Collectibles and Curiosities
to
104
437
433
870
28
4
1,948
908
845
812
578
463
324
283
246
205
141
132
98
65
61
50
38
38
209
184
477
32
161
160
70
32
25
22
46
17
30
11
9
5
1
402
331
156
95
67
580
156
153
127
100
902
902
902
19
6
5
5
5
Collectibles and Curiosities For Sale
Style: Folk Art
Style: Baroque
Rare and Important Italian Alabaster Bust Sculpture of Jesus Christ, C. 1860
Located in New York, NY
A rare and important Italian alabaster bust sculpture of Jesus Christ, C. 1860
A modeled bust of Holy Christ wearing a crown of thorns, excep...
Category
19th Century Italian Baroque Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Alabaster
Danish 19th Century Wooden Folk Art Bible Box "Forget Me Not"
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Mid-19th century wooden box designed to look like a Bible. Text engraved with monogramme.
The four words in the corners are quite cute and charming:
Danish: "FOR - GLEM - MIG - EJ"...
Category
19th Century Danish Folk Art Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Wood
19th C Original Painted Game Board
Located in Los Angeles, CA
19th C original painted game board. Nice original Salmon and black paint.
Category
19th Century North American Folk Art Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Wood
Emile Deyrolle 19th Century Plaster, Wire and Wood Didactic Germination Models
Located in Buffalo, NY
LES FILS D'EMILE DEYROLLE, PARIS. Extremely rare set of four 19th century French painted plaster, wire and wood Didactic models depicting progression, ANATOMIE VEGETALE, beautifully ...
Category
Late 19th Century French Folk Art Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Wire
18th Century Carpenters Hand Plane Tool, Signed and Dated 1791
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Rare Museum-level 18th Century carpenters tool, an antler hand plane, hand-carved to look like a lion. Signed with initials and dated 1791.
Category
Late 18th Century Scandinavian Folk Art Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal
Meerschaum Hand-Carved Pipe-Head Male Figure
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Meerschaum hand-carved male figure with Pipe head. Hand carved items. The man is wearing a long-tail suit jacket and patterned trousers.
By removing the head portion of the man, ...
Category
20th Century English Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Bone, Wood
Vintage Tin Wind-up Toy "Clown in A Barrel" by J Chein & Co. American Circa 1935
Located in Incline Village, NV
Made by J. Chein & Company Circa 1935 in New York City; originally inventoried as #258 (same number as similar looking Popeye toy dated 1932) and was named "Mechanical Clown Barrel Walker". The name of the maker "Chein" is stamped as a logo to the rear of the barrel (see image). This is one of the earlier toys that Chein made.
The lithography and hand paint are in gorgeous original condition with bright colors of red and gold to the barrel, flesh tones to the clown, who sports a multi colorful smiling face.
The toy works great; simply wind the attached key wind in the back 1/2 revolution; place on the hard surface----the clown waddles across the floor, back and forth, while shaking his head to and fro (see accompanying video with this listing to see it work)
In addition to being quite a scarce toy it is even more difficult to find in this fine condition. Often times the head is lacking or replaced from rough usage and surface rarely maintains this beautiful finish. This particular example is completely original with no restorations, repairs, or touch up paint of any kind. There is a small 5/8" superficial indentation to the front top of barrel (see image). This would make a proud addition to any collection of vintage toys or Americana.
Dimensions: 7 1/2" high x 3 1/4" wide x 4" deep
See my other listings of vintage toys.
Provenance: From a recently acquired West Coast collection of fine quality tin toys.
Note: After 40 plus years of dealing and collecting toys, I am justly qualified to guarantee and present the authenticity of antique and vintage toys and children's playthings; important considering the fakes and reproductions in the marketplace. My toys operate properly and are as stated and accurately described.
it would behoove an enterprising collector, dealer, or decorator to take advantage of the opportunity to buy as many of the vintage...
Category
1930s Folk Art Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Tin
Mushroom Botanical Scientific Specimen Model Europe, 1950s or older
Located in Nuernberg, DE
This rare vintage model of a botanical scientific specimen depicts a mushroom native to Central Europe. This kind of items are used as teaching material in German schools or as showp...
Category
20th Century Czech Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Wood, Paper
20th Century French Painted and Gilt Statue of Jesus Christ, Sacred Heart
Located in Miami, FL
This beautiful statue of Christ was crafted in Spain, circa 1900. The statue features the religious figure standing in a traditional seating pose a...
Category
20th Century Spanish Baroque Collectibles and Curiosities
Original Mexican Retablo "Exvotos" Oil on Tin
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
We offer this original Mexican ex voto. Made with oil painting signed by Figueroa.
Category
1950s Mexican Folk Art Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal
Prototype Late 19th Century Hand Carved Toy Horse Drawn Hansom Cab, American
Located in Incline Village, NV
This is a hand carved wood prototype for a toy that would have been the model for a 19th century cast iron or tin horse drawn hansom cab. It precedes the mol...
Category
1890s American Folk Art Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Wood
JESUS CHRIST CRUCIFIED Indo-Portuguese sculpture from the 18th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
JESUS CHRIST CRUCIFIED
Indo-Portuguese sculpture from the 18th Century
in ivor..... The figure is represented in agony, with cendal draped around the waist. Cross in rosewood wood ...
Category
Early 18th Century Portuguese Baroque Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Wood
Krampus Companion of Belsnickel Devil Candy Container Figure Antique Austria
Located in Nuernberg, DE
This unique Christmas figurine Candy Container from Austria features a handmade figurine of the Christmas character Krampus, Belsnickel's companion. The vintage piece dates from the ...
Category
20th Century Austrian Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Composition
Original Mexican Retablo "Exvotos" Oil on Tin
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
We offer this original Mexican ex voto. Michoacán México 1958
J. Jesus Huaracha Orejel da gracias a dios nuestro señor que por intersección de San Nic...
Category
1950s Mexican Folk Art Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal
Moroccan Dagger Brass and Silver Decorative Collector Khoumya
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Vintage Handcrafted Moroccan dagger brass and silvered adorned with mixed metal, copper, nickel.
Moroccan Hand carved Khoumiya dagger, of typical shape...
Category
Late 20th Century Moroccan Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal, Brass
Grand Carved Wooden Niche – Italian Baroque, 18th Century
Located in PARIS, FR
A magnificent example of 18th-century Italian Baroque craftsmanship, this grand polychrome and gilded wooden niche embodies the opulence and theatricality of the period. At its cente...
Category
Early 18th Century Italian Baroque Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Wood
Mushroom Botanical Scientific Specimen Model Europe, 1950s or older
Located in Nuernberg, DE
This rare vintage model of a botanical scientific specimen depicts a mushroom native to Central Europe. This kind of items are used as teaching material in German schools or as showp...
Category
20th Century Czech Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Wood, Paper
18th Hispanic Filipino Crucified Christ Carved Wood Sculpture
Located in Valladolid, ES
One of a kind sculpture of Crucified Christ in carved wood and crystal eyes (one of them its loose), 18th century Hispano Filipino School. The crown, ...
Category
1730s Philippine Baroque Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Silver
19th Century Lignum Vitae Fishermans Priest Turned in Lignum Vitae
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
19th Century Lignum Vitae Fishermans or Anglers Priest
Turned in Lignum Vitae a good heavy quality fishing priest, lignum vitae, otherwise known as the Wood of Life is the heavies...
Category
19th Century Folk Art Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Fruitwood
Vintage Bavarian Traditional Costume Jewelry Charivari with Hunting Pendants
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Vintage Bavarian Traditional Costume Jewelry Charivari with Hunting Pendants
Item e7409
A Bavarian Charivari from the middle of the 20th century. A beautiful piece of historical Bava...
Category
Mid-20th Century German Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal, Silver
Vintage Bavarian Traditional Costume Jewelry Cufflinks
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Vintage Bavarian Traditional Costume Jewelry Cufflinks
A pair Bavarian cufflinks from the middle of the 20th century. A beautiful piece of historical Bavarian folk art jewelry, a re...
Category
Mid-20th Century German Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal, Silver
Faux Taxidermy Embellished Naturalistic Imitation Deer Antler Wall Mount
Located in Forney, TX
A most charming and artistic naturalistic embellished wall mount with imitation deer antlers and accents.
Featuring faux eleven point antlers mounted to a square lacquered wood boa...
Category
Late 20th Century Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Fabric, Resin, Wood, Lacquer
American Three Masted Clipper Ship in Bottle on Original Wood Stand, Circa 1880
Located in Charleston, SC
American three masted clipper ship in bottle with cloth rigging in full sail on a painted sea, flanked by a sea side town with evergreen trees, a pain...
Category
1880s American Folk Art Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Glass, Wood, Paint
Vintage Cast Iron Book of Knowledge Mechanical Bank, Punch & Judy, 20th Century
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Hand-painted cast iron mechanical bank "Punch and Judy Bank."
A vintage book of knowledge Punch & Judy mechanical bank offers polychrome cast cons...
Category
Early 20th Century Taiwanese Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Iron
Early 18th Century Portuguese Carved Giltwood Church Torchère, Candleholder
Located in Frankfurt am Main, DE
Tall early 18th century Portuguese gilt oak church torchère with deep foliate carvings on a tripod base.
This torchère can easily be converted into a ...
Category
Early 18th Century Portuguese Baroque Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Giltwood
18th Century Italian Painted and Parcel Gilt Reliquary Box
Located in Houston, TX
18th century Italian painted and parcel gilt reliquary box.
This lovely large Italian Baroque box is made of painted and parcel gilt wood surrounded by ...
Category
18th Century Italian Baroque Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Glass, Wood
Charles II Carved Crest Of The Arms Of Westminster School
Located in Essex, MA
A large crest with shell and scroll carved frame enclosing an azure ground with gilded coat of arms featuring a cross with four birds over lions and fleur de lis and Tudor roses. Onl...
Category
1670s English Baroque Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Wood, Giltwood
17th Century Sterling Silver Reliquary
Located in Madrid, ES
A refined and devotional 17th-century sterling silver reliquary featuring a delicate reverse glass painting of the Virgin Mary. This exqui...
Category
17th Century Baroque Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Silver
19th Century Wooden Bible Box "Forget Me Not" with Secret Concealed Compartment
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
19th Century wooden Bible box "Forget Me Not" with secret concealed compartment
The four words in the corners are quite cute and charming:
Danish...
Category
19th Century Scandinavian Folk Art Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Wood
18th Century German Salt Glaze Tobacco Jar with Pewter Mounts
Located in Stamford, CT
A fine example of a German Baroque tobacco jar with original pewter lid. The rich ocher salt glaze decorated with raised floral motifs. A handsome addition for the collector of pipes...
Category
Early 18th Century German Baroque Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Stoneware
L AVENTURE SALUT LES COPAINS Hardcover French Edition
Located in North Hollywood, CA
L AVENTURE SALUT LES COPAINS by Christian Gauffre, Michel Brillié, Jean-Marie Perier (Photographer), Daniel Filipacchi (Preface) Language : French.
Dimensions : 10.10 x 1.25 ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Rare Antique Wooden Child's Ride on Wooden Toy Boat by Nautilus Toy Co. London
Located in Buffalo, NY
Rare antique wooden child's ride on wooden toy boat by Nautilus Toy Co. London wonderful Folk Art object. 1920s ride on toy made by the Nautilus Toy Compan...
Category
1920s English Folk Art Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal
VINTAGE CIRCA 1970'S MUSICAL MINIATURE FOLK ART CIGARETTE CiGAR DISPENSER
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques
Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this lovely miniature Folk Art musical Cigarette or Cigar dispenser circa 1...
Category
1970s English Folk Art Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Beech
Moroccan Berber Tribal Ethnic Bracelet
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Moroccan Berber tribal bracelet.
Moroccan tribal bracelets from the High Atlas of Morocco.
Handcrafted by Berber women using Moroccan silver nickel.
The ethnic Nomadic and Bedouin jewelry...
Category
20th Century Moroccan Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal, Silver
Moroccan Berber Silver Bracelet with Green and Orange Enamel
Located in North Hollywood, CA
A 1920s handcrafted Ethnic bracelet by Berber women of Morocco.
Women wear this kind of bracelet and silver jewelry for special ceremonies and wedding.
Silver, but not of the standa...
Category
Early 20th Century Moroccan Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Silver, Enamel
Passport Saul Steinberg Published by Harper & Brothers, New York., 1979
Located in North Hollywood, CA
350 drawings made during the artist's travels, in his usual satirical and witty style.Presentation copy from the artist, inscribed on the half-title page: ''Pour Ga' Jean & Pegeen , ...
Category
20th Century North American Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
19th C English Field Artillery Ammunition Carrier
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This 19th C English Field Artillery Ammunition Carrier dating about 1850 - 1860. The carrier has painted canvas over a wood frame and heavy leather carring handle. The carrier is sta...
Category
19th Century English Folk Art Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Canvas, Wood, Paint
18th Century Italian Church Kneeler in Walnut Wood
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
An early 18th Century Italian Baroque Kneeler or kneeling stool in walnut.
This rare antique from a church has a drawer as well as a door with a shelf inside. In the interior of this piece, the bible or other catholic religious items...
Category
Early 18th Century Italian Baroque Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Iron
Collection of 18 Prints of Musical Instruments from Gabinetto Armonico, 1722
Located in valatie, NY
A collection of 18 framed prints from engravings of musical instruments from the book by Gabinetto Armonico, which was published in 1722. The book had a total of 150 instruments. The...
Category
18th Century Italian Baroque Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
JESUS CHRIST CRUCIFIED 19th Century Italian Sculpture
Located in Madrid, ES
JESUS CHRIST CRUCIFIED
19th Century Italian Sculpture
in ivor... Christ and table in carved ivory. Cross in Brazilian rosewood, carved...
Category
19th Century Italian Baroque Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Wood
A Very Good 19th Century Hand Painted Mexican Retablo Dated 1884
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
The naïve, hand painted vignette depicts a woman praying to the images of Saint Anthony holding The Christ Child, together with The Holy Mother, all shown hovering above a group of t...
Category
Late 19th Century Mexican Folk Art Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Tin
Mushroom Botanical Scientific Specimen Model Europe, 1950s or older
Located in Nuernberg, DE
This rare vintage model of a botanical scientific specimen depicts a mushroom native to Central Europe. This kind of items are used as teaching material in German schools or as showp...
Category
20th Century Czech Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Wood, Paper
Table Lamp With 4 Tier Deer Hoof With Nickel Bands And Antler Finial
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Mid-Century table lamp with 4-tier deer hoof with nickel bands and brass fitted antler finial.
Shade is not included.
Category
20th Century American Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Organic Material
18th Century Carved and Polychrome ''Virgin of Mercy'' Statue, Baroque Style
Located in Lisbon, PT
A 18th Century figure of the Pietà or the ''Virgin of Mercy'' , carved in polychrome chestnut wood. Our Lady appears seated on the throne with her head covered by a mantle supporting...
Category
18th Century Portuguese Baroque Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Silver
Six Kobe Toys, Japanese, Meiji Period, circa 1895
By Kobe Toys
Located in Incline Village, NV
Kobe Toys are very mysterious and not much is known about them. They were created and hand made, strictly for tourists and foreigners (never exported) during ...
Category
1890s Japanese Folk Art Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Ebony
Mushroom Botanical Scientific Specimen Model Europe, 1950s or older
Located in Nuernberg, DE
This rare vintage model of a botanical scientific specimen depicts a mushroom native to Central Europe. This kind of items are used as teaching material in German schools or as showp...
Category
20th Century Czech Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Wood, Paper
Early 20th Century Scratch-Built Tricycle Model
Located in London, GB
Early 20th century scratch-built tricycle model.
A charming example of an English scratch built folk art child’s tricycle model. Constructed from a metal frame, wooden wheels, han...
Category
1920s British Folk Art Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal
Russian traditional icon “The Twelve great feasts”, 19th century
Located in Meulebeke, BE
Russia / 19th century / Religious Icon / oak / Baroque / Antique
A Russian Feastday icon in tempera on panel from the estate of a collector. Hand painted in the 19th century.
The ...
Category
19th Century Russian Baroque Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Wood
African Moroccan Tribal Tuareg Khoumya Leather Dagger Paper Cutter
Located in North Hollywood, CA
African Moroccan Tuareg tribal Khoumya arm dagger in dark brown leather sheath.
great to use as a paper cutter on desk.
Handcrafted by Artisans in south Morocco, very fine quality craftsmanship with a stamped leather engraved with Moroccan Tuareg geometric tribal designs.
The arm dagger was a weapon widely used by people across Africa in the Sahara and Sudanic Africa, from the central Sahara to North Cameroon, from Nigeria to Somalia.
It was worn in a sheath attached to the inner side of the left forearm by a loop,
Metal steel blade shows some rust, leather in very good condition.
Size: 13 inches length x widest part 1.5 inches. Blade is 1 inch.
Africa, Morocco circa 1940s.
Great Islamic antique Nomadic Tuareg knife dagger...
Category
Mid-20th Century Moroccan Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal
Stunning Mushroom Botanical Scientific Specimen Model Europe, 1950s or older
Located in Nuernberg, DE
This rare vintage stunning large model of a botanical scientific specimen depicts a mushroom native to Central Europe. This kind of items are used as teaching material in German scho...
Category
20th Century Czech Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Wood, Paper
Ancient Boxwood Micro Carving Deposition, First Half of the 18th Century
Located in Milano, IT
Boxwood micro carving
Deposition
Central Europe, first half of the 18th century
It measures: the sculpture 7.40 x 5.31 x 0.6 in (18.8 x 13.5 x 1.6 cm); w...
Category
1740s European Baroque Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Boxwood
Religious Chalkware Diorama
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Amazing religious chalkware wall hanging found in a Catholic church in Philadelphia. The pictures describe it all. Wonderful detail and dimension.
Category
19th Century American Folk Art Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Plaster
Set of 5 Swedish Folk Wooden Dala Horse Toys, circa 1960
By Nils Olsson
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Set of 5 handpainted Swedish wooden traditional Dala horse toy.
Designed by Nils Olsson in Sweden, circa 1960.
Materials:
Wood
In original condition, with...
Category
1960s Swedish Folk Art Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Wood
German Tinplate Clockwork Wind Up Toy by the Lehman Co. "Balky Mule" Circa 1909
Located in Incline Village, NV
Perhaps the wildest action of all the Lehman toys, said to resemble Ernest Paul Lehman's temperament (founder of the company), "Balky Mule" was first manufactured in 1897 in Berlin (Brandenburg), and had a multi decade run; this example is from around 1909 (see image with markings to the rear of the carriage). The toy is catalogued as "EPL #425" and documented on page 59 and 60 of the book "Lehman Toys" by Jurgen & Marianne Cieslik, published in 1982.
To operate the toy; wind up the attached clockwork key on the underneath of the carriage and place the toy on the floor. Do not over-wind and be gentle, as the toy is aggressive and over 100 years old. The toy will go backwards and forward, and the clown will pop up and down as the cart goes in several different directions across the floor until it winds down (see video accompanying the listing for guidance).
The toy is found broken and/or inoperable, more often than not, because of the rough action, and typical abuse by children (after all, it was a toy).
This example is in very nice original condition and works well. The lithography and hand paint is bright and original with no touch up or repaint. The hand paint is; flesh tones to the face of the clown, red trousers, orange hair, and grey paint to the seat of the carriage. The clothing to the clown figure is still intact and all original. The lithography to the wheels features brightly colored clowns and a German marking logo. What is really unusual is the fact that the donkey still has all four of its loosely attached original legs, considering the aggressive action of the toy. The metal on the donkey is actually treated with "fabric like" paint, to simulate fur.
All in all this is a really cool toy and a "must have" for the collector of tin toys, or someone who simply wants a wonderful example of an early, "turn of the century" iconic wind up toy.
Provenance: Recently acquired from a prominent toy collection in Los Angeles, California
Dimensions: 7 1/2" long x 3" wide x 5" high
Note: After 40 plus years of dealing and collecting toys, I am justly qualified to guarantee and present the authenticity of antique and vintage toys and children's playthings; important considering the fakes and reproductions in the marketplace
it would behoove an enterprising collector, dealer, or decorator to take advantage of the opportunity to buy as many of the vintage tin...
Category
Early 1900s German Folk Art Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Tin
Mushroom Botanical Scientific Specimen Model Europe, 1950s or older
Located in Nuernberg, DE
This rare vintage model of a botanical scientific specimen depicts a mushroom native to Central Europe. This kind of items are used as teaching material in German schools or as showp...
Category
20th Century Czech Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Wood, Paper
18th-century reliquary in solid silver, finely hand-engraved
Located in Madrid, ES
Elegant 18th-century reliquary in solid silver, finely hand-engraved, with an ornamental decoration typical of Baroque religious art. Its oval shape features floral and symbolic deta...
Category
18th Century European Baroque Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Silver
Rare Set of Four House, Teddy Bear and Fish Christmas Ornament Vintage, 1930s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A rare Christmas ornament set of four. Each is made from mouth blown glass, this would be a great addition for your Christmas or feather tree. Size alwa...
Category
1930s German Folk Art Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Wire
Set of Three Vintage Duck Easter Candy Container Bobble Head, German, 1950s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A Collection of three German Easter candy containers made of cardboard, bobble heads and some other parts.
Candy box made of cardboard. Nice ad...
Category
1950s German Folk Art Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal
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.