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Collectibles and Curiosities For Sale
Period: Late 20th Century
Period: 1930s
Mid-Century Modern Cabinet Console Record Player attributed to Ico Parisi design
Located in Vigonza, Padua
Cabinet Console of the 1930s in burr walnut and walnut flame applied veneered. Cabinet with two shelves, the upper with central flap drawer with internal turntable Record...
Category

1930s Italian Art Deco Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Walnut

Wide Body Future Spa Pinball Machine by Bally
Located in Chattanooga, TN
Serviced and fully working 1979 Future Spa pinball machine. Backglass-Art by Paul Faris, Playfield-Art by Dave Christensen. -- Everything is in working order -- Backglass in exce...
Category

1970s American Post-Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Glass, Wood

Vintage Stubben Siegfried Swiss Brown Leather Horse Saddle
Located in Dallas, TX
Decorate a rustic or ranch style home with this beautifully kept vintage brown leather saddle. Crafted in Switzerland by Stubben Saddle Company circa 1990, the vintage riding gear fe...
Category

Late 20th Century Swiss Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Leather

Pair of rare Sosaku Kokeshi, Japan, 1970s
Located in Lyon, FR
Beautiful pair of big size Sosaku Kokeshi, made in the 1970s by great Kokeshi masters, each have been awarded prizes by the Primer Minister of Japan. Hand-carved and hand-painted, th...
Category

1970s Japanese Japonisme Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Wood, Paint

RONSON 1935 Art Deco Bartender Lighter Cigarette Dispenser Box In Steel & Lcquer
Located in Miami, FL
Barman dispenser box with lighter designed by Ronson. An exceptional and very beautiful desk piece, created in New Jersey United States by The Ronson Lighter Co. during the art deco...
Category

1930s American Art Deco Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Steel

Pair of steel bookends depicting sailboat sailing circa 1930s
Located in Milan, IT
Pair of bookends made of steel and depicting a sailboat sailing upwind. English manufacture of the 1950s. Bon état. Measures 11.5x8x15.5 cm - inches4.5x3.2x6.2. The last photo is the...
Category

1930s Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Steel

1970s Astonishing Belem Model Ship. Handmade. Made in England
Located in Milano, IT
1970s Astonishing Belem model ship in walnut wood. Handmade. Made in England. This model is amazing and in excellent condition and all handmade. A true piece of history. Dimension: ...
Category

1970s English Mid-Century Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Wood

B&O Cona Passive Subwoofer (in MOMA) and Speakers
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The Beovox Cona, designed in beautifully austere fashion by David Lewis and now permanently in the MOMA collection, was the first B&O subwoofer loudspeaker. It was specifically inten...
Category

1980s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal

Vintage 1970s Lightning Bolt surfboard by Tom Parrish
Located in Haleiwa, HI
Mid-1970s vintage Lightning Bolt surfboard made by Tom Parrish. Features bright yellow tint with double rail lightning bolt pinstripes. Beautiful red lightning bolt design with complimentary black shadow. A remarkable example of highly coveted 1970s Tom Parrish shaped Lighting Bolt surfboard. In 1972, Gerry Lopez and Jack Shipley started the popular lightning bolt surfboards label in Honolulu...
Category

1970s American Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Fiberglass, Foam, Softwood

Vintage Red Deer Shoulder Mount Antler Horn Rack Taxidermy Cabin Wall Decor #2
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Red Deer Shoulder Mount Antler Horn Rack Taxidermy Cabin Wall Decor #2. Circa Late 20th Century. Measurements (Overall): 36" H x 22" W x 23" D. Each antler approx 12" Long me...
Category

Late 20th Century Unknown Rustic Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Horn

Decorating with Pictures by Stephanie Hoppen
Located in valatie, NY
Decorating With Pictures by Stephanie Hoppen. Published by Clarkson Potter, 1991. Stated 1st Ed hardcover with dust jacket. This book inspires the rea...
Category

1990s Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Vintage Triangular Hanukkah Menorah
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful vintage Hannukah Menorah. This vintage piece is a replica of a menorah from the 14th century southern Europe. Made in Israel, this piece is ...
Category

1970s Israeli Baroque Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Brass

Alfred Dunhill Gold Plated RollGas Cigarette Lighter with Box and Papers
Located in Reading, Berkshire
Alfred Dunhill Gold Plated Briquet Rollagas Cigarette Lighter Vintage boxed Dunhill lighter with booklet stamped at purchase 1988 Stamped Dunhill and Swiss Made on base.
Category

1980s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Gold Plate

Chicago Coin ‘Shoot Out’ Arcade Game, 1976 USA
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage 1976 ‘Shoot Out’ arcade rifle game manufactured by Chicago Coin Machine Manufacturing Company. Large Dale-style gun game. This machine is housed i...
Category

1970s American Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal

Aachen Cathedral Souvenir Building Architectural Model vintage German 1930s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A decorative building sculpture as a souvenir. Some wear with a nice patina, but this is due to age. Made of metal. This item was purchased as a souvenir at a Grand Tour in Europe an...
Category

1930s Italian Art Nouveau Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal

Samuraï Maeda Armor
Located in Paris, FR
Armor Samuraï Maeda, ceremonial armor with handcrafted helmet and protects. Made with original japanese fabrics only use for samuraï armor confection, ...
Category

1930s Japanese Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Fabric, Glass

Caldelli for Big Ben Cedar Wood Humidor 1970s Italy
Located in Den Haag, NL
Vintage 1970's Caldelli handmade solid cedar wood cigar humidor. Made for Big Ben. Measuring 27cm x 19.5cm x 8cm. Will hold cigars upto 23cm long horizontally, 16.5cm vertically, 2 d...
Category

1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Cedar

Gallé Drawings, French Book by Philippe Thiebaut, 1993
Located in Atlanta, GA
Les Dessins de Gallé, (Gallé Drawings), French Book by Philippe Thiebaut, 1993. A selection of the most beautiful sketches, studies, and models intended for Gallé's performers bequea...
Category

1990s French Art Nouveau Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Pair of Exhibition Catalogs, Chinese Glass, Phoenix Art Museum & China Institute
Located in valatie, NY
1. Clear As Crystal, Red As Flame: Later Chinese Glass, by Claudia Brown, Donald Rabiner. Natural History, University of Washington Press, 1990. Gloriously colored Chinese glass arti...
Category

1990s American Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

1970s German Industrial Cast Aluminum and Glass T8 Explosion Proof Striplight
Located in Leicester, Leicestershire
A vintage Industrial flameproof ceiling striplight / tube light made by Wittenburg of Germany. Originally designed for hazardous areas in factories and on cargo ships. The build i...
Category

1970s German Industrial Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Aluminum

1970s Pair of Canada Sneakers Never Used
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
We offer this unique pair of never used Canada sneakers with original box, circa 1970 About Canada: Canada was a very successful Mexican shoes and sneakers brand, during the 1970s and 1980s. In the book Shoe Dog...
Category

1970s Mexican Other Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Textile

US Army Tank Lighter, 1980s Japan
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Cool vintage table lighter in the shape of a Military Tank. Made in Japan, 1980s. This piece has great balance and details. Cool tobacco accessory and conversation piece. Working lighter...
Category

1980s Japanese Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal

Vintage Collectible Italian Espresso Maker
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Vintage 1970s espresso maker with 2 cups. Collectible aluminum and bakelite collector espresso maker. Mid-century coffee pot machine in Italian design. ...
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Art Deco Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Aluminum

Atari Centipede Arcade Game, 1980 USA
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage 'CENTIPEDE' arcade game from 1980. Made by Atari and designed by Dona Bailey and Ed Logg. In excellent working condition. Great alien and intergala...
Category

1980s American Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal

Vintage Style Ski Photography, Framed Alpine Ski Photograph, Courageous Jump
Located in Oxfordshire, GB
'A COURAGEOUS JUMP', a modern framed and mounted black and white photograph after an original 1930's skiing photograph. The frame is black with a burgundy undercoat, the glazing is clarity+ premium synthetic glass. Black & white alpine photos are the perfect addition to any home or ski lodge, so please do check out our other ski photos...
Category

1930s British Sporting Art Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper, Wood

Ships Spyglass with Leather Covered Barrel
Located in Norwell, MA
Three draw spyglass with stitched leather cover. Old lacquer finish. End cap. Sliding eyepiece cover. 9 3/4" H (closed). 29" H (open). 1 3/4" Diameter. 2 lbs.
Category

1980s North American Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Brass

Playbox Record Player stereo by Philips and Medea, 1974
Located in bruxelles, BE
Stereo that can be closed to cube shape and opened by moving the baffles apart. It includes a radio, record player and 8-track cassette player. It is also possible to connect the tel...
Category

1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal

Vintage Laboratory Microscope, German, Scientific Instrument, Carl Zeiss Jena
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a vintage laboratory microscope. A German, enamelled metal scientific instrument by Carl Zeiss Jena, dating to the late 20th century, circa ...
Category

Late 20th Century German Modern Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal, Brass

Vintage 1970s Ocean Pacific Wave Mural Surfboard
Located in Haleiwa, HI
Vintage 1970s Ocean Pacific (Op) wave mural surfboard. Features stunning airbrushed work of art depicting a nocturnal wave mural. Rounded pintail shape design. A beautiful example of...
Category

1970s American Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Fiberglass, Foam, Softwood

Greta Garbo Limited Edition Mont Blanc Ballpoint Pen with Pearl
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Greta Garbo Limited Edition Mont Blanc Ballpoint Rollerball pen with pearl. Montblanc honors Greta Garbo in the form of another mystical writing i...
Category

Late 20th Century German Art Deco Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Resin

Out of the Studio by Tom Bianchi, Stated 1st Ed
Located in valatie, NY
Out of the Studio by Tom Bianchi. Published by St.Martin's Press, 1991. Stated 1st Ed hardcover with dust jacket. The unself-conscious and affectionate con...
Category

1990s Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Vintage Reproduction 17th Century Map of Europe, American, Cartography, Blaeuw
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a vintage reproduction map of Europe. An American, paper stock cartography print in frame after the work by Blaeuw, dating to the late 20t...
Category

Late 20th Century Central American Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Glass, Wood, Paper

Five Rare Christmas Ornaments Vintage, German, 1910s to 1930s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A rare set of 5 Christmas ornaments. Each is made from thin mouth blown glass, this would be a great antique addition for your Christmas or feather tree. Included is a nice Reflector ornament from the 1930s, 2 small walnut feather tree ornaments from the 1910s and two flower bunch ornaments with glass balls and Dresden Sebnitz Christmas paper...
Category

1930s German Folk Art Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Wire

20th Century Sculptural Italian Chess Game
Located in VALENZA, IT
Brass chess board and chess game made with the ancient casting technique. After casting, the finish was chiseled and subsequently silvered and finished with 24-carat gold plating. The figures are in Florentine medieval style then painted with antioxidant treatment using a special transparent lacquer. The two-tone mirrored glass chess top which highlights the high quality of execution. Italian silverware, already with a centuries-old tradition, had a great development in the twentieth century and produced pieces of the highest quality that the whole world envies. Italian craftsmanship had a kind of new Renaissance after the war. A great many high-quality silverware was born where exceptional pieces were produced that now decorate the most prestigious houses. Made entirely by hand in the artisan workshop of piero Benzoni...
Category

1980s Medieval Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Silver Plate

Set of 6 Lalique Creation Collectible Nina Ricci Perfume Bottles
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Vintage lot of 6 collectible Nina Ricci " Lair du Temps" perfume bottles by Lalique, Perfumes bottles are unique to collecting. They offer not only intan...
Category

Late 20th Century French Art Deco Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Glass

Lonsdale Library Equestrian Book
Located in Oxfordshire, GB
Horsemanship - The Way Of A Man With A Horse, Lonsdale Library Book. One of the volumes from Lonsdale Library, Horsemanship - The Way Of A Man With A Horse. The book with over ninety illustrations, the first is of The Right Hon. The Earl of Lonsdale on 'Marble'. The Lonsdale Library of Sports, Games & Pastimes, Editors The Right Hon. The Earl of Lonsdale, Sir Theodore Cook & Mr. Eric Parker...
Category

1930s British Sporting Art Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Gabriella Crespi Silver Plate Sewing Egg Box, 1970s
Located in Naples, IT
Egg-shaped silverplate sewing box, signed Gabriella Crespi. Sewing kit with scissors, thimble and Silk Silk threads in assorted colors. Signature engraved inside.
Category

1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Silver Plate

Antiquities from The Collection of the Late Christos G. Bastis, 1st Ed Hardcover
Located in valatie, NY
Antiquities from The Collection of the Late Christos G. Bastis, Sale 7404. Sotheby's (New York). 1st Ed hardcover with dust jacket. In 1987, 188 antiquities assembled by Christos G....
Category

1990s Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Yamaha Casette Deck Mario Bellini
By Mario Bellini, Yamaha
Located in Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Yamaha casette deck designed by Mario Bellini in 1974. Working with 100V or DC12V. Historical audio equipment which is one of MOMA permanent collection. Inclined body has control panel...
Category

1970s Japanese Mid-Century Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Plastic

Omas 1997 18-Karat Gold Return to the Motherland Limited Edition Fountain Pen
Located in Weesp, NL
New Return to the Motherland 18-karat gold 1997 limited edition fountain pen. After 150 years of the British Union Jack waving over Hong Kong, this influential territory returns to its Motherland, China in July 1, 1997. From a Historic perspective, we cannot ignore the worldwide significance of this event. Authorized by the Association for Celebration of Reunification of Hong Kong with China, Omas creates a magnificent commemorative collection with a prestigious and emblematic design. This distinguished writing instrument, New Old Stock never used, shows distinctive aspects of both Hong Kong and China in 18-karat gold. The cap displays treasured symbols of both Hong Kong and China, with the Bauhinia flower encircled by the words "Return to the Motherland" enameled in the original red color of the Association's official logo. The clip is embellished in the same hue by a thin linear element reminiscent of basic calligraphy. The band around the cap synthesizes the Great Wall of China, one of the most recognized monuments on this earth, the OMAS logo emerging from one of the Wall's majestic gates, and the 4 ideograms meaning "Return to the Motherland" in Chinese. Comes with the original Omas Return to the Motherland inkt. The barrel of the pen follows this theme of combining Hong Kong and Chinese motifs. Sculpted in to the metal sheath of the barrel, two Chinese dragons, mother and child, allude to the relationship between Hong Kong and China and support the emblem of their unity, the pink Chinese dolphin. The OMAS 1997 18 karat gold 063/200 Edition is comprised of 200 fountain pens and features an 18-karat gold calligraphic nib inlaid with a dragon head and engraved with the words "Hong Kong 1997...
Category

1990s Italian Modern Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Gold

Giant Golfball, 1980s
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Giant vintage golfball in cream plaster/plastic. 8.5" diameter. Likely used as a store display. Whimsical desktop object or paperweight. Very heavy a...
Category

1980s American Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paint, Plastic

1935 Ronson Hound Dog Table Striker Lighter by Ronson
Located in Van Nuys, CA
In 1935, a desk-mounted striker lighter was crafted. It featured a basset hound canine adorned with a layer of chromium plate, positioned on a sleek black enameled metal base. The tail of the hound was ingeniously shaped into a small handle. This unique lighter...
Category

1930s Art Deco Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Chrome

Napoleon, Nelson and Their Time. The Calvin Bullock Collection Christie's
Located in valatie, NY
Napoleon, Nelson and Their Time. The Calvin Bullock Collection Christie's, May 1985. The sale consisted of items from the renowned New York collector Calvin Bullock, which was formed...
Category

1980s English Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Vintage Cased Mah Jong Set, Chinese, Teak, Gaming Box, Oriental, Mah-Jongg, 1970
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a vintage cased Mah Jong set. A Chinese, carved teak gaming box, dating to the late 20th century, circa 1970. Strikingly decorative box with 14...
Category

Late 20th Century Chinese Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Teak

Gucci Table Lighter, 1980s Italy
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Elegant and unique Gucci table lighter. A solid metal body with a gold colored belt and buckle around the bottom quarter of the lighter. "GUCCI Made in Italy" engraved on the base. F...
Category

1980s Italian Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal

My Experiences in the World War, by John Pershing, First Edition, Two Vols, 1931
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
Pershing, John J. My Experiences in the World War. New York: Frederick A. Stokes Company, 1931. First Edition. Two Volume Set. Rebound in 1/4 leather and cloth boards, with raised ba...
Category

1930s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Leather, Fabric, Paper

Actuel magazine 1989 Warhol Basquiat Boxing
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Rare vintage 1989 Actuel magazine exploring the history of the iconic Andy Warhol and Jean-Michel Basquiat collaborations poster and 1985 exhibit. Cover and interior editorial features reproductions of the iconic 1985 poster shot by Michael Halsband in conjunction with Tony Shafrazi Gallery, New York. A standout Jean-Michel Basquiat, Andy Warhol boxing...
Category

1980s Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

1970s Vintage Lightning Bolt surfboard shaped by Bill Barnfield
Located in Haleiwa, HI
1970s Vintage Lightning Bolt surfboard shaped by Bill Barnfield. Features rounded pintail shape with bright green tinted deck, yellow bottom, and black rail-bolts. A striking example...
Category

1970s American Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Fiberglass, Foam, Softwood

Vintage Postmodern Chrome Table Lighter Kogen Japan, 1970s
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Vintage Postmodern chrome table lighter Kogen Japan Piezo, 1970s Postmodern vintage chrome table lighter. Removable lighter portion is marked Piezo on top and Kogen on bottom Vintage mid century modern 70s table lighter. Does not work. Great decorative collectible rare vintage table lighter...
Category

Late 20th Century Japanese Post-Modern Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Chrome

Mid-Century Modern Sculptural Push Button Genie Telephone in Peach
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Very sleek & cool styling in this Genie telephone. In excellent vintage condition with minimal wear retains the great color of it's early days. Not tested.
Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Brass

38" Leather& Sterling Bolo.Tie w/ Oval Onyx Many Goats - Clan Navajo
Located in Pasadena, TX
This is a beautiful bolo tie. It's made of braided leather and sterling silver and has an oval onyx setting in the medallion.. The medallion is rectangular. The tips are crafted in s...
Category

Late 20th Century American Tribal Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Onyx, Sterling Silver

Miniature Rooms Book, The Thorne Rooms at the Art Institute of Chicago, 1983
Located in Atlanta, GA
"Miniature Rooms: The Thorne Rooms at the Art Institute of Chicago," by Kathleen Aguilar and Michael Anderson. Generations of visitors to the Art Institute of Chicago have been fasci...
Category

1980s American Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

SCHULZ - Peanuts Jubilee - FIRST EDITION INSCRIBED WITH A DRAWING OF SNOOPY !
Located in Hillsborough, NJ
AUTHOR: SCHULZ, Charles. TITLE: Peanuts Jubilee. My Life and Art With Charlie Brown and Others. PUBLISHER: NY: Holt, Rinehart and Winston, 1975. DESCRIPTION: FIRST EDITION INSCRIBED WITH A DRAWING. 1 vol., 15-3/8" x 11-3/8", illustrated, inscribed on the half-title "For B. J. with every best wish - Charles M. Schulz" with the addition of a large full body sketch of Snoopy, hardcover, original stamped silver boards. CONDITION: Inner and outer hinges fine, mild general handling to covers, foredge of rear pastedown and endpaper worn, internally clean and bright, overall VERY GOOD. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: "B.J." is B.J. Thomas best...
Category

1970s American Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Concord, British Airways Aeroplane Model
Located in Oxfordshire, GB
Rare Vintage 1:36 6' British Airways Concorde Aeroplane Model A very fine and rare vintage fibreglass and resin composite 1:36 scale model of ...
Category

1990s British Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Resin, Fiberglass

Five Architects, second edition, 1975, hardcover
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Five Architects - second edition - 1975 - hardcover Five architects: Eisenman, Graves, Gwathmey, Hejduk, Meier Published by Oxford University Press, 1975 by Richar Eisenman, Pe...
Category

1970s American Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Monet Hardcover Art Book
Located in Bradenton, FL
Monet hardcover art book with text by William C. Seitz. Published by Harry N. Abrams, Inc. of New York. Text printed and bound in the Republic of Korea, illustrations printed in Japa...
Category

Late 20th Century Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Elizabeth the Queen Mother : a Twentieth Century Life by Grania Forbes Hardcover
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Elizabeth, the Queen Mother : A Twentieth Century Life by Grania Forbes. Elizabeth, the Queen Mother is a celebration of the life of the nation''s most t...
Category

Late 20th Century British Victorian Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Signed Edition of Naomi Campbell’s Novel Swan
Located in Henley-on Thames, Oxfordshire
Signed edition of Naomi Campbell’s novel Swan – signed and dedicated by Naomi Campbell to German fashion photographer and film director Peter Lindbergh provenance: Peter Lindbergh’...
Category

1990s French Post-Modern 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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