Collectibles and Curiosities
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Collectibles and Curiosities For Sale
Period: 19th Century
Period: Early 1900s
Set of 11 19th Century Bois Durci Portrait Roundels
Located in London, GB
Set of 11 19th century Bois Durci portrait roundels
French, 19th Century
Largest: Height 1.5cm, diameter 15.5cm
Smallest: Height 1cm, diameter 11.5cm
This set of 11 panels depicts ...
Category
19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Other
19th Century Dutch silver watch key and wax seal stamp
Located in Delft, NL
19th Century Dutch silver watch key and wax seal stamp
A Dutch wax seal stamp with initials (AH) in a trumpet shape with a watch key at the end. These wax seal stamps were worn on a...
Category
Early 19th Century Dutch Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Silver
Monumental Gilded Iron and Brass Italian Apothecary Scale on Marble Base
Located in New York, NY
This magnificent 19th-century Italian apothecary scale, with dimensions of 27" x 43" x 44", is a testament to the era's exceptional craftsmanship and aesthetic sensibilities. Crafted...
Category
19th Century Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Marble, Bronze, Iron
Oil on Tin Retablo Our Lady Refugio of Sinners or Madonna and Child
Located in Dallas, TX
Oil on tin retablo nuetra señora del refugio ( Mary Refuge of Sinners ) or madonna and child, She is crowned and is holding baby christ, who is also crowned she is wearing blue and o...
Category
19th Century Mexican Baroque Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Tin
Pair of rare Antler Parlor Chairs, France ca. 1860
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Pair of rare Antler Parlor Chairs, France ca. 1860
These two very rare antler parlor chairs are made of stag antlers with feet carved as lions claws. Made in France, ca. 1860 - the ...
Category
Mid-19th Century German Black Forest Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Antler, Wood
1900 The Grey Fairy Book
By Andrew Lang
Located in Bath, GB
Andrew Lang's grey collection of fairy tales, a lovely volume of his popular series, complete with H. J. Ford's plates.
The first edition, first impression.
Illustrated with a fron...
Category
Early 1900s British Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
SMOLLETT, Tobias. The Works Of Tobias Smollett. (12 VOLUMES - 1899
Located in Hillsborough, NJ
AUTHOR: SMOLLETT, Tobias.
TITLE: The Works Of Tobias Smollett.
PUBLISHER: NY: Chas. Scribner's Sons, 1899.
DESCRIPTION: 12 vols., 8-13/16" x 6-1/8", frontis in each volume, bound...
Category
1890s British Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Leather
Italian 19th Century Neoclassical Style Ormolu and Marble Columns w/ Orb Finials
Located in Savannah, GA
This outstanding and high quality pair of Italian 19th century Neo-Classical style Grand Tour period columns feature embossed gilded ormolu and orb finials atop.
They are raised by ...
Category
1820s Italian Grand Tour Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Marble, Brass, Ormolu
Antique Decorative Coloured Map of North America, 1882
Located in Langweer, NL
This original antique map of North America is from the Blackie & Son Atlas published in 1882. Here are several points of interest about this map:
1. **Political Borders**: The map l...
Category
1880s Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Gothic Revival Drinks Cabinet w Church Window Panels and Angel sculptures
Located in Lisse, NL
Another piece of Gothic Art furniture. This time with a special feature.
This handcrafted Gothic Revival cabinet or credenza with drawer from the late 19th century is actually made ...
Category
19th Century German Gothic Revival Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Wrought Iron
A pair of ostrich eggs with their turned solid oak bases, France XIXth century
Located in SOTTEVILLE-LÈS-ROUEN, FR
A pair of emptied ostrich eggs with their turned solid oak bases, dating back to the 19th century and originating from a cabinet of curiosities,
Ostrich eggs are particularly impres...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Ostrich Eggshell, Oak
Plaster Altar Angels, 19th Century
Located in Savannah, GA
A pair of polychromed plaster altar angels, France or Belgium, late 19th century.
11 inches wide by 10 inches deep by 20 ¼ inches tall
Category
Late 19th Century Belgian Baroque Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Gesso, Wood, Paint
A Very Good 19th Century Hand Painted Mexican Retablo Dated 1884
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
The naïve, hand painted vignette depicts a woman praying to the images of Saint Anthony holding The Christ Child, together with The Holy Mother, all shown hovering above a group of t...
Category
Late 19th Century Mexican Folk Art Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Tin
Solid Brass Ship Captains Telescope
Located in Norwell, MA
Ships spyglass telescope appropriate for use on a yacht, ship, or anywhere with a view. This has been meticulously polished and lacquered. We just restored a great collection of thes...
Category
1870s European Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Brass
Antique Scottish Silver And Agate Bracelet. Late 19th Century
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Lovely piece of Scottish silver and agate
5 large pieces of agate
Finely engraved silver mounts
Good condition
Free shipping
Category
1880s Scottish Victorian Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Agate, Silver
Special tobacco tin, box, cigars, ceramic, smoking accessory, 1890, Art Nouveau
Located in Wien, AT
A really special tobacco tin, made from ceramic around 1890 - 1900, an early Art Nouveau piece.
The special feature of the tobacco box is the age of the object and also the extraord...
Category
1890s European Art Nouveau Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Ceramic
The Works Of Alexander Pope. 10 VOLUMES - NEW EDITION - 1871 - IN FULL TAN CALF
Located in Hillsborough, NJ
AUTHOR: POPE, Alexander.
TITLE: The Works Of Alexander Pope. Includes Several Hundred Unpublished Letters, and Other New Materials.
PUBLISHER: London: John Murray, 1871.
DESCRIPT...
Category
1870s British Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Leather
1865 "Johnson's Missouri and Kansas" Map by Johnson and Ward
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
Presented is an original 1865 "Johnson's Missouri and Kansas” map. This map was issued as pages 59 and 60 in the 1865 edition of “Johnson's New Illustrated ...
Category
Mid-19th Century Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
1865 "Johnson's California, Utah, Nevada, Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona" Map
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
Presented is an original 1865 "Johnson's California, with Territories of Utah, Nevada, Colorado, New Mexico, and Arizona” map. First published in 1864, thi...
Category
Mid-19th Century Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Memoirs of General William T. Sherman, First Edition, Two-Volume Set, 1875
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
Sherman, William T. Memoirs of General W. T. Sherman, Written By Himself. New York: D. Appleton and Company, 1875. First edition. In two volumes. Rebound in quarter blue leather and cloth boards, with raised bands, gilt tooling, and gilt titles to the spine, new marbled endpapers. New custom archival cloth slipcase with Sherman portrait inlay.
Presented is a first edition printing of The Memoirs of General W. T. Sherman. This two volume book set was published by D. Appleton and Company, in New York, in 1875. It is presented here, rebound in striking quarter blue leather and cloth boards, with raised bands, gilt tooling, and gilt titles to the spine, new marbled endpapers, and a custom archival cloth slipcase to fit both books.
Ten years after the end of the Civil War, Sherman became the first General to publish his memoirs of that period. He began writing his account in 1872 and the two volumes were published by D. Appleton and Company in the spring of 1875. According to the publisher’s prospectus, the two volume set was originally offered in four different bindings, including fine blue cloth, green cloth, full sheepskin, and half blue moroccan leath.
Sherman explains his motivations for writing in the preface of Volume I: “Nearly ten years have passed since the close of the civil war in America, and yet no satisfactory history thereof is accessible to the public;…. What is now offered is not designed as a history of the war, or even as a complete account of all the incidents in which the writer bore a part, but merely his recollection of events, corrected by a reference to his own memoranda, which may assist the future historian when he comes to describe the whole, and account for the motives and reasons which influenced some of the actors in the grand drama of war.”
His two volume account touches briefly on his early life, including his time at West Point, his life in and out of the army in Florida, California, New York, Kansas, and Louisiana. Yet the bulk of the writing is focused on the Civil War. “Written with the propulsive energy and intelligence that marked his campaigns” his memoir provides firsthand accounts of Shiloh, Vicksburg, Chattanooga, the infamous Atlanta campaign, and his march to the sea through Georgia and the Carolinas.
The memoir describes striking incidents and anecdotes and collects dozens of his incisive and often outspoken wartime orders and reports. Throughout it all, Sherman is quite frank in describing the rights and wrongs of the campaigns he saw, writing without much concern for the feelings or experiences of others. This complex self-portrait of an innovative and relentless American general provides for a vivid read and an exceptional Civil War account.
CONDITION:
Good condition. First edition. In two volumes. Beautifully restored and rebound. Quarter blue leather and cloth boards, with raised bands, gilt tooling, and gilt titles to the spine, new marbled endpapers. Paper is okay to good, with toning as to be expected. Scattered spots and smudges. Inscribed twice by previous owner, inscription on the top of the Note page of Vol I and on the full title page of Vol II. Large "Military Map...
Category
1870s American Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Leather, Paper
Antique Old Map of Africa with Insets of Mauritius, Reunion and Natal, 1882
Located in Langweer, NL
The uploaded image is a historical map of Africa from the 1882 atlas by Blackie & Son. The map includes the entire African continent, with various countries, regions, and topographic...
Category
1880s Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Original Antique Map of The United States of America, circa 1890
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Great map of the USA
By The Stanford's Geographical Establishment
Original colour
Unframed.
Category
1890s English Victorian Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Brass nautical magnetic compass, signed Sestrel London circa 1870
Located in Milan, IT
Brass nautical magnetic compass, signed Sestrel London from the second half of the 19th century and housed in its original wooden box with slot lid, fitted with pins and handle bras...
Category
1870s Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Brass
Antique Needlework Encyclopaedia, English, Embroidery, Pattern Guide, Circa 1900
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a small antique needlework encyclopaedia. An English language, embroidery technique and pattern guide, dating to the late Victorian period, circa 1900.
Beginning in the Als...
Category
Late 19th Century British Late Victorian Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
"On the March to the Sea" Print by Alexander Hay Ritchie, after F.O.C Darley
By Alexander Hay Ritchie
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
This color print of On The March to the Sea by Felix O.C. Darley, and engraved by A.H. Ritchie, is a stunning portrayal of William T. Sherman’s notorious Georgia Campaign. Originally...
Category
1860s American Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Barnabae Itenerarium, or Barnabee's Journal. 1820 - 2 vols - BOUND BY DE COVERLY
Located in Hillsborough, NJ
AUTHOR: BRATHWAIT, Richard (Joseph Haslewood - editor).
TITLE: Barnabae Itenerarium, or Barnabee's Journal.
PUBLISHER: London: Np, 1820.
DESCRIPTION: 2 vols., l6mo, 5-1/8" - 4-1/...
Category
1820s British Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Leather
Antique French Art Nouveau Copper & Brass Cross Crucifix
Located in New Orleans, LA
Antique French Art Nouveau copper and brass alter cross with silver tone Jesus and sacred heart.
Category
Early 1900s French Art Nouveau Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Brass, Copper, Spelter
Curaçao map - C. van Baarsel en zoon
Located in UTRECHT, UT
“Kaart van het eiland Curaçao.”, “Algemeene kaart der Caraïbische eilanden”, “Plan van het fort Amsterdam op Curaçao” from the atlas “Atlas der overzeesche bezittingen van Zijne Maje...
Category
1810s Dutch Other Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Child Jesus Bust
Located in San Pedro Garza Garcia, Nuevo Leon
We don't know much about it but we acquired it from a certified antiques dealer, apparently it could have been in a church fire because of the burn on the back of its neck. Through t...
Category
19th Century Mexican Spanish Colonial Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Marble, Metal
MAHON, Lord. The Letters Of Philip Dormer Stanhope. 5 vols. 1892 IN FULL LEATHER
Located in Hillsborough, NJ
AUTHOR: MAHON, Lord.
TITLE: The Letters Of Philip Dormer Stanhope, Earl Of Chesterfield; Including Numerous Letters Now First Published From The Original Manuscripts.
PUBLISHER: L...
Category
1890s British Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Leather
Antique Map of The United States of North America, Pacific States, 1882
Located in Langweer, NL
The map is from the same 1882 Blackie Atlas and focuses on the Pacific States of the United States of America during that period. Here are some details and historical context about t...
Category
1880s Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Jaques London Victorian Faux Book Chessboard Staunton Pieces & Hardwood Clock
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning original Victorian Antique Jaques of London faux leather folding book chessboard with the original Staunton Chess set dating to circa 1880, a travel chess set in the form of checkers pieces and lastly a Jacques of London Rosewood Chess clock...
Category
1880s English High Victorian Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Leather, Hardwood, Boxwood
1911 Baedekers Guide to Switzerland
Located in Seguin, TX
Baedeker's Switzerland. Handbook for travelers by Karl Baedeker. Published by Baedeker, Leipzig, 1911. Since the 1830's Baedeker set the standard for authoritative pocket guidebooks ...
Category
Late 19th Century German Grand Tour Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Terrestrial globe published by Ernst Schotte & co, Germany 1890.
Located in Milan, IT
Terrestrial globe in watercolored paper, fixed with an inclined axis through a small brass arm, mounted on a black turned fruit wood base. Published by Ernst Schotte & Co. Berlin, Ge...
Category
Late 19th Century German Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Brass
Small Japanese Altar Table
Located in Tampa, FL
A turn of the century small Japanese black lacquer and gold gilt alter table with flared legs. in very good condition for the age and even the bottom is trimmed with gold.
Category
Early 1900s Jordanian Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Wood, Lacquer
Antique English Victorian Golden Oak and Brass Gong, Circa 1880-1890.
Located in New Orleans, LA
Small Antique English Victorian Golden Oak and Brass Gong, Circa 1880-1890.
Category
Late 19th Century English Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Brass
A rare and large church stoup in the shape of a shell. France 19th century.
Located in SOTTEVILLE-LÈS-ROUEN, FR
This unique and substantial church entrance stoup is expertly crafted in the elegant shape of a shell, originating from a historic 19th-century French church. Constructed from durab...
Category
Late 19th Century French Gothic Revival Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Steel
French Restauration Period Cast Brass Double Scale & Weights, ca. 1825
Located in Atlanta, GA
In complete and original condition and retaining bright patina this set of scales has a main scale and a smaller upper scale, both supported by dolphin forms hanging on a reeded stan...
Category
1820s French Restauration Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Brass
England 1900 Victorian Army Officer Travel Chest In Leather And Bronze
Located in Miami, FL
A military officer chest.
Exceptional square British military officer's travel trunk chest, from the late Victorian era, circa 1900. It was superbly rebuilt and refurbished in beaut...
Category
Early 1900s English Victorian Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Brass, Bronze
Antique 19thC Victorian Solid Silver & Enamel 'The Four Vices' Ashtray c.1898
Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Antique late 19th Century Victorian solid silver & enamel ashtray depicting 'the four vices', Of round shape, pierced and beaded boarder, mounted with plaques depicting a woman, drin...
Category
1890s English Victorian Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Silver
19th Century Sioux Quilled Knife Sheath
Located in Coeur d'Alene, ID
Quilled knife sheath with quilled drops, tin cones with yellow horsehair. With original collection tag. A very rare piece in this condition. Original tag reads "Knife sheath I bought from Mr. Corelson Marsh 1st - 1890 Pd 60 cts. Worth 2.00. Mr. Robb sent Me C. (Post - Trade form Ft Bennet Dakota. A valuable relic + very rare. Worked with colored porcupine quills. E Kaucher." Ex. Stalter Collection. Dr. Kenneth Stalter (1954-2012) grew up in Delaware County where he developed a lifelong interest in Native American tools...
Category
Mid-19th Century American Native American Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Hide
Round section brass telescope with slightly splayed shape of 1870s
Located in Milan, IT
Round-section brass telescope with a slightly splayed shape and leather-covered handle, English manufacture in the second half of the 19th century Mass fire with two extensions. Maxi...
Category
1870s Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Brass
Antique Map Depicting Burma, Siam, Annam (Vietnam) and Japan, 1882
Located in Langweer, NL
The image shows two maps side by side from the 1882 atlas by Blackie & Son. On the left, the map is titled "BURMAH SIAM AND ANAM," while the one on the right is labeled "JAPAN."
**B...
Category
1880s Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Complete Works Of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. 11 vols. LARGE PAPER EDITION 1886
Located in Hillsborough, NJ
AUTHOR: LONGFELLOW, Henry Wadsworth.
TITLE: The Complete Works Of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.
PUBLISHER: Cambridge: The Riverside Press, 1886.
DESCRIPTION: LARGE PAPER EDITION. 1...
Category
1880s American Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Leather
Antique Decorative Coloured Map of South Africa and Madagascar, 1882
Located in Langweer, NL
The map of South Africa is from the Blackie & Son Atlas, published in 1882. This historical map is quite interesting for several reasons:
1. **Historical Period**: This map was crea...
Category
1880s Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Gothic Revival Extremely Detailed Gilt Brass & Bronze Church Altar Missal Stand
Located in Lisse, NL
Stunning 19th century Gothic church bible or missal stand with 'gemstones'.
This rare, late 1800s, gilt bronze bible stand has beautiful details and it is in remarkably good conditi...
Category
Late 19th Century European Gothic Revival Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Brass, Bronze, Gold Leaf
Large Grand Tour Bronze Model of the Place Vendôme, With Napoleon
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Large Grand Tour Bronze Model of the Place Vendôme, With Napoleon
France, circa 1870s
This exceptional Grand Tour bronze model of the Place Vendôme, dating back to the 1870s in France, is a magnificent tribute to history and artistry. Standing at an impressive height of 26 inches and mounted on a 6.75-inch square Belgian Black Marble base with a bronze fence...
Category
19th Century French Grand Tour Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Belgian Black Marble, Bronze
Antique Map of British North America, The Dominion of of Canada, 1882
Located in Langweer, NL
This map is titled "British North America, Dominion of Canada," from the 1882 Blackie Atlas. It features the geographical area that comprises modern-day Canada, with notable features...
Category
1880s Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Set of 8 Antique French Leather Binding Books for Decoration
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
A set of eight antique French books. These books can beautifully decorate your bookcase or office. The leather spines with gold print are in good ...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Leather, Paper
Ancient Italy: Regions and Rome in the Roman Empire, Published in 1880
Located in Langweer, NL
This print is an original detailed map titled "ITALIAE REGIONES I VII VIII IX XI," representing the regions of ancient Italy.
Key Features of the Print:
1. **Regional Demarcations...
Category
1880s Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Antique Jacob Strainer Violin, Bow & Case, 19th C
Located in Big Flats, NY
Antique Jacob Strainer Violin, Bow & Case, 19th C
Measures- 31''H x 11''W x 4.5''D
Category
19th Century Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Wood
Antique Decorative Coloured Map Egypt, Nubia, Abyssinia and more, 1882
Located in Langweer, NL
This image contains two maps, with the left one being labeled "Egypt" and the right one "Nubia, Abyssinia and the Adjacent Lands." These maps highlight the Nile Valley and surroundin...
Category
1880s Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Old Map of the Chinese Empire and Japan, 1882
Located in Langweer, NL
An original antique map titled "The Chinese Empire and Japan," dating from an 1882 atlas by Blackie & Son. It is a color map with geographical features such as mountain ranges, river...
Category
1880s Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Original Antique Coloured Map of Western Africa, Published in 1882
Located in Langweer, NL
This is a map of Western Africa from the 1882 Blackie & Son atlas. The map details the West African coast from the Sahara Desert in the north down to the Gulf of Guinea, including a ...
Category
1880s Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Antique Badminton Library Book, Fishing, Reference, English, Sporting Interest
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique Badminton Library Book. An English language, hard bound reference title on fishing by Henry Cholmondeley-Pennell, dating to the late Victorian period, circa 1890.
...
Category
Late 19th Century British Late Victorian Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
1880s Black Forest Deer Trophy Set on Turned Wooden Plaques
Located in Berghuelen, DE
1880s Black Forest Deer Trophy Set on Turned Wooden Plaques
A set of six antique Black Forest roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) trophies mounted on turned wooden plaques with a dark gr...
Category
Late 19th Century German Rustic Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Antler, Wood
French Louis Philippe Style Miniature Armoire or Wall Cabinet
Located in Winter Park, FL
A 19th century Century French Louis Philippe style miniature armoire or sample cabinet, hand-crafted of solid walnut with a mirrored door and dovetailed drawer. Interior has one adjustable shelf (replaced). Working lock and key. Chestnut as a secondary wood. Mirrored door with drawer below. All original and well constructed. May be used as a kitchen wall cabinet...
Category
Late 19th Century French Louis Philippe Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Mirror, Walnut
Five Antique Black Forest Deer Trophies on Wooden Plaques 1880s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Five Antique Black Forest Deer Trophies on Wooden Plaques 1880s
A set of five antique Black Forest roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) trophies mounted on turned wooden plaques with a da...
Category
Late 19th Century German Rustic Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Antler, Wood
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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