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Collectibles and Curiosities For Sale
Period: 1930s
Period: Early 1900s
Pair of Glass Pharmacy Jars, Italy, 1930s
Located in Palermo, IT
Pair of glass pharmacy jars, Italy, 1930s Found in an old disused pharmacy. Good condition. One has an imperceptible chip on the edge. Being handcra...
Category

1930s Italian Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Glass

Vintage Golf Club Walking Stick, Sunday Club.
Located in Oxfordshire, GB
Antique Sunday Club, Golf Club Walking Stick. A desirable walking cane with the handle in the shape of a golf club head. The gentleman's walking stick has a persimmon socket head han...
Category

Early 1900s British Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Hickory, Wood

Liberty & Co attr Arts and Crafts silver & enamel hat pin with Celtic decoration
Located in London, GB
Liberty and Co, attributed in the style of Archibald Knox. An Arts and Crafts silver hat pin with Celtic decoration touched with blue, orange, and green...
Category

Early 1900s English Arts and Crafts Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Silver

Charles SOUDANT French Art Deco Bronze Crucifix, 1930s
Located in Saint-Amans-des-Cots, FR
French Art Deco bronze crucifix by Charles SOUDANT, France, 1930s. Very beautiful stylized Christ surrounded by a halo. At his side, Mary and Mary Magdalene. In bas-relief, the archa...
Category

1930s French Art Deco Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Marble, Bronze

1907 Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam
By Edward Fitzgerald
Located in Bath, GB
A sumptuously bound copy of this noted work, presented here in a highly decorative Bumpus binding, with exquisite gilt detail and watered silk pastedowns. The 1907 edition of the wo...
Category

Early 1900s British Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Butterfly Shaped Brooch, Italy 1930s
Located in Roma, IT
Butterfly-shaped brooch is a handmade object realized in the 1930s. Craftmanship, 17 x 12 cm.    Some stones are missing and the iron is ruined due to age. Vintage collectible item...
Category

1930s Italian Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Stone, Metal

Vintage Wooden Hat Form Mold, Vienna, Austria, 1930s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Stunning beautiful wooden hat form mold, found at an estate sale in Vienna, Austria. Has the form of the typical Art Deco style. So we believe it was made in the 1920s. Nice decorati...
Category

1930s Austrian Art Deco Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Wood

Circle: International Survey of Constructive Art
By Henry Moore, Ben Nicholson
Located in New York, NY
Foundational text of twentieth century modernism in art, architecture, town planning, housing, interior design, and design; edited by Ben Nicholson, Naum Gabo, and J.L. Martin. Layou...
Category

1930s English Machine Age Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

1932 Summer Olympics Los Angeles License Plate Fob
Located in Fulton, CA
Original 1932 Los Angeles Summer Olympics license plate fob.
Category

1930s American Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Aluminum

1937 Telechron “Casino” Art Deco Electric Clock with Cobalt Blue Mirror
Located in Van Nuys, CA
It features a stunning cobalt blue mirror, complemented by a polished white Plaskon base and hands. The dial boasts a textured blue surface, while the polished brass bezel is adorned...
Category

1930s Art Deco Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Glass

Antique Gilbert & Barker Red Self Measuring Type 208 Vintage Curbside Gas Pump
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique Gilbert & Barker Red Self Measuring Type 208 Vintage Curbside Gas Pump. Item featured weighs approx 180 lbs, remarkable red color, original lab...
Category

Early 1900s Art Deco Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal

1939 Hercule Poirot's Christmas
Located in Bath, GB
The scarce first edition of this festive novel by the Queen of Detective Fiction, Agatha Christie. In the very scarce unclipped dust wrapper. The first edition, first impression of the work. In the very scarce unrestored first state unclipped dust wrapper, priced 7s 6d. With three pages of advertisements to the rear of the work. From the library of Rolling Stone, Charlie Watts. A festive murder...
Category

1930s European Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Nautical 7-day wall clock signed Smith's Circklewood N. W. 2 of 1932
Located in Milan, IT
Antique brass nautical wall clock with 7-day spring winding, signed Smith's Circklewood N. W. 2, Model No. 2 of 1932. Diameter cm 19 - inches 7.5, depth cm 10 - inches 4. Overhaul...
Category

1930s Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Brass

Art Deco Dunhill of London Engine Turned "Square Boy" Model Petrol Lighter 1937
Located in High Wycombe, GB
Art Deco Dunhill of London Diamond Engine Turned "Square boy" Model Petrol Lighter 1937 Silver plated Dunhill London lighter Made in Switzerland UK Patent Number 477768 USA Patent...
Category

1930s Swiss Art Deco Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Silver Plate

Brass barometric altimeter signed J. Hicks Maker London from the early 1900s
Located in Milan, IT
Brass compensated barometric altimeter complete with magnifying glass signed J. Hicks Maker London from the early 1900s. Diameter cm 7 - inches 2.8, thickness cm 3.2 - inches 1.3. Bu...
Category

Early 1900s Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Brass

1901 Art Nouveau Cricket Trophy Shield, by Walker Hall and Sons
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
1901 Art Nouveau Sheffield Plate Cricket Trophy Shield, by Walker Hall and Sons This is a fantastic piece, a work of art, the Oak shield has an embossed Sheffield Silver plate, in t...
Category

Early 1900s Art Nouveau Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Silver Plate

A 1930s silver and black enamel fairy brooch
Located in Central England, GB
A very well made 1930s continental silver brooch. At the centre of this highly decorative piece, there is a finely cast figure of a seated fairy holding a bouquet of flowers both her...
Category

1930s European Art Deco Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Silver, Enamel

Vintage Military Compass, American, Navigation Aid, Keuffel & Esser, 5600X Model
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a vintage military compass. An American, aluminium and glass navigation aid by Keuffel & Esser, dating to the early 20th century, circa 1930. Fascinating example of the 5600...
Category

1930s American Other Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Aluminum

Antique French Cast Iron Scale
Located in High Point, NC
This cast iron scale was made in France, circa 1900. A ubiquitous classic in the home or the market, scales of these dimensions were commonly used to weig...
Category

Early 1900s French French Provincial Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Brass, Iron

1908 The Natural History of Selborne
By Gilbert White
Located in Bath, GB
A beautiful Riviere bound copy of this popular natural history work by ornithologist Gilbert White. An exceptionally bound work, with natural history motifs gilt tooled to the spine....
Category

Early 1900s British Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Antique Automata Gentleman's Walking Stick, Horse Head Glove Holder
Located in Oxfordshire, GB
Automaton horse head walking cane. Early 20th century walking stick with an automaton horse head glove holder. The handle is carved from Horn, finel...
Category

Early 1900s Victorian Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Horn

Gone With the Wind by Margaret Mitchell, First Edition, Later Printing, 1937
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
Mitchell, Margaret, Gone with the Wind. New York: The Macmillan Company, 1937. First edition, thirty-third printing. Octavo. Handsomely rebound in full navy Moroccan leather with gi...
Category

1930s American Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Leather, Paper

Two Golf Cigarette Cards, Harry Vardon, James Braid.
Located in Oxfordshire, GB
Ogden Tabs Golf Cigarette Cards. The two 'Ogden's Cigarettes' cards show the Open Golf Champions of the past, 241 James (misspelt 'John') Braid and 242 ...
Category

Early 1900s British Sporting Art Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Antique Greek Prayer Beads Often Referred to as "Komboskini" or "Chotki"
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Antique Greek prayer beads, often referred to as "komboskini" or "chotki," are a form of prayer rope or string used in the Eastern Orthodox Christian tradition for counting prayers ...
Category

1930s Greek Balkan Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Amethyst

Art Deco Traditional Wooden Hand Large Artist Mannequin Scale Model
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A handmade wooden Artist mannequin hand model - all joints move as they should. Found on an Estate sale in Vienna, Austria. Shows some minor wear - but looks beautiful on display! So...
Category

1930s Austrian Art Deco Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal

Art Deco Ashtray Stand, Chrome and Bakelite by Demeyere, Belgium, 1930s
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

Naldun 1930 Art Deco Pocket Lighter Sterling Silver & Essex Glass Horse Intaglio
Located in Miami, FL
An art deco petrol lighter designed by Naldun. Very beautiful and useful petrol lighter, created in America by the Naldun Company, back in the 1930. It was crafted as a slider piece...
Category

1930s American Art Deco Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Silver, Sterling Silver

WMF. A hand beaten brass chalice, the bowl raised on three organic supports.
Located in London, GB
WMF. A hand beaten brass chalice, the bowl raised on three organic supports standing on a circular base. Originally silverplated.
Category

Early 1900s German Arts and Crafts Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Brass

C R Ashbee. Made by The Guild of Handicrafts. An Arts and Crafts Copper chalice.
Located in London, GB
C R Ashbee. Made by The Guild of Handicrafts. An Arts and Crafts Copper chalice. The lid with semi-precious red stone to the wirework handle rising from...
Category

Early 1900s English Arts and Crafts Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Copper

Antique Antiphonarium Cisterciense, Par Hiemalis, Choir Book for Winter, 1903
Located in San Francisco, CA
Published by Westmalle of Belgium in 1903, this elaborate hardcover choir book is black morocco over board with metal fore edge clamps, large metal holy cross centerpiece to the uppe...
Category

Early 1900s Belgian Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Brass

Collection of Ogdens' Tab Cigarette Cards
Located in Oxfordshire, GB
Thirteen Ogden Golf Cigarette Cards. The collection of thirteen 'Ogden's Tab Cigarettes' cards from the 'F series, General Interest' which contained 420 different subjects. The cards are with distinctive black borders, white block print 'Ogden's Cigarettes' and a main photo image with the golfers name. There are eight different professional male golfers Harry Vardon (3 identicail), Douglas McEwen, J.E. Laidley, T.T. Gray, Ryder Richardson, Ben Sayers (2 different cards),John graham, Lieut. Tait, James Braid...
Category

Early 1900s British Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

French Art Deco Bronze Crucifix, 1930
Located in Saint-Amans-des-Cots, FR
French Art Deco bronze crucifix by HARTMANN, France, 1930s. Height: 10" (25.3cm), Width : 7.3"(18.5cm), Depth : 1.2"(3cm). Engraved signature "Hartmann" on a side (see photo)
Category

1930s French Art Deco Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Bronze

Metronome system Johan Maelzel (1772-1838) in wood from the early 1900s.
Located in Milan, IT
Metronome system Johan Maelzel (1772-1838) from the early 1900s. This is an instrument used to measure the tempo of music; the sound of the pendulum accurately signals the speed of ...
Category

Early 1900s Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Wood

Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson, Photoplay Edition, 1932
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
Stevenson, Robert Louis. New York: Grosset & Dunlap, [1932]. First Grosset & Dunlap Edition. 8ov. Presented rebound in ¼ navy leather and red cloth boards, with raised bands, gilt tooling, and gilt titles to the spine and a matching archival red slipcase. Presented is the first Grosset & Dunlap edition of Robert Louis Stevenson’s Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, published in 1932. The book is presented rebound in ¼ navy leather and red cloth boards, with raised bands, gilt tooling, and gilt titles to the spine and a matching archival red slipcase. First published in 1886, Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde is a novella by Scottish author Robert Louis Stevenson. Inspired by both a murder trial and a subsequent nightmare, Stevenson wrote this novel as an examination of the duality of human nature and the inner struggle between good and evil. The tale is about a London legal practitioner named Gabriel John Utterson who investigates strange occurrences between his old friend, Dr Henry Jekyll, and the murderous criminal Edward Hyde. Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde is considered to be a defining book of the gothic horror genre. The book was initially sold as a paperback for one shilling in the U.K. These books were called "shilling shockers" or “penny dreadfuls.” The first American edition was published on January 5, 1886, four days before the U.K. edition published by Longmans. Scribner's published 3,000 copies, only 1,250 of them bound in cloth. Initially, stores did not stock it until a favorable review appeared in The Times in January of 1886. Within the next six months, close to 40 thousand copies were sold. A wildly captivating story, there have been numerous adaptations of the novella, including over 120 stage and film versions alone. In 1931, Paramount Pictures produced an adaptation directed by Rouben Mamoulian, starring Fredric March...
Category

1930s American Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Leather, Paper

Vintage Rugby Ball Inkwell.
Located in Oxfordshire, GB
Rare Novelty Rugby Inkwell. A wonderful leather covered travelling inkwell in the shape of a rugby ball. This is a very desirable, rare and unusual object made from brass and covered...
Category

Early 1900s British Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Brass

Art Deco Pin Brooch Dove in Sterling Silver
Located in Esbjerg, DK
A stylized pin brooch in the shape of a dove. A classic symbol of love and peace. It is executed in 925/1000 sterling silver. Unknown Scandinavian maker circa 1930. Inscribed 925 to ...
Category

1930s Scandinavian Art Deco Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Sterling Silver

Architecture book by Le Corbusier published in France in 1938
Located in SAINT-YRIEIX-SUR-CHARENTE, FR
"Canons, ammunition? Thank you ! Homes... PLEASE" book by Le Corbusier in 1938. Editions l'Architecture d'Aujourd'hui, Collection de l'Equipement de la Civilisation Machiniste, 1938,...
Category

1930s French Art Deco Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Antique French Cast Iron Scale
Located in High Point, NC
This cast iron scale was made in France, circa 1900. A ubiquitous classic in the home or the market, scales of these dimensions were commonly used to weig...
Category

Early 1900s French French Provincial Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Brass, Iron

Measuring Stand
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Measuring stand in wood France, circa 1900 Dimensions: 20W x 20D x 95H
Category

Early 1900s French Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal

Vintage English Pond Yacht "Otter" with Cream Hull
Located in Port Chester, NY
The largest vintage model yacht we have ever had in the store! Christened "Otter" on both sides of the cream hull. Sails made from old sail cloth and original brass accents. Stand ...
Category

1930s English Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Wood

French 1930 Art Deco Parisian Moorish Kiosk Cigarette Dispenser Mechanical Box
Located in Miami, FL
Mechanical cigarette dispenser box. An exceptional and very beautiful desk piece, created in France during the art deco period, back in the 19...
Category

1930s French Art Deco Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Brass, Bronze

Diamond Stick Pin, 1 Ct Mine Cut Diamonds, 18K White Gold
Located in Toledo, OH
Antique 1 ct diamond stick pin. 18K white gold, tested. 19 mine cut diamonds totaling 1 ct. 2 5/8" long, top is 1/2" diameter. 3.1 grams. Has locking end, not photo'd.
Category

1930s Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Gold

Antique Automaton The Whistler by Phalibois
Located in London, GB
Rare Automaton Whistler by Henry Phalibois, with papier-mache character head modeled with puckered, slightly-open lips, defined cheek bones, slender neck, threaded blue paperweight e...
Category

Early 1900s French Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Satin

Miniature Bimini Glass Antique German Hand-blown Decanter Set for Dollhouse
Located in Nuernberg, DE
This rare and exquisite miniature antique German Bimini decanter set is a must-have for Dollhouse and Doll collectors and enthusiasts alike. With its b...
Category

Early 1900s German Folk Art Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Glass

Collection of 14 Ogden's Guinea Gold Cigarette Cards
Located in Oxfordshire, GB
Fourteen Ogden Golf Cigarette Cards. The collection of fourteen 'Ogden's Guinea Gold Cigarettes' card show twelve different professional male golfers, two are duplicates. The cards s...
Category

Early 1900s British Sporting Art Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Aeronautical compass signed by Henry Browne & Son Sestrel of the 1930s C8928
Located in Milan, IT
Aeronautical compass signed Henry Browne & Son Ltd Sestrel of the 1930s, no. C 8928 brass and glass, mounted on custom-made walnut and brass board. Excellent fully functional conditi...
Category

1930s Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Brass

Vintage English Brown Pond Yacht
Located in Port Chester, NY
A charming vintage model yacht with sails made from old sail cloth and original brass accents. Stand is recent to hold the ship upright and stabile. Measurements include the stand.
Category

1930s English Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Wood

Four Ladies Cigarette Cards by Ogdens
Located in Oxfordshire, GB
Ogden Tab Cigarette Cards Of Ladies Golfers. The four Ogden Tab Cigarette cards are of two lady golfers, Miss Issette Pearson and Miss Armstrong. The Ogden's cigarette cards are with...
Category

Early 1900s British Sporting Art Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

King Kong by Delos W. Lovelace, First Photoplay Edition, 1932
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
Lovelace, Delos W. King Kong. New York: Grosset & Dunlap, 1932. 8vo. Rebound in 1/4 green leather and cloth boards, with raised bands, gilt stamps, and gilt titles to spine. New matching archival slipcase. Presented is a first edition of Delos W. Lovelace’s adaptation of King Kong. This printing was published by Grosset & Dunlap, in New York, in December of 1932, just months before the March 1933 film premiere of King Kong. The book has been beautifully rebound in handsome ¼ green leather and cloth boards, with raised bands and gilt stamps and tiles to the spine, and a matching green archival slipcase. RKO producer Merian Cooper and writer Edgar Wallace originally conceived of the story about a remote island inhabited by a huge silverback gorilla, among other creatures. After Wallace’s untimely death, the thrilling screenplay was finished by James A. Creelman and Ruth Rose. Just as the RKO film of King Kong was finishing production, Cooper asked his friend Delos Lovelace to adapt the film's screenplay into a novelization. On the novel’s cover, Lovelace’s name was overshadowed by the phrase, “conceived by Edgar Wallace and Merian C. Cooper.” The Grosset & Dunlap book was published later that month, on December 27, and served as part of the film’s advance marketing campaign. The book would go on to see numerous reprints, furthering King Kong's status as a cultural phenomenon. Alexander Grosset and George T...
Category

1930s American Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Leather, Paper

Miniature Corner Shelf Erhard & Söhne Antique German Dollhouse Toy 1900s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
This rare and exquisite miniature antique German corner shelf is a must-have for Dollhouse and Doll collectors and enthusiasts alike. With its beau...
Category

Early 1900s German Folk Art Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal, Gold Plate

Vintage French Leather Boxing Ball, 1930s
Located in Esbjerg, DK
A decorative strapped ball in patinated tanned leather. These were originally used as a sling, a medical or a boxing ball. This example was handmade in France circa 1930-40 and its i...
Category

1930s French Bauhaus Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Leather

T. E. LAWRENCE - Seven Pillars Of Wisdom - 1935 - FIRST TRADE EDITION
Located in Hillsborough, NJ
AUTHOR: LAWRENCE, T. E. TITLE: Seven Pillars Of Wisdom. A Triumph. PUBLISHER: London: Jonathan Cape, 1935. DESCRIPTION: FIRST TRADE EDITION. 1 vol., 4to., 10" x 8", Illustrated throughout with a photogravure portrait frontispiece of Lawrence from the plaster bust, 47 plates, 4 folding maps, and several in-text line drawings; the majority by Eric Kennington...
Category

1930s British Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Leather

Laurel and Hardy
Located in London, GB
Original US studio photograph for the 1930's This piece is framed in a Sapele wood frame with acid free card mounts and UV plexiglass. The size given is before framing. This piece ...
Category

1930s American Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Large French Art Deco Three-Masted Barque Ship Model, 1930s
By Anthoine Art Bois
Located in Saint-Amans-des-Cots, FR
Large French Art Deco three-masted barque ship by Anthoine Art Bois, France, 1930s. Wood and metal. Painted white metal sails, wood hull and painted black base
Category

1930s French Art Deco Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal

Antique Bakelite Nº11 Cubist NYC Art Deco Cherry Red Charm Necklace
Located in Hyattsville, MD
USA c.1930s. Unknown Maker. Celluloid linked chain and Bakelite cube charms. With a good clasp, this necklace is ready to wear. Fair Condition because one smaller cube is chipped a...
Category

1930s American Art Deco Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Bakelite

Vintage White and Black English Pond Yacht
Located in Port Chester, NY
A charming vintage model yacht with sails made from old sail cloth and original brass accents. Stand is recent to hold the ship upright and stabile. Measurements include the stand.
Category

1930s English Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Wood

Antique French 1930 Art Deco Astrolabe chrome desk decoration kinetic sculpture
Located in Ijzendijke, NL
Very decorative & most rare this antique Art Deco Astrolabe from the 1930s Made from polished chrome, with 5 turning rings and a large center sphere. This would make a stunning decorative piece on any desk or office space Amazing for collectors of scientific antiques The Astrolabe remains in great antique condition with only a minor patina on the metal Turns smoothly and looks great! This antique Astrolabe...
Category

1930s French Art Deco Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Chrome

Three Cigarette Cards, Ogden's Tabs
Located in Oxfordshire, GB
Ogden Tabs Golf Cigarette Cards. The three 'Ogden's Cigarettes' cards show the Open Golf Champions of the past, James (misspelt 'John') Braid and Harry ...
Category

Early 1900s British 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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