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Collectibles and Curiosities For Sale
Style: Industrial
Style: Napoleon III
World War II Air Crewman's Seat.
Located in Asbury Park, NJ
Rare aircrew seat by Aircraft Mechanics Inc. with swivel base. The body is riveted, galvanized, and well patinated. Adjustment levers have faded bright yellow spherical knobs. Ready ...
Category
1930s American Industrial Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Aluminum
Very Large Ophtalmotrope
Located in Peekskill, NY
What is an ophthalmotrope? An ophthalmotrope is an apparatus for demonstrating the movements of the eye and the action of the different muscles which produce them, consisting essentially of a model eyeball to which are attached strings and pulleys to duplicate the line force of the muscles.
We think this example is most likely French from the early 20th century. The base is marble with paw feet. It’s also quite large at well over 3 foot tall. This instrument is very complete. It also includes additional parts to set the mechanics up in a different way. In the pictures above the strings are attached to a keyboard. The alternative replaces the keyboard with string guide with a dozen hanging tubular weights. This is one of the largest and most decorative examples we have seen. I have only seen pictures of ophthalmotropes and never one this fine and complete. It’s as rare and impressive show piece.
This item was also used in the movie Knives Out,
Category
Early 20th Century French Industrial Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Brass
Ship's Chrome Deck Light with Iron Bracket
Located in Nantucket, MA
A nautical chrome deck light from a working ship, with an iron bracket which is slightly offset but stays center when you hang it. Midcentury. Rewired for A...
Category
Mid-20th Century Industrial Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Chrome
Enormous Pre-War Toy Steel Hoisting Crane
Located in Doornspijk, NL
This gigantic - nearly man high - steel hoisting crane will give a dull corner the right Industrial look and feel you are looking for.
The fully operational toy dates from the firs...
Category
Early 20th Century Dutch Industrial Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Steel
Vintage Nautical Spot Light
Located in New York, NY
Vintage nautical or industrial ship spotlight / search light / lantern by Crouse Hinds. USA, circa 1930. For display purposes only; not tested for us...
Category
1930s American Industrial Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal
Large Gymnastics Leather Bench Table 1930s, Exclusive
Located in Wien, AT
This old tournament table from a Czech school sports hall was cut to a height of 58cm. The leather was cleaned and preserved. The wooden parts restored. T...
Category
Mid-20th Century Czech Industrial Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Iron
Pair Vintage World War ii Bomber Plane Balloon Tires Prop Accent Sculptures Red
Located in Hyattsville, MD
Strewn some midcentury red and black throughout your interior, they are holding air, great props!
Measures: D 27 x D 7 inches.
Category
1940s German Industrial Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Aluminum
Antique Dress Form by "Superior Model Form"
By Superior Model Forms Co.inc.
Located in New York, NY
Antique dress makers form, canvass body with cast iron base stand. Small tear on the leg of the figure, visible stains to fabric, please see images. M...
Category
Early 20th Century American Industrial Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Iron, Steel
French Smoker Set in Red Glazed Earthenware 19th Napoleon III, De Bruyn Fives
Located in Beuzevillette, FR
Five-piece smoker set. Four pots including a covered tobacco pot and a red faience tray which has a floral pattern.
Very nice enamelled earthenware work.
...
Category
19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Ceramic
Vintage Right Lane Must Turn Right Large Steel Traffic Sign
Located in Topeka, KS
Awesome vintage steel Right Lane Must Turn Right traffic sign. This is a large sign and is in fabulous vintage condition with just the right amount of age...
Category
20th Century North American Industrial Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Steel
Vintage Nautical Spot Light
Located in New York, NY
Early 20th Century spot light by Crouse Hinds. USA. Features a Pyrex round shade and fully adjustable head mounted on a wide round base. For display purp...
Category
Early 20th Century American Industrial Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal
Napoleon III Period Gilt Bronze Clock and Barometer, Attributed to Raingo Frères
Located in London, GB
This stunning gilt bronze clock and barometer pair was created in circa 1860 in France. The two have been attributed to Raingo Frères, the prestigious, ...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Bronze, Enamel, Ormolu
Antique Industrial Foundry Pattern for Mold Handmade Wood, Number 11
Located in Topeka, KS
Incredible antique handmade wood industrial foundry pattern. A single long narrow slatted form. This was created to make the sand cast molds for casting an iron sewage grates or other type grill. It is in wonderful antique condition with fabulous patina from all its years of age and use, circa late 19th century.
Wow! This antique industrial foundry...
Category
Late 19th Century American Industrial Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Wood
Mid-Century Modern Nautical Chrome Ship's Adjustable Table Lamp
Located in Nantucket, MA
An adjustable ship's goose-neck table lamp in chrome from a Mid-Century merchant ship. The interior of the light's shade is glass-lined. It has been rewired for American use and take...
Category
Mid-20th Century Industrial Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Chrome
Bronze Nautical Alidade
Located in Sagaponack, NY
An impeccably machined nautical alidade crafted of warm patinated bronze and steel.
Category
1940s American Industrial Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Bronze, Steel
Antique Industrial Foundry Patterns for Molds Handmade Wood Set of 3, Group 5
Located in Topeka, KS
Incredible set of three antique handmade wood industrial foundry patterns. These were created to make the sand cast molds for casting iron sewage grates and other miscellaneous items. These are in wonderful antique condition with fabulous patina from all their years of age and use, circa late 19th century.
Holy cow! These antique industrial foundry...
Category
Late 19th Century American Industrial Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Wood
1920s Dental Paperweight Sculpture Glass Slab Temperature Gauge Thermometer
By Honeywell, S.T. Dupont
Located in Hyattsville, MD
Rare item from the L.D. Caulk Co. of Milford Delaware. New old stock, New in box. A true Relic from yesteryears building technics. A beautiful desktop sculptural object. Temp rises w...
Category
1920s American Industrial Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Glass
Antique Industrial Foundry Patterns for Molds Handmade Wood Set of Six, Group 9
Located in Topeka, KS
Incredible set of six antique handmade wood Industrial foundry patterns. These were created to make the sand cast molds for casting iron sewage grates and other miscellaneous items. These are in wonderful antique condition with fabulous patina from all their years of age and use, circa late 19th century.
Holy cow! These antique Industrial foundry...
Category
Late 19th Century American Industrial Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Wood
Antique Industrial Foundry Patterns for Molds Handmade Set of Six, Group 1
Located in Topeka, KS
Incredible set of six antique handmade industrial foundry patterns. These were created to make the sand cast molds for casting iron sewage grates and other miscellaneous items. These...
Category
Late 19th Century American Industrial Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Bentwood
Antique Industrial Foundry Patterns for Molds Handmade Wood Set of Seven – Grp 2
Located in Topeka, KS
Incredible set of seven antique handmade wood industrial foundry patterns. These were created to make the sand cast molds for casting iron sewage grates and other miscellaneous items...
Category
Late 19th Century American Industrial Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Wood
Mounted Propeller Blade
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A striking and beautifully fabricated aluminum propeller blade with a lacquered yellow accent, finely mounted on a figured walnut base.
Category
Mid-20th Century American Industrial Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Aluminum
19th Century French musical automaton clock
Located in London, GB
This fine, antique mantel clock is constructed in ebonised wood by the renowned Parisian maker of automata, Xavier Tharin (French, active mid 19th Century). The clock face is set onto a curled, stylized pediment atop the clock case. The face is of white enamel, featuring black Roman numerals and signed 'Tharin a Paris', and is bordered in beaded ormolu. The pediment in which the face is set is decorated with ormolu mounts of stylized acanthus leaf form. The pediment is set onto a rectangular frame of ebonised wood, inside which is set a musical automaton...
Category
19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Enamel, Ormolu
1900s Advertising Stencil Mark Type Font Vintage Industrial Art Sculpture Copper
Located in Hyattsville, MD
USA, circa 1901. Vintage Industrial mercantile large Wolfe Bros Folck's Roller Mills copper stencil. Baltimore Maryland.
Measures: W 18.5 x H 16 in.
Category
Early 1900s American Industrial Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Copper
Large Old Polychrome Painted Metal Model of a Lorry
Located in Baambrugge, NL
A large model of a lorry made in the second quarter of the 20th century. The cab is red, the body and flatbed maroon, above four spoked wheels. After an American Brockway truck.
...
Category
1920s European Industrial Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal
Junction Tube
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A sculptural junction tube fashioned of laboratory-grade Pyrex glass.
Category
1930s American Industrial Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Large Historical Brighton Beach New York Railroad Bridge Photo
By Acme Photo
Located in Cincinnati, OH
A large original vintage historical builders photo of the Brighton Beach railroad bridge at Neptune Ave. Hand lettering on the mat are the names of the ...
Category
Late 19th Century American Industrial Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Lignum Vitae Bowling Ball Rack
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A three-row oak bowling ball rack comprised of twenty-seven (27) regulation sized antique lignum vitae; (heartwood) lathe turned bowling balls.
Category
Early 20th Century American Industrial Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Oak
Early 20th Century Pommel Horse
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A gymnastics pommel horse or buck on a cast-iron base with locking / movable handle and geared height adjustment, retaining original leather.
Category
Early 20th Century American Industrial Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Iron
Napoleon III Picture "St Jerome and the Lion" in Fabric - France, 19th Century
Located in Isle Sur La Sorgue, Vaucluse
Unique and exquisite picture representing the biblical episode of Saint Jerome removing the thorn from the Lion's paw. The picture is made entirely of fabric, and is in relief.
The scene is set in an oasis in the desert...
Category
19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Gymnastic Bench
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A leather covered gymnastics bench on splayed, leather-clad, ebonized pine legs with patinated cast iron feet.
Category
Early 20th Century American Industrial Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Iron
Historic Early Race Car Photo
Located in Ferndale, MI
Barney Oldfield photo by Howe and Arthur.
Category
Early 20th Century American Industrial Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Napoleon III Black Lacquered Humidor on Stand
Located in Woodbury, CT
This outstanding showpiece has been meticulously crafted and then coated in a rich, thick, ebony lacquer. Numerous classic design elements include the broken pediment above a single...
Category
19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Ormolu
Ventilatore Marelli
Located in Roma, IT
L'azienda nacque nel 1891 a Milano come ditta individuale per iniziativa di Ercole Marelli, in gioventù operaio al Tecnomasio italiano di Milano. Inizialmente la società produceva ap...
Category
1960s Italian Industrial Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Brass, Iron
Shallow Water Dive Helmet
Located in Peekskill, NY
This is an early all rubber and glass shallow water diving helmet. These were used mostly in marinas for underwater ship/boat maintenance. Divers used th...
Category
Early 20th Century American Industrial Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Rubber
Vintage Metal Laboratory Beaker Stand
Located in High Point, NC
Once used as a tool for conducting laboratory analysis or experimentation, the globe-like spheres glint with the crystal clarity of borosilicate. The solid metal of the frame grants ...
Category
20th Century Czech Industrial Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal
Antique Hammer Vintage Forged Iron Tool Wrapped Leather Handle
By Stanley
Located in Chula Vista, CA
An Antique Vintage Hammer Tool
Stacked Leather Handle Forged Iron
No markings.
14.63 H x 6W x 1.25 D inches
Presents in Original Unrestored...
Category
1940s American Industrial Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Iron
Scale from Salter N 50
By George Salter & Co. Ltd
Located in Roma, IT
Bilancia degli anni '40/'50 funzionante in ghisa e piastra in ottone
Bella patina funzionante, quadrante smaltato in buone condizioni
Corpo in ferro
Category
Mid-20th Century English Industrial Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Brass, Iron
Antique German Triumph Perfekt Black Typewriter Leather Case
Located in New York, NY
Triumph Perfekt model typewriter. Made in Germany. Unknown working condition. Includes case with leather covering. This can be seen at our 400 Gilligan St location in Scranton, PA.
Category
Early 20th Century German Industrial Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Steel
Industrial School Large Scale Green Office Paper Cutter
Located in New York, NY
Early 20th century large scale paper cutter. This model cutter was extensively used in schools, offices and in industrial settings. Typical wear from age ...
Category
Early 20th Century American Industrial Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Steel
Antique Slate Electric Panel Heavy Duty Copper Breakers
Located in New York, NY
Early 20th century Industrial Electrical panel. Made of slate with heavy duty copper breakers mounted to it. This can be seen at our 400 Gilligan St l...
Category
Early 20th Century American Industrial Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Slate, Metal, Copper
Vintage Leather Markwort Boxing Gloves c.1950 (FREE SHIPPING)
Located in San Francisco, CA
About
Original boxing gloves with reddish brown leather filled with horse hair. The leather is very soft and in good condition. Original label on each glove.
Creator Markwort S...
Category
Early 20th Century American Industrial Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Leather, Natural Fiber
Rustic Barware Wood Ice Pick Tools Weathered & Worn Antique Ice Box Utensils
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Antique vintage ice pick tools rustic
Dimensions: 4.5 x 1.13 / 4.13 x .88 inches
Unrestored vintage distressed condition. Weathered and worn.
Wear and u...
Category
1920s American Industrial Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal
Old Brass Tool American Improved Spring Balance Hanging Scale 24 LB
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Scale
Old vintage tool brass hanging scale stamped American Improved Spring Balance 24 LB
Untested. Selling as is condition.
Measures: 9.25 tall x ...
Category
Early 20th Century American Industrial Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Brass
Rare Japanese "SWIFT" Microscope By Stereo Ninety
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Rare Japanese "SWIFT" Microscope By Stereo Ninety
Category
Mid-20th Century Japanese Industrial Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Chrome, Iron
1920s Red Johnson Scale Co. Stathmos Scale
Located in New York, NY
1920s large red Johnson Scale Co. Stathmos scale with wheels. This can be seen at our 400 Gilligan St location in Scranton, PA
Category
1920s American Industrial Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal
Fine French Carved Giltwood Barometer
Located in Westwood, NJ
An unusual and fine French carved giltwood barometer with military theme of carved instruments ad weaponry.
Category
19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Gio Ponti: The Complete Work, 1923-1978
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Rare, out-of-print catalogue raisonne of Italian architect, designer, publisher, and artist, Gio Ponti. Documents the legacy of his work from architecture publication Domus to the de...
Category
1990s Italian Industrial 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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