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Collectibles and Curiosities For Sale
Period: Mid-20th Century
Period: 19th Century
Large Bracelet With Mediterranean Coral Branches
Located in Madrid, ES
Large Bracelet With Mediterranean Coral Branches LARGE BRACELET WITH BRANCHES OF MEDITERRANEAN CORAL ELEGANT ITALIAN BRACELET FROM THE 1950s WITH BRANCH...
Category

1950s Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Coral

Set of Japanese Hand Painted Perfume or Snuff Bottle in Original Box
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Set of Japanese Hand Painted Perfume or Snuff Bottle in Original Box This is a Complete set of 4 Japanese Reverse Hand Painted and Glass Snuff or...
Category

1950s Japonisme Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Art Glass

Mother of Pearl Opera Glasses by Colmont Paris
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
A gorgeous pair of antique Mother-of-Pearl opera or theatre glasses, by renowned maker 'Colmont Paris'. Constructed from brass, with inlaid panels of i...
Category

19th Century French Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Brass

Ronson 1936 Art Deco Tourette Geometric Bronze Table Touch Iip Lighter
Located in Miami, FL
A bronze Tourette desk lighter designed by Ronson. Very rare desk table Touch-Tip lighter, created in Newark New Jersey by Ronson, at The Art Metal Works Co. during the art deco per...
Category

1930s North American Art Deco Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Bronze

PLANCHE - The Vampire; or Bride of the isles - 1820 - FIRST AND ONLY EDITION
Located in Hillsborough, NJ
AUTHOR: PLANCHE, James Robinson: Pierre-Frederic-Adolphe Carmouche. TITLE: The Vampire; or, Bride of the isles, A Tale, founded on the popular superstition of Caledonia.... From wh...
Category

1820s British Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Leather

Victorian Marquetry Wall Barometer and Thermometer
Located in London, GB
Victorian marquetry wall barometer and thermometer. English, 19th century Measures: height 98cm, width 25cm, depth 7cm. This elegant piece is a fin...
Category

19th Century English Victorian Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Wood

Antique Pug French Bull Dog Glove Holder Walking Stick Cane
Located in Miami, FL
Antique Pug French bull-dog glove holder walking stick cane Offered for sale is an Antique 19th-century carved hardwood glove holder walk...
Category

Late 19th Century English Late Victorian Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Copper

Rare Set of Three Grape Christmas Ornament Vintage, 1930s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A rare Christmas ornament set of three. Each is made from mouth blown glass, this would be a great addition for your Christmas or feather tree. Size alw...
Category

1930s German Folk Art Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Wire

Cyprien Berard - Lord Ruthwen, ou Les Vampires - 1820 - FIRST FRENCH EDITION
Located in Hillsborough, NJ
AUTHOR: Cyprien Berard and Charles Nodier. TITLE: Lord Ruthwen, ou Les Vampires. PUBLISHER: Paris: Chez Ladvocat, Libraire, 1820. DESCRIPTION: FIRST FRENCH EDITION. 2 vols., 6-3/...
Category

1820s French Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Leather

Antique Black Forest Tobacco Pipe with Chamois Horn and Figurine
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Black Forest Tobacco Pipe with Chamois Horn and Figurine A marvellous antique handcarved tobacco pipe with fine carved chamois on the carved horn lid. The pipe head is made ...
Category

Late 19th Century German Black Forest Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Wood, Antler

Moby Dick by Herman Melville, First Edition, Illustrated by Rockwell Kent, 1930
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
Melville, Herman. Illustrated by Rockwell Kent. Moby Dick. New York: Random House, 1930. First Trade Edition with Kent Illustrations. Rebound in full leather. Housed in a matching cu...
Category

1930s American Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Mid-Century Modern Industrial Explosion Proof Phone by Crouse-Hinds C1955
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Rare and unusual industrial explosion proof telephone by Crouse-Hinds from the 50s. Cast aluminum with a bakelite style phone. No dial. Supposed to be from a blasting site. Untested....
Category

1950s American Industrial Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Aluminum

14K Gold Three Diamond Ring
Located in Bronx, NY
This stunning sparkling ladies diamond ring features three brilliant cut round diamonds prong set in a 14K white gold setting mounted on a 14K yellow gold band. The center diamond is...
Category

1960s American Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Gold

19th Italian Century Grand Tour Bronze Sculpture of Nude Narcissus
Located in Stamford, CT
19th century Italian Grand Tour bronze of Narcissus standing and gazing at his reflection after the ancient Roman original excavated at Pompeii in 1862, now at the Archaeological Mus...
Category

Late 19th Century Classical Roman Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Bronze

Central Park Pinball Machine, 1966 USA
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage 'Central Park' pinball machine from 1966. Designed by Ed Krynski and manufactured by Gottlieb. 3,100 units produced in total. In excellent working condition. Great visuals and sounds. Central Park is a very difficult game due to the large gap between the flippers. The goal of the game is to raise a special called the Tree Bonus by collecting numbers. The player can collect numbers by hitting targets at the top of the playfield. Flippers (2), Pop bumpers (4), Slingshots (2), Standup targets (12), Left and right dual outlanes. Mechanical backbox animation (monkey rings...
Category

1960s American Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal

Rare 911 Porsche Friction Tin Toy by Bandai Toy Co. Made in Japan Circa 1960's
Located in Incline Village, NV
Offered here is a whitish/cream colored friction tin toy 911 Porsche circa 1960's, marked at the bottom; "Porsche" in addition to the Bandai Toy Company logo embossed, along with "Made in Japan" designation being noted. The Bandai Toy Company is a post war toy company established in Taito, Japan circa 1950 and is still conducting business today, albeit, it has shifted from toy manufacturing to video toy accessories. This is a very rare toy and is coveted by collectors of both toys and fast cars. Except for the odd and minor scratch here and there, the toy is in very nice, all original condition with absolutely no restoration or touch up to the paint or mechanism (see images). The action and friction functionality works well (see video). Motor and engine mechanics and nomenclature are colorfully displayed through the plastic rear trunk window (see image); while the colorful interior can be seen through the side window. Car is all tin, with rubber tires and plastic windows. Dimensions: 10 1/4" long x 4" wide x 3 1/4" high. Priced competitively; note that this toy doesn't become available very often and the few that have turned up in recent years , don't work and are several hundred dollars more than mine. Note: After 40 plus years of dealing and collecting toys, I am justly qualified to guarantee and present the authenticity of antique and vintage toys; important considering fakes and reproductions in the marketplace it would behoove an enterprising collector, dealer, or decorator to take advantage of the opportunity to buy as many of the vintage tin...
Category

1960s Japanese Folk Art Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Tin

Vintage Red Long Amber Necklace, 1960
Located in Oostrum-Venray, NL
Do you also want to wear something nice and especially something that others don't have, this might be something for you. These beads have a beautiful red color. This is an amber ...
Category

1960s Baltic Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Multi-gemstone

Framed Nautical Flag by Dettra
Located in Norwell, MA
Linen maritime flag with sturdy canvas hoist and stitched panels of yellow and blue. The hoist is stamped Dettra Flag Company Incorporated. This is a US Navy signal for number EIGHT,...
Category

1940s North American Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Linen

19th Century French Table Top Sedan Chair Vitrine Cabinet
Located in Atlanta, GA
Antique Sedan Chair Vitrine Cabinet, Antique Upholstered Sedan Chair Vitrine Cabinet, French 19th Century, bombe shaped booth mounted with brocade ...
Category

19th Century French French Provincial Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Wool, Silk, Glass, Walnut

Brooch in the form of a Rose by G. Raspini, Italy 1960s
Located in Roma, IT
Brooch in the form of a Rose, with its original case. Realized in Italy, Arezzo, by G. Raspini in 1960s. Silver. L. 17.8 cm, 44 g. Hallmarked with guarantee and maker's marks as we...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Sterling Silver

Oeuvres Completes De Colette. Complete Works of Colette - FIRST COLLECTED EDITON
Located in Hillsborough, NJ
AUTHOR: COLETTE, Sidonie-Gabrielle. TITLE: Oeuvres Completes De Colette. (The Complete Works of Colette). PUBLISHER: Paris: Flammarion, Le Fleuron, 1948-1950, DESCRIPTION: THE FI...
Category

1940s French Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Leather

19th Louis XIV Style Pair of Church / Altar Candlesticks in Silver Metal / Lamp
Located in Beuzevillette, FR
Very nice pair of church or altar candlesticks in silver metal. The wear of the silver gives them a magnificent patina. Louis XIV-style Nineteenth century. These pretty candlehol...
Category

19th Century European Louis XIV Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Silver Plate

1863 "Lloyd's New Map of the United States, the Canadas, and New Brunswick"
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
Presented is “Lloyd's New Map of the United States, the Canadas and New Brunswick, From the latest Surveys, Showing Every Railroad & Station Finished to June 1863, and the Atlantic and Gulf Coasts.” A large, Civil War-era hanging map of the United States and adjacent territories, this map covers the area from the Atlantic Ocean and extends as far west as the 103 meridian, to “Dacotah,” Nebraska, Kansas, "Indian Territory," and Texas. The southern continuation of Florida is shown in an inset map along the right margin. This map was published by J. T. Lloyd, in New York, in 1863. According to the publisher’s marking at lower right, this map was originally issued in two states: "in Sheets, Colored" for 50 cents, and "Varnished nicely, with Rollers" for $1. Throughout the map, the counties are colored and the towns and cities well labeled. A reference key in the bottom margin provides symbols for railroads, turnpikes and wagon roads, state capitals, cities and towns, and village post offices. As emphasized in the map’s title, this map is especially notable for the countless railway lines and stations depicted, with distances noted between points, listing “every railroad and finished station to June 1863.” Additionally, two shipping agents and their routes are drawn out of New York City. The map includes details of the steamship routes into New York and Philadelphia from Liverpool and on to California and Oregon via an overland Nicaraguan trek, presumably to assist gold rush emigrants. This expansive and impressive map depicts the eastern half of the United States in the third year of the Civil War. In order not to recognize the legitimacy of the Confederate States of America, each state is shown in the same manner as the Union states. The only indication that the American Civil War was in progress when this map was published is a printed notice that Gideon Wells, Secretary of the Navy, wishes to acquire a quote on 100 copies of Lloyd’s Mississippi River map...
Category

1860s American Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Linen, Wood, Paper

Antique Handmade Folklore Vest with Unique Details, Greece, 19th Century
Located in Copenhagen K, DK
Greece, 19th Century A greek folklore vest. H 70 x W 110 cm (when folded out)
Category

19th Century Greek Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Wool

Claude Montal Exposition Universelle Piano
Located in New Orleans, LA
Crafted by renowned French artisan and author Claude Montal, this piano was presented at the famed Crystal Palace exhibition in London in 1851, where it ...
Category

19th Century French Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Bronze

Deer Antler Mount from France
Located in Chicago, IL
Deer Antler Mount from France probably from the 1960s.
Category

1960s French Country Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Antler

20th Century Navajo Silversmith Sadie Calvin Jasper and Silver Cuff
Located in Point Richmond, CA
20th century Navajo silversmith Sadie Calvin Jasper and Silver bracelet Four gorgeous red jasper cabochons are set in this nicely stamped silver bracelet...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Native American Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Silver

American Mahogany Five Drawer Miniature with Flanking Columns & Bun Feet, C 1820
Located in Hollywood, SC
American Sheraton Mahogany five drawer miniature chest with a carved molded edge top, flanking turned bulbous half columns, turned wooden knobs with central mother of pearl inlays, a...
Category

1820s American Sheraton Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Mother-of-Pearl, Mahogany, Pine

Gorgeous Late 19th Century Austrian Jewelers Anvil, 1890s, Vienna
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A very nice early 20th century Austrian jewelers metal anvil. Perfect as a paper weight, gift for a jewelry collector or of course, as a tool. Nice older addition to any collection....
Category

1890s Austrian Arts and Crafts Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal, Steel

Antique Swedish Leather-Bound Bible Book, 1810
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Swedish leather-bound Bible, with brass brackets decorated with two hearts and two anchors. According to the estate in Sweden where I purchased this book, it belonged to a Scandinavi...
Category

1810s Swedish Empire Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Brass

"Boy Riding a Turtle" Wind-Up Toy; by J. Chein, circa 1930s
Located in Incline Village, NV
By J. Chein, circa 1930, this tin lithographed and hand painted American tin wind-up toy is all original and in working order. There are a few scratches here and there (from normal play and use); but for a nearly 100 year old toy, it is in very good and all original paint with no touch up or restoration. The turtle is painted in colors of yellow (predominantly) with a turquoise border and red dots, and an orange neck; while the boy is dressed in yellow. The action of the toy portrays a boy riding a turtle; and upon winding up the attached clockwork key and releasing on the floor, the turtle with boy rider, ride away! The turtle moves his head up and down while the boy rocks up and down, as the turtle moves across the floor (see attached 12 second video of operation). Works well (unique for this toy) but occasionally "sticks". Of American manufacturer (marked on the left of center of the shell of the turtle), the J. Chein Company was in Harrison, New Jersey, and one of the premier toy makers of the 1930's. Dimensions: 8" long x 4 1/2" wide x 4" high Note: After 40 plus years of dealing and collecting toys, I am justly qualified to guarantee and present the authenticity of antique and vintage toys...
Category

1930s American Folk Art Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Tin

1960s Modernist Striking Chess Game Set Aluminum and Walnut Wood
Located in Chula Vista, CA
1960s Modern chess game set in aluminum and walnut wood Unmarked Preowned vintage condition. Some pieces have been restored. Refer to all images please. Measures: 3 tall x 12 x...
Category

1960s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Aluminum

English Sterling Silver Charm Bracelet with Heart Lock Antique Bracelet, 1960s
Located in Hampshire, GB
Open curb link bracelet with heart padlock clasp hung a variety of charms, including, a fire engine, motorcycle, trolley bus, doctor’s bag, dunce hat, barrel organ and an engagement ring with a jewel on top. A Lovely English sterling silver double-link charm bracelet with a safety chain. There are Twenty-Nine charms The bracelet is in excellent condition, with scratching as expected. We have given the bracelet a light clean. 96g total gross weight. Condition Excellent condition. This is a fabulous vintage 1960s silver charm...
Category

Mid-20th Century English Early Victorian Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal, Sterling Silver, Silver

Sadeli Anglo-Indian Inlay Bone Ebony Chess Board
Located in Sharon, CT
Anglo-Indian Bone inlay Ebony Chess Board 'Sadeli' work box.
Category

Late 19th Century Indian Anglo-Indian Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Bone, Ebony

African Campaign Military Metal Chest Luggage J Willis Fleming Esq Deputy Lieut
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this very nice and collectable antique field used Jones Brothers & Co of Wolverhampton LTD Steel boots case with an original engraved plaque for J ...
Category

1880s English Campaign Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Steel

Jesus on Cross Figurine by Hagenauer Made from Nutwood and Sooted Brass
Located in Vienna, AT
For sale is a Mid-Century Jesus fetish by Austrian Werkstätte Hagenauer Wien. The cross is made from beautiful, warm-toned nutwood and slightly varnished. The Jesus figurine is made ...
Category

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

Materials

Brass, Iron

Large English Marine Writing Desk - Solid Mahogany and Brass - Xixth Century
Located in CRÉTEIL, FR
Large solid mahogany marine case decorated with brass reinforcements and blank cartouche. This magnificent work is English in the taste of the productions of Martin Guillaume Biennais...
Category

19th Century English Other Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Wood

Large Parchment and Brass Pipe Shaped Box by Aldo Tura for Macabo, Italy, 1950s
Located in Milan, IT
Pipe shaped box by Aldo Tura for Macabo. Parchment covered piece with brass and ash wood details
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Brass

Vintage Child's Toy Tin Large Spinning Top by Chein Company, American, Ca. 1950
Located in Incline Village, NV
Highly colorful and completely operational hard to find LARGE tin child's toy spinning top made by the J. Chein Company, Harrison, New Jersey, Circa 1950. It works great and is in co...
Category

1950s American Folk Art Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Tin

19th Century American Neo-Gothic Oak Church Altar Temple Lectern Book Stand
Located in Forney, TX
A monumental antique Victorian Gothic Revival carved oak church altar / synagogue lectern / book stand podium. Hand-crafted in the 19th century, having a sloped book-rest to the top...
Category

19th Century North American Gothic Revival Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Oak

Early 20th century clockwork Automaton Diorama
Located in London, GB
Early 20th century clockwork Automaton Diorama A truly wonderful example of an early 20th Century Dutch clockwork automaton diorama. The animation takes place after both clockwork me...
Category

1930s Dutch Victorian Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Wood

Eight Antique Blacksmith's Hammers Made in Italy, 1930s
Located in Palermo, IT
Eight antique blacksmith's hammers, Italy, 1930 Found in a bed base factory that belonged to my great-grandfather. The wooden handles need to be added.
Category

1930s Italian Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Iron

Book Binder's Press by Robert Ritchie of Edinburgh
Located in London, GB
A 19th century nipping or copying press by Robert Ritchie of Edinburgh. Marked: PATENT ROBERT RITCHIE EDINBURGH.
Category

Late 19th Century Scottish Victorian Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Iron

Rare, special smoking table, tabbacco accessories, Black Forest, Tramp Art, 1895
Located in Wien, AT
Fascinating smoking table with detachable accessories, made in Bavaria or Austria at the end of the 19th century. The ingenious design features a column - stylized as a branch growi...
Category

1890s German Folk Art Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Wood

Antique Polar Bear Cub in Silver Plate on Quartz Rock
Located in Oxfordshire, GB
Vintage Polar Bear Sculpture. An arctic sculpture of a polar bear on an iceberg. The polar bear is well made, silver plated and the iceberg is made of...
Category

1930s British Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Quartz, Silver Plate

Repertorio del Design italiano 1950-2000 per l'arredamento domestico
Located in Montelabbate, PU
The most comprehensive resource on mid to late 20th-century Italian design. Covering 50 years of furniture designs, this two-volume boxed set is organised by year and broken into sec...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

1960s Carl Aubock Werkstatte #5606 Nickel Chess Set in Box Vintage Midcentury
Located in Hyattsville, MD
Carl Aubock III chess set Austria, 1968 Beech, stained beech, nickel-plated steel, enameled steel Box W 18 x D 6 x H 1 5/8 in. King H 2 15/16 in. Sold with vintage original...
Category

1960s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Nickel

Antique Carved Wood Tobacco Pipe with Soldier Head
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Carved Wood Tobacco Pipe with Soldier Head A rare antique handcarved wooden tobacco pipe with a fine carved soldier head as pipe head. The head features a Confederated or a Union soldier. The pipe is executed in Germany ca. 1880. A great addition to every tobacciana collection. Good condition with a small repair on the hat brim. The tradition of wood carving, using manual skills to make everyday objects and fine art sculptures, is found throughout Europe. The incentive to create not only useful but also aesthetically beautiful things, distinguishes the craftsman from the artist. In addition to the well-known Swiss wood...
Category

Late 19th Century German Black Forest Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Wood

Vintage Pre-War Wind-Up Toy "Boy on Motorcycle Delivery Truck" by Marx
Located in Incline Village, NV
This brightly lithographed tin wind-up toy in colors of red, yellow, and blue, with a driver dressed in appropriate motorcycle clothing, depicts a young man driving a delivery cart with "Speed Boy Delivery" printed on each side of the wagon. The manufacturers logo is clearly marked on both sides of the stake wagon and on the right shoulder of the driver "MAR" with a circle around it and "Made in The United States of America, New York, N.Y." around the circumference (see images). The license plate number is "268", which, along with the red painted inside of the drivers arms (as it should be!) indicates this earlier version and authenticity. Nearly 100 years old, it still operates fine and, upon winding the attached wind-up key a few times and placing the toy on the ground, the motorcycle and driver move across the floor on the way to their deliveries; do not over wind. (see video attached to this listing). The toy is completely original and in very good condition, with no repairs or restorations of any kind and no touch up or repaint. The arms and steering handle bars are also original (sometimes replaced) and they have the appropriate paint and markings. This would make a welcome addition to a collection of pre-war Americana. Dimensions: 9 7/8" long x 5 7/8" wide x 5 3/4" high After 40 plus years of dealing and collecting toys, I am justly qualified to guarantee and present the authenticity of antique and vintage toys...
Category

1930s Folk Art Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Tin

Antique 1844 J Calvin Smith JH Colton Midwest United States Survey Map 27"
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique framed black and white map of seven Midwestern American states. Guide Through Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Missouri, Wisco...
Category

1840s Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Antique Sterling Silver Snuff Box with Floral Motif
Located in Vienna, AT
This beautiful snuff box is made from sterling silver. Its inside is gold plated. Lid and bottom are covered in the same floral design reminiscent of a bouquet or floral ornament. Th...
Category

Early 19th Century Austrian Empire Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Gold Plate, Sterling Silver

Cast Iron Post Letter Box
Located in Chicago, IL
Cast iron post letter box - rare and fun.
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Iron

Anatomical Cut of Human Skull Papier-maché, Didactical Collectables, Dr.Auzoux
Located in Leuven , BE
Anatomical cut of a human skull composed in natural painted papier-maché, with numbered labels on the different elements
Category

19th Century French Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Plaster, Paper

Antique Bayliss & Co 19th Century English Brass Apothecary Counter Scale Balance
Located in Dayton, OH
"An antique 4 lb mercantile balance by Bayliss & Co of Birmingham, England. Features a twisted iron stand and brass balance with tray and scoop. Makers mark engraved along top arm The antique apothecary scale...
Category

Late 19th Century Victorian Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Brass, Iron

Les Porcelainiers du XVIII Siecle Francais, 1964, french, Connaissance des Arts
By Hachette et Cie
Located in San Francisco, CA
Serge Gauthier, director de la manufacture nationale de Sevres, conservateur du musee municipal de Limoges wrote the preface to this book. The story of French Porcellain is fascinati...
Category

1960s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Early Vintage Chein Company All Tin Toy Wind-Up Limousine, American, Circa 1930
Located in Incline Village, NV
This is one of the earlier, New York City based, J. Chein Company, tin toy pieces. They started doing lithography in 1930. This toy wind-up sedan was made circa 1930 and is brightly ...
Category

1930s American Folk Art Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Tin

3 Volume Antique 1849 Leather Book Set the French Revolutions Redhead
Located in Dayton, OH
"Three volume set of mid 19th century hard cover books featuring marbled boards / page edges and leather spines. - 1848 / 1849 – The French Revolutions...
Category

1840s Victorian Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Leather, Paper

19th Century Miniature Wellington Chest, England
By Wellington
Located in Den Haag, NL
Beautiful miniature Wellington chest of drawers. Warm Mahogany color. All four drawers are locked by the hinged side pilaster on the right, term...
Category

1880s English Victorian Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Mahogany

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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The world’s most opulent chess set, weighing in at 513 carats, is literally fit for a king and queen.

Tauba Auerbach’s Geometric Pop-Up Book Is Mighty Rare, Thanks to a Hurricane

This sculptural art book has an epic backstory of its own.

Step inside the Storied Mansions of Palm Beach’s Most Effervescent Architect

From Spanish-style courtyards to fanciful fountains, these acclaimed structures abound in surprising and elegant details.

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