Collectibles and Curiosities
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Collectibles and Curiosities For Sale
Period: Mid-20th Century
Period: 19th Century
Antique Novel, A Legend of Montrose, Sir Walter Scott, English, Victorian Book
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique novel, A Legend of Montrose by Sir Walter Scott. An English, bound book of Scottish interest, dating to the Victorian period, published 1896.
A prominent Scottish author, Sir Walter Scott (1771 - 1832) is well known for the novels Rob Roy, Ivanhoe and The Heart of Midlothian, as well as narrative poems including The Lady of the Lake. A Legend of Montrose is set in 17th century...
Category
Late 19th Century British Victorian Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
19th Century Singer Sewing Machine
Located in San Antonio, TX
Transport yourself back in time with our exquisite 19th-century Singer Sewing Machine, discovered in France. Crafted with a sturdy cast iron base and an elegant oak frame, this vinta...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Iron
1935 Seven Pillars of Wisdom
By T. E. Lawrence
Located in Bath, GB
A superb copy of the first impression of of T. E. Lawrence's iconic autobiography, with the scarce Memorial pamphlet.
The first trade edition of this work, first impression.
In the...
Category
1930s British Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Antique Vintage Wooden Ebony Chinese Walking Stick Dress Cane Sterling Silver
Located in Dublin, Ireland
Fine Quality Chinese Polished Heavy Gauge Ebony Walking Cane Stick with Highly Decorative Embossed Silver Grip, made in China during the last quarter of the Nineteenth Century.
Th...
Category
Late 19th Century Chinese Victorian Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Sterling Silver
Chinese Jade Top Matchbox Holder, c. 1930
Located in Chicago, IL
With vintage charm and petite scale, this Chinese matchbox holder features an openwork jade lid carved to depict flowers and foliage in translucent green. The jade panel is removable...
Category
Early 19th Century Chinese Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Jade, Brass
Vintage Gold Dollar Cigarettes Advertising Sculpture 1950s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Vintage Gold Dollar Cigarettes Advertising Sculpture 1950s
This old BAT (British American Tobacco) advertising figure made of wood and plaster advertising the cigarette brand "Gold ...
Category
Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Wood
Miniature 19th Century Victorian Figured Mahogany Chest of Drawers
Located in Morristown, NJ
19th c. Charming antique miniature chest of drawers. The chest has a marble top. The case is figured mahogany, with four stacked drawers, the ...
Category
Mid-19th Century English Late Victorian Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Marble, Brass
Radiofonografo 'RR 126' Achille e Pier Giacomo Castiglioni per Brionvega 1960s
Located in Milano, IT
Iconico radiofonografo modello 'RR 126' disegnato dai fratelli Achille e Pier Giacomo Castiglioni e prodotto a partire dal 1965 da Brionvega. Corpo e casse in legno, supporto in fusi...
Category
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Aluminum
Off White Ceramic Sauceboat, circa 1940
Located in Barcelona, ES
Ceramic Sauceboat, Circa 1940.
by IT manufacturer, Spain.
Stamped to the underside
In original condition, with minor wear consistent with age and use, preserving a beautiful patina....
Category
1940s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Ceramic
19th century wooden gear wheel
Located in Vosselaar, BE
Sculptural Victorian industrial fragment. Made from solid wood with attention to detail. Interesting proportions and shape.
Category
19th Century Italian Victorian Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Wood
19th Century Horn & Brass Covered Trophy Cup Accessory
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Stunning 19th century horn and brass covered trophy cup having incredible details such as eagle at the base and cow on the lid.
Category
19th Century English Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Brass
1898-1899 The Works of Henry Fielding
Located in Bath, GB
A beautifully bound, limited edition of this complete set of twelve collected works of Henry Fielding, with an introduction by Edmund Gosse.
A Limited Edition set, one of only seven...
Category
1890s British Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
19th Century Pocket Telescope Gilt Brass And Faux Tortoiseshell Spyglass
Located in Norwich, GB
19th Century pocket telescope gilt brass and faux tortoiseshell spyglass, each friction fitting is tapering and collapsible with millegrain edges.
In good condition, showing some li...
Category
Mid-19th Century Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Brass
The Wandering Jew by Eugene Sue Complete Edition with Illustrations
Located in Dallas, TX
Presenting a rare first edition hardback copy of The Wandering Jew by Eugene Sue, Complete Edition IN ONE VOLUME with Illustrations by GAVARNI and GIRARDET, published by George Routl...
Category
Late 19th Century English Late Victorian Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
1882 The Works of Henry Fielding, Esq.
Located in Bath, GB
A limited edition ten-volume set of the works of Henry Fielding, edited with a biography by Leslie Stephen.
A ten-volume set in half morocco bindings. All edges gilt.
No. 92 of a t...
Category
1880s British Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Goldfinger
Located in London, GB
Original French Lobby card for the film Goldfinger. It was the third James Bond film and the third to star Sean Connery as the fictional MI6 agent Ja...
Category
1960s French Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
1957 The Fall
By Albert Camus
Located in Bath, GB
A superb copy of the first UK edition of this philosophical novel from French existentialist author, Albert Camus.
The first UK edition, first impression with no further impressions...
Category
1950s British Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Vintage Toy Wind-Up Speed Boat with Driver by Lindstrom Toy Co., American 1933
Located in Incline Village, NV
Vintage toy speed boat manufactured by the Lindstrom Toy Company of Bridgeport Connecticut, circa 1933 or earlier; the Lindstrom company having been founded in 1913, made quality tin...
Category
1930s American Folk Art Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Tin
Antique Mickey Mouse & Minnie Mouse Train Hand Car by Disney & Lionel Circa 1934
By Walt Disney
Located in Incline Village, NV
Vintage Mickey/ Minnie Mouse Toy Wind-Up pre-war handcar (train car) circa 1934; by The Lionel Train Company in collaboration with Walt Disney Enterprises. The wind-up toy car features Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse pumping alternatively, up and down as if moving the car across the tracks or floor. It actually works by winding up the car by the winding stem with the original vintage clockwork key. When wound, place down on the floor or on train tracks (O Gauge) and the handcar will move across the floor while a bell chimes (see video attached to listing). It is okay to simply leave the key on the stem.
The car is in original red hand paint with Mickey and Minnie in colors of black, white, green dress to Minnie; red outfit on Mickey; both have oversized original orange boots, while Minnie is sporting a wooden red hat. They both have their original tails. Both figures are 4 1/2" resin composition and in full paint, excellent coverage with very little paint lacking, if at all. All four legs are restored, which is the case with almost all examples. The car itself is metal and painted red with a gold manufacturing logo in the center stating "Mickey Mouse Handcar" copyright "Walt Disney"; "The Lionel Corporation, New York"; "Made in U.S. of America". "No. 1100".
Great working; great looking iconic cross collectible antique toy...
Category
1930s American Folk Art Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal
"FritzHansen-Furniture" Catalog, 1963
By Fritz Hansen
Located in New York, NY
Hardcover catalog of Fritz Hansen furniture featuring work by Arne Jacobsen, Borge Mogensen, Hans Wegner, Verner Panton, Kaare Klint, Karen and Ebbe Clemmensen, Kristian Vedel, Mogen...
Category
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Vintage Marx Fire Chief Friction Action Toy Sedan American, Circa 1930
By Marx Toy Co.
Located in Incline Village, NV
This original vintage friction activated toy sedan" Fire Chief" Car by The Marx Toy Company, circa 1930, is a difficult toy to find, especially in this variation, which I have not se...
Category
1930s American Folk Art Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Tin, Steel
Victorian Coromandel Games Compendium c1880
Located in Tunbridge Wells, GB
Heading : Victorian coromandel games compendium
Date : c1880
Period : Victoria
Origin : England
Decoration : Contains: Chess, Draughts and Backgammon board, all chess pieces mounted ...
Category
1880s British Victorian Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Wood
19th Century French Napoleon III Prie Dieu or Prayer Chair.
Located in Labrit, Landes
Prayer chair or Prie-Dieu of the period Napoleon III, French, 19th century
Exotic wood and velvet with golden braid. Can be recovered to suit your interior.
Good antique condition.
Category
Late 19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Upholstery, Wood
1966 I Go By Sea, I Go By Land
By P. L. Travers
Located in Bath, GB
An uncommon to see signed novel by P. L. Travers, a touching war novel inscribed by Travers.
The author's presentation copy, signed to the recto of the front endpaper, 'Mary Cadogan...
Category
1960s British Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Vintage Culinary Charm: Recipes Published in 1888 by Glasgow School of Cookery
Located in Langweer, NL
Title: **Superior Cookery Recipes**
Issued by: Glasgow School of Cookery
Printer: N. Adshead, Glasgow
Year of Publication: 1888
Size: Small 4to
Page Count: 64 pages
Printing Featu...
Category
1880s Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Antique English Brass Dinner Bell with Ebonized Handle.
Located in New Orleans, LA
Antique English Brass Dinner Bell with Ebonized Handle.
Category
Late 19th Century English Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Brass
1965 The Spectacle of Tokyo Olympics
Located in Bath, GB
A very scarce beautiful first edition volume commemorating the 1964 Tokyo Summer Olympics, vividly illustrated in colour and monochrome throughout.
A very scarce first edition.
In ...
Category
1960s Japanese Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
19th Century Egyptian Revival Style Singer Sewing Machine
Located in San Antonio, TX
Transform your space with a captivating piece of history – our 19th Century Egyptian Revival Style Singer Sewing Machine, discovered in France. Crafted with exquisite attention to de...
Category
1890s French Egyptian Revival Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Iron
Vintage Toy Wind-Up "Baby L" Speedboat by Lindstrom Toy Co., American Circa 1933
Located in Incline Village, NV
Vintage toy speed boat manufactured by the Lindstrom Toy Company of Bridgeport Connecticut, circa 1933 or earlier; the Lindstrom company having been founded in 1913, made quality tin...
Category
1930s American Folk Art Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Tin
Traditional Religious Plaster Figure: Virgin of Timeless Elegance
Located in Barcelona, ES
Behold the grace and elegance of this traditional religious plaster figure, depicting the Virgin with timeless beauty. Crafted in a traditional Catalan atelier in Olot, Spain, circa ...
Category
1950s Spanish Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Plaster
Antique Root Bowl, Wabi Sabi Style, Scandinavia 1800s
Located in Hønefoss, 30
Wooden Wabi Sabi Root bowl from Scandinavia, circa 1800s. In good vintage condition showing beautiful patina from age and use.
Category
19th Century Norwegian Romantic Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Wood
Baroque Style Hand Carved Wooden Crucifix with Stunning Bronze Corpus of Christ
Located in Lisse, NL
Crucifix from the mid-1800s with a carved shroud or veil depicting Christ in the base.
This unique and remarkable antique crucifix can both be used as a table and as a wall crucifix. Over the decades we have sold a number of unique and very well crafted crucifixes, but never one in the Baroque style with this combination of materials and techniques. The overall design and size is what stands out first, but the details and the materials are what make this antique work of religious art extraordinary. With four angels (or putti) watching over a sculpture of the Veil of Veronica, the relatively large base of this unique crucifix is a work of religious art in its own right. It is almost as if the cross is growing from this beautiful base and the cross itself too comes with a number of superbly hand carved details. To us, the most remarkable are the three stunning Baroque shells. With their symbolic meaning of birth and resurrection it is obvious why the artist / sculptor so tastefully incorporated them here. Apart from a minor 'lean' to the left, the cross itself too is in excellent condition. If one were to speak of a trinity in this crucifix then the unique base and cross are completed with an equally striking, solid bronze corpus of Christ...
Category
Mid-19th Century European Baroque Revival Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Bronze
19thc German Zinner&Sohn Musical Automaton Toy w Children & Organ Grinder Monkey
Located in Savannah, GA
This rare playful presentation features wonderful detailed faces, charming actions and whimsical music. Arranged on a faux bois paper covered wooden platform, a young organ grinder a...
Category
1890s German Late Victorian Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Porcelain, Fabric, Wood
Vintage Fuller's Calculator, English, Walnut Case, Scientific Instrument, C.1950
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a vintage Fuller's Calculator. An English, Bakelite and walnut cased scientific instrument by Stanley of London, dating to the mid 20th century, circa 1950.
Quality mathemat...
Category
Mid-20th Century British Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Bakelite, Walnut
Antique English Victorian Brass Desk Bell, Circa 1880-1890.
Located in New Orleans, LA
Antique English Victorian Brass Desk Bell, Circa 1880-1890.
Category
Late 19th Century English Victorian Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Brass
Seguso Murano submerged glass table lighter 1960s
Located in Catania, IT
Submerged Murano glass amber table lighter by Flavio Poli for Seguso. 1960s
in very good condition as pictured
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Murano Glass
Three Vintage Leather Gym Accessories, France 1930's
Located in East Hampton, NY
Whimsical leather ball weights (THREE AVAILABLE - sold individually) from France. Saddle leather ball with strap for lifting. Good vintage condition. Wear to leather. Cool object fo...
Category
1930s French Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Leather
Plaster Religious Baby Jesus Traditional Figure, circa 1950
Located in Barcelona, ES
Traditional religious plaster figure of a baby Jesus.
Embodied within this exquisite plaster figure, portraying the beloved infant Jesus, is a sacred aura of tradition.
Crafted in ...
Category
1950s Spanish Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Plaster
Breakfast at Tiffany's, Signed by Truman Capote, First Edition, 1958
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
Capote, Truman. Breakfast at Tiffany's: A short novel and three stories. New York: Random House, 1958. First edition, first issue printing. Signed by Truman Capote. In the original p...
Category
1950s American Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Moorish Persian Inlaid Micro Mosaic Backgammon and Chess Board
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Moroccan Moorish Persian Inlaid Micro Mosaic Backgammon and Chess Board.
Intricately inlaid handcrafted Moorish Persian backgammon and chess checker game box.
Handcrafted beautiful M...
Category
Mid-20th Century Turkish Moorish Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Fruitwood
1950s Spanish Metal Dog Toy with Ball
Located in Marbella, ES
1950s Spanish metal dog toy with ball.
Category
Mid-20th Century Spanish Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal
Demonstration Model Moped 60's Engine Tomos
Located in VUGHT, NL
Very exclusive and rare object for mancave, education or eye-catcher in an industrial interior.
Made from start in 1954 by Tovarna Motornih Vozil in Yugoslavia.
Originaly for the br...
Category
1960s Slovenian Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal
Pair Rouge Marble ‘Grand Tour’ Models of Ruins Celebrating the Corinthian Order
Located in New York, NY
A Large and Incredible Pair of Rouge Marble ‘Grand Tour’ Models of Ruins Celebrating the Corinthian Order, Most Probably Attributed To The Workshop Of Benedetto Boschetti. The fist ...
Category
1860s Italian Grand Tour Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Marble
Map of New Zealand Showing Maori Culture and Early Colonial Settlements, 1851
Located in Langweer, NL
John Tallis & Company were renowned for their ornate and detailed maps in the mid-19th century. Their works often featured elaborate borders, decorative motifs, and insets of vignett...
Category
1850s Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Antique English Brass Mounted Games Set Box Inset with Colorful Enamels, Ca 1890
Located in New Orleans, LA
Antique English Brass Mounted "Games Set" Box Inset with Colorful Enamels, Circa 1890's.
Category
Late 19th Century English Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Enamel, Brass
Charlotte’s Web by E. B. White First Edition, First Printing, 1952
Located in Southbury, CT
This exceedingly rare hardcover first edition, first printing of E.B. White's timeless classic, "Charlotte's Web" is a literary classic and trophy for the book collector.
The book ...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
An Ornate and Historical Tallis Map of Jamaica with Decorative Vignettes, 1851
Located in Langweer, NL
This original antique map of Jamaica is part of the renowned series created by the Tallis Company, known for their detailed and decorative maps ...
Category
1850s Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Louis Kuppenheim 1930 Germany Art Deco Set of Case & Vesta Box In .900 Silver
Located in Miami, FL
Art deco set of case and vesta matches box by Louis Kuppenheim.
A beautiful set comprising of a case for cigarettes and a vesta box for matches. This suite was created in Germany du...
Category
1930s German Art Deco Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Lapis Lazuli, Silver, Sterling Silver
Ornate Cartography of Colonial Grandeur: The West India Islands around 1851
Located in Langweer, NL
This map is a part of John Tallis's series of maps, known for their detailed and ornamental style. John Tallis & Company, mentioned in the caption, was an English cartographic publisher active during the 19th century. The company was renowned for its detailed maps of countries and regions around the world, often including intricate border decorations, vignettes, and historically informative illustrations.
The map itself is a mid-19th-century depiction of the West Indies, which is a region of the North Atlantic Ocean in the Caribbean that consists of the island countries and surrounding waters of three major archipelagos: the Greater Antilles, the Lesser Antilles, and the Lucayan Archipelago. The detail on the map is quite accurate for its time, showing not only the geography but also marking important cities and ports, which would have been vital information during the era of British colonialism.
Robert Montgomery Martin, whose work is cited here, was a British author and colonial administrator, and his writings included comprehensive descriptions of the British colonies during the peak of the British Empire. His work was often used as the textual accompaniment to the maps produced by John Tallis.
The Tallis maps are characterized by their vignettes that illustrate local scenes, notable features, or important figures, which can be seen in the margins of the map. These vignettes are valuable for giving cultural and social context to the geographical information presented. It's not just a map but a piece of historical documentation that reflects the interests and perspectives of the British during the time it was made. The presence of these artistic elements makes Tallis maps not just navigational tools but also historical artifacts and works of art.
The map includes islands such as Cuba, Jamaica, Hispaniola (containing Haiti and the Dominican Republic), Puerto Rico, and various smaller islands of the Lesser Antilles, amongst others. The economic, geopolitical, and social conditions of these countries during the era when this map was made were heavily influenced by colonial powers, primarily by the empires of Europe, including the British Empire.
The screenshots from the map show various detailed sections of the West India Islands and surrounding areas, which include artistic elements and cartographic details typical of John Tallis maps...
Category
1850s Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Vintage Bavarian Traditional Costume Jewelry Charivari with Hunting Pendants
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Vintage Bavarian Traditional Costume Jewelry Charivari with Hunting Pendants
A Bavarian Charivari from the middle of the 20th century. A beautiful pie...
Category
Mid-20th Century German Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal, Silver
A Tallis Map of British Guiana with Colonial Vignettes and Other Landmarks, 1851
Located in Langweer, NL
This Tallis map of British Guiana (now known as Guyana) is a richly decorated document, much like other maps from the esteemed cartographic publisher John Tallis & Company. The firm,...
Category
1850s Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Unique and Quality Carved Gothic Revival Oak Church Stool Seat, 19th Century
Located in Lisse, NL
Antique, stunning and practical Gothic stool with a seat pillow with tassels.
This striking and perfect size Gothic stool is as stable as the day it was handmade & hand-carved and the woodwork is in excellent condition. All handcrafted out of solid oak only this stool is decorated all around with a variety of fine quality carved Gothic motifs. At the center of these decorations is ofcourse the Gothic trefoil symbol for the trinity (both on the front and back). This fine antique also has a beautiful patina and it radiates nothing but quality, stability and durability. The pillow with its warm color and great look and feel is the perfect finish to this unique, stylish and highly decorative stool. It can be used for all kinds of purposes and placed in all kinds of living spaces. The stool itself is pretty much in perfect condition and the replacement cushion has some minor wear (consistent with age and use). This Gothic church stool...
Category
Late 19th Century Dutch Gothic Revival Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Velvet, Oak, Fabric
Antique Large Cloisonné Enamel Wall Crucifix with Font
Located in London, GB
Antique large cloisonné enamel wall crucifix with font
French, Late 19th Century
Height 57cm, width 33cm, depth 7cm
This superb decorative cross is designed to hang on a wall, ena...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Enamel
19th Century Illustrated Map of Ceylon (Sri Lanka) with Notable Landmarks
Located in Langweer, NL
John Tallis & Company is known for producing maps and atlases that were highly regarded for their accurate cartographic detail and their distinctive style. They often included ornate...
Category
1850s Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
19th Century National Whaling Bank Check
Located in Nantucket, MA
Rare 19th Century Bank Check Drawn on the "National Whaling Bank" of New London, Connecticut, written on 23 December and deposited and cancelled on 5 January 1872. The check is adorn...
Category
1870s American Victorian Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Two 19th Century Bisque + Porcelain Dolls
Located in San Francisco, CA
Two 19th Century Bisque + Porcelain Dolls
One signed Lathrop on back of shoulders
5.5"W x 3"D x 16"H
Small doll: 4"W x 2"D x 11.5"H
Category
19th Century Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Porcelain
Map of Independent Tartary with Vignettes of the Region's Culture, 1851
Located in Langweer, NL
The map of Independent Tartary is part of the collection by John Tallis & Company, which were unique for their elaborate decorative elements and detailed illustrations.
**The Maker ...
Category
1850s Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Penny machines "Chad" Oliver Whales collection - Ruffler & Walker Collection
By Ruffler & Walker
Located in Brussels , BE
Very original piece of decor
Category
1950s English Mid-Century Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
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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