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Collectibles and Curiosities For Sale
Period: Mid-20th Century
Period: 1940s
Air Flight Machine Age Bakelite Hassock Floor Fan
Located in San Mateo, CA
Air Flight machine age hassock fan manufactured by W. W. Welch Company. This fan has a Bakelite top and bottom with clear plastic louvers in between. The f...
Category

1950s American Machine Age Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Plastic, Bakelite

Vintage Raj Handcrafted Camel Toy India, 1950
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Vintage Raj embroidered large camel toy, India, 1950. Handmade in Rajasthan, India, colorful fabric camel toy. Vintage oversized camel stuffed cotton embroidered and decorated with...
Category

Mid-20th Century Indian Moorish Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Cotton

WWII Carl Zeiss Anti-Aircraft Kriegsmarine binoculars
Located in Aspen, CO
This is an exceptional 20th century WWII German 12x60 Kriegsmarine binocular, presented on an adjustable wooden or chrome Tripod. The binoculars were manufactured by the company Carl...
Category

1940s German Other Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Aluminum

A model of a Dockyard built teak and brass field cannon
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
A model of a Dockyard built teak and brass field cannon, with a brass barrel set on a brass-bound carriage with large wheels and a brass-bound bucket, swa...
Category

1930s English Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Brass

1950s Zenith Brown Bakelite Portable Radio Nonworking
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Vintage Zenith portable radio 9 h x 14.5 w x 8.75 Bakelite cover with rubber handle. Original knobs. Minos scuffs present. Tested and not working. Review images listed.
Category

1950s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Bakelite

George Nakashima, Woodworker: New Hope, Pennsylvania (1962 Catalog, Signed)
Located in New York, NY
The catalog comprises: First, an introductory paean to craftsmanship and the spirituality of woodworking culminating in Nakashima’s bold signature in ink, dated April 1962. Next, a full-page photo of the Conoid Studio followed by a succession of offerings with photos and descriptions including: Trestle Table, Cross-Legged Table, Round Turned-Leg table, Conoid Table, Turned-Leg Table, Round Clustered-Base Table, Round Pedestal Table, Frenchman’s Cove Square Table, Single Drop-Leaf Table, Boat-Shaped Table, Frenchman’s Cove No.2 Table (fold-out), Round Coffee Table, Conoid Coffee Table, Slab Coffee Table No. 2, Slab Coffee Table, Portsmouth End Table, Square or Rectangular End Table (with and without shelf), Cross-Legged Coffee Table, Conoid Studio End Tables, Conoid Desks, New Chairs, Mira Chairs, Lounge Chair, No Arm, Lounge Chair One-Arm, Grass-Seated Chair, Arm Chair, conoid Chair, New Chair plus Rockers and Arms, Lounge Chair plus Rockers and Arms, Conoid Benches, “Q” Bench, “R” Bench...
Category

1960s American American Craftsman Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

A racing flag from the Royal Sailing Yacht Britannia, circa 1936
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
A racing flag from the Royal Sailing Yacht Britannia, circa 1936. This large racing flag was made from pieced wool bunting with machine stitched bunting and a canvas sleeve stamped ‘5’. It is of rectangular form with the Prince of Wales feathers enclosed in a ducal coronet and the motto ‘Ich Dien’ on a halved blue and red ground, later framed and glazed. It is accompanied by a black edged letter on Buckingham Palace writing paper dated 10th July 1936 saying ‘Dear Sir, I am commanded by the King and Queen Mary to send you these flags which were flown on board “Britannia” at various times during her career, including one of her racing flags. Their Majesties hope you will like to keep these in your club house as souvenirs of the old yacht. Yours Derek Keppell, Master of the Household, The Commodore, Royal Portsmouth Corinthian Yacht Club.” King George died on 20 January 1936 which explains the black edge to the letter. English, circa 1936. Height: 43in (109cm) Width:60in (152.5cm) Framed height: 57½ in (146 cm) Width: 81½ in (207cm) Provenance: Royal Naval Club & Royal Albert Yacht Club, Portsmouth R.S.Y. Britannia played an important part in preparing challengers for the America’s Cup. She was used as a trial horse for the Shamrocks and later, after conversion, for most of the ‘J’ Class yachts of the 1930s. Britannia was built in 1893 according to the plans of G. L. Watson for His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales, a keen and able helmsman. From the beginning, Britannia was a successful racing yacht winning races against Kaiser Wilhelm’s Meteors, among many others. Britannia won over two hundred races in her career — a record that has yet to be surpassed. She was beaten once by Navahoe, one of Herreshoff’s boats, but fared better against another America’s Cup yacht, Vigilant, winning twelve races out of seventeen. When Britannia was converted to race in the ‘J’ Class she was stripped of her bulwarks, given a one-piece mast and a Bermudan mainsail. The transition did not interrupt her run of success, although she performed best in hard weather. She was scuttled off the Isle of Wight at the dying request of George V. A grisaille by Charles Dixon of R S Y Britannia racnig at Cowes. Credit: Wick Antiques
Category

1930s English Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Textile

Classic 1963 Sears Men's 26" Flightliner Bicycle
Located in Buffalo, NY
Classic 1963 Sears Men's 26" Flight-liner Bicycle .. Great Modernist Space-age design,, smooth ride, great riding bike, working head-lights,, older replaced seat. newer pedals . new...
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Steel, Chrome

Johnnie Walker Memorabilia Set, circa 1950
Located in Copenhagen K, DK
The world-famous and iconic figure – Johnnie Walker’s “The Striding Man” who walks energetically and purposefully, wearing his eye-catching red jacket, white riding breeches...
Category

Mid-20th Century British Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Plastic

Italian mid-century Filofort sewing chest of drawers by Tre Cerchi ISC, 1940s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian mid-century Filofort sewing chest of drawers by Tre Cerchi ISC, 1940s Filofort sewing chest of drawers with light wood structure, with walnut colored handles. Produced by Fil...
Category

1940s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Wood

1933 - A Century of Progress - Chicago Worlds Fair Solid Etched Copper Tray
By Raymond Hood 1
Located in St. Louis, MO
1933 - A Century of Progress - Chicago Worlds Fair solid etched copper souvenir tray, unusual version with handles. The Century of Progress International Exposition, also known as...
Category

1930s American Art Deco Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Copper

U.S. Navy Destroyer Searchlight, 6 Feet Tall
Located in Norwell, MA
Six foot United States Navy searchlight from a warship. Incredible marine light with huge head with shutter mechanism. Mouted to a very sturdy yoke and stand. Glass lenses are includ...
Category

1940s North American Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Steel

Vintage 1960s Greg Noll Custom Signed Longboard
Located in Haleiwa, HI
Early-mid 1960s Greg Noll custom longboard. Features a single redwood stringer design with wood tailblock. Black resin stripe with complimentary black single...
Category

1960s American Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Fiberglass, Foam, Softwood

1930s Germany Botanical Model of the Lamium Purpureum Flower
Located in Milan, IT
Educational model of the Lamium purpureum L. (false purple nettle) flower made of painted papier mâché with a Bakelite base from the 1930s, German ma...
Category

1930s German Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Parchment Paper

20th century French Brown Leather Pair of Hermes Style Riding Boots
Located in LEGNY, FR
Elegant Leather Riding Boots – Hermès-Inspired Style Beautiful pair of vintage riding boots in smooth brown leather, inspired by the iconic Hermès style. With their clean lines, hi...
Category

1950s French Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Leather

1950 Film 16mm Camera, SOM Berthiot, France
Located in Miami, FL
Société d'Optique et de Mécanique Berthiot (SOM Berthiot) was a French manufacturer of optics and photographic lenses. They produced C and D mount motion picture lenses for professio...
Category

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

Metal Christ in the Cross Memorabilia Figure, circa 1950
Located in Barcelona, ES
Jesus in the cross metal souvenir. Made France, circa 1950. In original condition, with minor wear consistent with age and use, preserving a beautiful patina. Materials: Me...
Category

1950s Spanish Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal

Stillwater Yacht Club Half Model Trophy
Located in Norwell, MA
Carved half model with carved wood sails. The trophy is for the "Mercury" class one design craft. The blue "M" logo of the Mercury class Yacht Racing Association is on the sail. The ...
Category

1950s North American Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Wood

Mid Century Modern German record player, radio by Siemens , 1950s
Located in Gaggenau, DE
Mid Century Modern German record player, radio by Siemens , 1950s The radio is in fully functional. Dimensions: 43 D x 120 W x 111 H It is in good vintage condition, however,...
Category

1950s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Wood, Teak

BRAUN "RT 20", Tischradio, Dieter Rams
Located in Neuss, NW
Design classic RT 20 by Dieter Rams for BRAUN from 1961. Table radio with veneered wooden corpus in ash and grey lacquered metal front. Made in Germany. The front has been repainted...
Category

1960s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Wood

LIGHTHOUSE Shaped 1930 Bauhaus Art Deco Desk-Table Lighter In Solid Brass.
Located in Miami, FL
An art-deco lighthouse shaped desk lighter. This is a nice heavy desk-table lighter created in Europe during the art-deco period, back in 1930. The desk lighter has been designed wi...
Category

1930s German Bauhaus Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Brass, Bronze

Scale Nautical Vintage Model of an English Motorboat, 1950s
Located in Milan, IT
Scale model of an English motorboat (antique motor yacht) from the 1950s, wooden planking hull. Measures: Length 57 cm, 23.44 inches, width 13.5 cm, 5.3 ...
Category

1950s British Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Wood

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

Mid-century "Brilux" for Dunhill Brass Lift-Arm Table Lighter, Switzerland
Located in Van Nuys, CA
This 1950s Brilux for Dunhill Swiss brass lift-arm table lighter combines timeless elegance with exceptional craftsmanship. Its solid brass body features a warm vintage patina, and t...
Category

1950s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Brass

Hermes Silver Cube Lighter, 1960s France
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Magnificent cube lighter by Hermes, Paris. In cast metal with silver plating, this piece is meticulously handcrafted. The letter 'H' emerges from the structural silhouettes, echoing ...
Category

1960s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal, Silver

Antique Kodak Retina III S Camera with Leather Case
Located in Lisboa, Lisboa
Kodak Retina III S Camera with Leather Case. Analog is a Kodak Retina, equipped with a Schneider-Kreuznach Retina-Xenar 50mm f/2.8 lens, renowned for its sharpness and optical quali...
Category

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

Materials

Metal

House & Garden’s Complete Guide to Interior Decoration, Hardcover Book, 1953
Located in Philadelphia, PA
House & Garden’s Complete Guide to Interior Decoration – Hardcover Book, 1953 Edition. First published in New York in 1947 by Simon and Schuster, this is the updated 1953 Edition,...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Lot of 61 Britains Toy Soldiers Deetail Scots Guards Highlanders Band Mounties
Located in Dayton, OH
Lot of 61 circa 1960s - 1970s Deetail plastic toy soldiers by Britain Ltd. Lot includes Royal Canadian Mounties (two on horseback), Scots Guards, Scottish Highlanders including pipes and drums (one on horseback), and seven guardhouses. "The "W. Britain" brand name of toy and collectable soldiers is derived from a company founded by William Britain Jr., a British toy manufacturer, who in 1893 invented the process of hollow casting in lead, and revolutionized the production of toy soldiers. In 1907 the family proprietorship, William Britain & Sons, incorporated as "Britains, Ltd". The Britain family controlled the firm until 1984 when it was sold to a British conglomerate, Dobson Park Industries. They combined the operations with an existing line of toys and renamed the company Britains Petite, Ltd. In the early 1950s Britains was associated with W. Horton Toys and Games which made the die-cast Lilliput ranges of small-scale, rather generic, cars and trucks and other vehicles. In 1959, Britains acquired Herald Miniatures which produced plastic figures designed by Roy Selwyn-Smith. In the 1950s, besides soldiers, a variety of vehicles began to appear, mostly in the military field. In 1966 safety regulations in the United Kingdom combined with rising costs halted the production of lead toy soldiers. Britains shifted most production of Herald plastic to Hong Kong from 1966. In 1971 Britains started Deetail plastic figures with metal bases that were initially manufactured in England but later outsourced to China. In 1973 Britains introduced New Metal models, which are die cast in a durable alloy. Initially these sets were aimed at the British souvenir market. In 1983 Britains responded to a growing collectors' market by introducing additional models and limited edition sets. In 1997, Britains Petite, Ltd was bought by Ertl Company of Iowa, a maker of die-cast toys. Ertl was subsequently bought by RC2 LLC, another American die-cast miniature and plastic kit maker. At this time, production of toy soldiers was moved to China. In 2011, Japanese-headquartered toy company Tomy acquired RC2 which included the Britains die-cast farm miniatures range. In 2005, the W. Britains brand was acquired by First Gear...
Category

Mid-20th Century Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Plastic

English mahogany wood decorative airplane propeller from the 1940s.
Located in Milan, IT
English-made mahogany wood decorative airplane propeller from the 1940s. Very Good Condition. Length 200x18x10 cm - inches 78.7x7.1x3.85. Curiosity The first airplane proper saw the ...
Category

1940s Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Wood

Nautical Signal Flag of Letter "I" in Shadowbox Frame
Located in Norwell, MA
International maritime signal flag of the letter "I," "India," set into a shadowbox frame. The cotton flag has a white canvas hoist with a sisal rope and wood toggle. The cotton fiel...
Category

1950s North American Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Cotton

Modernist "Crucifixion” Wall Plaque by Talleres Monastico, Benedictine Monks
Located in San Diego, CA
A very cool modernist ebonized wood and mixed metals (sterling, brass & copper) "Crucifixion" plaque / wall sculpture by Talleres Monasticos - work...
Category

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

Materials

Copper, Sterling Silver, Brass

Antique Teaching Aid Median Incision of the Human Head, Ca. 1920
Located in Berghuelen, DE
A great antique hand-painted and hand lettered anatomical model. A median incision of the head for class. It is made of wood, papier maché and plaster, manufactured by SOMSO or PHYWE...
Category

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

Materials

Plaster, Wood

1960's "rocket" cigarette dispenser in brass and leather by Patented
Located in Catania, IT
1960's Brass and Leather Cigarette Dispenser "Rocket" by Patented. Rare 1960's Brass and Leather Cigarette Dispenser. The manufacturer is Patented. Made in italy. Great unusual piece...
Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Brass

Niederwald Monument Souvenir Building Architectural Model Germany 1910s
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 and was probably made in the 1930s or earlier. Found at an estate sale in Nuremberg, Germany. A nice addition to any collection or just to display and put on display as a memento of places visited. The Niederwald monument (German: Niederwalddenkmal) is a monument located in the Niederwald, near Rüdesheim am Rhein in Hesse...
Category

1930s German Art Nouveau Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal

Chinese 14-Karat Gold and Jade Buddha Necklace Pendant with Ruby
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
Chinese 14-Karat Gold and Jade Buddha Necklace Pendant with Ruby
Category

1950s Asian Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Jade, Gold

Fuji Meibo 15 x 80 Marine Binoculars
Located in Aspen, CO
Fuji Meibo 15 x 80 marine binoculars on an Original Wild GST20 Heerbrug tripod .15 x magnification with 80 mm objective lens. Stamped Fuji Meibo and Serial numbered 2564. These optic...
Category

1940s Japanese Other Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Aluminum

Large Wild Boar Trophy on Wooden Plaque, Germany 1950s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Large wild boar trophy on wooden plaque, Germany 1950s. A large vintage black forest wild boar (Sus scrofa) trophy on an ebonized nutwood plaqu...
Category

Mid-20th Century German Rustic Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal

DUPONT 1945 Tall Roller Petrol Pocket Lighter In Plated Sterling
Located in Miami, FL
A Dupont roller petrol lighter made in France. This is a very rare pocket petrol lighter created in Paris France during the post war period, back in the 1945. The lighter has been p...
Category

1940s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Silver Plate

Machine Age Art Deco Doctors or Bathroom Floor Model Scale Weigh Master by Hanso
Located in New York, NY
Great Machine Age, American Art Deco floor scale, Weigh Master by Hanson. The scale is fully functional, it shows cosmetic wear to the paint finish, and th...
Category

1930s American Art Deco Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal

Red Yachting Flag with a Star
Located in Norwell, MA
Cotton yachting flag with a red field and stitched white star, and cotton hoist with tarnished brass grommets. Set on gray matting and framed. Weight: 4 lbs. Overall Dimensions: ...
Category

1950s North American Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Cotton

Framed Nautical Yachting Flag
Located in Norwell, MA
Marine flag showing a fouled anchor with three stars, which signify that a past yacht club's commodore is on board. Blue field with white anchor and stars, set on gray matting and fr...
Category

1950s North American Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Cotton

British Royal Navy Ensign Flag
Located in Norwell, MA
Framed English navy red ensign flag. Red field with Union Jack in the top left corner. Canvas bunting with label from Dettra Bulldog and brass grommets. Weight: 6 lbs. Overall Di...
Category

1960s North American Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Cotton

Solid Brass Antique Ship Wheel Cigar Cutter
Located in Norwell, MA
Nautical cigar cutter with a hole and cutting blade in the column. When the wheel is turned, the blade is engaged to cut the tip off the cigar. This cutter has been meticulously poli...
Category

1950s Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Brass

Vintage Flexible Flyer Airline Racer No 60 Wooden Sled Planet Jr USA
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Flexible Flyer Airline Racer No 60 Wooden Sled Planet Jr USA. Circa Mid 20th Century. Measurements: 9" H x 59" W x 24.5" D.
Category

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

Materials

Metal

Mid-century Novelty "Queen of Tsawwassen" Cruise ship Enameled Lighter
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Mid-century Sarome 'Cruiser' lighter, shaped like a Cruise ship, features a chrome body enameled red and crème accents and "Queen of Tsawwassen" lettering. It includes a thumb strike...
Category

1960s Japanese Mid-Century Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Enamel, Steel, Chrome

1950 Vintage Pictures Depicting Three Ships Launching Riva Trigoso Shipyards
Located in Milan, IT
Rectangular frame with original pictures depicting three ships launching in Riva Trigoso shipyard: Reggio ferry of Ferrovie dello Stato (8th March 1960)...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

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

Petite Leather and Ceramic Ashtray, 1960s France
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful vintage emerald green ceramic ashtray set atop a brown leather-wrapped base. Great sculptural and functional piece. Located at our Los Angeles showroom.
Category

1960s French Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Ceramic, Leather

Art Deco Green Malachite Glass Figural Perfume Bottle
Located in Devon, England
A truly beautiful Art Deco green malachite glass perfume bottle with a female embossed figure to the stopper. Made in Czechoslovakia, th...
Category

Mid-20th Century Czech Art Deco Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Malachite

Old Rotary Telephone Bakelite Bell Telephone Company 1942
Located in Poperinge, BE
Cool vintage rotary telephone by Bell Telephone Company, Belgium, dated inside 1942. This beautiful and elegant model has a bakelite horn and...
Category

1940s Belgian Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal

Weltron Mod.2004 Space Ball stereo Radio/Tape - 1970s
Located in Linkebeek, BE
Space Age design - Radio LW/MW/FM Transport yourself back to the groovy 1970s with the vintage 1970s White Weltron radio and iconic Space Age Ball 8-trac...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Plastic

Mid-Century Modern Metal Red Blue Yellow Green White Sculpture
Located in Barcelona, ES
Mid-Century Modern color sculpture In good original condition with wear consistent of age and use, preserving a really beautiful patina. Measurements: 39 cm H x 12 cm W x 12...
Category

1950s German Bauhaus Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal

IMCO 6300 Primex 1953 Julius Franz Meister Petrol Lighter Chromed Steel In Box
Located in Miami, FL
Primex 6300 lighter designed by IMCO. This is a brilliantly engineered, unusual and quite ingenious semi-automatic pocket lighter designed by Julius Franz Meister in Austria, back i...
Category

1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Steel, Chrome

Botanical Model in Enlarged Section of a Moraceae Syconium, Italy, 1930s
Located in Milan, IT
Model in enlarged section of a Moraceae syconium (fig for example is a syconium). The model is made of painted plaster and almost certainly made by Paravia in the thirties. Measures ...
Category

1930s Italian Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Plaster

Vintage Italian Leather Box for Two Deck of Cards
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Rectangular Leather Box for Two Deck of Cards, Vintage 1960's Italily. This Mid-Century box is gold embossed with decorations on the top. Stamped on the bottom Made in Italy. Fantast...
Category

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

Materials

Leather

Set of Vintage Mortise Gauges, Four, Rosewood, Brass, Carpenter's Tools
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a set of vintage mortise gauges. 4 English, rosewood and brass carpenter's tools, dating to the mid-20th century, circa 1950. Fascinating midc...
Category

Mid-20th Century European Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Brass

1960s Mughal Style Indian Brass Cigarette Holder / Trinket Box
Located in New York, NY
Indian brass lidded cigarette holder / trinket box, with hand engraved Mughal floral designs all around. Completely hand wrought piece with exquisite detail. Hand crafted in India, c...
Category

Mid-20th Century Indian Anglo-Indian Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Brass

John Lennon Original Vintage Poster by Richard Avedon for Look magazine, 1967
Located in Devon, GB
Beatles manager Brian Epstein commissioned Richard Avedon to photograph the band and design a set of posters that would visually capture the new psychedelic direction of 'Sgt. Pepper...
Category

1960s American Post-Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Linen, 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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