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Collectibles and Curiosities For Sale
Period: 20th Century
Period: Mid-20th Century
Period: 1920s
Vintage Doctor’s Beam Scale – 1930-1940
Located in LA FERTÉ-SOUS-JOUARRE, FR
Exceptional Medical Balance Scale – A Collector’s Piece A stunning vintage doctor’s beam scale, originally used in medical offices and pharmacies during the 1930s-1940s. This precis...
Category

1920s French Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Iron

BRAUN "Atelier 11" & "L 11" Audio System, Dieter Rams
Located in Neuss, NW
Legendary design icon BRAUN "Atelier 11," designed by Hans Gugelot and Dieter Rams in the 1960s. A stereo compact device featuring a turntable, amplifier, and "RC 9" radio chassis, c...
Category

1960s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Stainless Steel

Winston CHURCHILL. Liberalism And The Social Problem - FIRST EDITION - 1909
Located in Hillsborough, NJ
AUTHOR: CHURCHILL, Winston. TITLE: Liberalism And The Social Problem. PUBLISHER: London: Hodder & Stoughton, 1909. DESCRIPTION: FIRST EDITION. 1 vol., 7-7/16" x 5-1/8", bound in ...
Category

Early 1900s British Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Leather

1920s Japanese Lacquered Paper Mache Boxed Pin-Up Card Set
Located in Philadelphia, PA
From Japan, a hand-painted, lacquered papier-mache boxed card set, holding two complete decks of cards, circa 1920s. The holder is lacquered in orange and hand-painted with a gold a...
Category

1920s Japanese Anglo-Japanese Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Antique Virgin Sculpture on a Wooden Glass Door Cabinet, circa 1940
Located in Barcelona, ES
Antique cabinet with a slide glass door containing an antique plaster sculpture of a virgin, dressed with hand-tailored clothes. Manufactured by unknown artist in Spain, circa 1940....
Category

1940s Spanish Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Glass, Wood

Eileen Gray: Objects and Furniture Design (Book)
Located in North Yorkshire, GB
by Sandra Dachs, Patricia De Muga & Laura Garcia Hintzo Focuses on Eileen Gray, a breakaway designer in a world dominated by male-centric style schools Besides an introductory essay, each title in the By Architects series is compiled by key modern architects through sketches, drawings, photos of the original productions, and ambient shootings A design-orientated book for a design-orientated series, Eileen Gray boasts an innovative layout and a special binding Neglected for most of her career, Eileen Gray (1878-1976) is now regarded as one of the most important furniture designers and architects of the early twentieth century and the most influential woman in those fields. Her work inspired both modernism and Art Deco. Eileen Gray was to stand alone throughout her career, first as a lacquer artist, then a furniture designer, and finally as an architect. At a time when other leading designers were almost all male and mostly members of one movement or another - whether a loose grouping like De Stijl in the Netherlands, or a formal one such as the Congrès Internationaux d'Architecture Moderne - Gray remained staunchly independent. Her design style was as distinctive as her way of working. Gray developed an opulent, luxuriant take on the geometric forms and industrially produced materials used by the International Style designers, such as Le Corbusier, Charlotte Perriand and Mies van der Rohe, who shared much of her ideology. Her voluptuous leather and tubular steel Bibendum Chair and clinically chic E-1027 glass and tubular steel table...
Category

20th Century Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Winston CHURCHILL. The World Crisis - 6 vols. - ALL FIRST EDITIONS 1923-1931
Located in Hillsborough, NJ
AUTHOR: CHURCHILL, Winston. TITLE: The World Crisis. 1911-1918 / The Aftermath / The Eastern Front. PUBLISHER: London: Thornton Butterworth, Ltd., 1923-1931. DESCRIPTION: ALL FIR...
Category

1920s British Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Leather

Ship Model "Sovereign of the Seas " a 17th-century warship of the English Navy
Located in Miami, FL
The Sovereign of the Seas, an early British "First-Rate Ship of the Line" was launched in 1637 and was the most magnificent ship of her era. Designed in 1630s by Phineas Pett, she was the first ship to have three full gun decks, carrying a total of 102 guns, on the orders of King Charles I. No expense was spared in her construction. Renamed the Royal Sovereign when Charles II came to the throne in 1660, she fought in several battles during the second and third Dutch wars between 1666-1673. The nine years war against France broke out in 1689 and the Sovereign of the Seas (Royal Sovereign) was present at the Battles of Beachy Head...
Category

20th Century English Renaissance Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal

Revolver Lighter, 1980s Japan
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This handsome lighter is cast in the shape of a revolver. Perfect for any collector of smoking paraphernalia or firearm enthusiast. Meticulous attention to detail throughout makes fo...
Category

1980s Japanese Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal

Rare Baby Grand Phonograph
Located in Peekskill, NY
This is an original Fern-O-Grand Co. Baby Grand Piano Phonograph. Mahogany baby grand piano style case stands on cabriole legs with Queen Anne style feet; the keyboard section opens ...
Category

Early 20th Century American Queen Anne Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Mahogany

Antique Fine Handcarved Oak Gothic Revival Wall Shrine / Chapel for Statuette
Located in Lisse, NL
Rare and good condition, Gothic-art shrine for standing or wall-hanging. This handsome and decorative, Gothic wall shrine is completely hand-crafted out of solid oak and it will look awesome, no matter where you decide to mount or place her. It must have taken its creator quite a few days to first draw this intricate design on paper and then hand carve the entire piece out of solid oak. The Gothic Style elements are deeply handcarved in both doors and they make this shrine highly decorative and an absolute joy to own and look at. This cabinet chapel (or chapel cabinet) comes with its brass lock in perfect working order and also with its original gothic style key. The handgrip is in fact a Gothic trefoil symbol (for the trinity). What also makes this piece extra attractive is the Gothic church window-like frame behind the doors. It is among the finest we have seen to date and on top of that this antique also has a beautiful and rich patina. By the way, the bronze Mary statuette is not included in our price. Finally, thanks to the hook in the back, mounting this antique chapel...
Category

Early 20th Century French Gothic Revival Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Brass

Mid-Century Modernist Brass Menorah signed Morningstar Metalworks
Located in New York, NY
This sleek and elegant Mid-Century Modernist Brass Menorah signed Morningstar Metalworks origiantes from the United States, C. 1998. This piece features a well balanced rectilinear b...
Category

1990s American Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Brass

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

"The Second World War, " Chartwell Edition by Winston Churchill
Located in Austin, TX
The Second World War (Chartwell Edition-United States) by Winston Churchill from Houghton-Mifflin Company, Boston. A deluxe edition of Winston Churchill's six-volume memoir, The Sec...
Category

20th Century American Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

BR Western Highlands Original Vintage Travel Poster by Edward Halliday, 1950
Located in Devon, GB
Produced for British Railways to promote rail travel to the Scottish Highlands, this scarce British quad royal travel poster for the Western Highlands features a picturesque and peac...
Category

1950s British Mid-Century Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper, Linen

Disston and Sons Brass Back Saws c.1940s-Price per item
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT Price per item. Vintage saws with hand carved wood handles, brass labels, brass screws and steel blades. Two have brass backs. CREATOR Diss...
Category

Early 20th Century Industrial Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Steel

Antique Doctors Standing Scale with Sliding Weights
Located in Peekskill, NY
This is a beautiful antique FAIRBANKS Industrial stand up doctors' scale. It has a height indicator and a movable weights made in solid brass. This is all original and still shows th...
Category

Early 20th Century Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Iron

1930s Mole-Richardson, Hollywood CA, Movie Set Light, Model 210, #2487, Restored
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
1930s Mole-Richardson-Hollywood CA, Movie Set Light, Model 210, #2487 -Professionally Restored, Made in Hollywood, Ca, 1930s An original, exemplary, example of the rare Model 210, numbered 2487, film studio light made by Mole Richardson, Inc. of Hollywood, CA, We are offering a professionally restored, remarkably intact version, including the the sliding interior lighting mechanism, the orignal porthole glass shade and rubber lighting cord. The high quality of casting of the brass and chrome parts , many of them with the enameled Mole Richardson logo. The brass company identification tag is retained, the flood and spot light and the on and off switches are operational. The lamp is raised on a wheeled tripartite base, with an adjustable height from 4' to 8' feet. Moves easily. This is a rare opportunity to own the 'Rolls Royce' of movie studio lights, from the golden era of American film. Overall measurements: 80-inches high, diameter of base 33-inches The brass and chrome lantern /porthole light...
Category

20th Century American Art Deco Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal, Brass, Chrome

Roy Lichtenstein by Diane Waldman (Book)
Located in North Yorkshire, GB
Roy Lichtenstein helped usher in the pop art movement in America in the 1960s with his large-scale paintings of comic-book panels and his deadpan renditions of consumer-product adver...
Category

20th Century Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Rhodes, James Ford, History of the United States, 7 Vols, in a Fine Binding
Located in Hillsborough, NJ
AUTHOR: RHODES, James Ford. TITLE: History Of The United States From The Compromise of 1850 To The Final Restoration Of Home Rule At The South In 1877. PUBLISHER: NY: The Macm...
Category

1910s American Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Leather

Star Wars
Located in London, GB
Original US International film poster for Star Wars 1977. The film was directed by George Lucas and starred Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford and Carrie Fisher. The artwork on this poster i...
Category

1970s American Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Original Exhibition Catalog – 5 Grabats Més 1 Portada by Joan Miró, Sala Gaspar
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

French Chess Theme of Ancient Egypt Plaster & Wood Restored, circa 1920
Located in Labrit, Landes
French chess game in the thematic of Ancient Egypt. The chess pieces are in painted and waxed plaster, the board is in wood and the is also a display shel...
Category

1920s French Egyptian Revival Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Plaster, Wood

Large Vintage Cartier Jewelry Blue Sapphire French Gold Silk Scarf Pillow
Located in Belfast, Northern Ireland
Katie Larmour Studio is the original vintage scarf pillow maker. Gaining notability for her unique idea and creations back in 2013 - featured in the like...
Category

Late 20th Century French Art Deco Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Textile, Linen, Silk

Brushed Aluminum Stacked Level Pool Table, 1980s USA
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Custom made regulation size, three tiered pool table from the 1980s. Made in the USA. Hidden ball return system allows each pocketed ball to roll internally back to the front of the...
Category

1980s American Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Slate, Aluminum, Brass

Softwatch: 1990 Leather and Gilt Metal Quartz Wristwatch by Exaequo, Hong Kong
Located in North Miami, FL
Softwatch: 1990s leather and gilt melting metal quartz wristwatch by Exaequo, Hong Kong, based on “The Persistence of Memory” by Salvador Dalí By: Exaequo, Salvador Dalí (in the sty...
Category

1990s Hong Kong Post-Modern Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Crystal, Quartz, Metal

MARTIN GILBERT. The Life of Winston Churchill - 8 vols ALL 1st EDITIONS 1966-88
Located in Hillsborough, NJ
AUTHOR: CHURCHILL, Randolph S., continued by Martin Gilbert. TITLE: The Life of Winston Churchill. PUBLISHER: London: Heinemann, 1966-88. DESCRIPTION: ALL FIRST EDITIONS. 8 vols....
Category

1960s British Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Leather

Plaster Religious Traditional Wall Artwork of The Last Supper, circa 1950
Located in Barcelona, ES
Traditional religious plaster wall artwork depicting The Last Supper. Made in traditional Catalan atelier in Olot, Spain, circa 1950. In original condition, with minor wear con...
Category

1950s Spanish Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Plaster

Van Gogh in Arles by Ronald Pickvance
Located in Bradenton, FL
Van Gogh in Arles by Ronald Pickvance. Hardcover book with dustjacket, published in conjunction with the exhibition held at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, between October ...
Category

1980s Swiss Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

3 Vols British Battles on Land and Sea, Antique, Military Reference Book, C.1900
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique set of three volumes of 'British Battles on Land and Sea' by James Grant. An English, illustrated military reference series in intact, original order with light, c...
Category

Early 20th Century British Late Victorian Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

F E Olds & Son Ambassador Trumpet, circa 1952
Located in High Point, NC
F E Olds & Son Ambassador trumpet in original case. The trumpet measures 19 L x 4.38 D x 6 H. The trumpet was made in Los Angeles and the serial number is 81069, which dates its pr...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Brass

Sotheby's Antiquities et Objets d'Art, Marquis de Ganay, Monaco 1987, Hard Cover
Located in Stamford, CT
Sotheby's hard cover catalog important antiquities and objects of art, Monaco, December 5, 1987. Antiquities et Objets d'Art, Collection de Martine, Comtesse de Behague provenant de ...
Category

Late 20th Century Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

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

Two Large Malachite Eggs on Brass Stands
Located in Somis, CA
Set of two splendid malachite eggs. Hand crafted and polished, displaying fantastic various natural patterns of swirls and stripes. A stone of transforma...
Category

20th Century Italian Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Malachite

1980's Postmodern Babysitters Club Clear Transistor Collectible Phone
Located in San Diego, CA
Really cool and hard to find in working condition lucite clear phone, a classic from the 1980's era great condition very light use. by Conairphone.
Category

20th Century American Post-Modern Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Lucite

Elegance The Iconic 80's Chessboard in the Style of Rena Dumas"Hermes
Located in Guazzora, IT
Elegance The Iconic 80's Chessboard in the Style of Rena Dumas"Hermes : As a designer, I consider this 1980s chessboard a perfect example of how design can transform a functional ob...
Category

1980s Italian Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal, Brass, Cut Steel, Sheet Metal

Line Vautrin: Sculptor, Jeweller, Magician (Book)
Located in North Yorkshire, GB
by Line Vautrin & Patrick Mauries Line Vautrin is one of those archetypally French personalities - others are Cocteau, Piaf and Christian Berard - whose talents are compounded of dre...
Category

20th Century Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Electrohome Mid Century Stereo Model 703 by Gordon Duern Canada
Located in Cincinnati, OH
A Mid Century round dark walnut stereo cabinet with tulip styled base and satin black top with double tambour doors revealing the stereo unit . Having a Garrard turntable...
Category

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

Materials

Metal

'Maison Kuiper' Ocelot Fur Hat, 1950s
Located in Tilburg, NL
'Maison Kuiper' Ocelot fur hat, Model Sissy, The Netherlands, 1950s. This is a rare beret style hat in ocelot fur made by 'Maison Kuiper' a very high-end...
Category

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

Materials

Fur

Original Coronation Souvenir Book of King George VI – London 1937
Located in Philadelphia, PA
An original edition of the Coronation Souvenir Book of King Gorge VI 1937 by Gordon Beckles, Published by Daily Express Publication, London, 1937 This edition was published to mark ...
Category

1930s English Georgian Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

'Taxi Driver' Original Vintage Movie Poster, Japanese, 1976
Located in Devon, GB
Set amidst the moral decay of New York City following the Vietnam War and Watergate scandal, Martin Scorsese's 1976 psychological thriller "Taxi Driver" starred Robert De Niro as a l...
Category

1970s Japanese Post-Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Russian Gardner Porcelain Chess Set
By Francis Gardner
Located in Delft, NL
Francis Gardner porcelain chess set A Russian chess set in Caricature, representing the Czarist Army, 1970s. Made by the Porcelain factory "Gardn...
Category

20th Century Russian Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Wood, Porcelain

29 Volumes. Mark Twain. The Writings.
Located in New York, NY
29 Volumes. Mark Twain. The Writings. "Underwood Edition" Bound in full red morocco, top edges gilt, raised bands, ornate gilt on spines and covers, green endpapers, illustrated thro...
Category

Early 20th Century American Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Leather

Grandfather Clock Radio by Silvertone, Circa 1931
Located in Fulton, CA
Scarce, Silvertone clock radio. Made by the Colonial Radio Company in 1931 and retailed under the Silvertone name by Sears Roebuck Company. Exceptional con...
Category

Early 20th Century American Art Deco Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Steel

Chilean Metal Huasos Spurs
Located in Stamford, CT
Early 20th century Chilean huasos metal spurs. Heavy silvered metal stamped Chile on the side. As found with grosgrain ribbon attached.
Category

Early 20th Century Chilean Spanish Colonial Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal, Silver

Electro Voice EV SP8B Speakers for Poul Cadovius Royal System
Located in Littleton, CO
A pair of 1970s Electro Voice EV SP8B speakers in walnut cabinets custom made for the Poul Cadovius Royal System. Cabinets are notched for perfect fit into the vertical rails of th...
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Walnut

Complete "101 Dalmatians" Collectors Box by McDonalds / Disney, 1990s
Located in Barcelona, ES
Complete limited edition "101 Dalmatians" collector box, toys that were issued for McDonald's "Happy Meal" between November 1996 and January 1997. The t...
Category

Late 20th Century American Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Plastic

Fine large Vintage Native American Navajo Bolo Tie Sterling Turquoise
Located in London, GB
A Fine handsome Large hand-crafted Navajo design Bolo tie in sterling silver with blue green turquoise circa 1960s. With plaited black leather tie and sterling & turquoise tips. Mea...
Category

20th Century American Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Silver

[1st ed] Teenage Lust (Signed)
Located in New York, NY
First edition of Larry Clark’s iconic second book of photographs (following 1971’s Tulsa) documenting and immortalizing a debauched adolescent subculture. Self-published in 1983. Con...
Category

1980s American Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Set of FIVE Silhouette Miniatures All Hand Painted by Dorothy Turton RMS, 20thC
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
A fine collection of Five original silhouette portrait miniatures by the Miniaturist painter Dorothy Turton ( 1900 to 1990s). These are all hand painted...
Category

20th Century English Georgian Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Brass

Carroll - Alice In Wonderland & Looking Glass. LIMTED EDITIONS CLUB BOTH SIGNED!
Located in Hillsborough, NJ
AUTHOR: DODGSON, Charles L. (Lewis Carroll). TITLE: Alice's Adventures In Wonderland - Through The Looking-Glass. PUBLISHER: NY: The Limited Editions Club, 1932, 1935. DESCRIPTION...
Category

1930s American Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Leather

Marble Solitaire Game Hardwood Board with 34 old Glass swirl Marbles, Circa 1930
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a good Marble Solitaire game, having a very good hardwood board and a complete set of 34 glass swirl marbles, all dating to the first half of the 20th century. The circular ...
Category

Mid-20th Century English Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Glass, Hardwood

Gino Cenedese Ultra Rare Murano Glass Chess Set 1960s
Located in Meer, VAN
Gino Cenedese Ultra Rare Murano Glass Chess Set, Venice, Italy, 1960s. This is a highly rare Murano glass chess set by Gino Cenedese - one of the famo...
Category

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

Materials

Metal

4' Large Antique Ship's Wheel, English, Oak, Decorative Maritime Helm, Victorian
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a very large antique ship's wheel. An English, oak and bronze decorative maritime helm, dating to the late Victorian period, circa 1900 High maritime appeal with a strikingl...
Category

Early 1900s British Victorian Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Brass

U.S.A.F. North American Cessna T-37 Tweet Airplane / Contractor Desk Model
Located in San Diego, CA
A very cool U.S.A.F. North American Aviation Cessna T-37 Tweet airplane solid wood contractor desk model by Toys and Models Corporation, circa 1980s. The plane is in very good condit...
Category

Late 20th Century Philippine Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Wood

Ornate Desk Model Signal Cannon in Bronze and Iron
Located in San Mateo, CA
This large desk top cannon model will actually fire. The barrel is bronze and the carriage is iron. The carriage has been repainted in the past.
Category

Early 20th Century American Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Bronze, Iron

James Bond 'Dr. No' Original Vintage US One Sheet Movie Poster, 1962
Located in Devon, GB
Based on Ian Fleming's novel of the same name, the 1962 release of 'Dr. No' first introduced the world to one of the most enduring characters in Western cinema and kicked off one of ...
Category

1960s American Post-Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper, Linen

Carl Auböck Midcentury Brass Seahorse Handmade Key Ring Chain Holder
Located in Vienna, AT
A charming modernist seahorse keyring / key holder / keychain, designed by Carl Auböck in the 1950s. Handmade of solid polished brass by Werkstätte Auböck in Austria. Fully stamped a...
Category

20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Brass

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

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.

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