Collectibles and Curiosities

Set of 3 Miniature Amber and Silver Harley Davidson Style Motor Bikes 925 stamped silver.

This is a 19th Century Clark & Johnson Sewing Machine. It depicts an open octagonal shaped black painted iron manual hand crank sewing machine...

A superb antique 19th Century English sterling silver equestrian horseshoe vesta case match box and striker. Hallmarked, Birmingham, England 1887. Acquired from a collector's estate ...

Original British film poster for the 1969 classic western staring Paul Newman, Robert Redford, Katherine Ross. This film was directed by George Roy Hill. This size poster would have ...

Nice map of Rome Drawn and engraved by J.Dower Published by Orr & Smith. C.1835 Unframed. Free shipping

A beautiful vintage floor ashtray, made of brass, with beautiful onyx elements. The ashtray has a turning system, when you press the top button, the bowl in the middle turns around a...

A Very Fine German 19th Century Louis XVI Style Burr Walnut Bechstein Concert Grand Piano, Serial No. 5655. The beautifully crafted Grand piano, raised on three tapered barrel shaped legs, with an intricately carved ornate music desk and original keys. Circa: 1872. Length: 80 inches (203.2 cm) Width: 59 inches: (149.9 cm) Height (top closed): 38 5/8 inches (98.1 cm) C. Bechstein Pianofortefabrik C. Bechstein Pianofortefabrik AG (also known as Bechstein) is a German manufacturer of pianos, established in 1853 by Carl Bechstein. Before Bechstein Young Carl Bechstein studied and worked in France and England as a piano craftsman, before he became an independent piano maker. His first pianos were made for other companies. C. Bechstein C. Bechstein piano factory was founded on 1 October 1853 by Carl Bechstein in Berlin, Germany. Carl Bechstein set out to manufacture a piano able to withstand the great demands imposed on the instrument by the virtuosi of the time, such as Franz Liszt. In 1857, Hans von Bülow (Liszt's son-in-law) gave the first public performance on a Bechstein grand piano by performing Liszt's Piano Sonata in B minor in Berlin By 1870, with endorsements from Franz Liszt and Hans von Bülow, Bechstein pianos had become a staple in many concert halls and private mansions. By that time three piano makers, all of which were founded in 1853, became established as the industry leaders across the world: Bechstein, Blüthner and Steinway & Sons. In 1881 Bechstein began supplying pianos to Queen Victoria. A gilded art-case piano was delivered to Buckingham Palace, followed by several more Bechstein pianos to Windsor Castle and other royal residences. By January 1886 they were among the piano manufacturers holding a Royal Warrant as a supplier to the Queen. Several British embassies across the world acquired Bechstein pianos. In 1885, Bechstein opened a branch in London, that eventually grew to become the largest showroom and dealership in Europe. By 1890 showrooms had been opened in Paris, Vienna, and Saint Petersburg. On 31 May 1901, Bechstein Hall, built at a cost of £100,000, was opened next to the company's London showroom at 36-40 Wigmore Street. Between 1901 and 1914, C. Bechstein was the largest piano dealership in London. At that time, Bechstein was patronized by the tsars of Russia, the royal families of Spain, Belgium, the Netherlands, Italy, Sweden, Norway, Austria and Denmark, and other royalty and aristocracy. The list of royal clients of Bechstein may be found on the soundboard of vintage Bechstein pianos made before the Second World War. The list is part of the original Bechstein trademark logo; it can be seen under the strings in the center of a piano's soundboard. The signature of Carl Bechstein The years from the 1870s through 1914 brought Bechstein their most dramatic increase in sales. In 1880 a second Bechstein factory was opened in Berlin, and the third factory was opened in 1897 in Berlin-Kreuzberg. Production reached 3,700 pianos annually in 1900, and 4,600 in 1910, making Bechstein the largest German manufacturer of high-end pianos. At that time, about three quarters of production went to international markets, especially Britain and the Commonwealth, and Russia. Carl Bechstein died in 1900, and the Bechstein company continued to operate under the management of his sons. Between 1900 and 1914 C. Bechstein was one of the leading piano makers in the world, employing 1,200 craftsmen and workers by 1913 and making five thousand pianos per year. First World War C. Bechstein suffered huge property losses in London, Paris, and St. Petersburg during World War I. The largest loss was in London. Although the company's position in the United Kingdom was initially unaffected, with the company still listed as holding a Royal Warrant in January 1915, Warrants to both King George V, and his wife Queen Mary were cancelled on 13 April 1915. Bechstein was not the only musical concern to be affected by growing anti-German sentiment: there were earlier attempts, led by William Boosey, to boycott German music altogether. In 1915, despite being a Baronet and Privy Counsellor, Sir Edgar Speyer, who was then funding the Proms, was forced to leave the country. Following the passing of the Trading with the Enemy Amendment Act 1916 the British arm of the company was wound-up on 5 June 1916, all Bechstein property, including the concert hall and showrooms full of pianos, were seized as "enemy property" and closed. In 1916 the hall was sold as alien property at auction to Debenhams for £56,500. It was renamed Wigmore Hall, and then re-opened under the new name in 1917. All 137 Bechstein pianos at the Bechstein showrooms were confiscated too, and became property of the new owner of the Hall. After a dispute with his brother, Edwin Bechstein left the company and was paid off. Eventually the Bechstein factory resumed full-scale production during the 1920s. At that time, technical innovations and inventions of new materials and tools, as well as improvements in piano design and construction, had allowed Bechstein to become one of the leading piano makers again. The most successful models were the updated "A"-185 and "B"-208 grand pianos. The upright pianos became more popular after the war, and C. Bechstein were successful with its upright pianos Model-8 and Model-9, both of which have been considered the finest upright pianos. As the company was changed into a joint-stock company 1923, Edwin Bechstein and his wife Helene, bought themselves back into the company as shareholders. In 1930 the company collaborated with German electrical goods manufacturer Siemens under Nobel laureate Walther Nernst to produce one of the first electric pianos...

Antique maritime navy compass in very nice original condition.

Exquisite museum quality large antique High Renaissance style emerald, natural pearl, garnet silver pectoral cross 19th century Makers Mark: K.T. for Tauböck, Karl Austro-Hungarian E...

Italian Medieval / Renaissance-style (19th Century) metal life size suit of armor with fluted breast plate on a square wooden base. Condition: Good; Wear consistent with age and use...

19th Century Indo-Persian Dhal Separ Steel Shield . Intricate decorative design with Brass inlay. Convex steel and iron shield with gold inlay and applied...

Rare and Collectible 1960's Horikawa Space Station Toy. Perfect for that space age toy collector. Tin Lithograph sphere that says Nasa Space Station on t...

A 19th century French velocipede of a white pony, the horse of polychromed wood with horsehair mane and set upon an iron tricycle. Deaccessioned from the MacLean Collection of Asian...

Late 19th Century cased anthropomorphic taxidermy scene of two Squirrels and a stoat in bedroom/boudoir setting. One squirrel dressed as an artist in a beret, painting smock smoking ...

Antique large size sculpture and an impressive, religious work of art. Looking at Christ suffering like this, the crucifix (in our view) is a symbol of what 'telling people the trut...

19th Century Cast Iron Race Horse Bank by J & E Stevens Co. 1871 USA, Circa 1871 This rare 19th-century cast iron Race Horse bank by J & E Stevens Co., pat...

A classic decorative Berlin bear statue. Some wear with a nice patina, but this is old-age. Made of metal. This item was bought as a souvenir in Ber...

This is an antique French domino game in a wooden box Mid to late 1800s All complete with 28 dominoes The dominoes have a bone front, ebony backings and brass tacks The dominoes a...

3-941 Hand made diorama using bird feathers and natural fauna set in a lacquered wood frame under glass.

Original 1969 Elipson AS30 speaker in staff with its round, sensual and warm shape, was an Elipson bestseller. It was relatively compact for its time (30 cm in diameter, with a 16 cm...

Native American beadwork gauntlets with Indian Chiefs in feathered headdresses, probably souix, Ca 1880-90 Native American beadwork gauntlet...

Marco Zanuso, Richard Sapper, (designers) TS 502 ‘Cube’ radio Designed 1964, produced from 1965 by Brionvega, Italy. This example dating from the 1960s. ABS plastic case in two equ...

These petite bronze tools date to the late 19th century and were originally among the many accessories that comprised an opium smoking kit. Both tools are ...

VICTORIAN SILVERPLATE BARREL-FORM "MATCH SAFE" HANDLED EBONIZED CANE Underside of screw-on lid hallmarked with serial numbering "C 4071" Probably English, circa 1870s 35 1/2" H x s...

Nice map of North America Drawn and engraved by J.Dower Published by Orr & Smith. C.1835 Unframed. Free shipping

F.H. Ayres Croquet Set On Original Jaques Stand. A fabulous garden croquet set with boxwood mallets, two with brass banding, two without. The mallets are stamped F.H. Ayres and come ...

Large size gold gilt wooden ceremonial fraternal Masonic Crook perched on a long painted wooden pole. Supported by a decorative three-footed metal base, the gilt wood crook itself me...

Surfboards Hawaii classic longboard shaped in 1963. 10' 3" square tail shape. Featuring beautiful blue-turquoise rails and bottom, pinstripe details ...

Rare and completely ridable. Bike: 57.5" H x 27" W x 66" D Base: 70" W x 15" D

A 19th Century, white-grey antique French miniature model of a Palladio style gazebo with a domed roof and topped with a small urn shaped finial, columns and circular base. The detai...

19th-Century English Barometer & Fahrenheit Thermometer in Mahogany Case Barometer in a mahogany case, dated to the 1st half of the 19th century, featuring a Fahrenheit thermometer,...

Full body Spotted Hyena taxidermy. The Spotted Hyena is the most populous large carnivore in Africa. They can run 40 mph and are fierce predators. Also known as the laughing Hyena, ...

Originally used in a French chapel, this exquisite brass repousse pricket or candlestick from the late nineteenth century stands at over two and a half f...

This is an antique compendium book of Scottish history, Tales of a Grandfather by Walter Scott. An English language, hard bound title, printed in E...

A rare antique and all original fully functioning cast iron English cheese press, by Thomas Corbett of Shrewsbury, circa 1880. This cheese press has just ...

Johnson’s Illinois Map, USA c.1864 – Hand-Colored with Chicago Courthouse View This is a finely engraved and hand-colored map titled Johnson’s Illinois, published by Johnson and War...

Impressive handmade large and powerfully cast Japanese tripod bronze censer of the 19th century, made during the Meiji period and with mythical animals...

1966 vintage Greg Noll Miki Dora Da Cat longboard. Features the legendary black cat color scheme Miki Dora was known to ride. A remarkable example of the hig...

Cameras are not my expertise but we could not pass up on this beauty. The camera is signed ANSCO and the large lens reads DARLO OPTICIEN, PARIS 35436. I'm told that this lens is the most valuable...

19th Century Brass and Gold Watch-Key 19th century brass and gold Watch-Key in round flat shape with eyelet The measurement is 3,7 cm high (incl. eyelet) and 1,3 cm diagonal The w...

A Viennese bronze miniature cold-painted dog figurine A bronze miniature dog figurine. Cold painted bronze, signed and numbered on the belly...

Fabulous map of Hawaii. With a vignette of Honolulu Original color. Engraved and printed by the George F. Cram Company, Indianapolis. Published, C.1900. Unframed. Free shipping.

First printing of the first revised & enlarged hardcover edition of The Americans by Robert Frank with writings by Jack Kerouac published by Aperture /Grossman 1969. The landmark ...

19th century French Giltwood and Verre Eglomise Barometer. The barometer frame is richly decorated with bouquets of flowers, vine branches, shells and palm leaves. The Eglomisé Dial ...

A French bronze armillary sphere depicting Atlas carrying the world from the late 19th century with verdigris patina. Created in France during the last quarter of the 19th century, t...

Miniature four-drawer Swedish chest with original paint and glass knobs.

Antique American carved oak dental cabinet manufactured by The Ransom & Randolph C., Toledo Ohio, Circa 1899. Arguably one of the best dental cabinets ever made, with so many unique features (and forgive the pun) cutting edge technology of the late 19th century. This cabinet was patented in 1899 and made of solid quarter sawn oak throughout, with carved accents above the beveled shaped mirror and carved & pierced brackets to the base with turned ribbed column supports. The cabinet has a removable travel drawer case for making house calls, to the top of the case is a brass carrying handle and a brass plaque with the manufacturers name and "Patent applied for", making this one of the earliest manufactured of this model. The cabinet has paneled sides and a paneled back, the front is fitted with cupboard with two adjustable swing out arms with revolving circular trays. Below, the cabinet is fitted with serpentine shaped drawers to the front, a lift up mirror to the top right hand-side enclosing a stepped...

1900s Astonishing large “Fragata Siglo XVIII”model ship in walnut wood. Handmade. Made in England. This model is amazing and in excellent condition and all handmade. A true piece of ...

This colorful cross with holy water font was created in France, circa 1880. Crafted in bronze using the champlevé technique, the antique cross features intricate enamel work in a vibrant palette of turquoise, navy, red, and pink. The decorative surface is adorned with floral and foliate motifs, and centered with a red medallion bearing the Christogram "IHS," symbolizing the name of Jesus. The base is fitted with a small enameled basin...

Standing at 21 inches in height, this set of large late nineteenth century French solid brass scales features two hanging brass pans that hang from chains. Six accompanying gram wei...

Early 19th Century Marionette Puppets A rare untouched example of two hand crafted early 19th century marionette puppets, likely to be French in...

Small size gaff-rigged pond yacht. Made from carved and hollowed wood with copper keel with lead bar weight and rubber support to silvered rudder. Deck is scored and fitted with br...

Wonderful abstract bangle cuff. All in enameled chromium metal by Pierre Cardin haute couture - iconic and sculptural, this bangle is from the height of Cardin's creative output, 'Fu...

A Rare and Monumental Italian Carved Carrara Marble Model of a Cathedral, Rome, 19th century, circa 1840. Possibly a representation of Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore in Florence Italy. The Italian Renaissance is renowned for its magnificent works of art and architecture, which are admired to this day for their grandeur and intricate details. Among the most impressive examples of this era are the rare and monumental carved Carrara marble models of cathedrals...

Antique Reindeer Antler Mount Taxidermy Cabin Decor Skull Antlers Item e7354 A great antique reindeer (Rangifer tarandus) trophy on a wooden panel wit...

This beautiful antique Holy Book was printed in England circa 1870. The impressive Victorian family Bible, titled "The National Comprehensive Family Bible", was edited by Rev. John E...

Italian Renaissance-style (19th/20th Century) gold painted metal shield with classic head center surrounded by Renaissance figures.

A complete set of first editions of Charles Dickens's five Christmas books, including the first edition of 'A Christmas Carol'. Housed in a chemise and quarter morocco slip case. A ...

This is an antique officer of the watch telescope. An English, leather and nickel silver single draw refractor for terrestrial or astronomical use, by Ross of London, circa 1920. ...

Antique Edwardian Marimba Xylophone with a combination of hardwoods and iron. There are two separate tables that bolt together. Each marimba breaks down for transport into three pi...