leather fishing fly and cast wallet with embossed tram line decoration. The brown leather is in original condition, the strap and buckle is...
Category

1940s British Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Leather

George A. Tice Photographs, 1953-1973 - 1st edition, 1975
Located in London, GB
Published by Rutgers University Press, 1st edition, 1975. Soft cover, English text. George Tice was considered a prolific and well-established photographer in his thirties. A tender...
Category

1970s Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

The Early American Furniture Maker's Manual - A. W. Marlow - New York, 1974
Located in London, GB
Published by Macmillan Publishing Co., Inc., 1st edition 3rd printing, New York, 1974. Hardback with English text. The ideal step-by-step handbook for casual hobbyists who love a st...
Category

1970s Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

The Great Book of Currier & Ives' America
Located in Bradenton, FL
The Great Book of Currier & Ives' America by Walton Rawls. A huge hardcover with dustjacket coffee table book. First edition, published in 1979 by Abbeville Press of New York. Printe...
Category

1970s Japanese Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Bussola da rilevamento magnetico Medium Landing Compass N 1738 Inghilterra 1940s
Located in Milan, IT
Bussola da rilevamento magnetico, firmata Medium Landing Compass N. 1738 H Inghilterra anni quaranta. Sulla Rosa dei venti, completa di cerchio goniometrico è raffigurato lo stemma ...
Category

1940s Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Brass

Catalogue of the Vernay Collection A Special Sale Prior to Retirement, 1st Ed
Located in valatie, NY
Catalogue of the Vernay Collection of Early English Furniture, Porcelains, Old English Silver, Glassware and Other Art Objects, "A Special Sale Prior ...
Category

1940s American Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Carrara Ivory 1949 Emerson Model 581 Plaskon AM Vacuum Tube Radio Golden Age
By Emerson Electric
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Ivory 1949 Emerson Model 581 Plaskon AM Tube Radio Golden Age Beauty This radio was initially crafted using plaskon plastic, an enduring precursor to contemporary polycarbonate and styrene-based plastics. Manufactured by Emerson in the late 1940s, this exquisite AM tabletop tube clock...
Category

1940s Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Bakelite

Vintage 1946 Wurlitzer Model 1015 Bubbler Phonograph Original Rare
Located in Oakland, CA
Vintage Original 1946 Wurlitzer Model 1015 Bubbler Collector Multi-Selector Phonograph. This Jukebox is in exceptional condition, fully restored, and with a full set of 78s. The sound is amazing, the amp was rebuilt, and the original 15″ speaker. Special electronics allow you to surpass mechanical coin operations to make as many selections as you like. Contact us by message and I can send you a video with sound of it playing. This posting is for the Wurlitzer JukeBox...
Category

1940s American Art Deco Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Chrome, Nickel

Mid-Century Modern Hand Carved Pink Rock Crystal Catchall Bowl Vide Poche, 1970
Located in Miami, FL
Mid-Century Modern pink and white Mineral Rock ashtray, catchall, vide poche or bowl made in Italy. Raw Rock Crystal hand carved in a geometric shape. Great as Ring Dish or Key Bowl...
Category

1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Rock Crystal

1975 Vintage Skip Frye Surfboard
By Skip Frye
Located in Haleiwa, HI
1975 Vintage Skip Frye shaped surfboard. Features beautiful light blue deck with navy blue bottom and complimentary pinstriping. Wooden fin with blue see-through window. A gorgeous example of a full restored vintage 1970s Skip Frye surfboard.
Category

1970s American Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Fiberglass, Foam, Softwood

Steel Shafted Tom Morris Golf Club, St Andrews
Located in Oxfordshire, GB
Steel Shafted Tom Morris Golf Club. An early steel shafted golf club, No. 7 iron, stamped Tom Morris, St Andrews. The club head has a curved hollowed back and is stamped 'Walker Cup...
Category

1940s English Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Steel

Decorative Roman Style Helmet
Located in San Francisco, CA
Decorative Roman Style polished metal helmet. Fun accessory for your office or man cave. Heavy solid construction steel helmet, a great addition to your home decor.
Category

1970s American Hollywood Regency Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Chrome

The United States 1898 to 1933, French Book by Y.H. Nouailhat, 1973
By Modern History
Located in Atlanta, GA
Les Etats-Unis 1898 - 1933 L'Avenement d'une Puissance Mondiale (The United States 1898 - 1933 - The Advent of a World Power), by Y. H. Nouailhat, 1973. 1898 saw the appearance on th...
Category

1970s French Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Is it Genuine? A Guide to the Identification of 18th Century English Furniture
Located in London, GB
First Edition Hardback in Dust Jacket, published by Eyre & Spottiswoode, London, 1971. Text in English. “There is probably not enough genuine eighteenth-century furniture for sale...
Category

1970s Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

20th Century Italian Sterling Silver Chess Board, Chess Game Red Jasper, Marble
Located in VALENZA, IT
Sterling silver bi-color chessboard and chess game in "Florence" style. The chessboard is in molten silver with red jasper and white color marble The work was engraved with the anc...
Category

1970s Italian Renaissance Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Marble, Sterling Silver

Early 20th Century Belgian Black Board, Chalkboard
Located in Udenhout, NL
Early 20th Century Belgian Black Board, Chalkboard, in a good state.
Category

1940s Belgian Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Slate

Le Corbusier & P. Jeannette 1934-1938 by Max Bill 3rd Edition 1947
Located in London, GB
Published by Les Editions d’Architecture Erlenbac Zurich this is the third edition of the 1939 original – but the design was not changed. Condition very good/ dust jacket very good ...
Category

1940s Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Vintage 1976 J.R. Bauman Women’s Dress Form Adjustable Mannequin
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Vintage original J.R.Bauman 1976 dress form mannequin, New York. Size 16.5 with signs of age appropriate wear on a cast iron base with casters. The form is wrapped in linen and layer...
Category

1970s American Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal

1970s Gorgeous Smoking Set in Onyx. Made in Italy
Located in Milano, IT
1970s Gorgeous smoking set in onyx. The table lighter works perfectly. Made in Italy. The items are in excellent condition. Dimension: Table Lighter 2,36" x 2,36" x 3,93" H inches cm...
Category

1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Onyx

Mexico Taxco 1940 Giant Unique Lift Arm Petrol Lighter Solid 925 Sterling Silver
Located in Miami, FL
Giant lift arm petrol lighter made in Mexico Beautiful vintage giant lift-arm petrol lighter, created in the city of Taxco in Mexico during the late Art Deco period, circa 1940. Thi...
Category

1940s Mexican Art Deco Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Silver, Sterling Silver

Jesus on the Cross, Bronze on Plexiglass, Italy, 1970s
Located in Palermo, IT
Jesus on the Cross, Bronze on plexiglass, Italy, 1970s Found in a noble apartment, intact, small signs of aging.
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Bronze

Johan Rippen Grand Piano in Off-White Cast Aluminum
By Rippen Pianos
Located in Waalwijk, NL
J.J. Rippen for Rippen Pianofabriek N.V, grand piano, cast aluminum, wood, brass, The Netherlands, design 1946, production 1950s. This model is a renowned grand piano conceived by ...
Category

1940s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Aluminum, Brass

Rare Original 1946 Wurlitzer Jukebox 4008 external Speaker, lamp /bubbler
Located in Buffalo, NY
Rare Original 1946 Wurlitzer Jukebox 4008 Speaker, , bubbler. External speaker designed for the famed classic 1015 Wurlitzer Jukebox,, Amazing ori...
Category

1940s American Art Deco Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal

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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