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Collectibles and Curiosities For Sale
Period: Late 20th Century
Period: 1880s
A rare mid-19th century French Louis Philippe musical automaton framed wall cloc
Located in London, GB
A rare mid-19th century French Louis Philippe musical automaton framed wall clock A picturesque and highly decorative example of a rare mid-19th century French Louis Philippe musical automaton framed wall clock. A 5-cm enamel dial with Roman numerals in a hand painted church behind houses with an automaton watermill and windmill, with papier Mache 3D hills in the foreground with metal staircase...
Category

1880s European Early Victorian Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Wood, Paper

Women In the Material World by Faith D' Aluiso and Peter Menzel Hardcover Book
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Women In the Material World by Faith D'Aluiso and Peter Menzel Hardcover Book.A companion to the groundbreaking bestseller Material World: A Global Family Portrait, this remarkable v...
Category

Late 20th Century American Expressionist Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

A Hermitage of American Paintings from the National Gallery of Art
Located in Bradenton, FL
A Hermitage of American Paintings from the National Gallery of Art by William James Williams. A leather bound, hardcover book published by Hammond Inc. of Maplewood, New Jersey. Stat...
Category

1980s American Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Leather, Paper

Braun Audio 300 Record Player and L60 floor speaker designed by Dieter Rams
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Braun Audio 300 and L60 floor speaker designed by Dieter Rams, 1960's/70's. Equip with AM/FM radio and record player. Fully functional and has been serviced by a technician.
Category

Late 20th Century German Industrial Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal

20th Century Italian Sterling Silver Sulky with Horse and Driver
Located in VALENZA, IT
Made in Italy sterling solid silver sulky with horse and driver. The sulky, the horse and the driver are made with the casting method and finished with chisel. The bridles are in l...
Category

1980s Italian Other Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Sterling Silver

The Knopf Collectors' Guides to American Antiques - Set of 4
Located in Bradenton, FL
The Knopf Collectors' Guides to American Antiques. Furniture volumes one and two, Pottery & Porcelain, and Silver & Pewter. All are stated first printings, published between 1982 and...
Category

1980s Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Mid-Century Modern 1970s Paul McCobb Style Brass Stand Replogle Globe
Located in St. Louis, MO
Often attributed to Paul McCobb, because of the same brass tubing that McCobb used in his furniture. Circa 1970s Replogle globe is in very nice condition with raised topography and t...
Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Brass

New Vintage 1970 Backgammon Rare Etienne Aigner Handmade Soft Leather Set
Located in Vis, NL
New vintage 1970 backgammon rare Etienne Aigner handmade soft leather complete set with instruction booklet, a rare find since they were just a few made guaranteeing the maximum leve...
Category

1970s French Arts and Crafts Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Leather

Stranger Music by Leonard Cohen, First Edition, 1993, Signed "Paris Again" Print
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
Cohen, Leonard. Stranger Music: Selected Poems and Songs. Toronto: McClellan & Stewart, Inc., 1993. First edition. Rebound with full leather boards, gilt tooling, gilt titles, and ra...
Category

1990s Canadian Modern Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Leather, Paper

Vienna 1900 - Architecture & Design by Kirk Varnedoe
Located in Bradenton, FL
Vienna 1900 - Architecture & Design. Softcover book, published in conjunction with the exhibition at The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, which ran from July 3-October 21, 198...
Category

1980s American Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Shared Space: the Joseph M. Cohen Collection, by Ray Merritt, 1st Ed
Located in valatie, NY
Shared Space: The Joseph M. Cohen Collection, by Ray Merritt. 1st Ed hardcover with dust jacket. The reasons why people collect art are no doubt as simple...
Category

1980s Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Antique Punch Book, Almanac Compendium, English, Humour, Illustrated, Victorian
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique Punch's almanac compendium for 1848-1887. An English, bound illustrated annual set, dating to the late Victorian period, circa 1880. Established in 1841, Punch ma...
Category

1880s British Late Victorian Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Textile, Paper

Michael Graves Backgammon Game Set, circa 2000
Located in New York, NY
A backgammon board designed by famed architect Michael Graves. New in box; only opened for photography. Imported, circa 1990. Signed with metal tag. Finely constructed of cherr...
Category

Late 20th Century American Modern Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Resin, Wood

Antique Map of The United States of North America, Pacific States, 1882
Located in Langweer, NL
The map is from the same 1882 Blackie Atlas and focuses on the Pacific States of the United States of America during that period. Here are some details and historical context about t...
Category

1880s Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Stiftung Insel Hombroich: Museum Und Raketenstation by Museum Und Raketenstation
Located in valatie, NY
Stiftung Insel Hombroich: Museum und Raketenstation by Museum und Raketenstation. Published by Stiftung Insel Hombroich, 1999. 1st Ed hardcover. The Museum Insel Hombroich (Museum Island Hombroich), Neuss, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, is both a park and a museum combining architecture, art and nature on over 62 acres of meadowland. The park includes the "Kirkeby-Feld" and the "Raketenstation" ("rocket station"), a disused NATO missile base. The museum located on the Museum Island is called "Museum Insel Hombroich". It presents both antique art from Asia...
Category

1990s German Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Gianni Versace Pure Parfum Miniature 7.5 ml, Rare 1981 with Original Box
Located in Benalmadena, ES
Original vintage perfume from the 1980s: the very first women’s fragrance launched by the Italian fashion house Gianni Versace Parfum (Extrait), in its rare 7.5 ml / 1/4 fl oz splash...
Category

1980s Italian Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Glass

Birds a Collection of 25 Bird Figures and Music Boxes
Located in New York, NY
A lifetime collection of birds. A set of 25 some made of porcelain some carved from wood or resin. Of the 25 of them 5 are music boxes. I actually think it's quite charming. Siz...
Category

Late 20th Century Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Porcelain, Resin, Wood

Large Vintage Wild Boar Tusk Trophy on Wooden Plaque, Germany 1970s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Large Vintage wild boar tusk trophy on Wooden Plaque, Germany 1970s A large vintage Black Forest wild boar (Sus scrofa) teeth trophy on wooden ...
Category

Late 20th Century German Rustic Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Antler, Wood

The Gallé Ceramics, French Book by Musée de l'Ecole de Nancy, France 1984
Located in Atlanta, GA
La Céramique de Gallé (The Gallé Ceramics), French Book by the Musée de l'Ecole de Nancy in France, 1984. Émile Gallé, the founder of the School of Nancy, is unanimously recognized a...
Category

1980s French Art Nouveau Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Stereo System Weltron 2007, 1970s
Located in bruxelles, BE
Weltron stereo system model 2007 in white plastic and metal with cassette, record player, radio. Everything works very well. It has been completely overhauled by an engineer. Wear du...
Category

1970s Japanese Mid-Century Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal

Bulgari Luxury Jewelry Coffee Table Book, 1990s
Located in New York, NY
This is a beautiful coffee table (or library book) about the history of the iconic Italian luxury jeweler Bvlgari (or Bulgari), circa 1990s, Italy. Book covers Bulgari's history in c...
Category

1990s Italian Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Italian Silver and Wood Miniature of French Navy Cannon
Located in VALENZA, IT
Reproduction depicting a Navy cannon. France XVII century. The cannon is mounted on 4 silver and wood wheels and is fixed to the wooden base by means of chains, which originally hel...
Category

1980s Italian Other Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Silver

Helmut Newton Sumo Taschen Book, Philippe Starck Stand, Signed Limited Edition
Located in Miami, FL
Helmut Newton Sumo Taschen Book, Philippe Starck Stand, Signed Limited Edition Offered for sale is a Helmut Newton Limited Edition Sumo book published by Taschen with a custom-designed stand by Philippe Starck. There is an unparalleled grandeur of the Helmut Newton Sumo, the biggest and most expensive book produced in the 20th century. This limited edition masterpiece is signed by Newton and numbered 836/10,000. The book is a testament to the influential legacy of one of the most intriguing and controversial photographers in history. Accompanying this extraordinary book is a meticulously crafted bookstand designed by Philippe Starck that adds a touch of sophistication to its display. Immerse yourself in the monumental world of SUMO, a titan of a book measuring an impressive 50 x 70 cm (20 x 27.5 in.) and weighing approximately 30 kg (66 lb.). With 464 pages, it breaks all previous records and stands as a truly unique publication. Edited by June Newton...
Category

Late 20th Century Monacan Modern Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal

Vintage French Military Academy Officers Hat, Mid Century
Located in South Salem, NY
A rare French Military Academy Officer's hat or cap from the 1970s. These special and unique hats are part of the uniform of students studying to become officers in the French Milita...
Category

1970s French Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Felt

19th Century German Miniature Pocket Terrestrial Globe
Located in Essex, MA
A miniature 19th century 3.5 inch diameter pocket terrestrial globe by C. Abel-Klinger, Nuremberg, Germany, in English for the English speaking markets. Signed with cartouche reading...
Category

1880s German Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Brass

1970s Exquisited Handcrafted Smoking Set in Ceramic and Gold Leaf. Made in italy
Located in Milano, IT
1970s Exquisited handcrafted smoking set in ceramic and gold leaf. Made in italy. The table lighter works perfectly. This smoking set is in excellent condition. Dimension : Table Li...
Category

1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Gold Leaf

Organic Modern Sea Shell Shells Collection of Natural Specimens Taxidermy
Located in Boca Raton, FL
Great selection of natural organic marine life specimens, including sea shells, large 2-5”, corals, barnacles, sea stars, urchins. Marine taxidermy collection.
Category

1970s American Organic Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Shell

Monumental Pair of Polished Brass Faux Tusks
Located in Hanover, MA
Amazing pair of life-sized polished cast solid brass faux elephant tusks mounted to tiered round brass stands, attributed to Suzanne Dahl and Jerry Barich from their Versailles Colle...
Category

1980s American Hollywood Regency Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Brass

The History of the Colony Club by Ann F. Cox Book
Located in Stamford, CT
The History of the Colony Club by Ann F. Cox. Hardcover, 1st edition. 1984. Privately printed by the club. The Colony Club is a women-only private social club in New York City.
Category

1980s American Belle Époque Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Postmodern Chrome Table Lighter by Sarome Japan
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Postmodern chrome table lighter. Excellent vintage condition, works great. Great decorative collectible rare vintage table lighter. Lighter made by Sarome, Asia Japan. Measure: 5.75 in H, 2.5 in D. About Sarome: SAROME Japanese cigarette lighter manufacturer founded in 1940. The brand is named after SAROME, god of flames, object of fascination for humans. SAROME artisans craft delicate, glossy lighters in Tokyo to fascinate and enchant. Though known early on in Europe mainly for our superb crafting of cigarette lighters the luxury brand spread Worldwide. Sarome lighters...
Category

Late 20th Century Japanese Post-Modern Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Chrome

Antique Beaded Handbag with Silvered Clasp and Swan Detail, circa 1880
Located in Hamburg, DE
This exquisite antique beaded handbag dates back to the Historicism period around 1880 and is a remarkable example of 19th-century craftsmanship...
Category

1880s German Belle Époque Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Glass

Winchester 4692 Embossed Hard Gun Case with Leather Handle Finished Brass Trim
Located in Reading, Berkshire
Winchester 4692 Embossed Hard Gun Case with Leather Handle Finished Brass Trim & Red Velvet Interior. Winchester rifle is a comprehensive term descr...
Category

1990s American American Classical Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Brass

1980s Original Gorgeous Playing Cards Box by Piero Fornasetti
Located in Milano, IT
1980s Original gorgeous playing cards box by Piero Fornasetti in walnut wood . It's in excellent condition and includes two packs of Dal Negro cards. The box is signed on the botto...
Category

1980s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Wood, Walnut

Hermes Chess Set, 1985
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A beautiful and elegant chess set designed by Rena Dumas for Hermes circa 1985. Come with a leather folder. Pieces are made of steel and brass. The King...
Category

1980s French Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal

Black Forest taxidermy, antique deer, 1888
Located in Vienna, AT
Black Forest taxidermy, antique deer, 1888 Georgen, Juli 1888, good condition.
Category

1880s Austrian Black Forest Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Horn

Rare 1979 Donovan Leisure NYC Cia Law Firm 50th Anniversary Brass Paperweight
Located in Hyattsville, MD
Extremely rare New York City historical relic. A fiftieth anniversary brass cubic monolith commemorative desk sculpture. Issued to monogram; AWS. Approx. 45-60 members of firm a that time, only a handful were issued this paperweight in solid Brass weighing 8 lbs. 4.2 oz. Donovan, Leisure, Newton & Irvine was an American white-shoe law firm, located in New York. It was founded in 1929 by General William "Wild Bill...
Category

1970s American Post-Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Brass

Elvis Presley "Sideshow" Limited Edition n. 318/500, 1990s
Located in Palermo, IT
Elvis Presley "Sideshow" limited edition n. 318/500, 1990s Intact and in excellent condition. "Sideshow" is a specialty manufacturer and distributor of the most sought-after original and licensed collectible products, supported by a passionate worldwide community committed to the lifestyle of fine art...
Category

1990s American Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Leather, Plastic

Baroque and Rococo Architecture and Decoration Great Large Heavy Art Table Book
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Baroque and Rococo Architecture and Decoration Book by Alastair Laing, Anthony Blunt, and Christopher Ernest Tadgell. A study of a period in art ...
Category

1970s Italian Baroque Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

50th Anniversary NASCAR The Thunder of America 1988
Located in North Hollywood, CA
NASCAR: The Thunder of America.Thunder Of America: 50th Anniversary of NASCAR hardcover 1988.Published by Harper, 1988.200 pages of NASCAR history, info, stats and photos.Hardcover w...
Category

Late 20th Century French Expressionist Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Rare Late 19th C Art Nouveau Bamboo Walking Stick American Circa 1895
Located in Incline Village, NV
Fine quality craftsmanship to this highly figured rare premium hardwood bamboo walking stick; from the fabulous collection of Prince Moritz (1926-2013) who was well known for his ext...
Category

1880s Art Nouveau Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Silver

Antique Map of The Regions of Italy and Sicily during the Roman Empire, 1880
Located in Langweer, NL
This map is an original antique engraving titled "ITALIAE REGIONES IIII SICILIA," which translates to "The Regions of Italy and Sicily." This detailed historical map portrays the reg...
Category

1880s Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Araki's Magnum Opus: Complete Book Collection 1-20 + Satchin and Mabo
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Works of Nobuyoshi Araki Book Complete Collection 1-20 plus special book Nobuyoshi Araki Book Satchin and His Brother Mabo / 1stn in 1997 The works of Nobuyoshi Araki Book collectio...
Category

1990s Japanese Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

MILNE. The 4 Winnie The Pooh books EACH INSCRIBED BY CHRISTOPHER (ROBIN) MILNE !
Located in Hillsborough, NJ
AUTHOR: MILNE, A. A. TITLE: When We Were Very Young - Winnie The Pooh - House At Pooh Corner - Now We Are Six. PUBLISHER: London: Methuen Children's Books, 1977. DESCRIPTION: INS...
Category

1970s British Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Hand Carved Coquille Nut Egg Box 19th Century Flea Trap Pomander Needle Case
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A beautiful hand carved coquille nut egg box. Beautiful carving, great patina, unscrews at center to open. The original use was a flea trap, things were d...
Category

1880s English Victorian Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Wood

A medieval style chess set made in cast clay
Located in Delft, NL
A medieval style chess set made in cast clay A cast clay chess set in medieval style with 4 loose tiles. The 4 separate tiles form the chessboard, which are also cast from clay. T...
Category

Late 20th Century European Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Clay

Bang & Olufsen 1990's BeoCom 1401 Green Telephone with Gray Base and Black Cord
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Bang & Olufsen 90's BeoCom 1401 green telephone with gray base and black cord. In original condition with visible wear consistent with its age and use....
Category

1990s Danish Other Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Plastic

A superb set of USSR multi optic Large Naval Binoculars, Cold War Era, 1970s.
Located in Canterbury, England
A superb set of USSR multi optic Large Naval Binoculars, circa 1970s manufacture (during the Cold War period) and originally issued to Soviet Naval forces with outstanding optical pe...
Category

1970s Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Wood

1970s Cast Aluminium and Steel Flame Proof Floor Lamp Tripod, Polished
Located in Leicester, Leicestershire
Reclaimed, stripped, polished and modified 1970s Daeyang Electric Co. Ltd flame proof luminaire with fully updated electrics and fitted with four E26 filam...
Category

1970s Korean Industrial Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Aluminum, Brass, Steel

1970 Sergio Asti Cedit Space Age Design Italian Ceramic Green Ashtray
Located in Brescia, IT
Ashtray designer Sergio Asti prod. Cedit Italy, 1970 Green Ceramic Sticker Label and Artist Sign under the base Perfect condiction
Category

1970s Italian Space Age Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Ceramic

'BANGA' Modular Space Age Architecture, Carlo Zappa Bungalow Int, 1971, Italy
Located in bergen op zoom, NL
Many Avant Garde architects and designers of the 1960s / 70s became fascinated with the idea of minimal living, a secluded retreat, escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life and relaxation in the middle of nature. Thanks to new pliable materials, plastics, with their free and easy formability, lightness and especially their novelty, they developed micro bungalows and houses as either secondary vacation homes or for use in gardens. Italian developer Carlo Zappa undertook the challenge of designing and producing such a micro bungalow which eventually became commonly known as 'BANGA' .The first models rolled off the production line in 1971 and went through three production phases before production eventually ceased in 1985. Carlo Zappa not only developed the initial project, but personally executed the moulds, construction solutions, all the services detailing ie electrical, plumbing and metal hardware. Zappa's micro bungalow featured a total of 8.1 square meters of floor space. It offered space for up to three people thanks to a bunk bed, which could be folded down as a sofa during the day. A small bathroom with wash basin, shower / toilet, a small kitchen unit with sink and water heater...
Category

1970s Italian Space Age Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Composition

Museum Quality Model of American Steam Yacht Harvard
Located in Norwell, MA
Expertly crafted model of George Baker's private steam yacht "Harvard". Baker helped found the Harvard business school in Cambridge and the Baker Library...
Category

1990s American Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Wood

Antique Tibet Po Cha Mug Silver Finely Engraved Jade White Coral
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Antique Tibet Po Cha Religious Mug Silver finely engraved White Jade Coral , refined object of great class and history, in excellent condition.
Category

1880s Tibetan Tibetan Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Jade, Silver

Rustic Taxidermy White Tail Deer Buck Antlers Horns Dark Wall-Mounted Plaque 70s
Located in Miami, FL
Mid-Century Modern white tail deer buck antlers, horns on a dark brown wooden wall-mounted plaque. Great Taxidermy Plaque Mount, wall sculpture for h...
Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Antler, Leather, Wood

Vintage French Military Academy Officers Hat, Mid Century
Located in South Salem, NY
A rare French Military Academy Officer's hat or cap from the 1970s. These special and unique hats are part of the uniform of students studying to beco...
Category

1970s French Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Felt

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

Snooker billlard pool table victorian complete set circa 1890 free shipping
Located in Radstock, GB
FREE SHIPPING UK AND EUROPE This full-sized antique billiard or snooker table, crafted from solid English oak circa 1890, boasts exquisite detailing. It stands proudly on eight finely carved column legs, each adorned with decorative panels and motifs. The table features patented steel vacuum cushions, ensuring optimal playability, and is enhanced by friezes with roundel fittings. Accompanying the table is a matching scoring cabinet and a freestanding revolving cue stand. It is exceptionally rare to find a complete set like this, with all original accessories intact. The quality of the timber is remarkable, showcasing solid English oak throughout. This piece was likely commissioned for a grand county house of its era, making it a truly special find. English oak refers to a species of oak native to the British Isles, scientifically known as Quercus robur. It's highly valued for its durability, strength, and beautiful grain patterns. The wood has a light to medium brown colour, often with a slightly reddish or golden hue, and it darkens over time, developing a rich patina. In furniture making, English oak is prized for its ability to age gracefully and its resistance to wear and tear, making it ideal for creating long-lasting, sturdy pieces like antique billiard tables...
Category

1880s British Victorian Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Oak

Vintage Tan Leather Three Ring Binder by Hartmann
Located in San Diego, CA
Vintage tan leather three ring binder by Hartmann, circa 1980s. The binder is in like new condition and has never been used; it measures 10"W x 1"D x 12"H. #4015
Category

Late 20th Century American Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Leather

Cotton Nautical Signal Flag for Letter W
Located in Norwell, MA
Framed cotton signal flag for letter W. Nicely framed. Cotton flag with canvas hoist, wood toggle and Manila rope. Nicely framed.
Category

1980s North American Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Cotton

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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Ahoy! You’ve Never Seen a Collection of Sailor Art and Kitsch Quite Like This

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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.

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