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Collectibles and Curiosities

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Collectibles and Curiosities For Sale
Period: 21st Century and Contemporary
Period: Late 20th Century
Ferrari. Signed, Collector's Edition Book & Marc Newson V12 Engine Casing
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Il Fascino Ferrari - A monument to Italy’s driving force. Few are the men and brands that have come to define a century. For seven decades and counting, the Italian powerhouse found...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Aluminum, Chrome

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

Valentino Rockstud Sandals Worn by Arielle Kebbel, Tracy in HBO's Ballers
Located in Forney, TX
Valentino Garavani Rockstud Leather Sandals in excellent condition, worn briefly by Tracy (actress Arielle Kebbel) on HBO's series BALLERS, Season 5. Tracy's dark red leather Valent...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Leather

French Interiors of the Eighteenth Century Hardcover by John Whitehead
Located in North Hollywood, CA
French Interiors of the Eighteenth Century Hardcover by John Whitehead 2009. Hardcover coffee table book. Red cloth boards with gilt spine lettering with color pictorial DJ, color il...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary French French Provincial Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Green Malachite Cufflinks 22.5 Karat Yellow Gold 1980's France
Located in Antwerpen, BE
Elevate your style with these luxurious Green Malachite Cufflinks, meticulously crafted in 22.5 Karat Yellow Gold, straight from the fashion houses of 1980s France. Each cufflink boa...
Category

1980s French Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Malachite, Gold

Blue Hand Painted Baroque Cherub or Angel Portuguese Ceramic Tile or Azulejo
Located in Coimbra, PT
Gorgeous blue hand painted Baroque cherub or angel 18th century style Portuguese ceramic tile/azulejo The tile painted in cobalt blue over white in typ...
Category

Late 20th Century Portuguese Baroque Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Delft, Faience, Terracotta

A Golden Celebration the Art and the Story of the World's Best-loved Comic Strip
Located in North Hollywood, CA
A Golden Celebration : the Art and the Story of the World's Best-loved Comic Strip Hardcover Book. Charles Monroe Schulz. Large Hardcover Comic books, strips. Publisher ‏ : ‎ Harper ...
Category

Late 20th Century North American Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Maurice Feild Two Original Vintage Sketchbooks with Than 240 Sketches, 1970s
Located in Jersey, GB
• Two sketchbooks from artist Maurice Feild • Featuring more than 240 pages of sketches and notes from the 1970s This is a pair of sketchbooks belonging to the artist Maurice F...
Category

1980s Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

The Palm Beach Collection Book by Jennifer Ash Rudick
Located in New York, NY
The Palm Beach Collection By: Jennifer Ash Rudick Photography by Jessica Klewicki Glynn and Nick Mele Take a guided tour through the entrancing homes and lush private gardens of Palm Beach, a subtropical island that has long boasted some of the most spectacular residences in the country, in this two–volume, slipcased set The allure of living in Palm Beach has continued unabated for more than a century, and no one is a greater authority on the island’s residences than Palm Beach native Jennifer Ash Rudick. Here, in The Palm Beach Collection, she has selected 50 of the most extraordinary homes—from restorations of iconic Mediterranean Revival mansions by legendary architects Addison Mizner, Marion Sims Wyeth, Maurice Fatio, and John Volk to charming bungalows, sprawling ranches, ultra–modern villas, and chic apartments. All are exceptionally designed by a who’s who of the interior design world, with names including Peter Marino, the late Carleton Varney, Tom Scheerer, Mark D. Sikes, Mimi McMakin, Amanda Lindroth, and Frank de Biasi. The homes’ lush settings are as beautiful as the interiors, with the help of such superb landscape architects as Jorge Sánchez...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Vintage 13 Row Wooden Abacus With Silver Toned Hardware.
Located in Seattle, WA
This Abacus has black painted wood framing and beads. The rods have been left unpainted, showcasing beautiful wood grain. Vintage Condition Consistent with Age as Pictured. Dimensio...
Category

1970s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Wood

An Early Victorian Album: The Photographic Masterpieces, 1st Ed
By Roy Strong
Located in valatie, NY
An Early Victorian Album: The Photographic Masterpieces (1843-1847) of David Octavius Hill and Robert Adamson by Roy Strong. Alfred A. Knopf, New York. ...
Category

1970s American Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Geometric Cuff, Isaky, Paris c. 1980
Located in St Ouen, FR
Methacrylate plate fixed by a rubber link on a black acrylic bracelet, matt exterior and glossy interior, locked by an altugas rod wearing the Artist's brand. Both the facade and th...
Category

1980s French Space Age Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Plastic

"Goodbye Picasso" by David Douglas Duncan, 1st Edition
Located in Pittsburgh, PA
"Goodbye Picasso" by David Douglas Duncan. Hardcover, 1st Edition, 1974.
Category

1970s Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Herend Finest Quality Hand Painted Porcelain Carp Fish on a Wave Figurine
Located in Tustin, CA
Beautiful and collectible handmade estate porcelain Herend "Carp Fish on a Wave" figurine has been expertly hand-painted by the legendary Hungarian master artisans of Herend. Special...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Hungarian Other Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Porcelain

Horst Interiors by Barbara Plumb Hardcover Book 1993 First Edition
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Horst Interiors by Barbara Plumb Hardcover Coffee Table Book 1993 First Edition.A beautiful monograph of the photographs of Horst P Horst’s by Barbara Plumb. Featuring the social and...
Category

Late 20th Century American American Classical Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Geometric Cuff, Isaky, Paris c. 1980
Located in St Ouen, FR
Methacrylate plate fixed by a rubber link on a black acrylic bracelet, matt exterior and glossy interior, locked by an altugas rod wearing the Artist's brand. Both the facade and th...
Category

1980s French Space Age Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Plastic

Post Modern Contemporary Menorah in Blue Anodized Aluminum by Luigi Del Monte
Located in Troy, MI
Ultramodern "Flat Arch" menorah by Italian designer Luigi Del Monte 1999 Featured in the MoMa gift catalog and design store Winter 2000 Sleek design in blue anodized aluminum with i...
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Modern Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Aluminum

Rago Post War Contemporary Art and Photographs from the Collection of J. P Smith
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Two Rago Auction catalog: POST-WAR AND CONTEMPORARY ART 19 / 20 MAY 2007. Rago: photographs from the collection of Jonathan P Smith 19 May 2007. Paperback auction catalogs by Rago Ar...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Expressionist Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Johnny Halliday Rock in the Blood French Edition Signed by Gilles Lhote
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Johnny Halliday Rock in the Blood French Edition Signed by Gilles Lhote author, paperback book.Johnny Halliday, Rock in the Blood - French Edition - Dedication, signed by the author ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Bilancia pesa persona da Farmacia Diara
Located in Roma, IT
Bilancia pesa persone da Farmacia prodotta in Italia negli anni 70 dalla ditta Diara di Livorno completamente restaurata Pesata massimo 150 kg Divisione 100 g Meccanica
Category

1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Iron

Le Polnabook Michel Polnareff French Edition Hardcover Book in Sleeve
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Le Polnabook Michel Polnareff French Edition Hardcover in Sleeve. "Le Polnabook" is authored by the French singer-songwriter Michel Polnareff. This book is a compilation of photograp...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

The Industrial Heritage of the United States French Book by Louis Bergeron, 2000
By Modern History
Located in Atlanta, GA
Le Patrimoine Industriel des Etats-Unis (The Industrial Heritage of The United-States), French book by Louis Bergeron and Maria Teresa Maiullari-Pontois, 2000. Since the creation of ...
Category

Early 2000s French Modern Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Basquiat Keith Haring Roy Lichtenstein The Paris Review
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Jean-Michel Basquiat, Keith Haring, Roy Lichtenstein: The Paris Review 1982-1992: Vintage editions of The Paris Review, with one uniquely featuring an...
Category

1980s Art Nouveau Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Real Toscana Sheep Black Fur Rabbit Toy
Located in Sebastopol, CA
Design commissioned by JG SWITZER from a Ukranian plush toy artist, and sewn in our workshop from fluffy fur scraps, LITTLE JG RABBIT is for Bigs AND Littles. Created from our re-purposed, real Toscana...
Category

2010s American Arts and Crafts Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Fur

Miniature wooden plane France 1970 brown color
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
Miniature wooden plane France 1970 brown color
Category

1970s French Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Wood

MANDALA By Jose and Miriam Arguelles Softcover Book 1972
Located in North Hollywood, CA
MANDALA By Jose and Miriam Arguelles Softcover Book. Shambala 1st Edition 1972 - Mandala - English text 140 pages A wonderful trip through the art of the last few centuries.This lavi...
Category

Late 20th Century Indian Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Bedtime Inspirational Beds, Bedrooms, and Boudoirs Book by Celia Forner
Located in New York, NY
Bedtime Inspirational Beds, Bedrooms, and Boudoirs By: Celia Forner Foreword by Gianluca Longo In our bedrooms, we take leave of our daily woes. Far from the bustle of the kitchen, ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

FLEMING, Ian. From Russia With Love. First Edition Library 1st Edition Facsimile
Located in Hillsborough, NJ
AUTHOR: FLEMING, Ian. TITLE: From Russia With Love. PUBLISHER: Shelton, CT: First Edition Library, n.d [c.1980s]. DESCRIPTION: 1 vol., 8-1/16" x 5-1/4", hardbound, with the DJ an...
Category

1980s British Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Fabric

Master Drawings Rediscovered Treasures from Prewar German Collections
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Master Drawings Rediscovered Treasures from Prewar German Collections.Tatʹjana Afanasʹevna Ilatovskaja (Kuratorin.), Gosudarstvennyj ĖrmitažState Hermitage Museum, 1996 - Art - 224 p...
Category

Late 20th Century American Expressionist Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Rare early 1980s Iggy Pop Announcement
Located in Brooklyn, NY
“Iggy Pop Invites You To Join Him for a Private New Year’s Eve Celebration at The Hard Rock Cafe.” Extremely rare vintage announcement card; New York City c.1981. 4x6 inches. Good overall vintage condition. Unsigned. Iggy Pop is an American rock singer-songwriter, musician, and occasional actor, who is often referred to as the godfather of punk. His role as the outrageous and unpredictable frontman of protopunk band The Stooges...
Category

1980s Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

The Christmas Book
Located in New York City, NY
A visual celebration of Christmas, from religious beginnings to festive cultural touchstones – a book to treasure This book is a unique and groundbreaking visual celebration of Christmas, a joyous religious and cultural occasion observed by billions of people around the world. The origins of Christmas are in the Christian observance of the birth of Christ on 25 December and, since the early 20th century, it has become a secular holiday with a myriad decorations, rituals, and themes. Key themes covered include advent and the nativity; the Christmas tree and holiday decorations; gift giving and carol singing; classic Christmas films; and festive music. This extraordinary book showcases a broad spectrum of global festive traditions from many different cultures, such as fried chicken eaten for Christmas dinner, surfing Santas, and shoes filled with carrots. A collection of more than 200 rich and evocative images, paintings, books, prints, sculptures, textiles, ceramics, and photography, thoughtfully paired to highlight similarities and contrasts between them, the works included feature a diverse range of both lesser-known and iconic artists, including Sandro Botticelli, Grandma Moses, Beatrix Potter, Norman Rockwell, Andy Warhol, and many more. These significant works cover festive topics such as Advent; the Christmas tree and holiday decorations; gift giving and carol singing; and classic Christmas films and music. Essays by Sam Bilton, Dolph Gotelli and David Trigg explore traditional festive food and drink, Santa Claus throughout history, and the religious origins of Christmas. In The Christmas Book...
Category

2010s Chinese Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Moroccan Brass Decorative Collector Dagger
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Handcrafted Moroccan brass dagger, mixed metal, copper, nickel and enamel. Moroccan Hand carved Khoumiya dagger, of typical shape with curved bla...
Category

Late 20th Century Moroccan Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal, Brass

A Pair Of "Deva" Earrings By Hermes, France c.2010
Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
A pair of “Deva“ earrings manufactured by Hermes, France. Aside from the elegant stud at the back, the earrings have been entirely carved out of wood and then lacquered, giving a lov...
Category

2010s French Other Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Wood

Olivetti Divisumma 18, designed by Mario Bellini, 1973
Located in Firenze, IT
The Divisumma 18 is a portable electronic calculator made by Olivetti in 1973 through which the company entered the portable electronics market. Thanks to the design of Mario Bellin...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Plastic, Rubber

Bunny Williams: Life in the Garden
Located in New York, NY
Author Bunny Williams, Photographs by Annie Schlechter A natural sequel to the seminal An Affair with a House, this is Bunny Williams’ most ambitious book to date. Inviting us into...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

1990s Belgian Metal & Marble Trophy
Located in High Point, NC
This exceptional 1990s Belgian trophy melds industrial charm with classic prestige. Constructed from robust metal and set upon a stately marble base, it commemorates the "CSAP TOUT-T...
Category

Late 20th Century Belgian Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Marble, Metal

1990s Belgian Metal & Marble Goblet
Located in High Point, NC
This 1990s Belgian Metal & Marble Goblet from the CSAP LG Tout-Terrain 1998 is an impressive accolade, representing the vigor and determination of off-road racing. The trophy’s desig...
Category

Late 20th Century Belgian Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Marble, Metal

Pools by Kelly Klein an Architecture Coffee Table or Library Book, 1992
Located in New York, NY
This beautiful book is first edition, 1992; An inspiring coffee table or library book by Kelly Klein, featuring iconic and unique photographs of swimming pools, in all their forms, f...
Category

Late 20th Century American Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

In a Rugged Land by James R. Swensen
Located in Bradenton, FL
In a Rugged Land; Ansel Adams, Dorothea Lange, and the three Mormon Towns Collaboration, 1953-1954 by James R. Swensen. Softcover book, published in 2018 by The University of Utah Pr...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Honar - The Afkhami Collection of Modern and Contemporary Iranian Art
Located in New York City, NY
The first and only book on one of the finest private collections of contemporary Iranian art This sumptuous volume features almost 250 contemporary artworks and a selection of medie...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary European Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Jamie Wyeth by Jamie Wyeth Hardcover Book 1980 1st Ed.
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Jamie Wyeth by Jamie Wyeth Book. Published by Houghton Mifflin, Boston, 1980. Title: Jamie Wyeth Publisher: Houghton Mifflin, Boston Publication Date: 1980 Binding: Hardcover Conditi...
Category

Late 20th Century American Expressionist Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Vintage Italian 14K Yellow Gold Curb Link Chain Neckalce Italy 12g 30"
Located in Dayton, OH
Vintage 14K / 585 yellow gold curb chain with spring ring clasp. Made in Italy. Dimensions: Chain Length - 30" / Chain Width - 3.5mm / 12 g
Category

Late 20th Century Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Gold

1990s Belgian Metal & Marble Goblet
Located in High Point, NC
This 1990s Belgian Metal & Marble Goblet is an emblematic tribute to the triumphs of off-road racing, marking a victorious moment in the 1998 Tout-Terrain championship. The goblet it...
Category

Late 20th Century Belgian Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Marble, Metal

Vintage 20th Century Pair Of Silver Plated Tennis Trophies c.1970
Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Vintage 20th Century pair of English silver plated tennis trophies. Designed as a racquet and ball on top of an ebonised wooden stand, this pair of trophies would be a great winning ...
Category

1970s British Other Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Silver Plate

1990s Belgian Metal & Marble Trophy
Located in High Point, NC
This 1990s Belgian Metal & Marble Trophy from the "Tout Terrain Vieux Waleffe 98 1er Classe D" event is an intriguing and artistic testament to competitive spirit and achievement. It...
Category

Late 20th Century Belgian Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Marble, Metal

Jean-Michel Othoniel 'Phaidon Contemporary Artists Series'
Located in New York City, NY
The groundbreaking sculptor's most comprehensive monograph to date Jean-Michel Othoniel is an artist who creates sculptures that explore themes of fragility, transformation, and ephe...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Vintage Warhol Basquiat Boxing Cover 'Brutus'
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Rare vintage 1997 Brutus magazine (Japan) exploring the history of Basquiat and documenting the release of Schnabel's Basquiat film release in Japan in 1997. Cover presents a reprodu...
Category

1980s Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Maitland Smith Brass Nautical Maritime Binnacle Ship Compass Gimbal Oil Lamp 14"
Located in Dayton, OH
Vintage Maitland Smith reclaimed brass nautical / maritime binnacle gimbal ship's compass with double oil lamps. Dimensions: 13.5" x 10" x 10" (Width x Depth x Height)
Category

Late 20th Century British Colonial Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Brass

Views from a Tuscan Vineyard Hardcover Book by Julian and Carey More 1987
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Views from a Tuscan Vineyard by Julian and Carey More (1987, Hardcover).In this unusual father-daughter collaboration, writer Julian More and photographer Carey More explore the worl...
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Rustic Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Vintage Chinese "Go" or ""Weiqi" Board and Game
Located in San Diego, CA
A very nice and well contructed vintage Chinese "Go" or ""Weiqi" board and game with play instructions, circa 1970s. The set is in very good condition and comes with a large wood boa...
Category

Late 20th Century Chinese Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Wood

1990s Belgian Metal & Marble Goblet
Located in High Point, NC
This 1990s Belgian Metal & Marble Goblet is a symbol of triumph and the indomitable spirit of competition. Awarded for 'Endurance Tout Terrain' in 1995, this goblet is a testament to...
Category

Late 20th Century Belgian Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Marble, Metal

Dior and His Decorators Victor Grandpierre Book by Maureen Footer
Located in New York, NY
Dior and His Decorators Victor Grandpierre, Georges Geffroy, and the New Look By: Maureen Footer Foreword byForeword by Dior and His Decorators: Victor Grandpierre, Georges Geffroy,...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Objects of Myth and Mystery by Corson Hirschfeld Book
Located in Seguin, TX
Objects of Myth and Mystery by Corson Hirschfeld. Self published, 1995. Softcover portfolio of photographs. Includes the dark green die-cut sleeve, bro...
Category

1990s American Tribal Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Graceful Beauty Preserved: Taxidermy Specimen of the Lesser Kestrel on Branch
Located in New York, NY
Captivating Taxidermy portrayal of the Lesser Kestrel (Falco naumanni), a diminutive falcon species renowned for its graceful flight and striking appearance. Found across a vast expa...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Feathers

Stufa elettrica Olympic maxi 3500, Funzionante, 1970s
Located in Manzano, IT
Stufa elettrica Olympic maxi 3500, Funzionante,1970s H58 x L59 x P25 - Kg 8 DESCRIZIONE PEZZI 1 PERIODO DEL DESIGN 1970 ANNO DI PRODUZIONE 1970 PAESE DI PRODUZIONE Italia PROD...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Aluminum

Vintage "Calder's Universe" Art Book by Jean Lipman
Located in San Diego, CA
A vintage "Calder's Universe" art book by Gloria Jean Lipman, circa 1980. The book is in good vintage condition (several small tears to the dust jacket) and measures 10.25"W x 11"H....
Category

Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

The Newport Inflatable Stand-Up Paddle Board (ISUP) by Beau Lake
By BeauLake
Located in Rhinebeck, NY
The world's most beautiful paddle boards by Beau Lake. Designed and built in Canada, THE NEWPORT ISUP Blending mid-century style with modern performance, The Newport iSUP is built...
Category

2010s Canadian Modern Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Hardwood, Carbon Fiber

Vitamin Txt Words in Contemporary Art
Located in New York City, NY
A ground-breaking global survey of today’s most innovative artists working with text The inclusion of text in works of art was a revolutionary creative advancement of the twentieth century, with artists subverting traditional conceptions of ‘art’ and ‘writing.’ Younger generations of artists have continued to use the inherent readability of words to communicate ideas to viewers across a diverse array of mediums, including painting, sculpture, installation, and video. Nominated by 66 leading global experts (including curators, critics, museum directors, and professors), Vitamin Txt showcases 103 living artists, from 34 countries, who place the use of text centrally within their artistic practices. With more the 500 artworks illustrated, and an introduction about the history of artists using text from ancient Chinese calligraphy to contemporary digital art...
Category

2010s Chinese Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

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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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

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