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Collectibles and Curiosities For Sale
Style: Mid-Century Modern
Style: Arts and Crafts
The Figure Game "The Original Game of Chess" Set in Bronze by Gary Sahl Rare
Located in San Diego, CA
One of a kind! The Figure Game (Siang Ki in Chinese), "The Original Game of Chess as Played in Antiquity" set in bronze by Gary Sahl for the Riggs Gall...
Category
Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Bronze
Vintage Intel Stereo Anlage, 1970's
Located in Lisboa, PT
This radio was made by Intel in Germany, during the 1970's. With a plastic case, imitating wood, it has Broadcast, Long Wave, Short Wave plus FM or UHF. Goo...
Category
1970s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal
BRAUN "RT 20", Tischradio, Dieter Rams
By Dieter Rams, Braun
Located in Neuss, NW
Design classic RT 20 by Dieter Rams for BRAUN from 1961. Table radio with veneered wooden corpus in ash and grey lacquered metal front. Made in Germany.
The front has been repainted...
Category
1960s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Wood
Mid-century Novelty "Marine Ship & Supply" Cruise ship Enameled Lighter
By Sarome
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Mid-century Sarome 'Cruiser' lighter, shaped like a Cruise ship, features a chrome body enameled red and crème accents and "Marine Ship & Supply" lettering. It includes a thumb strik...
Category
1960s Japanese Mid-Century Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Steel
Vintage Illuminated Magnifying Glass Eagle Hong Kong
By Eagle Tool and Metal Mfg.
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Eagle Magnifying Glass Hong Kong
2.75 h x 4.5 diameter x 9.5 long
reading magnifying glass with light by EAGLE
stamped by maker
Preowned vintage condition
Refer to images
Category
Late 20th Century Hong Kong Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal
1960s Antonio Pineda Modernist Ring Amethyst Sterling Silver 7.75
Located in Chula Vista, CA
For your consideration Ring by Antonio Pineda Mexican Modernist.
Amethyst Sterling Silver Mexico circa 1960s
Beautiful clean modern lines.
1 H x .88 W x .75 D
Ring size 7.75
Please...
Category
Mid-20th Century Mexican Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Amethyst, Sterling Silver
"Herman Miller" Tractor Trailer Truck Toy with Original Box by Winross USA
Located in San Diego, CA
Very cool and collectible "Herman Miller" diecast tractor trailer truck toy with original box by Winross USA of Rochester, NY, circa 1980's. This is new old stock and appears to hav...
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal
Pair of Vintage Atlas Copco 510-8 Speakers
Located in Hampstead, QC
Atlas Copco Model 510–8 Speakers
* Baffle enclosure
* Second grille to enable bi-directional sound dispersion
* Standard 8 inch loudspeakers
* Enclosure made from satin brushed alum...
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Aluminum
Set of Two Antique Spanish Wooden Stamps, circa 1930
Located in Barcelona, ES
Set of two antique wooden stamps, made in Spain by unknown manufacturer, circa 1930. In original condition, with minor wear consistent with age...
Category
1930s Spanish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal
1960s Stunning Grey table Lighter in Murano Sommerso Glass By Flavio Poli for S
By Flavio Poli
Located in Milano, IT
1960s Stunning grey table lighter in Murano sommerso glass By Flavio Poli for Seguso. Made in italy
The item is in excellent condition and it works perfectly
Dimension:
2,75 x 2,75 x...
Category
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Murano Glass
Carl Auböck Model #5734 'Hand' Brass Figurine Keyring
Located in Glendale, CA
Carl Auböck model #5734 'Hand' brass figurine keyring. Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and sculptural object is hand fabricated in polished brass.
Price is per item....
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Austrian Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Brass
Unique and Large Crucifix with a Rare Size Hand Crafted Ceramic Corpus of Christ
Located in Lisse, NL
Unique and artistic crucifix from the European Midcentury Modern era.
Over the centuries the life and teachings of Christ have inspired many an artist to create His image in just as many ways as there were artist. In more recent decades the way in which Christ on the cross has been portrayed has changed significantly from how He was portrayed in previous centuries. Just like Christ was portrayed very differently in the early 20th century as opposed to how He was seen and portrayed in, for example, the Baroque era. And this way will keep changing as evolve. Just like with the other Styles, this modernist version of Christ either speaks to you or it does not and the way in which different people will see and experience this Christ will be very different too. That ofcourse also is the job of every artist, to make you think about an artwork and make you feel something at the same time. Not only is this unique modernist sculpture different in design from most Christ sculptures you will have ever seen, it also is all hand-crafted in a very rare material. This ceramic work of religious art also comes with a mild glazing and the unique elongated design makes it even more modern and 'experimental'. Thanks to the perfect metal hook on the back, safely mounting this piece is much easier than one would expect. If you already have a place and space in mind for Him then maybe you should be this sculpture's next custodian.
Mind you, our fair price for this unique and very large, Midcentury crucifix...
Category
Mid-20th Century European Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal
4 Vols Vintage English Maps, John Speed, Cartography Folio, Reproduction, C.1953
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a vintage 4 volume compendium atlas of England by John Speed. An English, cartography folio, reproduced and presented in slip cases by John Arlott, dating to the mid 20th ce...
Category
Mid-20th Century British Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
1950s Ronson Limited Vintage Chrome Lighter Tripod Stand England
By Ronson
Located in Chula Vista, CA
1950s Ronson Limited Vintage Chrome Lighter on Tripod stand from England
Vintage lighter with tripod shape, chrome plated.
Stamped Ronson, Mad...
Category
1950s English Mid-Century Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Chrome
Dunhil's 'Tinder Pistol': 20th C. English Oak Wood/Bronzed Brass Table Lighter
By Dunhill
Located in North Miami, FL
Dunhil's 'Tinder Pistol': early 20th century oak wood and bronzed brass table lighter made in England
By: Dunhill
Material: brass, bronze, copper, metal, oak, wood
Technique: cast, forged, bronzed, hammered, hand-carved, hand-crafted, molded, metalwork
Dimensions: 4 in x 2.5 in x 6 in
Date: early 20th century, circa 1920
Style: Arts and Crafts
Place of origin: England
This 1920s english oak, copper and bronzed brass Dunhill table lighter neatly evokes an 18th century flintlock pistol...
Category
Early 20th Century English Arts and Crafts Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal, Copper, Bronze, Brass
20th c. Nautical Hand-Painted Trinket Pottery
Located in Saint Petersburg, FL
A hand-painted trinket dish by ceramic pottery artist.
Category
20th Century South African Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Pottery, Ceramic, Paint
Ceramic Easter Egg from Atelier Madoura 'circa 1960s'
By Madoura
Located in London, GB
Vintage ceramic egg figure from Atelier Madoura, Vallauris, France (circa 1960s). This egg-sized ceramic figure is painted with a stylized suited man w...
Category
1960s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Ceramic
Scandinavian Vintage Wooden Truck Toy Model 1930s
Located in Berlin, DE
Decorative scandinavian vintage wooden truck,
1930s-1940s
Category
Mid-20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal
Mid Century Massachusetts Institute of Technology Collectibles
Located in Riverdale, NY
Mid Century Massachusetts Institute of Technology Collectibles. Upgrade your legacy and clout with a few well placed trinkets from Mid Century M.I.T. sca...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Porcelain, Wood, Paper
Vintage Allbrit Polar Planimeter, English, Scientific Instrument, Stanley, 1950
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a vintage Allbrit polar planimeter. An English, adjustable scientific instrument by Stanley, dating to the mid-20th century, circa 1950.
Comprehensive scientific instrument set
Displays a desirable aged patina
Presented in a carry case with a rich blue velour lining
Ideal for measuring on maps or drawings
Rotating measurement scales in good order
Replete with small magnifying loupe...
Category
Mid-20th Century English Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Steel
1930's Marx Marcrest Pressed Steel Pure Milk Dairy Toy Truck
Located in Van Nuys, CA
We have A white Marx Marcrest Pure Milk Dairy Truck modeled truck produced by Marx Toys, a prominent American toy company known for manufacturing a wide ra...
Category
1920s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Steel
Brooch by Line Vautrin, Beige Talosel Encrusted with Violetts Mirrors
By Line Vautrin
Located in Uccle, BE
This brooch by Line Vautrin is distinguished by its elegance and refinement, thanks to the inlay of rectangular purple mirrors arranged vertically. This arrangement creates a singula...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Mirror, Talosel
RS Barcelona 'Ella' Special Edition Pink Futbolin: Female Players
By RS Barcelona
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
"RS Barcelona 'Ella' Special Edition Pink Futbolin: Female Players"
Manufacturer: RS Barcelona, Spain
Special edition: Pink lacquered finish
Players: All female
Year...
Category
2010s Spanish Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal
Vintage 1950s Hermes Rocket Typewriter
Located in Queens, NY
Vintage 1950s Hermes Rocket portable beige plastic typewriter with white square plastic keys and original matching beige plastic carry case
Category
20th Century Unknown Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Plastic
Vintage Marble Large Chess Set with Hand Carved Turquoise Onyx Pieces
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Vintage Marble Large Chess Set with hand carved Turquoise Onyx Pieces
Vintage mid 20th century Mexican stone marble chess set complete chess board in ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Mexican Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Onyx, Marble
Christmas: A Story, by Eleanor Roosevelt, First Edition, in Original Dust Jacket
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
Roosevelt, Eleanor. Christmas: A Story. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1940. First Edition. Twelvemo. In the publisher's colorful original dust jacket and printed pictorial boards.
This...
Category
1940s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Sterling Silver Ring Eternal Heart Love Band
By Taxco
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Sterling Silver Eternal Heart Love Ring
925
size 8.25
75 diam x .25 W
Preowned vintage
Refer to listed images
Category
Late 20th Century Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Sterling Silver
1960s Stone Inlay Silver Wrap Ring Bryant Waatsa Jr Native Zuni
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Sculptural Sterling Silver Inlay Wrap Ring
design features turquoise, onyx, quartz & coral.
stamped B W JR
Native American silversmith Bryant Waatsa Jr
1 d x .88 w/diameter
size 10 1...
Category
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Stone, Coral, Onyx, Quartz, Sterling Silver
Statue of Liberty Souvenir Building Grand Tour Metal Vintage, 1960s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
This vintage Statue of Liberty souvenir statue is being offered from a major estate sale in Vienna, Austria. Guaranteed old, original and as...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal
Teak Type 135 Radio from Wega, 1960s
By Wega
Located in Lisboa, PT
This radio, type 135, was made by Wega in West-Germany, during the 1960's. With a teak wooden case, it has broadcast, long wave, short wave plus FM or UHF. ...
Category
1960s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Teak
Art Deco Mid-century Desk Airplane / Bomber Model 1930´s
Located in Buenos Aires, Olivos
Art Deco Midcentury Desk Aircraft model mounted on a stand. The aircraft is a four-engine propeller aircraft, with each engine having a propeller with multiple blades. The model is m...
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Aluminum, Brass
"Life with Picasso" Book Signed by Francoise Gilot
Located in San Diego, CA
"Life with Picasso" book signed by Francoise Gilot, circa 1960s. The book is in good condition with no torn or missing pages and no dust jacket. The book was signed during the 1970s...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Mixed Metals on Quartz Anchor Sculpture by C. Jere for Artisian House
Located in San Diego, CA
A very nice mixed metals on quartz base anchor and sea gulls sculpture by C. Jere for Artisian House, circa 1971. The piece is in great vintage condition with a wonderful patina and ...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Quartz, Brass, Bronze, Iron
Antonio Vitali Wood Toy Family Set for Creative Playthings
Located in San Mateo, CA
Carved wood toy family by Antonio Vitali, Swiss toy designer. Vitali designed this set for Creative Playthings in 1954. These were marketed under the na...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Wood
Pair Of Vintage Cased Opera Glasses, French, Brass, Binocular, Mid 20th Century
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a pair of vintage cased opera glasses. A French, brass and Mother of Pearl Galilean binocular, dating to the mid 20th century, circa 1950...
Category
1950s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Brass
1970s Modernist Money Clip Wood and Brass
Located in Chula Vista, CA
AMBIANIC presents
Vintage Money Clip Wood and Brass Modernist appeal
2 x 1 x .38
Preowned original vintage
Refer to images
Category
Late 20th Century Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Brass
Bracelet by Line Vautrin – Beige Talosel Encrusted with Violetts Mirrors
By Line Vautrin
Located in Uccle, BE
This beige Talosel bracelet has been meticulously hand-sculpted by scarification to create an organic shape reminiscent of the emblematic creations of Line Vautrin.
Each link, there are seven in total, is adorned with purple mirrors subtly embedded in the Talosel to create a very shimmering and luminous effect that perfectly captures Line Vautrin’s poetic aesthetic. The small, irregularly shaped...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Mirror, Talosel
Mid-Century German Spring Bending Dumbbell, 1960s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Mid-Century German Spring Bending Dumbbell, 1960s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1960 to 1969.
Additional information:
Material: Metal, Wood
Color: Black
Styles: Mid-Century Mod...
Category
20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal
Les Ateliers L&M Bordeaux Barometer stich leather 1960s France
Located in Den Haag, NL
Les Ateliers L&M Bordeaux Barometer Green Stich Leather, Savannah made in France. Ship decor .Works perfect .
Category
1960s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Leather
Rare Pair of Pearl & Oakley Acoustics Ceramic Chinese Urn Stereo Speakers
By Altec Lansing Corporation
Located in St. Louis, MO
Very Unique 1980s Asian Modern Pearl & Oakley Acoustics custom home audio speakers in the form of Chinese lidded urns or ceramic vases with crackle glaze...
Category
1980s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Ceramic, Wood
'20000 Leagues Under The Sea' Original Vintage British Quad Movie Poster, 1955
Located in Devon, GB
A rare British quad poster for the first UK release of Walt Disney's 1954 live-action sci-fi adventure '20,000 Leagues Under The Sea', based on the 1870 novel by Jules Verne. From th...
Category
1950s British Mid-Century Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Linen, Paper
Sandro's Inri: a Contemporary Minimalist Sculpture and Objét Trouvé, 2017
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Sandro's INRI is a stunning contemporary minimalist sculpture that's sure to impress and inspire. Created by the talented artist Sandro in 2017, this sculpture is an objet trouvé that has been masterfully intervened to give it new meaning and purpose.
This incredible objet trouvé is a masterpiece of visual poetry, taking a vintage double bass case...
Category
2010s German Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Wood
Brooch by Line Vautrin, Black Talosel Encrusted with Red Mirrors
By Line Vautrin
Located in Uccle, BE
This Brooch in black Talosel encrusted with red mirrors in the shape of flower petals represents a very characteristic aesthetic of the work of Line Vautrin.
This organic shape is d...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Mirror, Talosel
Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand, First Edition, First Printing, in Dust Jacket, 1957
By Ayn Rand
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
Rand, Ayn. Atlas Shrugged. New York: Random House, 1957. First edition, first printing. Thick octavo. In the publisher’s original first issue dust jacket, green cloth boards, stamped...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Leather, Fabric, Paper
Checkers Game "The Solitaire" in Wood by Artek, Italy, 1970s
By Alvar Aalto, Artek
Located in Rome, IT
Checkers game "The Solitaire" in wood by Artek. Made in Italy in the 1970s.
It comes with its original box and instruction paper. The original label is still attached on the botto...
Category
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Wood
Tiffany& Co. 18K Gold And Ruby Flower Form Brooch Pin
Located in Norwood, NJ
Tiffany & Co. vintage 18k yellow gold and ruby floral form pin brooch. Polished and Florentine finish. 9 prong set round rubies. Made in Italy. Fully marked Tiffany & Co. 18K Italy. ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Gold
Radio TSF Radialva Super-As 55, 1950s, Bakelite
Located in Antwerp, BE
Original made of dark brown bakelite with brown knobs. Behind the glass station shell is a red and black painted metal plate that has been blackened behind the transmitter division. ...
Category
1950s Belgian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Bakelite
1960s Set of 12 Wood Toy MONKEYS Danish Kay Bojesen Era Jointed Teak & Oak
By Kay Bojesen
Located in Chula Vista, CA
1960s Set of 12 Wood Toy MONKEYS Danish Kay Bojesen Era Jointed Teak & Oak
Collection is from different countries; most are from Japan.
Some have labels remaining.
5 large 5 medium ...
Category
1960s Japanese Mid-Century Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Oak, Teak
1970s Sterling Silver Turquoise Pendant Attributed Pal Kepenyes Spores
By Pal Kepenyes
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Style of Pal Kepenyes Sterling Silver Pendant Turquoise Stone
1.63 w x 2 1/16 h x .75 d
Attributed of Pal Kepenyes Pendant, Unsigned. Design consistent with Kepenyes work.
Preowned ...
Category
Late 20th Century Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Stone, Sterling Silver
Mid-Century Modern Extruded Aluminum Chess Set
Located in Queens, NY
American Mid-Century Modern extruded aluminum chess set with 32 stylized figures in the original presentation box. (Stamped: Austin Enterprises 1962, made by ALCOA) Case measurements...
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal
Large Antique Arrow Hatpin in Silver by Marius Sørensen, circa 1900
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Large antique arrow shaped Hatpin or Brooch for Knitwear by Danish Silversmith Marius Sørensen. Stamped 826, MS. Please note that this item has not been ...
Category
Early 1900s Danish Arts and Crafts Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Sterling Silver
Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer Signed Collage
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
Jack Nicklaus is widely considered to be one of the greatest golfers of all time. He won 117 professional tournaments in his career and his major championship record remains unequall...
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Exquisite 19th Century Cabinet of Curiosities Object – Jeweled Elephant
Located in Madrid, ES
Exquisite 19th Century Object from a Cabinet of Curiosities – Jeweled Elephant
Important, finely carved elephant sculpture, probably made in Germany in the 19th century, intended as ...
Category
Late 19th Century German Arts and Crafts Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Organic Material
Large Vintage Ship Propeller Display, English Bronze, Oak, Maritime, Mid Century
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a large vintage ship propeller display. An English, bronze and oak decorative four-blade maritime mount, dating to the mid 20th century, circa 1950.
Of great proportion and superb decorative appeal
Displaying a desirable aged patina and in good order
Polished bronze blades present wonderful golden tonality
Propeller blades ringing...
Category
Mid-20th Century British Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Bronze
DIETER RAMS 1973 Braum Cubism Desk Lighter In 18Kt Yellow Gold And Lapis
By Dieter Rams
Located in Miami, FL
Fabulous desk lighter designed by Dieter Rams for Braum.
This is a fabulous ultra-modernist T3 Domino desk lighter, created in West Germany by the architect and designer Dieter Rams...
Category
1970s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Lapis Lazuli, Gold
1970s Gorgeous Smoking Set by Lalique, Signed on the Bottom, Made in France
By Lalique
Located in Milano, IT
1970s Gorgeous smoking set in crystal by Lalique. made in France. The both pieces are signed on the bottom. Made in France. The table lighter works perfectly.
The items are in excell...
Category
1970s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Crystal
Vintage Set of Thirteen Las Vegas $1 Poker Chips
Located in San Diego, CA
A really cool vintage set of Las Vegas casino $1 poker chips, circa late 20th century. The chips are 1.5"D and in very good overall condition. The set includes a chip from the follo...
Category
Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Plastic, Bakelite
Vintage Dunhill Rollagas Silver Pocket Lighter
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Vintage 1960s Dunhill Rollagas silverplate pocket light lighter featuring a textured finish.
Stamped: "Dunhill US. RE24163 PATENTED SWITZERLAND"
M...
Category
1960s European Mid-Century Modern Vintage 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.