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Collectibles and Curiosities For Sale
Style: Industrial
Style: Empire
Cast Iron Mortar
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A cast iron mortar with a bas-relief band in the center.
Category

19th Century American Industrial Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Iron

Gymnastic Vintage Czech Leather Gym Stool Bench Pommel Horse, 1930s
Located in Wien, AT
This Czech gym stool or turn bock was produced in the 1930s. It has been shortened to a height of 50 cm. The iron feet are preserved. The thick cowhide has b...
Category

Mid-20th Century Czech Industrial Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Iron

1920s Bostonian Tailors Paperweight Curiosity Desk Object Architect Sculpture
Located in Hyattsville, MD
Wonderful desk relic from a Bostonian Tailor.
Category

1930s American Industrial Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal

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

Late Century Aluminium Flame Proof Isolator Strip light, Cage, Glass Tube, Led
Located in Leicester, Leicestershire
Original item salvaged from super tankers and military vessels, stripped and refinished in the UK. The original wiring is replaced with our Loom light wiring system which exceeds the original specification and also conforms to British standards. All of our tube lights are supplied with a 12 month warranty as standard. All German flame proof...
Category

Late 20th Century German Industrial Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Aluminum, Steel

Gymnastic Vintage Leather Pommel Horse Gym Bench Top, 1930s
Located in Wien, AT
This gymnastics bench comes from a gym in Prague and was designed in the 1930s. The iron feet are retained. The thick cowhide has been cleaned and preserved and has a very nice patin...
Category

Mid-20th Century Czech Industrial Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Iron

Exclusive Antique Armillary Sphere
Located in Vlimmeren, BE
An armillary sphere is a model of objects in the sky consisting of a spherical framework of rings, centred on the Earth or the Sun, that represent lin...
Category

Mid-19th Century European Industrial Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal

Pair of Antique Boots Lasts
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
Circa 1960, we offer this pair of antique boots lasts.
Category

1960s Mexican Industrial Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Wood

1990s Japanese Cast Bronze, Brass and Glass Explosion Proof Wall Light with Cage
Located in Leicester, Leicestershire
A reclaimed solid phosphor bronze explosion proof wall light by Morio Denki a Japanese manufacturer of Industrial grade fixtures and fitting...
Category

Late 20th Century Japanese Industrial Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Brass, Bronze

Small Antique Bronze Brass Opening Porthole with Deadlight
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Small antique bronze brass opening porthole with deadlight The porthole is in good condition, apart from the glass which is original and scratc...
Category

Late 19th Century Industrial Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Brass

Antique Commercial Balance Scale by H. L. Becker in Brussels
Located in Dallas, TX
Antique commercial balance scale by H. L. Becker in Brussels is the type of precision instrument for which the company was known during the early 20th century. Note the attention to ...
Category

Early 20th Century Belgian Industrial Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Steel

Antique American Railroad Track Switch Target Sign
Located in Forney, TX
An antique American railroad yard switch sign on custom stand. A wonderful example of both Americana and industrial folk art! Born in the US in the early 20th century, the large, double sided, painted red iron circular disc shaped "target" sign; mounted to painted black cast iron central pedestal standard; surmounted by hand hammered and chiseled raw iron three inch tall finial; rising from a later five spoke pentagonal black iron base, elaborately shaped, fan form with niche curved flowing lines. The central standard can unscrew from the base for easy transportation and storage. Versatile, use it indoors as a decorative accent and quick way to add color, rustic texture, dimension, and interest, or use outdoors to brighten up your space as a garden ornament or statue. Original condition but we mildly sealed it to preserve the beautiful, warm rustic patina that enhances it so much. Now stable, it won't make a mess or deteriorate, while retaining the unique character and charm that can only be aquired from decades of use, being weathered, naturally distressed, with old chippy paint, that's elegantly aged, rich deep red color It is a full size, authentic railroad iron target...
Category

Early 20th Century American Industrial Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Iron

German Anatomical Muscular Bust Model
Located in Brooklyn, NY
German, anatomical, plaster model of a cross-section of a bust, depicting the muscular and circulatory systems.
Category

Mid-20th Century German Industrial Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Plaster

1970s Korean Industrial Flameproof Wall-Mounted Tube Light, Satin Grey
Located in Leicester, Leicestershire
A retro Industrial aluminium flameproof wall-mounted twin LED tube strip light by Daeyang. Originally these lights were manufactured circa 1970 for NATO vessels. Reclaimed and pro...
Category

1970s Korean Industrial Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Aluminum

20th Century Copper & Brass Signalling Floor Lamp and Military Gyroscope Tripod
Located in Leicester, Leicestershire
This is a Shonan Kosakusho daylight signalling lamp made in 1981, married with a Russian military gyroscope tripod. Reclaimed from Mid-Century war ship...
Category

1980s Japanese Industrial Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Brass, Copper

Open Scale Barograph by C F Casella & Co of London
Located in London, GB
An open scale barograph by C F Casella & Co of London, circa 1960. 7 day clockwork "Gluck" barometer recorder. Measures: Width: 32 cm. Depth:18 cm. Height: 23.5 cm. C. F. Casella and Co: Established in 1810 as Tagliabue and Casella. Incorporated as a limited liability company, C. F. Casella and Co, in 1910. AS advertised in 1930: C. F. Casella and Co Ltd., of Regent House, Britannia Walk, London, N1 7ND - Makers of anemometers, anemographs, barometers, barographs, hygrometers, hygrographs, radiation instruments, rain gauges...
Category

Mid-20th Century English Industrial Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal

Vintage US 1994 Rubber Negative Doc Holliday Ceramic Mould Cowboy Rough Cut 1363
Located in Haarlem, NL
Large vintage industrial 1994 cowboy rough cut 1363 rubber negative Doc Holliday mould to make a negative plaster mould with. With the plaster mould you ...
Category

1990s Central American Industrial Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Rubber

Antique Wooden Shoe Forms with Handles c.1920
Located in San Francisco, CA
Original pairs of cobbler's wooden shoe forms. They have retained their original finish and have the appropriate wear. Creator Unknown. Date of manufacture c.1920 Materials and techniques maple or beech. Condition good. Wear consistent with age and use. Dimensions H 4 in. W 11.75 in. D 4 in. History This pair was salvaged from a cobbler's shop in the Mission District...
Category

Early 20th Century Industrial Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Beech, Maple

1920s Mahogany & Brass Antique Tool Carpentry Scribe
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Mahogany Wood & Patinated Brass Antique Old Carpentry Marking Tool circa 1920s USA Carpenter Scribe Marking Gauge Vintage Wood Working Tool in Wood ...
Category

1920s American Industrial Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Brass

Vintage Miniature Wood Workbench, 1940s
Located in Wien, AT
This miniature workbench was made in the Czech Republic in the 1940s and was used for viewing in a school. Very nice vintage condition.
Category

Mid-20th Century Czech Industrial Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Wood

Vintage Aged Leather Medicine Ball Distressed Collectible Sports Art Memorabilia
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Vintage medicine ball in great patinated leather features double stitching a very distressed collectible of sports art memorabilia. See inside c...
Category

1920s American Industrial Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Leather

1800s Veterinarians Horse Gag and Cutaway Skull
Located in Peekskill, NY
This is an early medical school demonstration model. The horse skull on its own very interesting. It shows a professionally done cutaway of the skull showing the teeth below the gum ...
Category

Late 19th Century American Industrial Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Bone

Vintage Wooden Sled, 1930s-1940s
Located in Uppsala, SE
Wooden sled with metal runners under the rockers. The legs and rockers have the original red paint and the seat has its original dark stained wood with ve...
Category

Mid-20th Century Industrial Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal

Long Gymnastic Leather Pommel Horse Bench with Wooden Handles, 1920s
Located in Wien, AT
Early pommel horse with beautiful patina, shortened to bench height 50cm and in a very good vintage condition. Completely restored. The iron feet are preserved. The thick leather has...
Category

Early 19th Century Czech Industrial Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Iron

Recording Dial Clock by the International Time Recording Company
Located in Peekskill, NY
A Recording dial clock by the International Time Recording Company, Endicott, New York. In the original oak case and (the first we have ever seen) original table stand. The dial measures 30" diameter. Hight on the table is 71". When plugged in the interior light comes on and the clock motor hums. Note: From the American History Museum website: "at the end of the 1800s, early 1900s the industrial revolution was taking place and large numbers of people were taking jobs in the cities. Being punctual was the expected behavior as "time is money" attitude prevailed. Also, recording and scrutinizing expenses for labor, materials and overhead were getting more attention than ever before. By the early twentieth century the International Time Recording Company supplied an entire line of timekeeping devices, including master clocks, several types of time clocks, and time stamps. Founded in 1900, the firm continuously expanded its product line, underwent several reorganizations and name changes, and emerged in 1924 as the International Business Machine Corporation, familiar today as IBM. One of the firm's most popular products was the dial time recorder...
Category

Late 19th Century American Industrial Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Oak

Micro-Barograph by Short & Mason of London
Located in London, GB
An open scale Micro-barograph by Short & Mason of London in enameled glass case. Number: 551/41 Seven day clockwork drive by Horstmann Gear Co Ltd, of Bath. Serial number: 7027/59 With Meteorological Office “MO” logo. Meteorological Office calibration certificate dated 27.6.96 Literature: Barometers - Aneroid and Barographs, Edwin Banfield, 1985. page 131 fig. 116. Short and Mason...
Category

Early 20th Century English Industrial Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal

Master Built Cased Cutty Sark Scale Model
Located in Peekskill, NY
The clipper ship Cutty Sark was an icon of design in 1869 and still remains a model builders favorite. I remember as a child my father building the same shi...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Industrial Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Wood

Brass Desk Top Model of a Kedge Admiralty Anchor
Located in London, GB
A brass desk top model of a Kedge admiralty anchor. Well modeled with Shank, stock, crown, flukes, shackle and keep pin.  
Category

Mid-20th Century English Industrial Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Brass

Antique Round Carpenter's Case for Drill Bits Storage Holder in Wood and Metal
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Antique wood collectible case to store drill bits. Old stock. Made of wood has metal moving parts on top. The upper mechanism turns for display- providing an opening to store drill...
Category

Early 20th Century American Industrial Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal

Large Antique Salvaged Pyle & National Co. Nautical or Marine Spotlight
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This large and substantial Art Deco industrial nautical spotlight was made by the Pyle & National Company of Chicago Illinois in circa 1925 in the period industrial Art Deco style. T...
Category

Early 20th Century American Industrial Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal, Brass

Large European 1930's Nautical Map Reader Magnifying Glass
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
This European set of two nautical magnifying glass map-readers are quite unusual and rarely found. It is fully encased in it's heavy wooden and metal enforced box. Hailing from betwe...
Category

1930s German Industrial Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal

1938 Pull Down Anatomy Chart, Denoyer-Geppert, Artist P.M. Lariviere
Located in Buffalo, NY
1938 pull down anatomy chart, Denoyer-Geppert. Artist P.M. Lariviere. KL3 circulatory system. Stunning image, screenprint on linen.
Category

1930s American Industrial Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Linen

1950s All Aluminum United States Mail Letter Box, Manufactured by Bommer
By Georg Bommer
Located in Buffalo, NY
1950s all aluminum United States mail letter box, manufactured by Bommer Industries, simple Classic design, would make an amazing piggy bank, pull down handle door, mail slot...
Category

1950s American Industrial Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Aluminum

Late Century Copper, Brass and Glass Edison Steampunk Industrial Table Lamp
Located in Leicester, Leicestershire
1970s explosion proof passage way light reclaimed from a super tanker modified to function as a table or desk lamp. The light itself is made from copper and brass and has a temper...
Category

1970s German Industrial Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Brass, Bronze, Copper

Late Century Japanese Cast Aluminium Industrial Flameproof Table Lamp, Edison
Located in Leicester, Leicestershire
Reclaimed Kokosha aluminium flame proof ceiling light circa 1998, made by Kokosha of Osaka, Japan Originating form super tankers and cargo ships this lamp has been expertly stripp...
Category

1990s Japanese Industrial Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Aluminum

Collection of 12 Perspex Teaching Blocks & Lenses
By Griffin & George Ltd.
Located in London, GB
A collection of twelve Perspex teaching optical blocks and lenses. Various shapes, forms and blocks, convex and concave, a number are backed with a white film. Three have their...
Category

Mid-20th Century English Industrial Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Acrylic

Pair of English Vintage Wood and Leather Handmade Cobbler's Shoe Lasts
Located in Atlanta, GA
A vintage pair of English wood and leather cobbler's shoe lasts from the 20th century, numbered on the side. Handmade out of wood and used to create shoes for certain clients, this pair of shoe lasts is numbered on the side. Presenting a nicely weathered appearance revealing its age and use, this pair of vintage shoe lasts...
Category

20th Century English Industrial Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Wood, Leather

Vintage 1930s Old New York City Mounted "Straphanger" Subway Car Handle
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This cast iron and porcelain 'straphanger' or pivoting grab handle was made by the Rico manufacturing company of the United States in circa 1930 in a period industrial style. The cas...
Category

Early 20th Century American Industrial Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Iron

19th Century French Empire Miniature Commode
Located in Winter Park, FL
A 19th century French Empire miniature commode. A well executed miniature chest made of walnut and veneer of walnut with two large drawers below a smaller top drawer and with solid walnut columns. Inscription written in ink on the back of each of the large drawers: Don D...
Category

Early 19th Century French Empire Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Walnut

Lufthansa Boeing 747 Scale Model by Verkuyl of Holland
Located in London, GB
A scale model of a Lufthansa Boeing 747 - 100 by Verkuyl of Holland. 1/100 scale. Made by Matthys M Verkuyl, Badhoevedorp, Holland. As marked to the u...
Category

Late 20th Century European Industrial Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal

Gymnastic Vintage Czech Leather Gym Stool Bench Pommel Horse, 1930s
Located in Wien, AT
This Czech gym stool or turn bock was produced in the 1930s. It has been shortened to a height of 50 cm. The iron feet are preserved. The thick cowhide has been cleaned and preserved...
Category

Mid-20th Century Czech Industrial Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Iron

Mounted Turnstile “To The Fun House” from Coney Island, New York
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A rare and Historical Industrial Era Mounted Turnstile from the Fun House at Coney Island, New York, featuring original painted finishes mounted on wood plinth with label reading, “T...
Category

Early 20th Century American Industrial Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Steel

Antique Cast Iron Shoe Mold
Located in New York, NY
Antique factory shoe mold made of cast iron. USA, circa 1920. A beautiful, simple form.
Category

1920s American Industrial Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Iron

1950s Wrights Bread Crate Vintage Industrial Vulcanized Display Box Basket Tray
Located in Hyattsville, MD
Big old Bread transport crate with wooden rails on bottom. Interior depth is 5 inches.
Category

1950s American Industrial Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Natural Fiber

0-4-0 Industrial Tank Live Steam Railroad Engine
By M. Hale
Located in Peekskill, NY
This a good sized (7.5" Gauge) railroad engine. The scale is large and powerful enough to pull an adult and a number of children on cars behind it. It was hand built in 1974 by M. Ha...
Category

20th Century American Industrial Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Steel

Antique Oak and Brass Lumber Caliper by William Greenlief
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Turn of the 20th century, oak and handcrafted brass, lumber caliper by William Greenlief used to measure the amount of timber from a tree features a sli...
Category

Early 20th Century American Industrial Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Brass

Gymnastic Vintage Czech Leather Gym Stool Bench Pommel Horse, 1930s
Located in Wien, AT
This Czech gym stool or turn bock was produced in the 1930s. It has been shortened to a height of 51 cm. The iron feet are preserved. The thick cowhide has been cleaned and preserved...
Category

Mid-20th Century Czech Industrial Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Iron

Late Century Bronze Brass Glass & Copper Edison Steampunk Industrial Table Lamp
Located in Leicester, Leicestershire
1970s Explosion proof passage way light reclaimed from a super tanker modified to function as a table or desk lamp. The light itself is made from bronze, brass and has a tempered ...
Category

1970s German Industrial Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Brass, Bronze, Copper

Canvas and Leather Postman U.S. Mail Delivery Bag
Located in Brooklyn, NY
U.S. postman, mailman "city collection" mail delivery bag features a well-worn canvas body with leather frame.
Category

Mid-20th Century American Industrial Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Leather, Canvas

Antique Working English Cast Iron Cheese Press Thomas Corbett of Shrewsbury 1880
Located in Portland, OR
A rare antique and all original fully functioning cast iron English cheese press, by Thomas Corbett of Shrewsbury, circa 1880. This cheese press has just ...
Category

1880s English Industrial Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Iron

Brass Balance Shop Scales with Eagle Crest
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Brass balance shop scales with eagle crest Decorative large brass balance shop scales  I super looking set, the slightly dished pans are hung on brass...
Category

Late 19th Century Industrial Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Brass

Italian Trolley Mill Industrial Archeology
Located in bari, IT
Trolley from an old industrial cotton mill made with mixed timber dating back to the 1930s.
Category

1930s Italian Industrial Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Wood

Handley Page Victor "V-Bomber" Model
Located in London, GB
A 1-30 scale model of a RAF Handley Page Victor V-Bomber. The Handley Page Victor is a British jet-powered strategic bomber, developed and produced by the ...
Category

Mid-20th Century English Industrial Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Aluminum

1930s Chrome Diamond Plate Paperweight Curiosity Desk Object Architect Sculpture
Located in Hyattsville, MD
Wonderful desk relic from a captain of industry.
Category

1930s American Industrial Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal

19century English Balancing Scale
Located in Tarrytown, NY
19century English balancing scale.
Category

19th Century European Industrial Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Iron

Rare German 1800s Anatomical Horse Model, Signed A.M.Sommer
By Frederik Sommer
Located in Peekskill, NY
This is an important handmade large scale papier mâché anatomical model of a horse. It's close to two thirds scale and over four foot long. At the turn of the century France and Berl...
Category

Late 19th Century German Industrial Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

19th Century Watch Winding Display Cabinet
Located in New Orleans, LA
This incredible, one-of-a-kind watch display cabinet brings together the beauty of an antique with the functionality of modern technology. Crafted of mahogany, this 19th century jewelry display cabinet...
Category

19th Century Unknown Empire Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Mahogany

Teak and Iron Ship's Nautical Clinometer, Midcentury, French
Located in Nantucket, MA
A ship's clinometer of teak and iron with original paint. Used to measure the degree of healing on a boat, or on larger boats to weigh the distribution of cargo to be sure the ballas...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Industrial Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Iron

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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