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Collectibles and Curiosities For Sale
Period: Late 20th Century
Period: Early 2000s
Vintage Decorative Halved Ammonite, African, Fossil, Display Plinth, Cretaceous
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a vintage decorative halved ammonite. An African, opalized fossil on display plinth, dating to Cretaceous period millions of years ago, polished and presented circa 1970.
Delightful example with a dual view of the fascinating fossil data
Displaying a desirable aged patina and in good original order
Lightly polished shell...
Category
Late 20th Century African Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Natural Fiber, Wood
Pair Giant French Bronze Cannons, Military Artillery
Located in Potters Bar, GB
Impressive pair of large French bronze cannons
Great for a garden or business
Of course being bronze these can live outside with no fear of rusting
Viewings available by appointm...
Category
1980s Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Bronze
Greg Noll Redwood Balsa Hot Curl Surfboard
By Greg Noll
Located in Haleiwa, HI
This beautiful recreation of a revolutionary design from the 1930s/40s by one of surfing's most legendary names is a collector's dream. Greg Noll shaped Hot Curl, 9’2 balsa/redwood construction, signed by the late Greg Noll (1937-2021)
The Hot Curl surfboards (original designers: Fran Heath, John Kelly, Wally Froiseth) had an enormous influence on the evolution of the modern surfboard, most notably in the streamlined, wide point forward narrow tailed shapes which reached ascendancy in the 1960s at big wave surf...
Category
1990s American Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Fiberglass, Hardwood, Softwood
Vintage Coastal Monumental Tridacna Gigas Clam Shell #6
Located in west palm beach, FL
Bring the serene beauty of the ocean into your home with this Vintage Coastal Monumental Tridacna Gigas Clam Shell. Perfect for American-style interiors, this impressive piece featur...
Category
Late 20th Century American Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Shell
Brutalist Brass Necklace
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
Signed Brutalist brass necklace.
Category
1970s American Brutalist Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Brass
Vintage Costume Jewelry Set by Trifari, circa 1960
By Trifari
Located in Southampton, NY
A stunning vintage set including necklace, brooch and earring set created from gold tone metal and sparkling clear rhinestone navettes.
Marked 'Trifari' with copyright symbol and cro...
Category
Late 20th Century American Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Crystal
Nature, Form & Spirit: The Life and Legacy of George Nakashima
Located in New York, NY
First edition of Mira Nakashima’s tribute to her father, George, whose standing as one of America’s foremost designer/craftsmen is reflected in his blue-chip status in the vintage de...
Category
Early 2000s American American Craftsman Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Vintage 1970s Dick Brewer Surfboard
By Dick Brewer
Located in Haleiwa, HI
Mid-1970s Dick Brewer surfboard. Features an orange tint with uncommon rocket tail winged shape design. Glassed on single fin with pinstriped outline....
Category
1970s American Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Softwood, Fiberglass, Foam
Vintage Western Tooled Leather Horse Saddle Line of Texas
By Visalia Stock Saddle Co.
Located in Chula Vista, CA
\
Vintage Saddlery Tooled Leather Horse Saddle
Saddle Line of Texas Quality Vintage Leather Horse Saddle
15 h x w 22 w x 27d
Preowned vin...
Category
Late 20th Century Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Leather
American Fashion: The Life & Lines of Many Designers 1st Ed Signed 2x by Trigere
Located in valatie, NY
American Fashion: The Life and Lines of Adrian, Mainbocher, McCardell, Norell, and Trigere by Robert Riley; Dale McConathy; Sally Kirkland; Bernadine Morris; and Eleni Sakes Epstein....
Category
1970s American Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Grand Tour Style Shadow Box, depicting, 6 Architectural example vignettes
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Grand Tour Architectural Study Shadow Box with Neoclassical Vignettes, Circa Mid-20th Century
An elegant and educational Grand Tour-style architectural study shadow box, presenting ...
Category
Late 20th Century Italian Grand Tour Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Wool, Plexiglass, Paper
1970s Spine Shaped 'Proteo' Halogen Table Lamp, Italy
Located in St- Leonard, Quebec
Bold spine shaped and articulated Proteo halogen table lamp.
Playful, easy adjustable in various sculptural shape.
Well made solid construction with PVC parts and rubber joint.
Measure: 21 in. high when curl as pictured, 36 in straight up.
2 intensity switch.
50 watt 2 pin light...
Category
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
PVC
Vintage Boho Carved Wood Clam Shell
Located in west palm beach, FL
Embrace the serene beauty of the coast with this exquisite Vintage Boho Carved Wood Clam Shell, a truly unique piece that brings an organic, artisanal touch to any interior. Masterfu...
Category
Late 20th Century Philippine Organic Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Wood
Rare Dunhill Rollagas Bordeaux Gold Dust Cigarette Lighter With Dunhill Box
Located in Reading, Berkshire
Rare Dunhill Rollagas Bordeaux Gold Dust Cigarette Lighter With Original Dunhill Box Complete With Guarantee Card
Made in Switzerland
The Rollagas was first developed in 1953 as ...
Category
Late 20th Century Swiss Art Deco Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Gold Plate
"Pucci - A Renaissance in Fashion" 1st Edition
Located in Hanover, MA
"Pucci - A Renaissance in Fashion" by Shirley Kennedy, 1st edition, printed in Japan in 1991. All excellent near perfect condition. Cloth cover. First white page...
Category
Late 20th Century Japanese Collectibles and Curiosities
Greek Polished Xiphos Steel Battle Sword with Gilt Hilt
Located in Dallas, TX
The, antique classic xiphos style blade was crafted in Greece, circa 2000. The old world sword features a double edge blade with two griffins and intricate motifs on both sides. The ...
Category
Early 2000s Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Steel, Bronze
Painter Anatomical Skull
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
We offer this painter anatomical human skull, circa 1970. This skull was acquired from a painter's studio, the skull was painted with oil paint.
Category
1970s North American Arts and Crafts Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Plaster
"Beosound 3200" & "Beolab 8000" Audio System, Bang Olufsen
Located in Neuss, NW
Legendary design classic "BeoSound 3200" designed by David Lewis for Bang & Olufsen in the 1990s. Stereo compact system with CD player, remote control, stand with glass table top, an...
Category
1990s German Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal
One of a Kind Italian Pair Deco Modern Art Lamps with Cast Brass Carnival Masks
Located in New York, NY
1980s vintage Italian pair of very rare lamps, entirely handmade in cast polished brass, uniquely decorated with carnival masks in different sizes, each different from the other, rai...
Category
1980s Italian Folk Art Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Brass, Metal
Queen Conch Shell Aliger Gigas Rare Souvenir Marine Arena Johns Pass Florida 8"
Located in Dayton, OH
Rare marked mid century natural Queen Conch sea shell (Aliger gigas) souvenir from Marine Arena Johns Pass Florida. Off white with a slight flush of coral-pink. Nautical, Maritime, ...
Category
Late 20th Century Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Shell
Pentax Camera Lighter, 1980s Japan
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Take home this incredible vintage Pentax Camera Lighter while it's still on the market. Rare and in perfect working condition. Adjustable lighter with a...
Category
1980s Japanese Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal
Ariane IV 44lp Rocket Model on 1/20em Scale
Located in Paris, FR
Model Ariane IV 44LP Rocket in resin.
Precise replica on 1/20em scale.
On black base: L 50 x D 50cm.
With descriptive plaque CNES certified.
Category
1980s French Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Resin
Batman stereo radio bar by Adalberto dal Lago & Adam Tihany for G. Rossi , 1970s
Located in bruxelles, BE
Batman record player, radio and bar by Adalberto dal Lago & Adam Tihany for Giuseppe Rossi. The top is in brushed chrome metal with integrated speakers a...
Category
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal
Rare Vintage 1970's A.A Sutain - n.147 Oversized Wrap Tortoise Frame Sunglasses
Located in St. Louis, MO
This is a nice vintage pair of c. 1970s A. A. Sutain - France model 147 oversized tortoise wrap with bronze lenses sunglasses
Always ahead of their time, A. A. Sutain is famous for ...
Category
1970s French Hollywood Regency Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Glass, Plastic
Napoleon, Nelson and Their Time. The Calvin Bullock Collection Christie's
By 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 Large Canadian Moose Rack Shed Antlers Skull Taxidermy Wall Decor
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Large Canadian Moose Rack Shed Antlers Skull Taxidermy Wall Decor. Circa Late 20th Century. Measurements (Overall): 38.5" H x 55.5" W (at widest point) x 17" D. Each antler a...
Category
Late 20th Century Unknown Rustic Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Horn
CARTIER 1970 Paris Guilloché Pocket Butane Gas Lighter In Plaqué d'Argent
By Cartier
Located in Miami, FL
A pocket lighter designed by Cartier.
This is a beautiful butane pocket lighter, created in Paris France by the jewelry house of Cartier, back in the 1970's. The lighter is a classi...
Category
1970s French Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Silver
Givenchy Vintage Necklace with Sun Pendant, 1980s
By Givenchy
Located in Bochum, NRW
Givenchy vintage necklace with sun pendant, France 1980s.
Impressive collier made of thick double chain with an amazing sun motif pendant. In excellent preowned condition. Maker's marks, Givenchy Paris...
Category
1980s French Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal
A 1980s Mappin and Webb Akoya pearl necklace with 18 carat gold clasp
Located in London, GB
A lovley late 1980s Mappin and Webb Akoya pearl necklace with 18 carat gold clasp in orignal box. There are 56 pearls and each pearl is 6.5-7mm diameter with a high polished lustre a...
Category
1980s English Hollywood Regency Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Gold
The Godfather
Located in London, GB
Original British film poster for Francis Ford Coppola's gangster masterpiece starring Marlon Brando, Al Pacino and Robert Duvall. The American poster only used the puppeteer art work...
Category
1970s British Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Masterpieces of Impressionism & Post-Impressionism - The Annenberg Collection
Located in Bradenton, FL
Masterpieces of Impressionism & Post-Impressionism - The Annenberg Collection. Softcover book, published in 1989 in conjunction with the exhibition at The Philadelphia Museum of Art....
Category
1980s Italian Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Art and Craft in Africa by Laure Meyer
Located in Bradenton, FL
Art and Craft in Africa, Everyday Life, Ritual, Court Art by Laure Meyer. Softcover book, published in 1995. Over 180 illustrations in color, printed in Italy, 207 pages.
Category
1990s Italian 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
Berkel 330M Flywheel Prosciutto Slicer With Pedestal
By Berkel 2
Located in Mexico City, MX
An important Italian-made Berkel prosciutto slicer model 330M. The slicer has two parts: the pedestal with 4 castors and the machine itself.
The iconic flywheel mechanism helps the ...
Category
Early 2000s Italian Industrial Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Steel, Stainless Steel
Cigarette Case black and red lines Art Deco style Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Rectangular pocket cigarette case with long rounded sides in 925/1000 sterling silver with red and black fire-enamelled stripes. With button and spring opening. Measurements cm. 10.3...
Category
1980s Italian Art Deco Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Sterling Silver, Enamel
Cigarette Case black lines Art Deco style Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Rectangular pocket cigarette case with long rounded sides in 925/1000 sterling silver with black fire-enamelled stripes. With button and spring opening. Measurements cm. 10.3 x 5.8 ...
Category
1980s Italian Art Deco Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Sterling Silver, Enamel
Bvlgari Bulgari High Jewelry Luxury Coffee Table Book, circa 1990s
By Bulgari
Located in New York, NY
This is a beautiful coffee table (or library book for a home) about the history of the iconic Italian luxury jeweler Bvlgari (or Bulgari), circa 1990s, Italy. Book covers Bulgari's history in creating iconic gorgeous jewelry and its connection, globally, to architecture, fashion, entertainment - lifestyle. Gorgeous book. Printed in Italy. First Edition.
Book is contained in a well-made decorated slipcase that matches the jacket of the hardcover book. This was the first book ever published on Bulgari, it is a lavishly illustrated exploration of one of Italy's greatest jewelers. With the use of new photographs together with archival pictures the book traces the development of the Bulgari style, which has captivated movie stars and Royalty since its start in Rome in 1884.
Title: BVLGARI (BULGARI)
Publisher: Leonardo Arte srl, Milan
Publish: 1996, First edition
Binding: Hard slipcover pocket, perfect-bound, hard cover with four-color process 'dust' jacket.
Printing: Printed in Italy.
Dimensions: Width: 13.25 in (33.66 cm) x Depth: 12.5 in (31.75 cm)
Blue Italian Murano bowl...
Category
1990s Italian Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
1980s Gorgeous Piero Fornasetti Backgammon in Excellent condition. Made in Italy
Located in Milano, IT
1980s Gorgeous Piero Fornasetti backgammon for Dal Negro in walnut wood , the set is in excellent condition and includes four dices, the doubling cube, two dice shaker, all 30 checke...
Category
1980s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Walnut, Wood
1974 Omega Watch Speedsonic Chronometer Seamaster f300
By Omega
Located in Chula Vista, CA
1974 Vintage Omega Watch Speedsonic Chronometer Seamaster f300
Stainless Steel with Gold tone
Swiss made
watch band 7.5 inches length
battery operated
Preo...
Category
1970s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Stainless Steel
Fine Vintage Large French Polished Santos Mahogany Satinwood Folding Chess Set
Located in Dublin, Ireland
A Very Substantial Decorative French Polished Well Grained Dark Santos Mahogany and Boxwood Folding Chess Set of outstanding quality, good weight and s...
Category
Late 20th Century British Victorian Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Mahogany
The Enchanted World Night Creatures Time-Life Books Hardcover Book
Located in North Hollywood, CA
The Enchanted World Night Creatures Time-Life Hardcover Book.Packed with more than 60 fl-cor, reusable, self-adhesive stickers featuring glow-in-the-dark effects, these books provide...
Category
Late 20th Century Baroque Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Vintage Traditional Japanese Kokeshi Wood Doll
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Kokeshi or Kokashi doll handmade by Japanese artisans from wood.
The dolls have a simple trunk as a body and an enlarged head.
One characteristic of Kokeshi dolls is their lack of arms and legs.
signed underneath as follow.
Kokashi Doll Kegon Waterfall Japan 1987.
Kokeshi (???, ???), are simple wooden Japanese dolls with no arms or legs that have been crafted for more than 150 years as a toy for...
Category
Late 20th Century Japanese Japonisme Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Wood
Set of 70s Toy Musical Instruments, Made in Italy
Located in Palermo, IT
Set of 70s Toy Musical Instruments, Made in Italy
They come from a nursery school.
Good condition.
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal
1970s Astonishing Swift 1778 Model Ship. Handmade. Made in England
Located in Milano, IT
1970s Astonishing Swift 1778 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.
Dimensi...
Category
1970s English Mid-Century Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Wood
Vintage Bjorn Wiinblad Indian Puzzle for Irma Denmark, 1970s
Located in Esbjerg, DK
A rare 500 pcs puzzle in 3 mm thick cardboard paper. Motif: American Indian. Designed during the 1970s and made for Irma in Denmark in 1979. Measurements in box: 33x23x3 cm.
Category
1970s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
XXII Moscow Olympic Games 1980 Porcelain Mascot Misha Mishka Bear Vintage
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Original vintage Soviet sport Mascot for the 22nd Summer Olympic Games (Games of the XXII Olympiad) in 1980 held in Moscow Russia, Misha the Moscow Olympic...
Category
1980s Russian Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Porcelain
1970s Black Omega Genève Vintage Watch Swiss Made
By Omega
Located in Chula Vista, CA
AMBIANIC presents
1970s Black Omega Genève Vintage Watch Swiss Made
unisex
mechanical
Wrist 7.75 x 1.13 W Face is 1 x 1 x.25 D box 4.25 x 4....
Category
1970s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Stainless Steel
Sergio Rodrigues (Book)
Located in North Yorkshire, GB
This book provides a unique insight into the Brazilian designer Sergio Rodrigues world by reflecting on his lifetime achievements, from design to architecture, his design concepts, h...
Category
Late 20th Century Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Giraffe Taxidermy Mount, 1970s
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Stunning Giraffe taxidermy mount. Just over 7 feet tall. Beautiful expression to face. Overwhelming presence in the room. Good coloring to fur and go...
Category
1970s American Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Fur, Glass, Wood
Brass Campaign Style Vintage Telescope
Located in North York, ON
Capture a touch of historical adventure with this vintage brass campaign-style telescope. Its brass casing boasts a unique, beautifully worn patina, telling a silent story of time an...
Category
1970s Unknown Campaign Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal, Brass
Modernist Bracelet Silver Bangle Taxco Mexico
By Taxco
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Handcrafted Modernist Bracelet Bangle Silver Taxco Mexico
cutout designs
2 15/16 outside diameter 2.5 inside diameter x 3/16 thick
Stamped Mexico 925
Preowned vintage
Refer to listed...
Category
Late 20th Century Mexican Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Sterling Silver
America's Painted Ladies
Located in Bradenton, FL
America's Painted Ladies, the ultimate celebration of our Victorians, by Elizabeth Pomada and Michael Larsen, photographs by Douglas Keister. Softcover book, published in 1994 by Pen...
Category
1990s Victorian Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Gaetano Pesce Fish Design Catalog
Located in New York, NY
Early, and possibly the first, portfolio catalog of Gaetano Pesce’s experimental handcart molded resin objects—each a unique creation within a series. Published by Fish Design, circa...
Category
1990s American Post-Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Sculptural Foot & Ankle Jewelry Display in Patinated Wood – Decorative
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
Sculptural Foot & Ankle Jewelry Display in Patinated Wood – Decorative & Functional Stand
Description:
This unique jewelry display takes the form of a realistically sculpted foot an...
Category
1970s French Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Wood
Original Exhibition Catalog – 5 Grabats Més 1 Portada by Joan Miró, Sala Gaspar
By Joan Miró
Located in Barcelona, ES
Original Exhibition Catalog – 5 Grabats Més 1 Portada by Joan Miró, Sala Gaspar, 1976
Artist: Joan Miró
Exhibition: 5 Grabats Més 1 Portada – Sala Gaspar, Barcelona
Year: 1976
La...
Category
1970s Spanish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Cartier Paris Poker or Bridge Cards in Red Original Box Vintage 1970
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Must De Cartier Paris Vintage Playing Poker or Bridge Cards in Red Original Box.
Cartier playing cards, one deck plus joker, poker, bridge playing cards in Cartier red 2-doors case.
Les Must De Cartier playing cards were only sold from 1972-1976.
This silk-lined box of cards with 18-karat gilded corners, printed with the Les Must De Cartier logo, is a gift for the true collector.
The box measures: 6 1/2" by 4 1/4" by 1 3/8" and is marked Cartier.
Beautiful deep red color cards with golden accents, Cartier cameo monogram, and 18-karat gold splashed edges.
These cards are beautiful and rare, a real treasure.
Cartier playing cards in gilt-tooled leather red case, the inside marked "Les Must de Cartier, Paris".
Genuine Cartier and marked "Cartier Paris".
Cartier playing cards are Monaco grade for casinos and gaming each with the Cartier monogram.
Vintage Luxe Must De Cartier poker...
Category
Late 20th Century French Art Deco Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Leather, Paper
René Herbst, Pionnier du Mouvement Moderne, Delaporte, Flammarion, 2004
By René Herbst
Located in CA, CA
First Edition, Published by Flammarion in 2004 from the collection of the Archives d’Architecture Intérieure du XXe siècle at the Bibliothèque des Arts Décoratifs, Paris. Text by Guillemette Delaporte.
A rich visual and textual archive of the work of French Modernist industrial designer, architect and furniture maker, René Herbst. This French language book...
Category
Early 2000s French Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Think Big Giant Matches and Matchbox
By Think Big
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Fantastic set of oversized matches and matchbox, made by Think Big NYC in 1984. Set contains all 8 original matches. Box slides open as a normal matchbox...
Category
1980s American Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Plastic, Paper, Felt, Wood, Paint
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.
Read More
Medal-Worthy Memorabilia from Epic Past Olympic Games
Get into the games! These items celebrate the events, athletes, host countries and sporting spirit.
Ahoy! You’ve Never Seen a Collection of Sailor Art and Kitsch Quite Like This
French trendsetter and serial collector Daniel Rozensztroch tells us about his obsession with objects related to seafaring men.
Pamela Shamshiri Shares the Secrets behind Her First-Ever Book and Its Effortlessly Cool Interiors
The sought-after designer worked with the team at Hoffman Creative to produce a monograph that beautifully showcases some of Studio Shamshiri's most inspiring projects.
Moroccan Artworks and Objects Take Center Stage in an Extraordinary Villa in Tangier
Italian writer and collector Umberto Pasti opens the doors to his remarkable cave of wonders in North Africa.
Montecito Has Drawn Royalty and Celebrities, and These Homes Are Proof of Its Allure
Hollywood A-listers, ex-pat aristocrats and art collectors and style setters of all stripes appreciate the allure of the coastal California hamlet — much on our minds after recent winter floods.
Whaam! Blam! Pow! — a New Book on Pop Art Packs a Punch
Publishing house Assouline and writer Julie Belcove have teamed up to trace the history of the genre, from Roy Lichtenstein, Andy Warhol and Yayoi Kusama to Mickalene Thomas and Jeff Koons.
The Sparkling Legacy of Tiffany & Co. Explained, One Jewel at a Time
A gorgeous new book celebrates — and memorializes — the iconic jeweler’s rich heritage.
What Makes a Gem-Encrusted Chess Set Worth $4 Million?
The world’s most opulent chess set, weighing in at 513 carats, is literally fit for a king and queen.