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Collectibles and Curiosities For Sale
Period: 20th Century
Period: 18th Century
Beatrice Wood Signed Book Exhibition Catalog Intimate Appeal The Figurative Art
Located in Studio City, CA
A wonderful and rare signed softcover book/exhibition catalog by Beatrice Wood. The book is titled "Intimate Appeal: The Figurative Art of Beatrice Wood" and was released to coincid...
Category

1980s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Vintage Cartier Silk Scarf backed in Linen Pillow Sapphire Blue Antique Gold
Located in Belfast, Northern Ireland
Katie Larmour Studio is the original vintage scarf pillow maker. Gaining notability for her unique idea and creations back in 2013 - featured in the likes of the Financial Times, and first selling here on 1stdibs in 2016 - our creations are of the absolute top most quality, craftsmanship and finesse. Thank-you for looking. Title: Vintage Cartier Silk Scarf...
Category

Late 20th Century French Baroque Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Linen, Silk

1933 - A Century of Progress - Chicago Worlds Fair Solid Etched Copper Tray
By Raymond Hood 1
Located in St. Louis, MO
1933 - A Century of Progress - Chicago Worlds Fair solid etched copper souvenir tray, unusual version with handles. The Century of Progress International Exposition, also known as...
Category

1930s American Art Deco Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Copper

[1st ed] Teenage Lust (Signed)
Located in New York, NY
First edition of Larry Clark’s iconic second book of photographs (following 1971’s Tulsa) documenting and immortalizing a debauched adolescent subculture. Self-published in 1983. Con...
Category

1980s American Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Pink Floyd Original Uncut Printer's Progressive Proof Concert Poster, 1977
Located in Devon, GB
An extremely rare uncut progressive printer's proof concert poster for a performance by Pink Floyd at the Oakland Coliseum in California on 9-10th May 1977 during their 'In The Flesh...
Category

1970s American Post-Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

20 Vols. R.L.Stevenson. The Works
Located in New York, NY
20 Volumes.Robert L. Stevenson. The Works. "Pentland Edition" With Bibliographical notes by Edmund Gosse. Bound in full red morocco, marbled endpapers, top edges gilt, raised bands, ...
Category

Early 20th Century English Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Leather

Vintage MCM Domino Set in Wooden Box
Located in San Diego, CA
A very cool MCM domino set in lidded wooden box, circa 1970's. The set is in very good condition, includes 28 dominoes and measures 3.5"W x 9"D x 3"H. #4300
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Plastic, Wood

Antique Terrestrial Globe Published in 1940s by Girard Barrère et Thomas, Paris
Located in Milan, IT
Terrestrial globe published in the 1940s by Girard Barrère et Thomas 17, Rue de Buci Paris. Turned wooden base, papier mâché sphere covered with paper printed by engraving on copper ...
Category

1940s French Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Wood, Paper

Antique Taxidermy Peasant Stand, Decoration Object Pheasant Mounts Home Decor
Located in Wembley, GB
A large artistically created birds for table decor, taxidermy pheasant. This figure is Classic Hollywood Regency! They are each unique from one another, with slightly different positions and physical characteristics. Its is very well-weighted and well-balanced piece, beautifully crafted with rare bread of colourful pheasant. The spirit of this bird is a great problem-solver and can invent a way for any of your troubles. Native American lore states that the pheasant symbolises protection and concealment because the bird spends most of the time squatted down in the grass. The presence of a pheasant at your home is, therefore, symbolic of protection from evil eye and power This superb Ringneck Pheasant specimen comes from a Taxidermy collection...
Category

1920s Danish Hollywood Regency Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Animal Skin, Feathers

Mannequin of a Young Girl in Black Dress, Shop Display, 1950s
Located in Antwerp, BE
Original shop window display child mannequin for primary school clothing, she wears a black dress as an example for children's uniforms from the 1950s.
Category

1950s Belgian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Plaster, Wood, Paint

Alfred Dunhill Silver Plated Rollagas Cigarette Lighter
Located in Reading, Berkshire
Alfred Dunhill Silver Plated Rollagas Cigarette Lighter With Original Box, and leather soft case Stamped Dunhill & Swiss Made on Lighter Base The Rollagas lighter is a dunhill...
Category

Late 20th Century Swiss Art Deco Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Silver Plate

Ellsworth Kelly Exhibition Catalog Book New York, 1973
Located in New York, NY
An Ellsworth Kelly exhibition catalog book from the Museum of Modern Art, New York, New York, 1973. Exhibition covers the Army, Boston, Pari...
Category

1970s American Minimalist Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Mid-Century Vintage Leather Gymnastics Mat or Headboard
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Large natural leather gym mat with beautiful patina and wear, including staining, small cuts, scratching, tic tac toe game and names scratched into leather. Can be used as headboard ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Dutch Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Leather, Wood

Softwatch: 1990 Leather and Gilt Metal Quartz Wristwatch by Exaequo, Hong Kong
Located in North Miami, FL
Softwatch: 1990s leather and gilt melting metal quartz wristwatch by Exaequo, Hong Kong, based on “The Persistence of Memory” by Salvador Dalí By: Exaequo, Salvador Dalí (in the sty...
Category

1990s Hong Kong Post-Modern Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Crystal, Quartz, Metal

John Keats – Lamia, Isabella, The Eve of Saint Agners & Other Poems
Located in Middletown, NY
GOLDEN COCKEREL PRESS / Keats, John Lamia, Isabella, The Eve of Saint Agners & Other Poems; with Engravings by Robert Gibbins Waltham St.Lawrence: Golden Cockerel Press, 1928. Limited Edition. Quarto, 12 x 7 1/2 inches (305 x 190mm); pp. 104; with nineteen wood-engravings by Robert Gibbings (1889-1958); copy 178 of 345 copies printed Batchelor hand-made paper, special Cockerel watermark; red ink on title page, red and blue ink for incidental initials by Eric Gill and David Jones's colophon device; 1/4 brown sharkskin and green cloth by Sangorski & Sutcliffe, London; gilt titling; top edge gilt, others uncut; slight staining to head of spine, clean, fresh, and bright inside and out. [Chanticleer 62; Ransom p. 298, no. 60]. An elegant and beautifully proportioned and illustrated version of John Keat's (1795-1825) famous poems, which constitute the final volume Keats lived to see, published in July 1820. From the Oxford text edited by H. Buxton Forman. Robert Gibbings (1889-1958) was and Irish wood...
Category

Early 20th Century English Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Gold Leaf

Florence City Tower Souvenir Building Architectural Model vintage Italy 1930
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A decorative building sculpture as a souvenir. Some wear with a nice patina, but this is due to age. Made of metal. This item was purchased as a souvenir at a Grand Tour in Europe an...
Category

1930s Italian Art Nouveau Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal

Braun SK 61 Record Player by Hans Hugelot and Dieter Rams
By Hans Hugelot, Dieter Rams, Braun
Located in Vienna, AT
Radio-phono combination Braun SK 61. Design in Germany in 1962 by Hans Gugelot, Dieter Rams with the collaboration of Otl Aicher (transmitter scale), for M...
Category

1960s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Steel

Vintage Gloster Meteor F4 Airplane Model with Postcard
Located in San Diego, CA
A very cool vintage Gloster Meteor F4 Airplane Model with desk model with black and white postcard, circa 1960s. The model is in very good condition and measures 9.5" wingspan x 8.5...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal

Mid Century Gold Ring with Cabochon Cut Agate Carnelian
Located in Wommelgem, VAN
Mid century 14K yellow and white gold ring statement ring Large cabochon carnelian stone condition very good Marked 14K Gold Origin: Netherlands Hallmarked Size 17.5 Very good condition
Category

1950s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Gold

America's Painted Ladies
Located in Bradenton, FL
America's Painted Ladies, the ultimate celebration of our Victorians, by Elizabeth Pomada and Michael Larsen, photographs by Douglas Keister. Softcover book, published in 1994 by Pen...
Category

1990s Victorian Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Cartier High Jewelry Coffee Table Book by Hans Nadelhoffer
Located in New York, NY
A hard-cover Cartier high jewelry coffee table book by Hans Nadelhoffer, 1984. Book showcases royal and high jewelry, timepieces, and precious o...
Category

Late 20th Century English Art Deco Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Bicycle Model Midcentury Design "Itera" Plastic for Volvo, Sweden
By Volvo
Located in Antwerp, BE
In the current period where the bicycle is undergoing major development and provides a sporty displacement is this very original green rare designed Volvo seventies bike a really collector's item. In response to the 1974 oil crisis, a small group of Swedish engineers obtained government funding to develop a bicycle completely composed of fiber-reinforced composite plastics (FRP). By 1980, the Itera Development Center AB was designing, producing, and marketing injection molded plastic bicycles to a seemingly interested market. The first bicycles were delivered in 1982, the problems with quality assurance and design began stacking up against the company.This bike is in a Vintage original condition. The Itera bicycle...
Category

1980s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal, Chrome

Sputnik Space Age Table Weather Station, Relative Hygrometer, West Germany, 60s
Located in Antwerp, BE
Midcentury Modern Space Age Weather station made by Huger in the 60s, consisting of a thermometer, hygrometer and barometer made in West Germany the weather station is made of a chro...
Category

1960s German Space Age Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Steel, Chrome

Antique Early Romanesque Gothic Architectural Tabernacle Niche Door
Located in Forney, TX
A scarce antique ecclesiastical architectural hand carved and painted wooden church - cathederal tabernacle door. 18th century or earlier, early Medieval European Romanesque Gothic style, facade with elaborate arched header atop partial quartfoil, hinged tabernacle door panel which would have opened to important religious niche...
Category

18th Century European Gothic Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Wood

Vintage African Cape Buffalo Skull European Mount on Wooden Plaque Taxidermy
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage African Cape Buffalo Skull European Mount on Wooden Plaque Taxidermy. Circa Late 20th Century. Measurements (Overall): 27" H x 36" W x 13" D. Each antler approx. 19" Long. No...
Category

Late 20th Century Unknown Rustic Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Horn

Vintage model of a Ferrari Hydroplane 1954 50cm 20th Century
Located in London, GB
This is a superb Vintage model of a Ferrari Hydroplane from 1954. Ferrari motor cars are adored on all corners of the globe and are seen as the ultimate status symbol for the rich a...
Category

1950s Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Other

Antique 1930's Gretsch Arch Top Acoustic Guitar
Located in New Milford, CT
**Antique 1930s Gretsch 150 Archtop Acoustic Guitar – Vintage Elegance with Timeless Tone** Step into the golden age of American craftsmanship with this stunning antique 1930s Grets...
Category

1930s American American Classical Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Maple, Rosewood

Small Endearments, 19th Century Quilts for Children, Signed
By Sandi Fox
Located in valatie, NY
Small Endearments, 19th century quilts for children by Sandi Fox. New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1985. Signed and inscribed hardcover with dust jacket. 164 pp. An overview of the...
Category

20th Century American Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Beautiful Vintage Mounted Oryx Antelope Gemsbok Taxidermy
Located in Poperinge, BE
Beautiful and very impressive mounted oryx antelope bust with glass eyes and removable horns, better known as the gemsbok or oryx gazella, iconic antelope that mainly occurs in South...
Category

Late 20th Century European Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Animal Skin, Wood

1975 Williams Triple Strike Pinball Machine
Located in Pasadena, CA
If you're a fan of vintage pinball machines, the 1975 Williams Triple Strike is a true classic that delivers a nostalgic arcade experience wit...
Category

20th Century American Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal

1792 Hand-Colored Plan of St. Petersburg and Moscow in Russia
Located in Langweer, NL
Title: 1792 Hand-Colored Plan of St. Petersburg and Moscow Description: This rare 1792 map features detailed plans of two iconic Russian cities, St. Petersburg and Moscow. The upp...
Category

1790s Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Antique Hammond's 6-Inch Terrestrial Globe on Stand
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Offered here for your consideration is, A fine antique 6-inch terrestrial globe. Additional Details: By C.S. Hammond & Co. The globe likely dates from 1927 to 1930 due to the ...
Category

20th Century Unknown Art Deco Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Wood, Paper

George Nakashima, Woodworker: New Hope, Pennsylvania (1962 Catalog, Signed)
Located in New York, NY
The catalog comprises: First, an introductory paean to craftsmanship and the spirituality of woodworking culminating in Nakashima’s bold signature in ink, dated April 1962. Next, a full-page photo of the Conoid Studio followed by a succession of offerings with photos and descriptions including: Trestle Table, Cross-Legged Table, Round Turned-Leg table, Conoid Table, Turned-Leg Table, Round Clustered-Base Table, Round Pedestal Table, Frenchman’s Cove Square Table, Single Drop-Leaf Table, Boat-Shaped Table, Frenchman’s Cove No.2 Table (fold-out), Round Coffee Table, Conoid Coffee Table, Slab Coffee Table No. 2, Slab Coffee Table, Portsmouth End Table, Square or Rectangular End Table (with and without shelf), Cross-Legged Coffee Table, Conoid Studio End Tables, Conoid Desks, New Chairs, Mira Chairs, Lounge Chair, No Arm, Lounge Chair One-Arm, Grass-Seated Chair, Arm Chair, conoid Chair, New Chair plus Rockers and Arms, Lounge Chair plus Rockers and Arms, Conoid Benches, “Q” Bench, “R” Bench...
Category

1960s American American Craftsman Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Disston and Sons Brass Back Saws c.1940s-Price per item
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT Price per item. Vintage saws with hand carved wood handles, brass labels, brass screws and steel blades. Two have brass backs. CREATOR Diss...
Category

Early 20th Century Industrial Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Steel

John Lennon Original Vintage Poster by Richard Avedon for Look magazine, 1967
Located in Devon, GB
Beatles manager Brian Epstein commissioned Richard Avedon to photograph the band and design a set of posters that would visually capture the new psychedelic direction of 'Sgt. Pepper...
Category

1960s American Post-Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Linen, Paper

F E Olds & Son Ambassador Trumpet, circa 1952
Located in High Point, NC
F E Olds & Son Ambassador trumpet in original case. The trumpet measures 19 L x 4.38 D x 6 H. The trumpet was made in Los Angeles and the serial number is 81069, which dates its pr...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Brass

Antique Copper Brass Nautical Maritime Gimbal Compass Binnacle Oil Lamp 11"
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique English nautical ship / Yacht / lifeboat gimbal compass / binnacle. Copper and brass body with single oil lamp on one side for illumination. Gimbal Sestrel compass...
Category

Early 20th Century Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Brass

Turkish Style Hardcover Book by Stefanos Yerasimos
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Turkish Style Hardcover November 1, 1992 by Stephane Yerasimos (Author), Kaya Dincer. The Turkish home is a living tradition whose refinement has continued uninterrupted for over 10,...
Category

1990s Turkish Islamic Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

House & Garden’s Complete Guide to Interior Decoration, Hardcover Book, 1953
Located in Philadelphia, PA
House & Garden’s Complete Guide to Interior Decoration – Hardcover Book, 1953 Edition. First published in New York in 1947 by Simon and Schuster, this is the updated 1953 Edition,...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Asian Ethnographic woven silver cuff Bracelet Indian Rajasthan Vintage Jewellery
Located in London, GB
A Fine antique Indian  tribal bracelet from Rajasthan made from Woven silver in strikingly simple but highly stylistic zigzag form. The Bracelet is open at one end so can be shap...
Category

Early 20th Century Indian Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Silver

1970s British Bronze and Chrome AC GMT Co. Industrial Wall Clock White Dial
Located in Leicester, Leicestershire
Rescued from Industrial scrap yards and brought back to life in our UK workshop, our expert process allows us to create a high quality clock of luxury standards. At A.C GMT Co. we ...
Category

1970s English Industrial Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Bronze, Steel, Chrome

Star Wars
Located in London, GB
Original US International film poster for Star Wars 1977. The film was directed by George Lucas and starred Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford and Carrie Fisher. The artwork on this poster i...
Category

1970s American Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Colt Handgun Lighter, 1980s Japan
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This handsome lighter is cast in the shape of a Colt Combat Commander handgun. Perfect for any collector of smoking paraphernalia or firearm enthusiast. Relieved lettering on the rig...
Category

1970s Japanese Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal

Large Caribou Antler Skull Mount Taxidermy Cabin Decor Skull Antlers
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Large Caribou Antler Skull Mount Taxidermy Cabin Decor Skull Antlers Item e7355 A great antique caribou (Rangifer tarandus) trophy on a wooden plaque. Th...
Category

Early 20th Century German Black Forest Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Antler, Wood

The Paris Review No. 87 Spring 1983
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The Paris Review No. 87 Spring 1983 Stories by James Baker Hall, Joyce Carol Oates, and Paul West. Poems by Stanislaw Baranczak, Czeslaw Milosz, and C. K. Williams. Feature include Timothy Tung "Literary Happenings: China: An Interview with Dong Leshan, Part Two." Artwork reproductions after Jean Michel Basquiat...
Category

1980s Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Rustic Black Forest Ceiling Lamp with Deer Antlers 1920s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Rustic Black Forest Ceiling Lamp with Deer Antlers 1920s Item e7364 A great antler chandelier made from assembled deer antlers. The lamp has an electrified lamp socket with an antiqu...
Category

Early 20th Century German Rustic Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Horn, Blown Glass

Sixty Years of Interior Design The World of McMillen Book, 1st Ed
Located in Stamford, CT
Sixty Years of Interior Design: The World of McMillen by Erica Brown. Hardcover, 1st edition. Binding is tight and and there is no visible wear.
Category

1980s American Hollywood Regency Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Art Deco Miniature 'Dragon' Sailing Boat
Located in Tilburg, NL
Art Deco Style Miniature 'Dragon' Sailing Boat. Europe, mid to late 20th century. A wonderful miniature sailing boat - very refined and semi-abstract. Wonderful details and appearan...
Category

Mid-20th Century European Art Deco Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Stone, Metal

Silver Plated Gnome on Marble Base Matchstick Stand Figurine Antique German 1900
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A beautiful matchstick holder stand. Some wear with a nice patina, but this is old-age. Made of metal and silver plated. Stands on a marble base, some little marble missing, but this...
Category

Early 20th Century German Art Nouveau Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Marble, Metal, Silver Plate

Sotheby's Antiquities et Objets d'Art, Marquis de Ganay, Monaco 1987, Hard Cover
Located in Stamford, CT
Sotheby's hard cover catalog important antiquities and objects of art, Monaco, December 5, 1987. Antiquities et Objets d'Art, Collection de Martine, Comtesse de Behague provenant de ...
Category

Late 20th Century Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

S.T. Dupont 18 Carat Gold Plated Briquet De Poche Lighter With Original Box
Located in Reading, Berkshire
S.T. Dupont 18 Carat Gold Plated Briquet De Poche LD Plaque Gas Cigarette Lighter With Original Box and Papers Stamped 100NL95 No 2294 Made in Paris, France Purchase receipt sho...
Category

20th Century French Art Deco Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Gold Plate, Steel

The Decisive Moment 1st Edition 1952 Henri Cartier Bresson Cover Henri Matisse
Located in Red Lion, PA
Henri Cartier-Bresson – The Decisive Moment – 1st Edition, 1952 – Cover by Henri Matisse – Published by Simon & Schuster A true cornerstone of 20th-century photography, this is an e...
Category

1950s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

17th/18th Century Baroque Period Carved Polychrome Santo Altar Statue
Located in Forney, TX
A scarce Baroque period Spanish or Italian hand carved polychrome painted wood Santo sculpture with inset colored glass eyes, original white robe garb and later wood rosary. Intrica...
Category

Early 18th Century European Baroque Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Gesso, Wood, Paint

Exhibition Catalog – 25 Originales: Litografías y Aguafuertes by Pablo Picasso
Located in Barcelona, ES
Original Exhibition Catalog – 25 Originales: Litografías y Aguafuertes by Pablo Picasso, Sala Gaspar, 1987 Artist: Pablo Picasso Exhibition: 25 Originales: Litografías y Aguafuerte...
Category

1980s Spanish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Chinese Bamboo Opium Pipe with Red Clay Bowl
Located in Chicago, IL
This long bamboo pipe dates to the late 19th century and was originally used for smoking opium. Unlike a tobacco pipe, the opium pipe was designed especially to allow resinous opium ...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Brass

Giant Natural Clam Shell
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Category

1950s Philippine Hollywood Regency Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Shell

Russian Gardner Porcelain Chess Set
By Francis Gardner
Located in Delft, NL
Francis Gardner porcelain chess set A Russian chess set in Caricature, representing the Czarist Army, 1970s. Made by the Porcelain factory "Gardn...
Category

20th Century Russian Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Wood, Porcelain

Box of 6 Le Cirque N.Y. Branded Custom Villeroy & Boch 6 1/4" Plates
Located in Bridgeport, CT
From pasta primavera to world-renowned decadent desserts, Le Cirque's ubiquitous reputation for presenting its fine dining fare with whimsy and fun, landed it on the map of must-dine...
Category

20th Century German Hollywood Regency Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Porcelain

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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Moroccan Artworks and Objects Take Center Stage in an Extraordinary Villa in Tangier

Italian writer and collector Umberto Pasti opens the doors to his remarkable cave of wonders in North Africa.

Montecito Has Drawn Royalty and Celebrities, and These Homes Are Proof of Its Allure

Hollywood A-listers, ex-pat aristocrats and art collectors and style setters of all stripes appreciate the allure of the coastal California hamlet — much on our minds after recent winter floods.

Whaam! Blam! Pow! — a New Book on Pop Art Packs a Punch

Publishing house Assouline and writer Julie Belcove have teamed up to trace the history of the genre, from Roy Lichtenstein, Andy Warhol and Yayoi Kusama to Mickalene Thomas and Jeff Koons.

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