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Collectibles and Curiosities For Sale
Style: Art Deco
Style: Baroque
Schachfigur König Aus 925 Sterling Silber, Vollmassiv, Im Retro-Design
Located in Lauterbach (Hessen), DE
Der exklusive König aus 925er Sterling Silber ist vollmassiv und im Retro-Design gehalten. Mit einem Gewicht von 210 Gramm und seiner Höhe von 9,5 cm, ist der eindrucksvolle König i...
Category

2010s German Art Deco Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Sterling Silver

Large 1930s Steel /Cast Iron Military Chalk World Globe Denoyer Geppert
Located in Buffalo, NY
Rare c 1930 steel Denoyer Geppert military chalk globe. Globe alone measures 22" in diameter, Retains original patina. Age appropriate wear. Minor dents.(see photo). Original patina ...
Category

1930s American Art Deco Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Steel, Iron

Uranium HOBE Festoon Bib Glass Necklace Earrings Hollywood 1930s Jewelry
Located in Hyattsville, MD
Black Japanned Prog setting filled with Emerald, Peridot, and Citrine Rhinestones in Round, Emerald and Teardrop Cut. The Citrine Rhinestones are Vaseline Glass and Glow Brilliantly under UV light. Oversized stones and incredible detail make this Hobé set a piece of Costume Jewelry History. The Earring’s fit very securely and are constructed with a built in cushion roller for comfort. They measure 1.25” The Necklace is a Festoon Bib with jointed connectors creating a tailored fit that moves along with you. This stunning necklace will glitter and sparkle with every breath while lighting up the room. One jewel connection is fused, this might be an old repair, pictured. The Necklace measures 15” long Each piece is signed Hobé with the signature used 1920’s to the 1950’s. HOBE Jewelry The original Hobe family was in business in the US from 1927 to 1995. William Hobe...
Category

1930s American Art Deco Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Copper

Antique Box With Coat Of Arms 19th century
Located in Madrid, ES
Antique Box With Coat Of Arms 19th century ANTIQUE BOX WITH CREST ELEGANT LEATHER BOX WITH CENTRAL SHIELD.THE INTERIOR IS LINED IN RED.IT HAS ITS ORI...
Category

19th Century French Baroque Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Leather

19th Century Irish Giltwood Barometer in the Baroque Style
Located in Dublin, IE
A fascinating Irish giltwood barometer in the baroque style. The large stick barometer features a large carved giltwood frame with a shell motif. The dial having the original twin Ve...
Category

19th Century Irish Baroque Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Giltwood

Large Statue of Saint Hand Carved in Wood
Located in Houston, TX
Large statue of saint hand carved in wood during the late 17th century, or early 18th century. Some restoration. Sculpture portrays a saint and originall...
Category

Late 17th Century Italian Baroque Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Wood

18th Century French Carved Giltwood & Polychrome "Mother and Child" with Base
Located in Dallas, TX
Place this beautiful gilt statue with base in a living room or bedroom. Hand carved circa 1780, this elegant two-piece antique sculpture was found in a chapel in Southern France and ...
Category

Late 18th Century French Baroque Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Giltwood

Art Deco Gold Painted Bronze Figure "Phoenician Dancer" by Demetre Chiparus
Located in BILBAO, ES
Dancer by Demétre Chiparus 1886 - 1947 Large chrysoelephantine sculpture in gilt bronze Marble base. Signed "D. H. Chiparus". Measures: 52 cms. alt. total and 17 cms. diam. base Good...
Category

1920s French Art Deco Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Bronze

PH Bow Grand Piano in American Red Maple Burl with Brass, Modern, Sculptural
Located in Copenhagen, DK
- All prices are listed ex works. - 5 year guarantee. - We regularly crate, ship and install PH Pianos worldwide with full insurance. This gorgeous new PH Bow Grand Piano...
Category

2010s Danish Art Deco Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Brass

18th Century, Italian Carved Wooden Christ
Located in Buisson, FR
Very beautiful wooden Christ figure with a strong expression and traces of its original color, Italy, circa 1750. Weathered and small losses, old repair...
Category

18th Century Italian Baroque Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Wood

Birks Solid 9-Karat Yellow Gold Cigarette Case with Blue Outer Leather Envelope
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This large and substantial solid 9-karat yellow gold cigarette case was made in Birmingham England and dates to the late 1930s. The case was sold by the renowned Birks Department Sto...
Category

Early 20th Century English Art Deco Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Gold

Bronze Bassin for Holy Water, Spain, 17th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
Holy wall font. Bronze. Spain, 17th Century. Small font for holy water designed to be placed on a wall, which has a container decorated with moldings and architectural elements and...
Category

17th Century Spanish Baroque Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Bronze, Other

1940s Vintage Vornado Antique Electric Powerful Metal Desk Table Fan
Located in Chula Vista, CA
1940s Vornado vintage antique electric fan powerful and silent. Art Deco era electric table desk top fan with modern industrial design. Has one ...
Category

1940s Art Deco Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal

1930 Portable Gramophone His Master's Voice Phonograph
Located in Oakland, CA
1930 Portable Gramophone his master’s voice original covered finish. This 1930 Portable Gramophone is the real deal. It’s an HMV Model 101, part of a small collection of such classic sound machines...
Category

1930s English Art Deco Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal

Antique Church Console French Decorative Cherub Turquoise
Located in Buxton, GB
This Fabulous Church Console Shelf sourced from a Church in the south of France Turquoise Polychromed wood of French origin. To the front of the console are beautiful carved details...
Category

19th Century French Baroque Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Wood, Paint

Tiffany Studios New York "Zodiac" Patinated Bronze Match Box Holder
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Art Deco period patinated bronze match box holder featuring symbols of the Zodiac By Tiffany Studios New York, USA, early 20th century ...
Category

Early 20th Century American Art Deco Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Bronze

Elegant Large Rosewood Chest and Mother of Pearl End 19th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
Elegant large rosewood chest and mother of pearl end 19th century. Spectacular and elegant large box of French origin from the end of the 19th century made of solid noble wood...
Category

Late 19th Century French Baroque Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Rosewood

Vintage 1928 Pirated Lady Chatterley's Lover by D.H. Lawrence Book
Located in Seguin, TX
Lady Chatterley's Lover by D.H. Lawrence. Published by Privately Printed , Florence., Italy., 1928 An early pirated edition now quite scarce. Original ...
Category

1920s Italian Art Deco Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Antique Danish Silver Charm Bracelet with 5 Charms
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Charming charm bracelet in adult size (19 cm). Easily adjustable to a smaller size due to the old lock mechanism. It is made from 826/1000 silver and is...
Category

1920s Danish Art Deco Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Silver

Diminutive Italian Grand Tour Model of Ruins, Sienna Marble, Statue / Sculpture
Located in Stamford, CT
Italian Grand Tour Corinthian Style Stone / Marble Model of Ruins, Sienna Marble, Statue / Sculpture. Grand Tour Giallo Antico Marble Model of the Temple of Castor & Pollux. A very fine and early Roman neoclassical period grand tour Sienna...
Category

1890s Italian Baroque Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Marble, Breccia Marble

French Children's Toy Sink, 1930's
Located in Antwerp, BE
French children's toy sink. This pedestal sink or lavabo dates from the 1930s. A child's toy sink made in France. An Art Deco toy made from metal and after lots of years still in his original and beautiful blue color. A toy which could be used with real water. This old bathroom sink toy for children is still complete with the mirror, stopper, tap en jug or can. For his age still in very beautiful condition. A beautiful piece to display with mannequin doll...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Art Deco Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal

PH180 Bow Grand Piano in Macassar Wood with Brass, Art-Case Piano
Located in Copenhagen, DK
- All prices are listed ex works. - 5 year guarantee. - We regularly crate, ship and install PH Pianos worldwide with full insurance. Inside and Out, A Masterful Work of Art This PH Bow Grand Piano Curated Edition is an exquisite instrument and sculptural art case piano, featuring Macassar Wood casing with a high gloss finish, with polished brass metal trim. Inside the beautiful case lies the highest-quality, hand-selected piano action. Design Legacy and Skilled Craftsmanship The iconic Danish designer Poul Henningsen designed the PH Bow Grand Piano in...
Category

2010s Danish Art Deco Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Brass

Ivory Art Deco Statues Galerie Bernard De Leye
Located in Oakland, CA
Ivory Art Deco Statues Galerie Bernard De Leye. Rich book with multiple color pages and excellent photos of a personal collection of some of the best Ar...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Art Deco Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

18th 19th Century French Carved Oak Panel of Saint Philomena
Located in Buisson, FR
Beautiful weathered oak panel representing Saint Philomena. Also known as Philomena of Rome was a young virgin martyr whose remains were discovered ...
Category

18th Century French Baroque Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Oak

17th Century Norther European Wrought Iron Pestle, 8.5 Inches
Located in Stamford, CT
Unusual wrought iron pestle, most are bronze like most mortars. This one is at least 17th century, quite possibly dating to the Gothic period. I have owned two iron mortars in my ti...
Category

Early 17th Century German Baroque Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Wrought Iron

Antique Art Deco 18k White Gold .4ct Solitaire Diamond Engagement Ring
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique 18k white gold ring with slender band and high profile single stone setting, hexagonally shaped with Art Deco styling and .4ct round cut old worl...
Category

Early 20th Century Art Deco Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Gold

18th Century Italian Baroque Carved Santos Icon Sculpture
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Majestic 18th century Italian baroque polychrome Santos icon sculpture of a young man. The carved icon is depicted standing and wearing a flowing robe with graceful movement. He has ...
Category

18th Century Italian Baroque Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Wood

Map Road John Ogilby Britannia No 74 Ipswich to Norwich Cromer Framed
Located in BUNGAY, SUFFOLK
The Road from Ipswich com Suffolk to Norwich and thence to cromer on the sea coast com Norfolk. By John Ogilby, Esq, His Majesties Cosmographer. Containing...
Category

1670s English Baroque Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

21th Century Italian Sterling Silver Console Miniature with Mirror
Located in VALENZA, IT
Console miniature in 925 silver with mirror and marble top, wooden details. This miniature was made in 925 silver with the fusion technique. The supports under the top depict three...
Category

2010s Italian Baroque Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Marble, Sterling Silver

Antique Wood Sign From Pratt Institute
Located in New York, NY
Great antique sign originally from the world renown design, art school Pratt Institute in NYC. The sign is constructed of solid wood, having a black background, with gold gilt letter...
Category

Early 20th Century American Art Deco Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Wood, Paint

Rene Lalique Art Deco Snake Pendant
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Rene lalique was a word famous jeweler before becoming a successful glass designer. He was a man of the Art Nouveau style and his creations were celebrated by French artists as Sarah bernard...
Category

1920s French Art Deco Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Glass

'Queen Helmet Conch Shell' Bamboo Floor Lamp with Vintage French Parasol Shade
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Model No. 014 is a one-of-a-kind art lamp featuring a vintage rice-paper shade constructed from an exceedingly rare 1919 French parasol advertising a lin...
Category

2010s American Art Deco Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Concrete, Brass

Fishing Float Buoy Green Glass Rope Sea Nautical
Located in BUNGAY, SUFFOLK
RARE, GREEN GLASS & ROPE FISHING FLOAT OR BUOY, c.1910 from a collection of similar floats of different sizes, there are four this size and some smaller Exuding character and injecting atmosphere and conversation. The idiosyncrasies within the glass make them interesting and more valuable to collectors. Can be placed in the home or the garden The green glass ball...
Category

1910s English Art Deco Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Rope, Blown Glass

Antique French Continental Silver & Cut Glass Travelling Dresser or Vanity Set
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This travelling dresser or vanity set is unsigned, but presumed to have originated from France and date to approximately 1920 and done in the period Art Deco style. The set is compos...
Category

Early 20th Century French Art Deco Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Silver

19th Century Giltwood Baroque Church Altar Vase
Located in Hastings, GB
A deep carved large giltwood altar vase, probably German, in the baroque style, but dating to the latter half of the 19th century. The vase is carved with a...
Category

1890s German Baroque Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Wood

French Art Deco Marquetry Vitrine / Cabinet, Buffet, Jewelers Cabinet
Located in Stamford, CT
French Art Deco Marquetry vitrine / cabinet, buffet, rosewood, walnut, polished A magnificently refinished ebony and rosewood walnut inlaid vitrine...
Category

Early 20th Century French Art Deco Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Bronze

Antique the Vetter Co Ideal Planetarium Model 1930s in Original Case
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique The Vetter Co. Ideal Planetarium Model 1930s in original case. Item features an original metal case, brass and metal construction, original label, very nice antique item...
Category

Early 20th Century Art Deco Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Brass

Large Super Deluxe Italian Inlaid Music Box with 32 Note Swiss Reuge Cylinder
Located in Cathedral City, CA
Offering this rare and vintage large Italian inlaid marquetry music box with gilded metal "claw" feet. This Italian made wooden masterpiece is fitt...
Category

1970s Italian Baroque Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Brass

Art Deco Watling Enameled Floor Penny Scale
Located in New York, NY
Art Deco red enameled metal floor penny scale by Watling Chicago Co., mirror to front, Measures: 48.25" H x 17" W x 25" D. In good condition. Wear consis...
Category

Early 20th Century Art Deco Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal, Enamel

Antique Tiffany Art Deco Sterling Silver Cigar Smoking Set
Located in New York, NY
Art Deco sterling silver cigar set. Made by Tiffany & Co. in New York, circa 1920. This set comprises, tray, lighter, and 6 ashtrays. Tray rectangular with rounded corners and flat r...
Category

Early 20th Century American Art Deco Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Sterling Silver

Thorens "Excelda" Camera Phone Phonograph Player circa 1930s Very Rare
By Thorens
Located in Oakland, CA
This is an authentic Excelda portable gramophone, the portable phonograph of the 1930's that resembled the pocket cameras of that time (usually ref...
Category

1930s Swiss Art Deco Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal

The Enchanted World Night Creatures Time-Life Books Hardcover Book
Located in North Hollywood, CA
The Enchanted World Night Creatures Time-Life Hardcover Book.Packed with more than 60 fl-cor, reusable, self-adhesive stickers featuring glow-in-the-dark effects, these books provide...
Category

Late 20th Century Baroque Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Elizabeth Locke Silver Saanian Roman Coin Sea Pearl 18k Gold Frame Pin or Brooch
Located in Plainview, NY
An exquisite Silver Sasanian Coin Depicting Xusro I ( circa 300AD) with Baroque South Sea Pearls in an 18K Gold Frame Brooch or Pin by the legendary jewelry designer Elizabeth Locke....
Category

20th Century Baroque Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Gold

1937 Stromberg-Carlson 228-L Console Radio Restored Bluetooth
Located in Oakland, CA
1937 Stromberg-Carlson 228-L Console Radio Restored Bluetooth. Stromberg Carlson was well know for its commitment to quality and their products are often called the “Rolls Royce” of radios. This outstanding set has been electronically restored and plays great, with awesome tone quality, on both AM and Shortwave bands. The cabinet has been professionally refinished using the proper stains, toner, and lacquer. This is an exceptional radio very nice size and beautiful dial. The chassis has been service and 1/8th input added which will allow you to use this with your iPhone, smartphone, iPods, or record player. Access your old vinyl, or tune into Pandora, Apple Music, or the playlist on your computer to provide the tunes and use the Bluetooth connection to bring the warm, bright, analog sound of a tube amplifier...
Category

1930s American Art Deco Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Wood

Sammler-Spielfigur Aus 18 Karat Gold, Massiv, Punziert
Located in Lauterbach (Hessen), DE
Die elegante Spielfigur ist aus 18 Karat Gold gefertigt und vollmassiv. Mit einem Gewicht von 10 Gramm, einer Höhe von 19 mm, einer Kopfbreite von 7 mm und einer Fußbreite von 8 m...
Category

2010s German Art Deco Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Gold

Road Map John Ogilby London St David's Britannia No 15 Abingdon Monmouth Framed
Located in BUNGAY, SUFFOLK
John Ogilby (British 1600-1676) Cosmographer and Geographick Printer to Charles II. A road map from Britannia, 1675/6. No 15. The continuation of the r...
Category

1670s English Baroque Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Vintage1940 Zenith 12-S-445 Shutterdial Restored Radio Bluetooth
Located in Oakland, CA
Zenith’s “robot dial”, received a make-over from its inaugural 1938 model year. One of the most powerful and rare Zenith tabletop radios, a 12-S-445 Shutter...
Category

1940s American Art Deco Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Wood

Delightful Austrian Bergmann Cold Painted Owl Mounted Dish
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A delightful early Art Deco Austrian marble pin dish mounted with two cold painted owls attributed to Franz Xaver Bergmann (Austrian, 1861-1936) and d...
Category

1920s Austrian Art Deco Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Marble

Rare Set of Christian Art Deco Bronze Jesus, Mary & Angel Wall Plaques by Norga
Located in Lisse, NL
Rare set of three, good size and mint condition works of religious art. This group of three bronze works of art (deco) all depict biblical scenes and they can be placed and worshipped in all kinds of settings. Meaningful and perfectly handcrafted works of religious art like these were mostly used in monasteries, private homes, but also on the more expensive cemeteries. The one on the left depicts Mother Mary and John the Baptist as they mourn over the body of Christ right after He was taken from the cross. The bronze plaque in the middle, we believe, depicts the third station where Jesus falls for the first time. The third bronze depicts a beautiful Arch Angel kneeling...
Category

Early 20th Century Belgian Art Deco Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Bronze

Sammler Spielfigur aus 18k Gold, Massiv, 31 Gramm, mit Etui, Designerstück
Located in Lauterbach (Hessen), DE
Die imposante Spielfigur mit dem Namen Victory ist aus 18 Karat Gold gefertigt und vollmassiv. Mit einem Gewicht von 31 Gramm, einer Höhe von 25 mm, einer Kopfbreite von 12 mm und...
Category

2010s German Art Deco Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Gold

Sammler Spielstein 18k Gold, Massiv, Punziert, Handgefertigt, Mit Zertifikat
Located in Lauterbach (Hessen), DE
Der imposante Spielstein ist aus 18 Karat Gold gefertigt und massiv. Mit einem Gewicht von 35 Gramm und dem Durchmesser von 21,5 mm, sowie der Höhe von 6 mm, ist der eindrucksvoll...
Category

2010s German Art Deco Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Gold

Dominostein Aus 18 Karat Gold, Massiv, Punziert, Mit Zertifikat
Located in Lauterbach (Hessen), DE
Der imposante Dominostein ist aus 18 Karat Gold gefertigt und vollmassiv. Mit einem Gesamtgewicht von 25 Gramm, einer Länge von 29 mm, einer Breite von 14 mm und einer Tiefe von 4 mm...
Category

2010s German Art Deco Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Gold

18th Century Italian Silver Leaf Cross with Plated Crystals on a Mica Cluster
Located in Dublin, Dalkey
18th century Italian sliver leaf and mecca cross adorned with gold and silver plated crystal points and mica mounted on a mica and tourmaline in calcite matrix base. The crucifix originally came from a church in Tuscany. The gold and silver plated crystal points replicate the original sunrays or halo around the cross. The piece is mounted on a mica and tourmaline cluster that is in a matrix of calcite. The mica holds a shimmery appearance that can reflect light - like nature's disco ball. It perfectly coordinates with the silver leaf and mecca painted cross...
Category

18th Century Italian Baroque Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Quartz, Rock Crystal, Crystal, Silver Leaf

Art Deco Two English Pottery Glass Eyed Dog Figures
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
Two delightful English Art Deco pottery novelty dog figures with glass eyes made by Fielding’s and Crown Devon and dating from the 1930’s. The small figures portray two small puppy d...
Category

1930s English Art Deco Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Ceramic

Exstremely Rare Collection Alcoa Aluminum String Instruments, Bass, Cello, Violin
Located in Buffalo, NY
This set took me over 20 years to procure.....Dont miss this opportunity!!!!Being offered extremely rare collection of aluminum string instruments,,string bass, ,cello,,and violin....... circa 1930s, all 3 instruments originaly wood grain painted, have been stripped and polished.. re-strung and set up, new bridge and custom (alcoa) tail piece, original ebony fret board, All play and Sound amazing. If purchasing to play, wonderful decorative sculpture, Pfretzschner aluminum bass In 1928, The Aluminum Company of America manufactured 50 aluminum double basses...
Category

1930s American Art Deco Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Aluminum, Brass

Big Art Deco Original Advertising Promotional Poster Heater/Fire, 1930s
Located in Praha, CZ
- 1930s - suitable for framing - original, no reprint - good original condition with some damages, not seen when framed - jr.
Category

1930s Art Deco Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Store Display Boy Doll, Child Mannequin
Located in Antwerp, BE
Art Deco store display boy - store display doll - child mannequin doll. This antique child mannequin is a male child. He has a painted plaster body, painted eyes and a painted wooden base. This store display advertising doll is probably designed for a clothing line which was located in Holland - The Netherlands. This vintage store display - shop window doll - advertising doll - vintage mannequin doll is for the age still in very beautiful condition. He does have an old repair on a finger and on 1 foot. This boy mannequin doll will look great in your interior as a decorative object or in a collection of dolls and bears, antique mannequin dolls.
Category

Mid-20th Century Dutch Art Deco Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Plaster, Wood

18th Century Spanish Silver on Wood Baroque Reliquary
Located in Buisson, FR
Beautiful and detailed reliquary holder with a thin hammered layer of silver on wood. Beautiful details., Spain, circa 1750. Weathered and small losses.
Category

18th Century Spanish Baroque Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Silver

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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