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Collectibles and Curiosities For Sale
Style: Scandinavian Modern
Style: Folk Art
The World of Bruegel by Timothy Foote Hardcover Art Book in Sleeve
Located in North Hollywood, CA
The World of Bruegel, By Timothy Foote hardcover book Slipcase. The World of Bruegel: 1525-1569. The work of the Flemish artist discussed in a blend of biography and art criticism wi...
Category

20th Century Belgian Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

The World of Rodin by William Harlan Hale, published in 1976 Hardcover Book
Located in North Hollywood, CA
The World of Rodin by William Harlan Hale, published in 1976 by Time Life, USA. The World of Rodin 1840-1917 Hardcover With Slipcase Time Life Vintage Book. 192 pages, pictorial en...
Category

20th Century American Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

1950s Danish Staved Teak Quaich Midcentury Winged Viking Bowl Centrepiece
Located in Hyattsville, MD
Denmark, circa 1950s. Staved teak bowl designed by Jens Quistgaard for Dansk. A midcentury re-interpretation of the traditional wooden Quaich. Measures: 10 5/8 inches high, 10 inches...
Category

1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Teak

19th Century Ships Salt Beef Barrel, Oak and Brass Ships Storage Tub
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
19th Century Ships Salt Beef Barrel, Oak and Brass Ships Storage Tub A survivor from the 18th Century, this excellent piece would have been used for sto...
Category

Mid-19th Century Folk Art Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Oak

Flower Shaped Bronze Necklace by Hannu Ikonen, Finland, 1970s
Located in Stockholm, SE
Lovely bronze pendant with the popular Reindeer Moss look designed by Hannu Ikonen for Valo Koru, Finland 1970s. Naturally bronze patina necklace with des...
Category

1970s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Bronze

19th Century Yacht Rudder and Carved Tiller
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
19th Century Yacht Rudder and Carved Tiller The rudder is a good decorative piece as is the tiller which has a figure head carved on the end wit...
Category

Late 19th Century Folk Art Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Ash

Large Vintage Carousel Handmade Erzgebirge Germany
Located in Kitzbuhel, AT
Large handmade carousel in wood. Decorated with African animals in two levels. Handmade and hand painted in Erzgebirge Germany circa 1930. Unique and very decorative item. No motor!
Category

Early 20th Century German Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Wood

English Jigger Doll
Located in London, GB
English Jigger Doll We are proud to offer an early 20th century hand carved folk art English jigger doll example. Carved from pine and joined with brass supports. Jig dolls are traditional wooden or tin-plate ‘toys’ for adults or children. Obtained from a private collection in London and untouched in form with all its original featured intact. They are dolls with loose limbs that step dance...
Category

1920s British Folk Art Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Pine

Vintage Round Blue Stone Silverpendant by Skreij J E Ab, Sweden, 1970s
Located in Stockholm, SE
Beautiful blue round 'Bergslagen stone' necklace by Skreij JE Ab 1970s. Sweden. The stone has various shades of blue color and are originally the "leftovers" or slag of the iron pro...
Category

1970s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Stone, Sterling Silver

Small Danish Wooden Tobacco Jar, circa 1800-1825
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Small Circular Danish wooden tobacco jar, circa 1800-1825 The jar has "TOBAK" and illustrations of two chalk pipes painted on one side of the jar...
Category

Early 19th Century Danish Folk Art Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Birch

Vintage Afghan Pictorial Map Rug
Located in New York, NY
A vintage Afghan Pictorial map rug from the mid-20th century. Measures: 3' 0" x 4' 10"
Category

Mid-20th Century Afghan Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Wool

Lovely Enamelled Sterling Silver Bracelet by Ivar Holth 1950s, Norway
Located in Stockholm, SE
Elegante and enamelled bracelet designed by Ivar T. Holth in the 1950s Oslo, Norway. Seven sections with black and white enamel and silver decorated frames. Perfect as both a party -...
Category

1950s Norwegian Scandinavian Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Enamel, Sterling Silver

Danish 19th Century Brass Surveying or Level Tool on Tripod
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Surveyors tripod level tool from the late 19th century. The tripod is made of wood and the level is brass. The wood tripod is 39.75in high.
Category

Mid-19th Century Danish Folk Art Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Brass

Cathrineholm Midcentury Scandinavian Modern Lotus Enamel Blue/White Dutch Oven
Located in Philadelphia, PA
An enamelware Lotus pattern Dutch oven manufactured by the Norwegian manufacturer Cathrineholm. Cathrineholm operated from 1907-1970. The popular Lotus line...
Category

Mid-20th Century Norwegian Scandinavian Modern Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Steel

Folk Art Wooden Hand Carved and Painted WW2 Lancaster Bomber Model Airplane
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This handcrafted Folk Art model of a Lancaster Bomber is signed on the base, but the artist could not be identified so is posted as Unknown. This wooden airplane model...
Category

Late 20th Century Canadian Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Softwood

Lewis Carroll Observed Hardcover Book
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Lewis Carroll Observed A Collection of Unpublished Photographs, Drawings, Poetry and New Essays. GUILIANO, Edward edited by Published by Clarkson N. Potter, New York, 1976 An anth...
Category

20th Century American Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Vintage African Urembo Beaded Necklace Choker Kenya
Located in North Hollywood, CA
African Urembo Beaded vintage necklace choker by the Maasai Tribe Kenya Vintage African Urembo beaded necklace choker. Handmade in Kenya by the ...
Category

Late 20th Century Kenyan Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Beads

Blue Stone Vintage Silverbracelet by Victor Jansson, Sweden, 1966
Located in Stockholm, SE
Beautiful blue Bergslagen stone silver bracelet by Victor Jansson for Lindesberg, Sweden 1966. The stone has a triangle shape and traces of white stone within it. Clasp inside to ope...
Category

1960s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Sterling Silver

"Lamb" Cast Iron Still Bank, American, Circa 1970
Located in Incline Village, NV
"Lamb" cast Iron still bank is a re-issue of a bank made in 1928. It was made by The John Wright Company in Mount Joy, Pennsylvania in 1970. They...
Category

1970s American Folk Art Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Iron

Antique Large Folk Art Handcrafted Wooden Fretwork Crucifix or Cross and Stand
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This extremely detailed and ornately handcrafted wooden Folk Art Crucifix is unsigned, but presumed to have been made in Eastern Europe, possibly Aus...
Category

Early 20th Century Austrian Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Softwood

19th Century New England Painted Wood Sea Shell Folly
Located in Stamford, CT
A rare and likely unique five tier shell folly in the form of a pyramid or temple filled with sea shells and coral. All hand carved and hand painted black with red base paint showing through giving it a wonderful surface and patina. Each tier with four column supports and four finials, the top with an urn form finial. This piece from and old Maine estate was clearly made with love. Quintessential New England folk...
Category

Late 19th Century American Folk Art Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Shell, Wood

1920s Harold Lloyd Litho Tin Toy
Located in Peekskill, NY
This rare pre- WW II German made tin toy is seldom seen. Lloyd, Harold (Clayton) (1893–1971), U.S. movie comedian. Performing his own hair-raising stunts, ...
Category

1930s American Folk Art Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Tin

Vintage Cast Iron Book of Knowledge Mechanical Bank, Punch & Judy, 20th Century
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Hand-painted cast iron mechanical bank "Punch and Judy Bank." A vintage book of knowledge Punch & Judy mechanical bank offers polychrome cast cons...
Category

Early 20th Century Taiwanese Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Iron

Traditional Silver Torque Necklace Chocker from Rajasthan India
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Traditional torque or Hansuli silvered necklace choker from Lambadi or Banjara and Sugali People, Andhra Pradesh, India.t India, circa 1940. Fabulous vi...
Category

Early 20th Century Indian Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal, Silver Plate

"Blower Bentley" Sculpture by Paul Jacobsen
Located in Wiscasset, ME
Constructed of wood, paint and some metal mixed media. Paul Jacobsen used everyday objects, such as chairs, cars, airplanes, trains, motorcycles and puzzles, all built from scrat...
Category

2010s North American Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Wood, Paint

Vintage Moroccan Pendant Fibula Pin Brooch
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Beautiful vintage Moroccan ethnic fibula pendant or pin brooch. This Ethnic Moroccan silver pendant jewelry is enameled with yellow, green and blue with cabochon of red glass beads. ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Moroccan Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal

Folk Art, Hand Executed Modernist, Art Deco Airplane /Trinket Box
Located in Buffalo, NY
Folk Art, hand executed modernist, Art deco Airplane sculpture with hand built and painted trinket box.
Category

1940s American Folk Art Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Wood

Complete Handmade Game Box with Dominoes, Six Dice & Playing Cards, circa 1940s
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a very good handmade Inlaid, lidded games box or compendium, complete with a 6-spot Dominoe set, 6 dice and a set of playing cards, which we date to the mid-20th century, circa 1940s. This is a lovely handmade Treen like games box set or compendium comprising; A complete set of handmade wood 6-spot dominoes with brass inlaid detail Six handmade wood dice with inlaid brass detail. A set of boxed...
Category

Mid-20th Century Unknown Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Brass

Articulated Toy Elephant by Kay Bojesen
Located in San Diego, CA
Articulated toy elephant by Kay Bojesen, circa 1990s. #1469 Kay Bojesen's elephant, born in 1953, is a world-famous Classic for children and adults...
Category

20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Oak

Late 19th Century Fairground Knock Down Figure
Located in London, GB
Jeu De Massacre Fairground Figure One of the finest examples of a late 19th Century fairground knock down figure we have had the pleasure to obtain, in ...
Category

Early 1900s French Folk Art Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Wood

Complete Book of Traditional Fair Isle Knitting by McGregor, Sheila, 1982
Located in North Hollywood, CA
The Complete Book Of Traditional Fair Isle Knitting by McGregor, Sheila. 1st Edition Published 1982 Title The Complete Book of Traditional Fair Isle Knitting Author McGregor, Shei...
Category

20th Century English Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Antique Asian Bronze Chariot with Dragon Head Pulled by Horses
Located in North Hollywood, CA
From the Ramakien a Thai Ramayana. A scene from Ramakian or Ramayan, the Indian epic Lakshman riding in a chariot along with Rama and Sita sitting in the back. After his victory over Ravana, Sri Rama prepares to leave for Ayodhya, Rama now told Vibheeshan that there was just one more day...
Category

Early 20th Century Indian Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Bronze

Wooden Wind-Up Double Decker Bus
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Charming painted wooden wind-up patinated white / red double-decker bus. Raw wood peeks through the original paint to make for a pleasing texture and patina. A compliment to bookshel...
Category

20th Century Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Wood

Mechanical Bank, "Watchdog Safe" in Cast Iron, circa 1890
Located in Incline Village, NV
"Watchdog Safe" mechanical bank was manufactured by the prolific toy coin bank manufacturer J. & E. Stevens Company in Cromwell, Connecticut in 1890. "Patent Applied For" appears in ...
Category

19th Century American Folk Art Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Iron

Tin Penny Toy Bi-Plane Horn, Germany, circa 1910
Located in Incline Village, NV
Penny Toys were just that; toys made to sell for a penny or very inexpensively. This particular toy was manufactured in Germany (probably Nuremberg) for the ...
Category

1910s German Folk Art Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Tin

19th C. German Stag Horn Thermometer and Barometer
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A remarkable German Folk Art Weather Station in the Black Forest Style. Elaborate and sinuous construction with stag horns of various sizes, boar tusk...
Category

19th Century German Folk Art Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Antler, Horn

19th Original Mexican Oil on Canvas of San Juan Nepomuceno
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
We offer this 19th original Mexican oil on canvas of San Juan Nepomuceno. About John of Nepomuk: Is the saint of Bohemia (Czech Republic) who...
Category

Late 19th Century Mexican Folk Art Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Canvas

Elvis Presley Commemorative Mechanical Bank "Cleveland Rock and Roll" circa 2006
By Reynolds Toys
Located in Incline Village, NV
Made to commemorate the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame located in Cleveland, Ohio, this cast aluminum mechanical bank depicts Elvis Presley in full gala attire, typical of Elvis, with wh...
Category

Early 2000s American Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Aluminum

Moroccan Berber Tribal Ethnic Bracelet
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Moroccan Berber tribal bracelet. Moroccan tribal bracelets from the High Atlas of Morocco. Handcrafted by Berber women using Moroccan silver nickel. The ethnic Nomadic and Bedouin jewelry...
Category

20th Century Moroccan Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal, Silver

Hans Hansen Sterling Bracelet Bangle Danish Geometric, Mid-Century Modern
Located in Hyattsville, MD
A rare and well loved Minimalist Scandinavian 1970s modernist sterling silver hexagonal bangle. A seldom offered design, versatile, and comfortable with...
Category

1970s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Sterling Silver

Complete Book of Traditional Aran Knitting by Shelagh Hollingworth 1982
Located in North Hollywood, CA
The Complete book of traditional Aran knitting Book by Shelagh Hollingworth. Collects patterns for knitting shirts, sweaters, jackets, coats, and other clothes in the style of the A...
Category

20th Century English Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Silverring with a Hook 1950s-1960s Scandinavia
Located in Stockholm, SE
A beautiful and classic silverring with a shape as a hook. Perfect for any occasion. Marked with silverstamp 925. Scandinavian design. Size: Inner diameter is 17 mm. Thickness of ban...
Category

1960s Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Silver

Vintage Instructional Mushroom Model
Located in Houston, TX
Vintage instructional mushroom model from an art school in France. Entire set pictured together in last three images.
Category

1940s French Folk Art Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Concrete

16-17th Century Burmese Carved Sandstone Sculpture of Cow
Located in Kastrup, DK
400-500 old Burmese sandstone "Holy Cow" sculpture with beautifully detailed carvings. Very decorative with natural patina. Mounted on a base of light sandst...
Category

16th Century Burmese Folk Art Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Sandstone

Large Vintage Model LCM USN Landing Craft
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Large vintage model LCM USN landing craft.
Category

Mid-20th Century American Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Aluminum

Large Antler Table Clock, Centerpiece And Smoke Stand
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Large antler table clock, centerpiece and smoke stand.
Category

Early 20th Century American Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Antler

Religious Chalkware Diorama
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Amazing religious chalkware wall hanging found in a Catholic church in Philadelphia. The pictures describe it all. Wonderful detail and dimension.
Category

19th Century American Folk Art Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Plaster

Complete Book of Traditional Fair Isle Knitting by McGregor, Sheila 1982
Located in North Hollywood, CA
The Complete Book Of Traditional Fair Isle Knitting By McGregor, Sheila. 1st Edition Published 1982 Title The Complete Book of Traditional Fair Isle Knitting Author McGregor, Shei...
Category

20th Century English Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Vintage French Toy "Les Acrobates", circa 1920
By G. Doloy
Located in Incline Village, NV
Rare 100 year old French toy in it's original box depicting two acrobats attached to a wire frame with brown barrel weights, cascading down a green metal ladder. Once assembled (loop...
Category

1920s French Folk Art Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Tin

Rare Antique Wooden Child's Ride on Wooden Toy Boat by Nautilus Toy Co. London
Located in Buffalo, NY
Rare antique wooden child's ride on wooden toy boat by Nautilus Toy Co. London wonderful Folk Art object. 1920s ride on toy made by the Nautilus Toy Compan...
Category

1920s English Folk Art Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal

National Geographic The Photo Ark The Quest to Document the World's Animals
Located in North Hollywood, CA
National Geographic The Photo Ark: One Man's Quest to Document the World's Animals. Animal Ark: Celebrating our Wild World in Poetry and Pictures (National Geographic Kids) Hardcover – February 14, 2017 Synopsis: The lush and unique photography in this book represents National Geographic's Photo Ark, a major initiative and lifelong project by photographer Joel Sartore to make portraits of the world's animals—especially those that are endangered. His powerful message, conveyed with humor, compassion, and art: to know these animals is to save them. Animal Ark: Celebrating our Wild World in Poetry and Pictures (National Geographic Kids) Hardcover – February 14, 2017 by Kwame Alexander (Author), Mary Rand Hess (Author), Deanna Nikaido Sartore is circling the globe, visiting zoos and wildlife rescue centers to create studio portraits of 12,000 species, with an emphasis on those facing extinction. With a goal of photographing every animal in captivity in the world, he has photographed more than 6,000 already and now, thanks to a multi-year partnership with National Geographic, he may reach his goal. This book showcases his animal portraits: from tiny to mammoth, from the Florida grasshopper sparrow to the greater one-horned rhinoceros. Paired with the eloquent prose of veteran wildlife writer Douglas Chadwick, and an inspiring foreword from Harrison Ford, this book presents a thought-provoking argument for saving all the species of our planet. About the Author: JOEL SARTORE is a photographer, speaker, author, teacher, and a 25-year contributor to National Geographic magazine as well as Audubon, Geo, Time, Life, Newsweek, and Sports Illustrated. He has written several books including National Geographic's Rare: Portraits of America's Endangered Species, Photographing Your Family, and Let's Be Reasonable, a collection of essays from the CBS Sunday Morning show. Sartore and his work have been the subjects of several national broadcasts, including the National Geographic Channel's Explorer, the NBC Nightly News, NPR's Weekend Edition, and an hour-long PBS documentary, At Close Range. He is also a contributor on the CBS Sunday Morning Show with Charles Osgood...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary North American Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Golden Brass Armbracelet from Finland, 1970s
Located in Stockholm, SE
Brass bracelet sectioned together with six golden parts of perforated brass links shaped as eights. Lovely golden bracelet perfect for both everyday and party wear use. Box locker. S...
Category

1970s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Brass

Decorative Halfcircle Shaped Bronze Necklace by Hannu Ikonen, Finland, 1970s
Located in Stockholm, SE
Beautiful bronze pendant with the popular Reindeer Moss look designed by Hannu Ikonen for Valo Koru, Finland 1970s. Naturally patina with dramatic relieffs. Halfcircle shaped. Good v...
Category

1970s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Bronze

Vintage Brass Looped Hunter's Horn Bugle Made into a Table Lamp by Robert Abbey
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Vintage brass looped hunter's bugle made into a table lamp. handcrafted Robert Abbey table lamp. Vintage decorative brass hunting horns, British horn bugle, or military brass Instr...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Brass

Savannah Then and Now by Stefan Sanmann and John Crowell Hardcover Book
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Savannah Then and Now by Stefan Sanmann and John Crowell Hardcover Book. Savannah: Then and Now Hardcover – January 1, 1997 by Stefan Sanmann (Author), John Crowell (Author), Jeffrey Crowell (Photographer) Photography - 172 pages Putting archive and contemporary photographs of the same landmark side-by-side, Savannah Then and Now is a visual chronicle of the city's past The early settlers of Savannah built their houses around a geometric street plan on a bluff above the Savannah River. They were aided by the Yamacraw tribe and their aged chief, Tomochichi, who became firm friends with Savannah's founder, Englishman James Oglethorpe, and both their names are commemorated across the city. Oglethorpe's vision for "open-space squares surrounded by the rhythmic placement of streets"would later earn Savannah the prestigious status of becoming a National Historic Landmark. Savannah boomed as the cotton trade expanded in the South, and by the mid-19th century the city was thriving as it exported cotton bales to Europe and acted as a staging post for travelers. During the Civil War, in 1864, Savannah was surrendered to General William T. Sherman following his March to the Sea, which began in Atlanta and ended in Savannah. Thankfully, General Sherman spared Savannah the torch, and the elegant Georgian residences were saved. However, it took a group of resolute Savannah ladies to preserve some of the best architecture in the city in the 1950s, as many historic buildings were scheduled for demolition. Their hard work and enterprise has helped preserve the city's architectural heritage. The book features images of some of the sites referenced in John Berendt's influential book Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil such as Mercer House...
Category

20th Century American Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Antique Asian Hindu Bronze Temple Toy Camel on Wheels
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Inspired by a scene from Ramakian or Ramayan, the Indian epic Rama and Sita. Antique Indian Temple Toy bronze camel on wheels. Antique hindu bronze temple camel with rider statue toy on wheels. Commonly known as "Temple Toys...
Category

Late 19th Century Indian Folk Art Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Bronze

Antique Large Oakwood Model Sailboat Ship Boat on Base Stand
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique large oakwood model sailboat ship boat on base stand, circa early to mid-20th century. Measurements: On stand: 26" H x 35" W x 9.75" D. Ship: 24" H...
Category

Mid-20th Century North American Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Oak, Pine

The Spirit of New England Hardcover 1991 by Paul Nolan
Located in North Hollywood, CA
The Spirit of New England Hardcover – June 9, 1991 by Paul Nolan. Harris, Bill., Portland House, 1991, 1st U.S. Edition 1st Printing, cloth with gilt spine titles, 160 pp, colo...
Category

20th Century American Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

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.

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