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Collectibles and Curiosities For Sale
Style: Georgian
Style: Industrial
Vintage Central European Wooden Element
Located in High Point, NC
A wooden decoration created in 20th century central Europe. Crafted in an inherently minimal design, this unique element doesn’t fail to please the eye all the way around its structu...
Category

20th Century European Industrial Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Wood

Naudet & Co. 1915-1916 Paris World War I French Aviation Altimeter Militaire
Located in Miami, FL
World War I French aviation altimeter made by Naudet & Co. Antique French aviation altimeter designed specifically for aviation, and dating to th...
Category

1910s French Industrial Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Brass, Steel

Vintage 1950s Tommy Gun Movie Prop Theatrical Toy Weapon
Located in Hyattsville, MD
Measures: L 32.5 x W 8 x Thk 6 in.
Category

1950s American Industrial Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal

Antique Folding London Map, English, Cartography, Historic, Georgian, Dated 1783
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique folding London map. An English, paper on linen cartographical study of the London metropolis and the surrounding area, published in the mid Georgian period, dated ...
Category

Late 18th Century British Georgian Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Linen, Paper

Early 20th C Cast Iron Toy Sedan by A C Williams Original Red with Nickel Wheels
By A. C. Williams Company
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fabulous and classic cast iron toy from the early thirties. In what looks like to the original Red with Nickel Wheels and the right amount of wear to th...
Category

1930s American Industrial Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Iron, Nickel

Diminutive 19th Century American Mercantile Trade Store Display Model
Located in Forney, TX
A rare and historic diminutive hand-crafted and painted antique American country display model general store - mining trade mercantile cabinet. Mos...
Category

19th Century American Industrial Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Wrought Iron

Georgian 18th Century Elm Table Top Bureau
Located in Bedfordshire, GB
An Extremely Rare Mid 18th Century, George II Period Elm Table Top, Miniature, Bureau Retaining Exceptional Colour And Patina To Figured Timber Throughout, Having Fall Front Enclosin...
Category

Mid-18th Century English George II Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Elm

Antique Swiss Army MO-05 Bicycle, circa 1930-1940
Located in San Francisco, CA
About A Swiss Army MO-05 bicycle used by the elite Swiss Bicycle Infantry. All original Swiss parts included leather seat, working bell, leather tool pouch with two tools, tire pump, lock with key, head lamp, leather grips, Swiss metal license plate and a leather and cloth pouch with two spare tubes. Bicycle rides smoothly and easily. Front brakes only. The bell works well. Tires are original and hold air well. No gears, kick stand. Creator Swiss Army. Date of manufacture c.1930-1940. Materials and techniques leather, paint, steel. Condition good. Wear consistent with age and use. The head lamp is structurally sound. It may or may not work. Dimensions H 39 in. W 71.5 in. D 20 in. History The classic Swiss Army Bicycle...
Category

Early 20th Century Swiss Industrial Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Steel

1880s Pennsylvania Railroad Company Flyer Steam Train Locomotive Bronze Bell PRR
Located in Hyattsville, MD
Rings beautifully, and moves smoothly. Gifted from the Governor of Pennsylvania, David Lawerence to the Chancellor of the University of Pittsburgh prior to the merger of the PRR to ...
Category

19th Century American Industrial Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Iron, Bronze

Vintage Brass Track Trophy with Bakelite Base, circa 1950 (FREE SHIPPING)
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT An original brass plated track trophy with a Bakelite base. Engraved solid brass sleeve. CREATOR Nobel Trophies for Champions. DATE OF MANUFACTURE circa 1950. MATERI...
Category

Mid-20th Century Industrial Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Brass

Antique English Painted Leather Cordite Bucket with Liner
Located in Bridgeport, CT
The Bucket is worn overall in keeping with its function. A round leather covered bucket with black leather strap and painted British royal crest. W...
Category

19th Century English Georgian Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Brass

Calcolatrice Addizionatrice Merchant, Anni 20
Located in Felino, IT
calcolatrice addizionatrice. Marchant mod hs8-36961 del 1920 c.a in ottimo stato di conservazione. pare funzionare, ma non ne garantisco l'utilizzabilita' totale. i meccanismi comunq...
Category

1920s European Industrial Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Bakelite

Vampyre, The Terrifying Lost Journal of Dr. Cornelius Van Helsing Book
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Vampyre, The Terrifying Lost Journal of Dr. Cornelius Van Helsing by Knight, Mary-Jane. Published by Harper Collins, 2007. Vampyre! The name alone strikes terror into the hearts of...
Category

Late 20th Century Georgian Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

1970 Seiko Blue and Tobacco Retro Vintage Industrial Antique Steel Quartz Clock
Located in Leicester, Leicestershire
Seiko super tanker slave clock original aqua blue finish A reclaimed and restored maritime slave clock. These clocks were used in great numbers on super tankers, cargo ships an...
Category

1970s Japanese Industrial Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Cut Steel, Steel

Keuffel & Esser Co. Military Transit Surveyor Telescope
Located in Guaynabo, PR
This is a Keuffel & Effer Co. military transit surveyor. It consists of a compass and a telescope. Inside the center of the compass is hallmarked Keuffel & Esser. Also over the front...
Category

20th Century American Industrial Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal

Photography Panoramic 1922 Black and White Pennsylvania Fireman DuBois Hose Co.
Located in Savannah, GA
Large black and white panorama photograph featuring forty-six members of the J.E. DuBois Hose Company pictured with their Bureau of Fire, DuBois, P...
Category

1920s American Industrial Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Glass, Wood, Paper

Decorative Fluted Pedestal Table with Inlaid Compass Motif Top
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Made in the Philippines, in the style of Theodore Alexander. A tapering cylindrical fluted support with a banded round top and an inlaid compass. With a gilt faux tan leather apron w...
Category

20th Century Philippine Georgian Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Wood

Very Large George III Rosewood Gallery Magnifying Glass
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
A very large George III rosewood gallery magnifying glass, the circular glass within a rosewood frame, the baluster handle screwing into a brass bracket in the rim. English, circa 18...
Category

Early 19th Century English George III Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Rosewood

Aircraft Design Wind Tunnel Scale Model of a Late 1960s GAC-100 Airliner
Located in London, GB
A 1/10 scale wind tunnel model of a GAC-100 Commuter airliner. Wingspan: 7ft (214 cm) The model is constructed out of laminated mahogany, and is built to the highest standards,...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Industrial Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Mahogany

Georgian Terrestrial Pocket Globe by T. Harris and Son, London, 1813
Located in Oxfordshire, United Kingdom
A Rare George III pocket globe by T. Harris and Son, London, 1813. Housed in the original sharkskin case. A fasinsting and rare item in wonderful condition. The terrestrial globe inscribed 'New Terrestrial Globe By T.Harris and Sons 1813' rotates on its axes inside a hinged black shagreen case. The concave interior of the case applied with the engraved celestial charts of the Northern and Southern skies and depictatioins of the symbols of Zodiac. The Harris family — Thomas Harris (d. 1837) and his son William Harris (1797-1846) — were London opticians who also sold and later produced terrestrial and celestial globes. Initially, Thomas Harris was principally an optician and mathematical instrument maker. He was joined, and then succeeded, by William in...
Category

Early 19th Century English George III Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Plaster

Fabulous Quality Early 19th Century Mahogany Stick Barometer by Girolimo of Lo
Located in Martlesham, GB
A fabulous quality early 19th century mahogany stick barometer by Girolimo of London, having an architectural top with a central brass finial, rectangular silvered dial with a glazed and hinged door, the dial itself displays weather notations and has a mercury thermometer...
Category

1810s British Georgian Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Mahogany

Early 19th Century Mahogany Stick Barometer by Tagliaue & Torre of 294 Holborn
Located in Martlesham, GB
Early 19th century mahogany stick barometer by Tagliaue & Torre of 294 Holborn, London, having an architectural top with a central brass finial, rectangular silvered dial with a glazed and hinged door, the dial itself displays weather notations and has a mercury thermometer...
Category

1810s British Georgian Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Mahogany

Antique Copper Lightning Rod White Glass Indicator Shade
Located in New York, NY
Antique turn of the century copper lightning rod. These were attached at the top point of a building with a metal connecting it to the ground. If the rod...
Category

Early 20th Century American Industrial Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Copper, Steel

Rare Singer Model 24 Chain Stitch Small Sewing Machine
Located in Guaynabo, PR
This is a rare Singer Model 24 chain stitch small sewing machine. Its background is painted black and adorned with red and white foliages decal. A gold color ...
Category

Early 20th Century American Industrial Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal

18th Century, Architectural Model of Doric Column
Located in London, GB
An extremely rare, exquisite architectural model of a Doric column England, third quarter of 18th century. Why we like it Exquisitely carved and having accents picked out in gold, this extremely rare survivor from the golden era of Classical architecture in Britain was perhaps intended for an architect's office, or for a study of a gentleman architect, such as Lord Burlington (1694–1753), who was famously known as the "Apollo of the Arts" and the "Architect Earl". Such exquisite and decorative objects were copied from ancient Greek and Roman originals, that aspiring architects could see and draw during their 'Grand Tour' in Italy, Greece, Ottoman Empire and etc. The only other comparable example of such rare objects that we came across was a set of three columns, previously owned by the late Sir Albert Richardson (1880–1964), architect, historian, writer, artist, teacher and sometime President of the Royal Academy –  sold by Christie’s London, 19 September...
Category

Mid-18th Century English George III Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Walnut

1970s British Classic Blue & Chrome Ac Gmt Co. Industrial Wall Clock White Dial
Located in Leicester, Leicestershire
Rescued from Industrial scrap yards and brought back to life in our UK workshop, our expert process allows us to create a high quality clock of luxury standards. At A.C GMT Co. we ...
Category

1970s English Industrial Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Steel, Chrome

Early 20th Century Mexican Foosball Table with Metal Players, circa 1940
By Gaber
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT An early 20th c. wooden foosball table top with distressed, painted metal Mexican soccer players, rubber handles and metal "Gebar" branded ashtrays on each end. Original paint...
Category

Early 20th Century Mexican Industrial Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal

Gymnastic Vintage Leather Pommel Horse Gym Bench Top, 1930s
Located in Wien, AT
This gymnastics bench comes from a gym in Prague and was designed in the 1930s. The iron feet are retained. The thick cowhide has been cleaned and preserved and has a very nice patina. Completely restored. All of our vintage gym equipment...
Category

Mid-20th Century Czech Industrial Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Iron

Antique Vintage Kodak Glass Beaker
Located in San Diego, CA
Vintage 1940s glass Kodak developer beaker. This amazing piece is minimal and cool, and features a large 32 ounce capacity for holding and measuring liquids. Used primarily in dark rooms for photo developer solution, this beaker would be a great gift for that avid photographer, or use as a very unique flower vase...
Category

1940s American Industrial Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Glass

1904 Mills Owl Strength Tester, Floor Standing Arcade Machine
Located in Peekskill, NY
Today in the world of collecting coin operated amusements, there are many machines which are classified as “unattainable.” These machines are either so rare that there are only 1-2 or no known examples today. This is one of the rarest as well as the earliest Penney Arcade machine...
Category

Early 20th Century American Industrial Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Bronze

1970 Seiko Blue and Tobacco Retro Vintage Industrial Antique Steel Quartz Clock
Located in Leicester, Leicestershire
Seiko super tanker slave clock original aqua marine green finish A reclaimed and restored maritime slave clock. These clocks were used in great numbers on super tankers, cargo ...
Category

1970s Japanese Industrial Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Cut Steel, Steel

Large 19th Century Iron Pot, Cauldron on Stand
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Large 19th century iron pot, cauldron on stand This is an interesting Pot, it is made in cast iron, it has a lid and a stand on which it can be tilted. The pot has green verdigri...
Category

19th Century Industrial Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Iron

Antique Brass Handled Aspersory Holy Water Container
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A fine antique brass handled aspersory or holy water container dating from the 18th or 19th century. Probably British, the aspersory is made in solid b...
Category

19th Century British Georgian Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Brass

Large 1940s Vintage Industrial Apothecary Laboratory Teaching Scale Balance
Located in Lafayette, IN
Rare 1940's vintage large-scale teaching scale/balance. Scale stands a massive 50" tall and was originally used as an instructional scale in a Purdue University lab (hence the large ...
Category

1940s American Industrial Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Steel, Iron

WW1 Curtis Flying Boat Hand Carved Wood Propeller
Located in New York, NY
Genuine rare 1917 hand carved WW1 wood propeller with brass tips. Manufactured by Matthew Bros MFG. Co. in Milwaukee, WI. These propellers were often seen on the US Navy's H16 Flying...
Category

1910s American Industrial Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Mahogany, Wood

18th Century Walnut Miniature Bureau
Located in Bedfordshire, GB
A very attractive and charming 18th century, George II Period, walnut and oak miniature bureau, having elegant inlaid decoration and original brasswea...
Category

Early 18th Century English George II Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Walnut

ZIL Semi-Trailer Truck Toy, 1980s
Located in Antwerp, BE
Large Zil semi-trailer truck toy. A large vintage metal truck toy with a red cabin and a bright green trailer. The color and painting is still original....
Category

Late 20th Century Russian Industrial Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal

Vintage Leather Gym Bench Top, 1930s
Located in Wien, AT
This gymnastics bench comes from a gym in Prague and was designed in the 1930s. The iron feet are retained. The thick cowhide has been cleaned and preserved and has a very nice patina. Completely restored. All of our vintage gym equipment...
Category

Mid-20th Century Czech Industrial Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Iron

Antique 18th or Early 19th Century Horn Folding Magnifying Glass or Loupe
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine antique magnifying glass or loupe. The frame comprised of horn (likely from a steer or ram). The magnifying glass is be rotated in and out of the cover protecting the lens while not in use. Simply a great antique magnifier...
Category

Early 19th Century Unknown George III Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Horn, Glass

English Georgian Thomas Luny Original Oil "Retrieving the Grog before the Storm"
Located in Wells, ME
English original oil painting on canvas "Retrieving the Grog Before the Storm"; signed lower left: Thomas LUNY; and indistinctly dated--only a "2" is discernable. This dramatic painting depicts ships outward bound while smugglers in the foreground heave their small boat to shore while others roll a barrel of grog to safety. The sea is building while the white cliffs and stone fortress at the entrance to a harbor stand firm against the impending storm. This is quintessential Luny, displaying his deft handling of the ocean and the exposition of coastal life in the early 19th century. We have had this painting cleaned, rebacked and restored by Northeast Painting Conservation, York, Maine. Thomas Luny (1759-1837), was born in Cornwall but moved to London at an early age and was raised there by his parents, Thomas and Elizabeth. Thomas' father is thought to have been employed in some activity at the London Docks and from thence the younger Thomas was exposed to the maritime world from an early age. He is thought to have been apprenticed to the London artist Francis Holman...
Category

Early 19th Century English Georgian Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Canvas, Paint

Map Silk Embroidered Western Eastern Hemisphere New Old World Asia America Afri
Located in BUNGAY, SUFFOLK
A rare, late-18th century, silk, embroidered, double hemisphere, world map, blackwork, sampler, showing the tracks of captain cook’s three voyages - Illustrating public understanding of the world in the late-18th century and the recent discoveries of the time delineating the tracks of Captain Cook’s three voyages. - Shows the incentive for further exploration during the 19th century as no mass is indicated within the southern polar region, the interior portions of western North America, Africa, and Australia are still relatively void of detail even though California is no longer shown as an island. - Includes beautifully worked allegories of the four continents Asia, the Americas, Africa & Europe, a cartouche being supported by two angels and a compass - The cream, silk ground is finely embroidered with a variety of stiches in black, silk threads emulating the black ink on maps. -“Recent international conflicts and voyages by Captain Cook and others made the study of geography exciting at the time this map was made. Elaborate embroidered maps...
Category

18th Century British Georgian Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Silk

Map Southern Scotland Thomas Conder Alex Hogg 1795
Located in BUNGAY, SUFFOLK
A new map of the southern part of Scotland containing the counties of Stirling, Lanerk, Renfrew, Linlithgow, Edinburgh, Peebles, Haddingtoun, Berwick, Selkirk, Roxburgh, Dumfries, Wigtoun, Kirkudbright & Air Published by Alex Hogg at the Kings Arms...
Category

18th Century English Georgian Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Early 20th c. "Portfolio of Anatomical Manikins" Book c.1932 (FREE SHIPPING)
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT An original anatomical book with vivid illustration of the human body. Tan printed wrappers. Contains twelve full page and full-color anatomical illustrations, all are brigh...
Category

Early 20th Century American Industrial Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Gymnastic Leather Pommel Horse Bench Top, 1930s
Located in Wien, AT
Pommel horse from former Czechoslovakia from the 1930s with beautiful patina, shortened to bench height 50cm and very good vintage condition. Completely restored. The iron feet are preserved. The thick leather has been cleaned and preserved. All of our premium vintage gym equipment...
Category

Mid-20th Century Czech Industrial Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Iron

Map Lancashire 1793 John Cary engraver 37cm 14 1/2" high
Located in BUNGAY, SUFFOLK
Map of Lancashire by John Cary engraver published 1st Jan 1793 by J Cary Engraver & Mapseller Strand in original black and gold classic map frame
Category

18th Century English Georgian Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Two Iron Anchors as Wall Sculptures, 1950's
Located in Nantucket, MA
Two old iron anchors with great sculptural appeal. They could actually still be used as anchors for a small boat, but would look great as sculptures on the wall. Circa 1950's. Pri...
Category

Mid-20th Century Industrial Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Iron

Georgian Oak Miniature Chest of Drawers
Located in Bedfordshire, GB
An extremely attractive and very good quality late 18th century, Georgian, oak miniature chest, having well figured rectangular top, over two short and three long drawers retaining original turned wooden knobs, flanked by elegant half turned columns, raised on elegant original shaped bracket feet. A beautifully charming little piece of 18th century miniature furniture, constructed from rich, warm oak timbers which retain an exceptional colour and patina, it boasts original handles and feet. Almost certainly it was made as a sample piece of furniture originally. There is regular debate over whether miniature furniture was made as an apprentice piece, which is when a craftsmen who was looking for a job at a workshop would create something to showcase their talents. Or whether it was made as a travelling salesman...
Category

Late 18th Century English Georgian Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Oak

1970's British Ultimate Gray /Monochrome Black AC GMT Co. Classic Wall Clock
Located in Leicester, Leicestershire
Quartz sweep seconds / non ticking wall clock finished in ultimate gray pantone 17-5104 Rescued from Industrial scrap yards and brought back to life in our UK workshop, our expert...
Category

1970s English Industrial Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Chrome, Steel

1970's British Yellow Illumination & White AC GMT Co. Classic Quartz Wall Clock
Located in Leicester, Leicestershire
Quartz sweep seconds / non ticking wall clock finished in Yellow Pantone 13-0647 Illuminating. Rescued from Industrial scrap yards and brought back t...
Category

1970s English Industrial Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Chrome, Steel

Georgian Miniature Mahogany Chest
Located in Bedfordshire, GB
An Attractive 18th century Georgian, Mahoghany Miniature chest, having two short and three long drawers with original turned wooden knobs, raised on original shaped bracket feet. Almost certainly made by an apprentice looking to showcase his skills to a prospective employer at an established cabinet making workshop, this georgian miniature chest of drawers has real charm and character to it. Normally antique miniature furniture...
Category

Late 18th Century English Georgian Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Mahogany

18th Century Architectural Model of a Corinthian Column
Located in London, GB
An extremely rare, exquisite Grand Tour-inspired architectural model of a Corinthian column England, third quarter of 18th century. Why we like it Exquisitely carved and having acce...
Category

Mid-18th Century English George III Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Wood

Map Berkshire C&J Greenwood Windsor Castle JDower Polling Hundreds
Located in BUNGAY, SUFFOLK
Map of the County of Berkshire from an Actual Survey made in the Years 1822 & 1823 by C&J Greenwood Published by the Proprietors Greenwood & Co 13 Regent Street Pall Mall London Ju...
Category

19th Century English Georgian Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

19th Century Antique English Georg III Mahogany Barometer
Located in VALENZA, IT
A fine quality example of a mercury wheel barometer. A mahogany case. A wider and deeper case with an opening door for the long scale thermometer with silvered dial. A silvered engraved dial signed 'J.B.Sala, Holborn'. Circa 1820. The banjo barometer is also known as the wheel barometer. It was invented by Robert Hooke...
Category

1810s English George III Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Mahogany

Map Wiltshire Joshua Archer Pentonville London framed 35cm 14" high
Located in BUNGAY, SUFFOLK
Map of Wiltshire Drawn & Engraved by Joshua Archer Pentonville London Window Parts of Wiltshire in Berkshire Explanation of Salisbury County Divisions
Category

19th Century English Georgian Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Map Bedfordshire No 3 General Framed
Located in BUNGAY, SUFFOLK
A general map of Bedfordshire with its hundreds. Measure: 37cm 14 1/2" high A scale of 5 miles. in the original green mount and traditional black and gold frame. charming map with...
Category

18th Century English Georgian Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Map Kyle Carrick Aireshire Thomas Kitchen 1749
Located in BUNGAY, SUFFOLK
A Map of Kyle & Carrick Aireshire Thomas Kitchen 1749 In original black and gold frame Just purchased more information to follow MAKER Thomas Kitchin (1718-1784) English engrave...
Category

18th Century English Georgian Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Underwood Vintage Manual Typewriter
By Underwood Universal
Located in Pasadena, TX
Underwood ” Vintage manual typewriter The Underwood Typewriter Company was a manufacturer of typewriters headquartered in New Y...
Category

1940s North American Industrial Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Steel

Cambridgeshire J Cary
Located in BUNGAY, SUFFOLK
Cambridgeshire published may 1 1814 engraver no 181 strand Maker John Cary c. 1754 – 1835.
Category

19th Century English Georgian Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

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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