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Collectibles and Curiosities For Sale
Period: 1950s
Period: Early 1900s
"Three Chiefs, Blackfoot, Montana" by Edward S. Curtis, Platinum Print, 1900
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
Presented is a rare, platinum Master Exhibition Print of Edward Curtis’ The Three Chiefs. Typical of Curtis’ Master Exhibition Prints, this platinum print is double-mounted, signed, with an embossed copyright credit and date stamp. His numeric notation “52-00” is in the photographic negative. Curtis photographed The Three Chiefs during his two weeks on a Blackfoot reservation in the summer of 1900. The photograph depicts three Piegan men in traditional dress on horseback, situated next to a small stream with an expansive cloud-filled sky behind them. The Piegans were the largest group in the Blackfoot Confederacy and still retained a majority of their original culture when Curtis visited the tribe. It reportedly took Curtis several days to find the perfect prairie backdrop and riders for this photo, yet his patience paid off. The image was pivotal in enabling Curtis to form his vision for his next project - his ambitious 20 volumes “North American Indian”publication. This print is believed to be one of only three oversized, platinum Master Exhibition Prints of this image in existence. It was printed by Curtis specifically for his East Coast exhibition tour of 1905-1906. Curtis chose only a small number of what he believed to be his finest negatives to produce prints for the show. He never again mounted an exhibition of his work, nor produced such distinctive, large-format platinum prints. “The extraordinary rarity of The Three Chiefs becomes clearer when viewed in the context of other Master Exhibition Prints, principally the 108 in the Peabody Essex Museum in Salem, Massachusetts, the largest collection in existence. The Museum, however, is missing a number of early, iconic images, including The Three Chiefs. It has long been assumed that these missing prints were held elsewhere, possibly in the collection of The New York Public Library. This theory has been substantiated by the Curtis scholar, Bruce Kapson, who unearthed a cache of letters from Curtis to J.P. Morgan and to Morgan's librarian, Ms. Bella da Costa Greene in the Pierpont Morgan Library archives in 2007. The correspondence establishes that 58 of the 100 prints in The New York Public Library's collection are actually Master Exhibition Prints, specifically selected by Curtis for J.P. Morgan as the best examples of his work. A typed letter, dated March 1907, from Ms. Greene to Curtis states: 'I enclose herewith a list of Indian photographs which you sent to Mr. J.P. Morgan'. The letter is accompanied by a handwritten list of 58 photographs, including The Three Chiefs (print number 52.) Morgan donated this group of prints to The New York Public Library in 1912.” (Christie’s Live Auction 1893 Catalog, 2007). Curtis’ platinum prints make up less than 1/2 of 1% of all of the work he created. Curtis’ platinum prints were created only for exhibition or direct sales to patrons and they were always made by Curtis himself. One significant dealer in Curtis prints...
Category

Early 1900s American Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Popeye
Located in London, GB
Original American film poster for Popeye 1950. This is what's known as a stock poster as instead of creating different posters the studio created one piece of artwork for a season of...
Category

1950s American Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

East of Eden by John Steinbeck, First Trade Edition, in Original DJ, 1952
By John Steinbeck
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
Steinbeck, John. East of Eden. New York: The Viking Press, 1952. Octavo. First trade edition, first printing. In original lime green cloth boards with green titles to the spine and o...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Leather, Paper

Vintage Nautical Signal Flag in Frame
Located in Norwell, MA
Framed maritime signal flag representing the number “6” in the international code of signals. This authentic and ocean used pennant is made of individual panels of black and white. F...
Category

1950s North American Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Cotton

German Tinplate Clockwork Wind Up Toy by the Lehman Co. "Balky Mule" Circa 1909
Located in Incline Village, NV
Perhaps the wildest action of all the Lehman toys, said to resemble Ernest Paul Lehman's temperament (founder of the company), "Balky Mule" was first manufactured in 1897 in Berlin (Brandenburg), and had a multi decade run; this example is from around 1909 (see image with markings to the rear of the carriage). The toy is catalogued as "EPL #425" and documented on page 59 and 60 of the book "Lehman Toys" by Jurgen & Marianne Cieslik, published in 1982. To operate the toy; wind up the attached clockwork key on the underneath of the carriage and place the toy on the floor. Do not over-wind and be gentle, as the toy is aggressive and over 100 years old. The toy will go backwards and forward, and the clown will pop up and down as the cart goes in several different directions across the floor until it winds down (see video accompanying the listing for guidance). The toy is found broken and/or inoperable, more often than not, because of the rough action, and typical abuse by children (after all, it was a toy). This example is in very nice original condition and works well. The lithography and hand paint is bright and original with no touch up or repaint. The hand paint is; flesh tones to the face of the clown, red trousers, orange hair, and grey paint to the seat of the carriage. The clothing to the clown figure is still intact and all original. The lithography to the wheels features brightly colored clowns and a German marking logo. What is really unusual is the fact that the donkey still has all four of its loosely attached original legs, considering the aggressive action of the toy. The metal on the donkey is actually treated with "fabric like" paint, to simulate fur. All in all this is a really cool toy and a "must have" for the collector of tin toys, or someone who simply wants a wonderful example of an early, "turn of the century" iconic wind up toy. Provenance: Recently acquired from a prominent toy collection in Los Angeles, California Dimensions: 7 1/2" long x 3" wide x 5" high Note: After 40 plus years of dealing and collecting toys, I am justly qualified to guarantee and present the authenticity of antique and vintage toys and children's playthings; important considering the fakes and reproductions in the marketplace it would behoove an enterprising collector, dealer, or decorator to take advantage of the opportunity to buy as many of the vintage tin...
Category

Early 1900s German Folk Art Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Tin

Antique English Pond Yacht from Leek, England on Original Stand c1900
Located in Chicago, IL
Antique English Pond Yacht purchased in the town of Leek, England over 25-years ago and just purchased from a serious collector. Pond Yachts date from the middle 1800’s and unfortuna...
Category

Early 1900s English Country Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Brass

Rare 1950s Dunhill Aquarium Half-Giant Lighter
Located in Hong Kong, HK
A rare 1950s Half-Giant Dunhill aquarium table lighter (made in England) Each of these lighters are very rare and unique as they were hand carved and painted and no one look exactl...
Category

1950s English Mid-Century Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Lucite

1950s Ronson Limited Vintage Chrome Lighter on Tripod Stand from England
Located in Chula Vista, CA
1950s Ronson Limited Vintage Chrome Lighter on Tripod stand from England Vintage lighter with tripod shape, chrome plated. Stamped Ronson, Mad...
Category

1950s English Mid-Century Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Chrome

Rare 1950s Dunhill Aquarium Half-Giant Lighter
Located in Hong Kong, HK
A rare 1950s Half-Giant Dunhill aquarium table lighter (made in England) Each of these lighters are very rare and unique as they were hand carved and painted and no one look exactl...
Category

1950s English Mid-Century Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Lucite

Rare 1955 Helsingborg Exhibition Cigarette Holder+Ashtray Stig Lindberg Domino
Located in Hyattsville, MD
A rare two piece set, commemorating the Helsingborg Exhibition of 1955, and only produced for one year, for this exhibit. No Gustavsberg collection is complete without something fro...
Category

1950s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Ceramic

Industrial Design large Pulley, Cable Pull, 1950s
Located in Saarburg, RP
Old large Pulley Industrial Design - 1950/60s The old pulley (cable pull) in industrial design is an impressive piece of the past times. It combines the charm and sturdiness of the past industrial era. This iron pulley...
Category

1950s European Industrial Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal

Dunhill London 1954 F-86 Jet Aircraft Table Desk Lighter In Polished Chrome
Located in Miami, FL
F-86 Jet fighter aircraft table lighter designed by Alfred Dunhill. An unusual table desk lighter made in London England by the renowned Alfred Dunhil...
Category

1950s English Mid-Century Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Steel, Chrome

Spectacular French Mid-Century Clipper Ship Wall Light, circa 1950
Located in Saint-Amans-des-Cots, FR
Spectacular iron wall light, France, circa 1950. Square three-masters clipper. Ambient and decorative wall light. Measures: height : 28"(71cm), width : 16.9"(43cm), depth : 7.2"(18.2...
Category

1950s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Iron

Sputnik cigarette dispenser set, 1950 Germany
Located in Vienna, AT
Sputnik cigarette dispenser set, with cigarette holder, match holder and ashtray, 1950, Made in Germany
Category

1950s Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal

Display Champagne Bottle
By G.H. MUMM 1
Located in Hellerup, DK
Large French vintage fiber glass display model of a G.H. Mumm Cordon Rouge champagne bottle for promoting the brand in a wine shop. Super decorative item for the bar or wine cellar.
Category

1950s French Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Fiberglass

Big Mid-Century Modern Atomic Molecular Wood Sculpture, 1950s
Located in Benalmadena, ES
Large wooden sculpture that represents an atom, a super decorative object full of history since this type of piece was used in the old science classes, suffering great wear and tear ...
Category

1950s European Mid-Century Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Wood

Artificial Smoked Parma Ham Country Kitchen Folk Art Decoration Vintage 1950s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A vintage Belgium Decorative Item nice to display in your country style home or kitchen. Found at an Estate Sale in Brussels, Belgium.
Category

1950s Belgian Folk Art Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Plastic, Rubber

Late 19th Century Scientific "Cyclo-Stormograph" by Short & Mason Tycos
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fabulous and appears to be completely intact. Short & Mason Tycos Cyclo-Stormograph under beveled glass & mahogany with a drawer which contains extra graph paper, tiny key and origin...
Category

Early 1900s English Industrial Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal

Pair of Vintage leather Medicine Balls
Located in Nijlen, BE
This set of medicine balls in leather is in very good condition. Both a practical item and a beautiful duo to look at. The natural weathering of the leather gives it an original pati...
Category

1950s Belgian Post-Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Leather

Original Ladislav Sutnar Catalog Design Progress
By Ladislav Sutnar
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
Oblong Quarto. Unpaginated. Original spiral-bound cream boards with modern design in color on cover reverse white lettering on red label of spiral, in original tan dustjacket with cu...
Category

1950s Czech Mid-Century Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Pocket barometer by J H Steward in original case
Located in East Geelong, VIC
This pocket barometer was made by the firm of by J H Steward and is still in its original leather covered case. The silvered dial with its blued pointer is surrounded by a rotating a...
Category

Early 1900s English Edwardian Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Brass

American vintage cash register from NATIONAL, made of metal
Located in Milano, IT
We present a timeless treasure: the antique American cash register from the early 20th century, revisited and enriched with the charm of Italian lire! Enter a world where history an...
Category

Early 1900s American Art Nouveau Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal, Bronze

1950s Mid-Century Modern Olympia Sm-3 Portable Typewriter with Case
Located in Miami, FL
Vintage Mid-Century Modern Olympia SM3 portable typewriter with the original metal case. Circa 1950s. Features a Qwerty keyboard, a grayish green color body with chrome trims and the original metal case with a galvanized-like finish and the original lock key. Olympia SMs were once considered the Mercedes Benz of typewriters. The Hermes 3000...
Category

1950s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal

Vintage Lawn Tennis Racket, the Match
Located in Oxfordshire, GB
Antique lawn tennis racket, "The Match". An original lawn tennis racket with double central stringing called "The Match". It has a good straight ash frame with red horizontal string...
Category

Early 1900s English Sporting Art Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Ash

Superb Antique French Opera Glasses Signed Chevalier, Paris c.1900
By Chevalier Opticien Paris
Located in Bath, GB
A truly exquisite pair of Opera Glasses by the well renowned French maker, Chevalier of Paris, signed on both eye pieces. The glasses are made from polished brass and Abalone shell ...
Category

Early 1900s French Edwardian Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Brass

An Unusual Pencil Drawing of “Canton”, a Three-Masted Whaling Ship-at This Point
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
An unusual pencil drawing of “Canton“ a three masted whaling ship by Harold Wyllie. New Bedford was a major whaling centre in the 19th century. Photograp...
Category

Early 1900s English Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Icon of the Exaltation of the Lord's Cross.
Located in Chorzów, PL
Icon of the Exaltation of the Lord's Cross. Tempera on board, chalk-gypsum base, gilding. Explanatory inscriptions are written in Cyrillic. Russia 18th/19th century, dimensions 31...
Category

Early 1900s Unknown Other Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Oak

Radio TSF Radialva Super-As 55, 1950s, Bakelite
Located in Antwerp, BE
Original made of dark brown bakelite with brown knobs. Behind the glass station shell is a red and black painted metal plate that has been blackened behind the transmitter division. ...
Category

1950s Belgian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Bakelite

Vintage Biography, Sir Emery Walker, Danish, Limited Edition, English Language
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a vintage biography of Sir Emery Walker. A Danish, limited edition overview of the British printer and photographer, published in English in 1959....
Category

1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Artificial Smoked Ham Country Kitchen Folk Art Decoration Vintage Belgium 1950s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A vintage Belgium Decorative Item nice to display in your country style home or kitchen. Found at an Estate Sale in Brussels, Belgium.
Category

1950s Belgian Folk Art Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Plastic, Rubber

Artificial Pepperoni Sausage Country Kitchen Folk Art Decoration Vintage 1950s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A vintage Belgium Decorative Item nice to display in your country style home or kitchen. Found at an Estate Sale in Brussels, Belgium.
Category

1950s Belgian Folk Art Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Plastic, Rubber

Artificial Smoked Ham Country Kitchen Folk Art Decoration Vintage Belgium 1950s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A vintage Belgium Decorative Item nice to display in your country style home or kitchen. Found at an Estate Sale in Brussels, Belgium.
Category

1950s Belgian Folk Art Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Plastic, Rubber

1900s French Brass Hanging Scale
Located in High Point, NC
A metal scale created in 1900s France. Tidy, industrial, and ornate, this set of scales exudes a sense of articulate composure and homey old-world charm. Two countervailing measuring...
Category

Early 1900s French French Provincial Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Brass

Bright Orange Glossy Cross, Abstract Christ Figure, Modernist Religious Art
Located in Chicago, IL
This ceramic crucifix is a sublime representation of mid-century European studio pottery, handcrafted with meticulous care by a skilled artisan. The cross is enveloped in a vibrant v...
Category

1950s European Art Deco Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Ceramic

Porcelain Stoup, Italy, 1950s
Located in Palermo, IT
Porcelain stoup, Italy, 1950s Found in a noble apartment. Intact, small signs of aging. Made and decorated entirely by hand. Difficult to find one in t...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Porcelain

Mid-Century Modern Industrial Explosion Proof Phone by Crouse-Hinds C1955
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Rare and unusual industrial explosion proof telephone by Crouse-Hinds from the 50s. Cast aluminum with a bakelite style phone. No dial. Supposed to be from a blasting site. Untested....
Category

1950s American Industrial Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Aluminum

1959 Goldfinger
Located in Bath, GB
A very smart first edition copy of the seventh James Bond novel. With the original Richard Chopping dustwrapper in a fantastic condition. First Edition, Publishers' Original Binding...
Category

1950s British Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

1950s Gates Vulco Belts Vintage Painted Tin Sign or Sales Display Ratrod Garage
Located in Hyattsville, MD
Heavily Oxidized Painted Metal Sign, Faded Graphics, but a nice even fade. It is very tall for Wall Hanging Display or Leaning against a wall, at 55.75 inches high. Structurally th...
Category

1950s American Industrial Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Steel

Vintage Georg Jensen Silver Ring No. 91 by Nanna Ditzel
Located in Esbjerg, DK
A Nanna Ditzel for Georg Jensen sterling silver ring. Designed as a curved undulating sculptural form. It sits beautifully on the finger, catching light from different angles. The ri...
Category

1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Sterling Silver

Scale Model Building
Located in Hellerup, DK
Antique French hand built metal on wood scale model of a buildings inner construction with many details. The scale model is made of riveted metal and has great patina.
Category

Early 1900s French Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Iron

Walking Stick / Cane by Nanna & Jørgen Ditzel, by Kold's Savvaerk, Denmark
Located in Hägersten, SE
Walking stick designed by Nanna & Jørgen Ditzel. Produced by Kold's Savvaerk in Denmark during the 1950s. This example made from solid afromosia in the stem and laminated teak in the...
Category

1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Teak

Four Piece Furniture Doll Set. All Tin. Circa 1950's
Located in Incline Village, NV
All tin; circa 1950's four piece doll furniture set, scaled to fit and accommodate all of your 8" or so dolls from that era, e.g. "Muffie, Ginnette, etc". Display your dolls around this ensemble consisting of a clothing wardrobe...
Category

1950s American Folk Art Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Tin

1900s Decorative Wall Hanging „Multimeter“ Scientific Slide Rule Calculator
Located in Vienna, AT
A dekorative appr. 120-year-old, large, wall-mounted round „Multimeter“ analog slide rule calculator. Dated around 1900, made in Germany. It has a rotatable glass disc and offers multiple features like multiplication, division, interest-calculation and square root...
Category

Early 1900s German Art Nouveau Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Glass

Tin & Wood Open Touring Hill Climber Toy Car by Clark, circa 1903
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fabulous early toy example by the Clark co. This hill climber works great, and is almost totally complete. It's missing it's passenger in the back. Cast iron...
Category

Early 1900s American Industrial Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Iron, Tin

1900s French Wooden and Metal Horse Tricycle
Located in High Point, NC
A wooden and metal horse tricycle created in France circa 1900. Vibrant yet seasoned and matured, this sprung horse glides on metal wheels that roll it gracefully into modernity. Thr...
Category

Early 1900s French Rustic Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal

Antique English Dart Game Trophy Award Shield Oak Plaque Silver Plate c1909
Located in Shreveport, LA
Antique English Dart Game Trophy Award Shield Oak Plaque Silver Plate c1909. Direct from England, just arrived in our most recent container, we have several ...
Category

Early 1900s British Sporting Art Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Silver Plate

Pedestal or column display stand, wooden, early 1900s
Located in MIlano, IT
Pedestal or column display stand made of wood with finish the shaped relief, with repeated pattern, irregular cross-section and not round, although the support base and top are round...
Category

Early 1900s Italian Romantic Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Wood

Scale Model Dropleaf Table Salesman Sample c. 1900
Located in Fraser, MI
Representational scale model drop-leaf table. Plank construction on hinges, turned legs. with plywood crossmembers, in cherrywood finish. One plywood crossmember is missing.
Category

Early 1900s Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Cherry

Antique Carved Fish Trophy of a Fochaber Salmon.
Located in Oxfordshire, GB
Carved Wye Salmon Trophy Fish. An excellent Fochaber's studio carved wooden cock salmon. The half block salmon has relief fins and is beautifully executed and painted to a high stand...
Category

Early 1900s British Sporting Art Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Pine

An oak tray from H.M.S. Cambridge
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
An oak tray from H.M.S. Cambridge, of rectangular form, the carrying handles with turned silver plated ends, decorated in cream on a green ground with a ribbon cartouche enclosing a ...
Category

Early 1900s European Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Oak

Vintage Child's Toy Tin Large Spinning Top by Chein Company, American, Ca. 1950
Located in Incline Village, NV
Highly colorful and completely operational hard to find LARGE tin child's toy spinning top made by the J. Chein Company, Harrison, New Jersey, Circa 1950. It works great and is in co...
Category

1950s American Folk Art Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Tin

Beautiful Walking Stick with 800 Silver Handle
Located in Berlin, DE
beautiful walking stick with 800 silver handle stable walking stick with long silver handle 800 stamp from Germany.
Category

Early 1900s Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Silver

Ships Engine Order Bridge Telegraph
Located in Norwell, MA
American ships bridge telegraph by Henschel of Amesbury Mass. The solid brass head has two faces with ships commands including ahead, astern, full, half, slow, stop, etc.. Highly pol...
Category

1950s North American Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Brass

1950s Ceramic Viking Chess Pieces 'One Piece Missing'
Located in Tarrytown, NY
1950s Ceramic hand painted Viking chess set. One piece missing.
Category

1950s Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Ceramic

Tin Toy Bread Box Doll House Kitchen Accessory Antique German Marklin, 1900s
By Märklin
Located in Nuernberg, DE
This rare antique dollhouse miniature is for sale. This was purchased at an exceptional collectors Estate Sale Vienna, Austria, but this beautiful piece originally comes from Germany. This is a rare enameled metal dollhouse lunch box or bread box made by Marklin in Germany. This is in very good condition with minor loss of enamel and is designed to fit in a larger dolls house or kitchen. Translated, the script means “give us this day...
Category

Early 1900s German Art Nouveau Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal

Mini Soviet Encyclopedia, Volume 1: A-Bukovina - Vintage Book from USSR, 1J151
Located in Bordeaux, FR
Step into the captivating world of vintage knowledge with this remarkable tome, "Mini Soviet Encyclopedia, Volume 1: A-Bukovina." This hardcover encyclopedia, sourced from the USSR a...
Category

1950s Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Architectural Cork Model of an English Church by Cornelius Daniel Ward
Located in Benington, Herts
A Spectacular Masterpiece of Cork Modelling-a Scale Architectural Model of an English Church by Cornelius Daniel Ward of Norwich. English Circa 1900-1930 Provenance Made by Corneli...
Category

Early 1900s English Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Cork

Globe Cigarette Dispenser with Music Playing Globe Lighter, Brass, Germany, 1950
Located in Vienna, AT
Globe cigarette dispenser with music playing globe lighter, brass, Germany, 1950s.
Category

1950s Vintage 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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