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Collectibles and Curiosities For Sale
Style: Art Deco
Style: Arts and Crafts
Art Deco Ashtray Stand, Chrome and Bakelite, Demeyere Belgium, 1930s
Located in Antwerp, BE
Art Deco ashtray stand, smoke stand, smoke standing ashtray, floor ashtray, cocktail smoker stand. An ashtray on a stand made from chromed metal and bakelite. Made in the 1930s by the Belgian Company Demeyere. Is also stamped in the ashtray. The chrome and bakelite are still in very beautiful condition. This ashtray stand is also still complete with all his accessoires: the stand with on top the holder for a pack of matches, a bakelite conical container with a bakelite ashtray in which has a valve with handle to open, so the cigarette ends fall in the container and all the beautiful finishing knobs. This original Art Deco smoke stand...
Category

Mid-20th Century Belgian Art Deco Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Chrome

Handcrafted Stained Glass Art Deco Pendant with Stylized Angels in Great Colors
Located in Lisse, NL
Wonderful ceiling lamp for a perfect and serene ambiance. We feel this particular (and probably unique) pendant almost had to come our way, because of a life changing experience I h...
Category

Early 20th Century Dutch Art Deco Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal, Brass

Art Deco 1928 Ladies Compact by Richard Hudnut
Located in Devon, England
For your consideration is this virtually mint condition Art Deco ladies combination compact dating to 1928. This is a classic Art Deco Richard Hudnut Le Debut Cloisonné Powder, Rouge...
Category

Mid-20th Century North American Art Deco Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Enamel, Chrome

Webster & Sons 1925 Art Deco Red & Black Enameled Smoking Set in Sterling Silver
Located in Miami, FL
Rare smoking set designed by the E. G. Webster Company. Very cool and beautiful smoking set, created in America during the art deco period, circa 1925. This colorful set is compos...
Category

1920s North American Art Deco Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Silver, Sterling Silver, Enamel

Ronson USA 1934 Art Deco Black Lacquered Rondette Desk Lighter in Stainless Stee
Located in Miami, FL
A stainless steel lighter designed by Ronson. Very beautiful desk Rondette lighter, created in New Jersey United States by The Ronson Co. during the art deco period, back in the 1934. This is a very unusual lighter designed with wonderful geometric patterns and crafted in solid steel with a central round body set upon two smaller cylindrical feet. Embellished with black lacquer, creating a great contrast with the base polished steel. Extremely well made and solid construction with very nice care and attention to all details. This surely is a very decorative piece and a great conversation item in gorgeous and exceptional preserved condition. Weight: 104.9 Grams, (67.24 Dwt). Measurements: 66 mm by 21 mm by 82 mm (2.59 x 0.83 x 3.23 Inches). Marks: Stamped with the maker's mark and signed, "RONSON US PAT.RE.NO.19023 RONSON RONDETTE ART METAL WKS INC NEWARK NJ US PAT.RE.NO.19023". The Ronson lighter company started as The Art Metal Works in 1897 and was incorporated on July 20, 1898, by Max Hecht, Louis Vincent Aronson and Leopold Herzig, in Newark, New Jersey. Louis V. Aronson was a huge creative driving force for the company; and, with a few business adjustments, including the addition of Alexander...
Category

1930s American Art Deco Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Steel, Stainless Steel

Arts & Crafts Twisted Walking Cane with Beaten Brass Handle Golf
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Arts & Crafts twisted walking cane with beaten brass handle This charming twisted cane is in the Arts and Crafts tradition with beaten brass Knob at the handle which has a rope co...
Category

Late 19th Century Arts and Crafts Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Brass

Art Deco Elizabeth Arden " Ardenette" Black And Silver Octagonal Powder Compact
Located in Devon, England
Original Art Deco Black and chrome enameled ladies powder compact. Produced by Elizabeth Arden sometime in the late 1920's - 1930's. Inside t...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Art Deco Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Chrome

Pair of Vintage Art Deco Goldtone Heads or Busts of a Woman by Frankart
Located in San Diego, CA
A really unique pair of vintage art deco goldtone heads or busts of a woman by Frankart, circa 1930s. They are in original condition with a fine patina, some light oxidation and some...
Category

Early 20th Century American Art Deco Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal

Stunning handmade circa 1930 Childrens Rocking Horse of a Dachshund Sausage Dog
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this one of a kind hand made in England rocking horse in the form of a Sausage dog. What a charming period piece of children’s folk art...
Category

1930s English Art Deco Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Wood

Two-handled Art Deco silver trophy cup & cover
Located in London, GB
Stylish two-handled silver trophy cup and cover made in the Art Deco style and of the era. The silver trophy's elegant sweeping handles and finial are decorated with simple interwove...
Category

20th Century British Art Deco Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Sterling Silver

Zenith Model 6S254 Console Radio '1938', Bluetooth
Located in Oakland, CA
The 6-S-254 prominently features Zenith’s tear-drop (tri-angular) shaped dial that was used for the 1938 line only. The 6-tube 3-waveband Zenith 6-S-254 (6S254) was introduced in June of 1937 as part of Zenith’s line-up for the 1938 model...
Category

1930s American Art Deco Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Glass, Bakelite, Wood

Antique Art Deco Mayoral "Key to City" Atlantic City, NJ, Anthony Ruffu Jr
Located in San Diego, CA
A very cool and rare antique Art Deco mayoral "key to city" for Atlantic City, NJ by mayor Anthony Ruffu Jr, circa late 1920s. The piece is in very good vintage condition and comes i...
Category

Early 20th Century North American Art Deco Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal

Danish Early 20th Century Coffee Grinder by a. Jørgensen
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Danish early 20th century coffee grinder by A. Jørgensen. Here we present a fine piece of coffee making heritage by danish maker a. Jørgensen from cop...
Category

Early 20th Century Danish Art Deco Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal

Antique World Globe From Fleet Street London 1923 on Wooden Stand
Located in High Wycombe, GB
Antique Terrestrial Geographia of Fleet Street London 12"inch World Globe on handcrafted Wooden Three Legged Base 1923 Made 55 Fleet Street, London Beautiful desktop globe, sho...
Category

1920s British Art Deco Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Wood, Paper

11 Piece Antique Sterling Silver & Blue Guilloche Enamel Ladies Dresser Set
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This large antique ladies dresser or vanity set is hallmarked by an unknown maker, and presumed to have originated from the United States and da...
Category

Early 20th Century American Art Deco Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Sterling Silver

Art Deco Alabaster French Powder Vanity Jar, c1930
Located in Devon, England
For you consideration is this stunning Art Deco ladies powder bowl made in alabaster. Originating from France and dating to the 1930's is this beautifully coloured and beautifully hand painted ladies...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Art Deco Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Alabaster

Designers' Houses Hardcover book First Edition By Dominic Bradbury 2001
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Designers' Houses Hardcover book First Edition By Dominic Bradbury, Mark Luscombe-Whyte (photographer) 2001.The First Edition of Designers' Houses Har...
Category

Late 20th Century French Art Deco Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Cartier Art Deco, 18 Karat Yellow Gold Powder, Lipstick 4.365 Oz., Rare, Paris
Located in Soquel, CA
Cartier 18 Karat Yellow Gold Powder - Lipstick 4.365 oz., Art Deco, Rare - Paris Rare and Precious Object from Cartier Paris, 1920-1925, .750-18KT yellow gold, carved antique Jade, 30 Ceylon sapphires, enamel. The Jadeite Jade plate comes from the apprêts. The term apprêts referred to a stock of fragments from disassembled jewelry and other objects, including ancient items...
Category

1920s French Art Deco Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Jade, Gold

Typical Handmade Military Vehicle from the 2nd World War, 1940s / 1950s.
Located in Nürnberg, Bayern
Typical handmade military vehicle from the 2nd World War. Approx. 1940s / 1950s.
Category

1940s German Art Deco Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal

Antique "Corinthian 15" Wooden Table Top Bagatelle Board Game Set
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This antique bagatelle game set was made by the Corinthian Company of Finland in approximately 1920 and done in the period Art Deco style. The game b...
Category

Early 20th Century Finnish Art Deco Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Steel

"Penthouse, " Perfume Group by Lelong in Art Deco Box, Unusually Fine Condition
By Lucien Lelong
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Although the perfume industry in France and America embraced the new streamlined and geometric styles of the 1920s and 30s -- which we would call Art Deco tod...
Category

1930s French Art Deco Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Glass

Austria 1918 Art Deco Cigarette Case in .900 Silver with Enameled Dressed Woman
Located in Miami, FL
Austrian Art Deco enamelled cigarette box. An impressive and beautiful cigarette case, created in Vienna Austria, during the beginning of the Art Deco period back in the 1918. It ...
Category

1910s Austrian Art Deco Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Silver, Sterling Silver, Enamel

Carl Elmberg, Tobacco Jar in Cast Iron, Näfveqvarns Bruk, Swedish Grace, 1920s
Located in Stockholm, SE
Decorative tobacco jar in cast iron with decor of animals and figures. Designed by Carl Elmberg for Näfveqvarns bruk, Swedish Grace, 1920s. Carl Elmberg (1889–1955) sculptor and ...
Category

1920s Swedish Art Deco Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Wrought Iron

Specimen Box Butterflies Coral 1920 Natural History Still Life
Located in BUNGAY, SUFFOLK
A collection of specimen butterflies and coral, circa 1920 Provenance: Private Collection, Paris Just purchased more information to follow. Measures: Box frame height 50cm Bo...
Category

1910s French Art Deco Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Coral

Large Antique & Hand Carved Marble Plaque Sculpture of Jesus w. Crown of Thorns
Located in Lisse, NL
Hand carved, white marble work of religious art, marked A.W. This antique, early 20th century sculptural wall plaque of Christ may have been used as a decorative and meaningful piec...
Category

Early 20th Century European Art Deco Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Marble

1940s Art Deco Vintage Cigarette Lighter Aluminum Block Lift Arm
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Art Deco Vintage 1940s Aluminum Block Lift Arm Side Wheel Cigarette Lighter 2.13 x 1 W x .63 Original unrestored vintage preowned condition. Selling as is untested. Refer to images....
Category

1940s American Art Deco Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Aluminum

circa 1930s-1940s Oceanic Motif Beaded Evening Bag
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Circa 1930-40s seaweed oceanic motif beaded evening bag. A woven strap with frayed ends is loose in the bag. Some minor bead losses. Bag excluding handle: 7 3/4" x 5 1/2".
Category

Early 20th Century Unknown Art Deco Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Beads

Handmade Cribbage Board with Brass Inlay and Magnetic Storage Drawers
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A cribbage board made from brass and steel with intricate inlayed brass details. A felt-lined drawer on one end holds a deck of cards while the two drawers on the opposite end hold p...
Category

2010s American Art Deco Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Brass, Steel

Small Vintage Chinese Checkers Board Game with 31 Glass Balls
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Small Wood Board Game With 31 Glass Balls For Chinese Checkers. The board has an internal compartment to store the glass balls.
Category

Mid-20th Century American Arts and Crafts Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Art Glass, Wood

Zenith 6-S-78 Tombstone Restored Bluetooth Radio '1936'
Located in Oakland, CA
1936 Zenith tombstone model 6-S-27. The radio is a spectacular combination of angles and veneers, with the iconic multi-colored and oversized dial. This radio is one of the large tombstone cabinets offering a full range 8-inch speaker and a tremendous quality sound. This model offers both Broadcast and Shortwave reception. The cabinet has been restored and all electronic elements have been checked or replaced so it operates without any issues. It has 1/8th jack input to use with a Bluetooth transmitter or any device you would like to hook up directly. This will allow you an unlimited choice of content which will allow you to use this with your iPhone, smartphone, iPods, or record player. Access your old vinyl, or log on to Pandora, Apple Music, or the playlist on your computer to provide the tunes and use the Bluetooth connection to bring the warm, bright, analog sound of a tube amplifier...
Category

1930s Art Deco Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Wood

Art Deco Black Grosgain and Bakelite Bag
Located in Devon, England
Wonderful Art Deco black grosgrain handbag with a real geometric feel. Dating to the 1930s and in great condition especially considering its age. This bag has an unusual shape being ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Central American Art Deco Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Bakelite

Art Deco Traditional Wooden Hand Large Artist Mannequin Scale Model
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A handmade wooden Artist mannequin hand model - all joints move as they should. Found on an Estate sale in Vienna, Austria. Shows some minor w...
Category

1970s Austrian Art Deco Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal

Set of 40 Leather Bound Mini Books of William Shakespeare's Plays with Bookcase
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This set of forty leather bound William Shakespeare plays were presumably done in England in approximately 1920 in the period Art Deco style. Each miniature book from this set measures approximately one and a half inches in height, and vary in thickness depending on the play, but are bound in black leather. The books come with a miniature wooden library styled bookcase...
Category

Early 20th Century English Art Deco Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Leather, Paper

Antique Cast Bronze Orthodox Christian Wall Mounted Icon, Cross or Crucifix
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This antique religious icon is unsigned, but presumed to have originated from Italy and date to approximately 1920 and done in the period Art De...
Category

Early 20th Century Italian Art Deco Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Bronze

Art Deco Smokers Stand with Figural Nude Female
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
Highly stylized Art Deco brass and cast iron smoking stand with figural nude female on top surface. It also features a pull-out drawer and a handle for carrying.
Category

1920s Art Deco Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Brass, Iron

fishing float buoy green black clear glass sea nautical
Located in BUNGAY, SUFFOLK
RARE, LARGE COLLECTION OF GREEN, BLACK & CLEAR GLASS & FISHING FLOATS OR BUOYS WITH THE MAKERS MARKS FOR SMALL NETS c.1910 Displaying a variety of makers marks and symbols such as a...
Category

1910s English Art Deco Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Blown Glass

Ronson 1940 Art Deco Machine Age Geometric Table Touch Tip Octette Lighter
Located in Miami, FL
A desk lighter designed by Ronson. This Ronson Touch-Tip Octette table lighter was made between 1935 and 1951 by the Ronson Art Metal Works Inc. located in Newark, New Jersey in the United States. This lighter began a very successful era for Ronson Touch Tip series of lighters which pushed out the strike lighters...
Category

1930s North American Art Deco Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Chrome, Enamel, Steel

Art Deco Wooden Airplane Aviation Model, France 1930s
Located in Atlanta, GA
Stylish Art Deco wooden airplane model mounted on a geometric wood and metal display. This Art Deco model airplane is in solid wood with a lovely warm patina. It has one large Lucite...
Category

1930s French Art Deco Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal, Copper

Painter Anatomical Skull
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
We offer this painter anatomical human skull, circa 1970. This skull was acquired from a painter's studio, the skull was painted with oil paint.
Category

1970s North American Arts and Crafts Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Plaster

Grouping of 1940s Toy Robot Molds
Located in Pawtucket, RI
Graphic collection of assorted steel spacemen and robot molds from the 1940s.
Category

1930s American Art Deco Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Steel

Vintage German Patinated Leather Medicine Ball
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Leather medicine ball, circa 1940s, Germany. Perfectly aged patina with natural wear/soiling present, as shown. H: 13" x Diameter: 12.75"
Category

1940s German Art Deco Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Leather

Paul Emile Brandt 1928 Paris Art Deco Enameled Cigarette Box with Eggshell
Located in Miami, FL
Enamelled cigarette box designed by Paul Emile Brandt (1883-1952). Extraordinary cigarette case, created in Paris France during the Art Deco ...
Category

1920s French Art Deco Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Silver, Enamel

Ferrari Vintage Arno XI Wooden Speedboat
Located in Beirut, LB
Craftsmen make these highly detailed wooden models from scratch with historical photographs, drawings , and original plans. Scale 1/8 with high quality wood. Mounted on a solid wood ...
Category

Late 20th Century German Art Deco Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Brass, Copper, Stainless Steel

Art Deco Style Vintage Polished Bronze Black Bakelite Cigar Ashtray India
Located in Miami, FL
Art Deco Style Vintage polished solid bronze cigar ashtray with Bakelite Decor Inlays. Marked underneath India. In good vintage condition with m...
Category

1960s Indian Art Deco Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Bronze

Schachfigur König Aus 925 Sterling Silber, Vollmassiv, Im Retro-Design
Located in Lauterbach (Hessen), DE
Der exklusive König aus 925er Sterling Silber ist vollmassiv und im Retro-Design gehalten. Mit einem Gewicht von 210 Gramm und seiner Höhe von 9,5 cm, ist der eindrucksvolle König i...
Category

2010s German Art Deco Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Sterling Silver

Large 1930s Steel /Cast Iron Military Chalk World Globe Denoyer Geppert
Located in Buffalo, NY
Rare c 1930 steel Denoyer Geppert military chalk globe. Globe alone measures 22" in diameter, Retains original patina. Age appropriate wear. Minor dents.(see photo). Original patina ...
Category

1930s American Art Deco Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Steel, Iron

Uranium HOBE Festoon Bib Glass Necklace Earrings Hollywood 1930s Jewelry
Located in Hyattsville, MD
Black Japanned Prog setting filled with Emerald, Peridot, and Citrine Rhinestones in Round, Emerald and Teardrop Cut. The Citrine Rhinestones are Vaseline Glass and Glow Brilliantly under UV light. Oversized stones and incredible detail make this Hobé set a piece of Costume Jewelry History. The Earring’s fit very securely and are constructed with a built in cushion roller for comfort. They measure 1.25” The Necklace is a Festoon Bib with jointed connectors creating a tailored fit that moves along with you. This stunning necklace will glitter and sparkle with every breath while lighting up the room. One jewel connection is fused, this might be an old repair, pictured. The Necklace measures 15” long Each piece is signed Hobé with the signature used 1920’s to the 1950’s. HOBE Jewelry The original Hobe family was in business in the US from 1927 to 1995. William Hobe...
Category

1930s American Art Deco Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Copper

Art Deco Gold Painted Bronze Figure "Phoenician Dancer" by Demetre Chiparus
Located in BILBAO, ES
Dancer by Demétre Chiparus 1886 - 1947 Large chrysoelephantine sculpture in gilt bronze Marble base. Signed "D. H. Chiparus". Measures: 52 cms. alt. total and 17 cms. diam. base Good...
Category

1920s French Art Deco Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Bronze

PH Bow Grand Piano in American Red Maple Burl with Brass, Modern, Sculptural
Located in Copenhagen, DK
- All prices are listed ex works. - 5 year guarantee. - We regularly crate, ship and install PH Pianos worldwide with full insurance. This gorgeous new PH Bow Grand Piano...
Category

2010s Danish Art Deco Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Brass

circa 1890s Micro-Beaded Drawstring Evening Bag
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
circa 1890s micro-beaded draw-string evening bag. Scenic design with Shaker Style houses appears in various bag designs & color variations. Silk lining i...
Category

1890s American Arts and Crafts Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Beads

Birks Solid 9-Karat Yellow Gold Cigarette Case with Blue Outer Leather Envelope
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This large and substantial solid 9-karat yellow gold cigarette case was made in Birmingham England and dates to the late 1930s. The case was sold by the renowned Birks Department Sto...
Category

Early 20th Century English Art Deco Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Gold

1940s Vintage Vornado Antique Electric Powerful Metal Desk Table Fan
Located in Chula Vista, CA
1940s Vornado vintage antique electric fan powerful and silent. Art Deco era electric table desk top fan with modern industrial design. Has one ...
Category

1940s Art Deco Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal

1930 Portable Gramophone His Master's Voice Phonograph
Located in Oakland, CA
1930 Portable Gramophone his master’s voice original covered finish. This 1930 Portable Gramophone is the real deal. It’s an HMV Model 101, part of a small collection of such classic sound machines...
Category

1930s English Art Deco Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal

Tiffany Studios New York "Zodiac" Patinated Bronze Match Box Holder
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Art Deco period patinated bronze match box holder featuring symbols of the Zodiac By Tiffany Studios New York, USA, early 20th century ...
Category

Early 20th Century American Art Deco Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Bronze

Vintage 1928 Pirated Lady Chatterley's Lover by D.H. Lawrence Book
Located in Seguin, TX
Lady Chatterley's Lover by D.H. Lawrence. Published by Privately Printed , Florence., Italy., 1928 An early pirated edition now quite scarce. Original ...
Category

1920s Italian Art Deco Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Antique Danish Silver Charm Bracelet with 5 Charms
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Charming charm bracelet in adult size (19 cm). Easily adjustable to a smaller size due to the old lock mechanism. It is made from 826/1000 silver and is...
Category

1920s Danish Art Deco Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Silver

French Children's Toy Sink, 1930's
Located in Antwerp, BE
French children's toy sink. This pedestal sink or lavabo dates from the 1930s. A child's toy sink made in France. An Art Deco toy made from metal and after lots of years still in his original and beautiful blue color. A toy which could be used with real water. This old bathroom sink toy for children is still complete with the mirror, stopper, tap en jug or can. For his age still in very beautiful condition. A beautiful piece to display with mannequin doll...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Art Deco Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal

Ivory Art Deco Statues Galerie Bernard De Leye
Located in Oakland, CA
Ivory Art Deco Statues Galerie Bernard De Leye. Rich book with multiple color pages and excellent photos of a personal collection of some of the best Ar...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Art Deco 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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