Skip to main content

Collectibles and Curiosities

382
13,288
1,522
1,319
to
1,170
8,368
7,184
16,129
15,648
15,886
1,820
941
810
405
395
198
174
157
131
106
86
61
13
12
12
9
7
4
4,488
6,635
3,567
4,564
2,944
494
336
596
746
491
912
860
848
618
622
5,857
5,628
3,172
1,244
1,113
7,519
4,183
3,609
1,995
1,328
139
82
79
72
68
Collectibles and Curiosities For Sale
Period: 21st Century and Contemporary
Period: 20th Century
Swagger Stick from The Queen’s Own Royal West Kent Regiment
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Swagger Stick from The Queen’s Own Royal West Kent Regiment Superb vintage Military swagger stick The Queen’s Own Royal West Kent Regiment Malacca cane. The cane has slight curve ...
Category

1920s Art Deco Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Cane

Vintage Leather R. T. Frazier Shotgun Chaps
Located in Coeur d'Alene, ID
Vintage leather R.T. Frazier shotgun chaps with outside buck stitched pockets, fringe and conchos. Assume owner's initials or brand "AL." Maker marked. Leather is a light beige color...
Category

Late 20th Century American Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Leather

Light Years Ahead, The Story of the Ph Lamp (Book)
Located in North Yorkshire, GB
by Tina Jorstian & Poul Erik Munk Nielson Light Years Ahead depicts Poul Henningsen's role in the evolution of light fittings. From the very outset h...
Category

20th Century Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Austin Alcoa Aluminum Sculptural Puzzle Triangles
Located in San Diego, CA
Austin Enterprises aluminum sculptural puzzle produced by Alcoa Aluminum. Walnut case.
Category

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

Materials

Aluminum

Vintage Leather Heiser Batwing Chaps
Located in Coeur d'Alene, ID
Vintage leather Heiser batwing chaps. With two outside pockets, basketweave stamped belt and metal conchos. Great condition with excellent patina and nice coloring. Would display ni...
Category

Late 20th Century American Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Leather

Michael Del Piero: Traveled and Textural (Hardcover)
Located in Chicago, IL
Interiors designed by Michael Del Piero are full of delightful contradictions. She designs minimalist rooms rich with historical character, meticulously edited gallery-like spaces th...
Category

2010s Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Linen, Paper

Fireman's Life Saving Machine, 1907 USA
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Although it may resemble a trampoline, this is an extremely rare fire safety net designed to catch those leaping from burning buildings. The net was patented in 1887 by Thomas F. Bro...
Category

Early 1900s American Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal

Ensembles Mobiliers 18 Volume (Book)
Located in North Yorkshire, GB
This is a brand new (apart from volume 1/2 which is in a mylar cover for protection there is a 1cm tear in the front top left hand corner) still in cellophane complete 18 volume set...
Category

20th Century Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Antique Group of 6 Skookum Dolls, 1913s
Located in Norton, MA
A Skookum doll was a Native American-themed doll, sold as a souvenir item in the early 20th century. They are all in different sizes. The last photo shows the dimensions (inch) of ea...
Category

1910s German Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Composition

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

Semi-Automatic Large Bakelite Grocery Scale, Czech Republic, 1930s
Located in Żory, PL
Old shop scale from the 1930s/1940s, manufactured in the Czech Republic by Zbrojovka Brno. Semi-automatic scale, with internal weights. The scale is set with stylish metal buttons. A...
Category

Early 20th Century Industrial Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal

Vintage Brass & Wood Nautical Maritime 6 Spoke Sail Boat Ships Wheel Helm 24"
Located in Dayton, OH
Late 20th century wood and brass ship's steering wheel / helm. Traditionally styled with six turned spokes and brass center mount. Dimensions: 24" x 2" x 24" (Width x Depth x Height)
Category

Late 20th Century Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Brass

Vintage Book, Tess Of The D'Urbevilles, Thomas Hardy, Limited Edition, Novel
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a vintage copy of Tess of the D'Urbervilles by Thomas Hardy. An English, cloth bound limited edition novel, dating to the early 20th century, published 1926. Often set in th...
Category

Early 20th Century British Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Irving Penn Regards the Work of Issey Miyake - 1st Edition, Johnathan Cape, 1999
Located in London, GB
First Edition, published by Jonathan Cape, London 1999. Collecting photographs taken between 1975-1998, this bright and still forward-thinking...
Category

1990s British Post-Modern Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Mamma Milano Lessons from the Motherland Book by J.J. Martin
Located in New York, NY
Mamma Milano Lessons from the Motherland By: J.J. Martin Embrace female empowerment with J.J. Martin, founder of world–renowned Milanese lifestyle brand La DoubleJ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Frank Lloyd Wright Autograph & Associated Memorabilia - Beth Sholom
Located in Philadelphia, PA
An autograph and associated memorabilia. A framed autograph from Frank Lloyd Wright. With a series of Philadelphia Inquirer articles on the Beth Sholom Synagogue, and an program fr...
Category

1950s American Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Maitland Smith French Tooled Leather Wedding Photo Album Scrap Book 15"
Located in Dayton, OH
Vintage late 20th century Maitland Smith French Regency style photo album / scrap book. Bound in mottled tooled leather with panel of faux fur at the center, and accented with a shie...
Category

Late 20th Century Regency Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Leather

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

Giant Natural South Seas Clam Shell Specimen
Located in Bradenton, FL
Authentic giant clam shell specimen with its iconic sculptural form and sea inspired colors and textures.
Category

20th Century Asian Organic Modern Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Shell

1960s Macy's Decorative Steel Ball Ornaments
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Set of three, large, painted steel and decorative ball ornaments from Macy’s Department store display, circa 1960s.
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Steel

GOSSE, Phillip. The History Of Piracy. FIRST EDITION - 1932 - IN A FINE BINDING
Located in Hillsborough, NJ
AUTHOR: GOSSE, Phillip. TITLE: The History Of Piracy. PUBLISHER: London: Longmans, Green, & Co., 1932. DESCRIPTION: FIRST EDITION. 1 vol., 8-5/8" x 5-7/8", illustrated, bound in ...
Category

1930s British Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Leather

2005 Never Let Me Go
By Kazuo Ishiguro
Located in Bath, GB
A signed first edition of Kazuo Ishiguro's award winning work of speculative science fiction. A lovely copy of this important work. The signed first edition, first impression of thi...
Category

Early 2000s British Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

1952 Life Magazines Bound Volume, Incl Marilyn Monroe Issue, Jan-Jun 13 Issues
Located in New York, NY
Life Magazine, 13 International Edition issues bound volume. January- June 1952, Binding label months in French, see photo. This volume includes Marilyn Monroe's first ever cover fo...
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

ANTIQUE PERSIAN ASHTRAY WiTH CRANBERRY GLASS TRIANGLE INTERNAL TRAY
Located in GB
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this lovely, super decorative antique Persian Oriental Ashtray with lovely Cranberry glass internal tray A ...
Category

20th Century European Art Deco Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Glass, Wood

Exceptionally rare big tobacco box, Julius Dressler, Vienna, Art Nouveau Austria
Located in Wien, AT
Breathtaking tobacco box from the well-known manufacturer Julius Dressel, a masterpiece that is incredibly rare. Made between 1915 and 1920, it is an original, marked Art Nouveau obj...
Category

1910s Austrian Art Nouveau Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Ceramic

Grey Marble Chess Set
Located in Richmond, VA
Beautiful vintage grey and black marble chess board with brass inlay and 32 chess pieces.
Category

20th Century Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Marble

1984 Nights at the Circus
By Angela Carter
Located in Bath, GB
A fine first edition copy of this unique and thrilling novel by Angela Carter, a wonderful example of postmodern fiction, signed by the author to the title page. The first edition, ...
Category

1980s British Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

1979 The Hitch Hiker's Guide to the Galaxy
Located in Bath, GB
The first edition of this incredibly popular science fiction novel, a smart copy in the original second state dust wrapper. The first edition, first impression. Uncommon to see the ...
Category

1970s British Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Original WWI 1917 Brass Button Polisher
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Original WWI 1917 Brass Button Polisher The polisher is in excellent working condition it has an age darkened patina, a unique piece designed for use by the army This collectable it...
Category

1910s Art Deco Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Brass

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

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

1909-1910 The Poetical Works of Edmund Spenser in Three Volumes
By Edmund Spenser
Located in Bath, GB
A wonderful complete three volume set of The Poetical Works of Edmund Spenser, including his epic poem The Faerie Queene. A complete three volume set of The Poetical Works of Edmund...
Category

Early 20th Century British Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

1903 Happy England
By Helen Allingham
Located in Bath, GB
A beautiful, signed, limited edition work showcasing Helen Allingham's watercolour paintings of England. The Deluxe Edition. Limited to 750 copies, this being number 396. Signed by ...
Category

Early 1900s British Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

1976 The Log of H.M.S. Providence 1791-1793
By William Bligh
Located in Bath, GB
A scarce and fine limited edition of William Bligh's log of his second breadfruit voyage of 1791, on board the H.M.S. Providence. A scarce work, this is number sixty-three of five-h...
Category

1970s British Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

1929 The Novels of Captain Marryat
By Frederick Marryat
Located in Bath, GB
A superb set of the novels of Captain Marryat, elegantly and uniformly bound in half morocco, and illustrated throughout. A twenty-two volume set in half morocco bindings, with pict...
Category

1920s British Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

1906 The Poems of Algernon Charles Swinburne
By Algernon Charles Swinburne
Located in Bath, GB
A very scarce limited edition set of the poetry of Algernon Charles Swinburne, in handsome half morocco signed bindings by Riviere. A very scarce large-paper limited edition set, wi...
Category

Early 1900s European Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Antique English Pocket Magnifying Glass / Loop With Compass c.1920
Located in Bath, GB
A charming little folding loop or magnifying glass made from brass, dating to the early twentieth century, c.1920. What of course makes it highly collectable is the inset working co...
Category

1920s British Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Brass

20° Century Italian Sterling Silver Liturgical Chalice
Located in VALENZA, IT
Liturgical chalice made of sterling silver. The body was made using the casting technique while the chalice cup was made from a lathe-turned silver sheet and then plated with 24kt g...
Category

1990s Italian Other Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Sterling Silver

Hunting tobacco box, lidded box, modeled deer, ceramic, Austria
Located in Wien, AT
Excitingly designed lidded box / tobacco box, made from hand-painted and glazed ceramic, around 1900. This box is shaped like a hoof and is designed like the outside of a deer antle...
Category

Early 1900s Art Nouveau Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Ceramic

Early XXth Century Alfonso XII Cartridge Holder
Located in Barcelona, ES
"Early 20th Century Alfonso XII Cartridge Holder" Origin: Spain Era: Early 20th Century Materials: Metal, Leather Dimensions: D 4 cm x W 16.5 cm x H 8.5 cm Experie...
Category

Early 20th Century Spanish Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal

Summer to Summer Houses Book by the Sea by Jennifer Ash Rudick
Located in New York, NY
Summer to Summer Houses by the Sea By: Jennifer Ash Rudick Photography by Tria Giovan From the rocky coast of Maine to the sandy beaches of the Hamptons, from Nantucket to Newport, from Fire Island to Fishers Island, from Martha’s Vineyard to Provincetown, summer hours are as varied in style as the people who hightail it to the beach as soon as the temperature climbs. In this lushly illustrated book, author Jennifer Ash Rudick has sought out some thirty of the best. She invites us to a minimally decorated, Isamu Noguchi–designed home in Northeast Harbor, Maine, and Sister Parrish...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Chess Set
Located in grand Lancy, CH
Chess set
Category

1970s European Vintage 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

Antique Large Bisque Porcelain Holy Water Font with Angels
Located in Antwerp, BE
Rare antique large bisque porcelain holy water font with angels. A beautiful quality large antique holy water font for the wall, made of bisque porcelain. Depiction of three angels ...
Category

20th Century Italian Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Porcelain

Vintage Tiffany & Co. Ring 925/- Sterling Silver and 18 ct. Gold
Located in Münster, DE
A ring from Tiffany & Co. made of 925/- sterling silver and 18 ct. yellow gold that is as special as it is designed for everyday wear. The yellow gold element is wrapped around the s...
Category

1980s North American Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Gold, Silver

Stunning Christmas Vintage St. Nikolaus Santa Claus Belsnickel Candy Container
Located in Nuernberg, DE
This vintage St.Nicholas, Santa Claus candy container made of composition, cardboard, felting and Papermache was made in the 20th century and is a charming addition to any Christmas ...
Category

20th Century German Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Composition

Franco Albini by Marco Albini (Book)
Located in North Yorkshire, GB
Catalogue of the exhibition dedicated to the creations (armchairs, desks, shelves, lighting, etc.) of Franco Albini, Italian architect and designer (1905-1977). Galerie du Passage (P...
Category

20th Century Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Furniture by Wedell Castle by Davira S. Taragin (Book)
Located in North Yorkshire, GB
The book reproduces the artist's most important works, including clocks and trompe l'oeil pieces, in full-colour plates, including many details and multiple views, also includes blac...
Category

20th Century Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Vintage Marx Fire Chief Friction Action Toy Sedan American, Circa 1930
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

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

Dior and His Decorators Victor Grandpierre Book by Maureen Footer
Located in New York, NY
Dior and His Decorators Victor Grandpierre, Georges Geffroy, and the New Look By: Maureen Footer Foreword byForeword by Dior and His Decorators: Victor Grandpierre, Georges Geffroy,...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

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

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 Half Relief Anatomical Model Head in Wax, Germany c.1910
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT A German wax dissected model of the head, circa 1910, showing nerves, arteries, veins and muscles of the head with paper numbered labels. The case has the original marker’s la...
Category

Early 20th Century Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Wood, Glass

Antique Russian Holy Trinity Icon with Hallmarks C1920
Located in Big Flats, NY
Antique Russian Holy Trinity Icon with Hallmarks C1920 Measures - 14"H x 12.25"W x 1"D
Category

Early 20th Century Russian Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Wood

Vintage Gold-Plated Gas Lighter By S. T. Dupont, Paris
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
Vintage Gold-Plated Pocket Gas Lighter By S. T. Dupont, Paris. Like new condition and doesn't appear to have ever have been used.
Category

1970s French Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Gold Plate

Circa 1900 French Opera Glasses by Colmont F.T Paris
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Circa 1900 opera glasses by Colmont F.T, Paris, France. Mother of pearl with gilt brass star & bead bandings. The mounts are unusually fine & rarely found. 3 7/8" w., 1.5" d., 2 3/8"...
Category

Early 1900s French Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Brass

John Stobart (English, B. 1929) Portsmouth Merchants Row NH Signed Print
Located in Bridgeport, CT
"John Stobart (British b. 1929) paintings and limited edition prints are collected around the world and seen by visitors of the Peabody Museum in Massachusetts and the Portland Museu...
Category

20th Century American Classical Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Glass, Wood, Paper

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.

Read More

Pamela Shamshiri Shares the Secrets behind Her First-Ever Book and Its Effortlessly Cool Interiors

The sought-after designer worked with the team at Hoffman Creative to produce a monograph that beautifully showcases some of Studio Shamshiri's most inspiring projects.

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.

The Sparkling Legacy of Tiffany & Co. Explained, One Jewel at a Time

A gorgeous new book celebrates — and memorializes — the iconic jeweler’s rich heritage.

What Makes a Gem-Encrusted Chess Set Worth $4 Million?

The world’s most opulent chess set, weighing in at 513 carats, is literally fit for a king and queen.

Tauba Auerbach’s Geometric Pop-Up Book Is Mighty Rare, Thanks to a Hurricane

This sculptural art book has an epic backstory of its own.

Step inside the Storied Mansions of Palm Beach’s Most Effervescent Architect

From Spanish-style courtyards to fanciful fountains, these acclaimed structures abound in surprising and elegant details.

Recently Viewed

View All