Collectibles and Curiosities
347
10,196
to
1,030
6,338
3,514
10,196
10,196
10,196
769
317
277
204
165
128
100
96
78
52
40
37
30
26
25
16
14
4,489
6,617
13,297
2,839
3,579
4,567
2,946
497
337
599
747
494
907
862
848
617
624
3,731
3,382
2,753
1,035
853
5,113
2,148
1,273
1,248
1,118
107
33
29
20
14
Collectibles and Curiosities For Sale
Period: 19th Century
Period: Early 20th Century
Antique Brass on Leather Horse Sleigh Bells, Circa 1900's.
Located in New Orleans, LA
Antique Brass on Leather Horse Sleigh Bells, Circa 1900's.
Category
Early 20th Century Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Brass
Antique French Gold Bronze, Enamel & Rouge Marble "Benetier" Holy Water Font.
Located in New Orleans, LA
Rare Antique French Gold Bronze, Enamel & Rouge Marble "Benetier" Holy Water Font.
Exquisite French Workmanship
Category
19th Century French Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Marble, Bronze, Enamel
George IV Silver Gilt Vinaigrette Made in Birmingham by John Bettridge, 1830
By John Bettridge
Located in London, GB
A very fine & unusual George IV Silver Gilt Vinaigrette made in Birmingham in 1830 by John Bettridge.
The Vinaigrtte is broad rectangular in form with engine turned sides and base. ...
Category
19th Century English George IV Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Silver, Sterling Silver
Large Framed Dinner Gong in Mahogany
Located in SAINTE-COLOMBE, FR
Large Framed Dinner Gong in Mahogany
This impressive bronze gong hangs from a well-crafted turned stand.
The original hand-crafted gong offers a substantial sound, when struck wi...
Category
Early 20th Century French Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Bronze
Pair of Antique miniature Obelisks
Located in Schellebelle, BE
Elegant ,antique Pair of Obelisks,England from around 1920,
made in Black Stone and Amethyst,
good, old Patina of the Stone,
mint condition,very decorative objects to be used in diff...
Category
Early 20th Century British Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Multi-gemstone
Ancient Crossroads: Albania to Assyria in Antiquity, Published in 1880
Located in Langweer, NL
The map titled "ALBANIA, IBERIA, COLCHIS, ARMENIA, MESOPOTAMIA, BABYLONIA, ASSYRIA" portrays the ancient regions that would encompass parts of modern-day Eastern Turkey, Armenia, Aze...
Category
1880s Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Architecture of Robert & James Adam '1758-1794'; 2 Volumes, 1st Ed, c1922
Located in valatie, NY
The Architecture of Robert & James Adam (1758-1794); Two Volumes, by Arthur T. Bolton. Published by Country Life, London, 1922. 1st Ed hardcovers no dust jacket as published. Origina...
Category
1920s Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Tiffany & Co. Antique Sterling Silver and Wood Pipe Rack
Located in Braintree, GB
Antique sterling Silver and wood pipe rack.
Maker: Tiffany & Co.
Made in USA, Ca.1900's
Dimensions -
L x W x H: 35.5 x 3.2 x 8.1 cm
Weight : 474 grams
Condition: Please n...
Category
Early 20th Century Central American Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Silver
The Great Events of Great War in 7 Volumes Complete, First Edition
Located in valatie, NY
The Great Events of Great War in 7 Volumes Complete. The National Alumni, 1920. 7 vols. First edition hardcovers. This set done for Henry J. McKenney, Lieutenant 46th Infantry, 9th Division U.S. Army. Plate signed by the Commander and Chief Huston and the Adjutant General Elton with the official embossed seal. Illustrated with full-page gravures and protective tissues guards over each. Each volume is a facsimile of a famous binding ("The original art binding of the official French copy of the Versailles Peace Treaty which was signed by President...
Category
1920s American Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Miniature Travelling Chess Set Game handmade & Pokerwork Board / Box, Circa 1900
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a high quality handmade Miniature or travelling wood chess set game of 32 pieces in its own lidded pokerwork decorated box, which we date to the English Edwardian period, circa 1900.
This piece is all handmade. The chess set is complete with 32 wood chess pieces. The box is also handmade of wood, opening up to make a pokerwork chess board with further pokerwork design to the sides. All the pieces are hand carved, probably from boxwood with the black ones stained . The box has metal hinges and a brass fastener to keep the lid securely closed, with the pieces inside.
Overall a quality antique handmade, complete, travelling chess set...
Category
Late 19th Century British Edwardian Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Brass
20th Century Copper Silver-Plate Plaque, with Coral Inserts, Madonna Del Carmine
Located in PALERMO, IT
Particular plaque made of silver-plated copper, depicting the Madonna del Carmine, with inserts in Trapani coral. Below we find the words "Nuestra Senora Del Carmen"
Category
Early 20th Century Sicilian Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Coral, Silver Plate, Copper
George Edward Horton: the Launch of H.M.S. ‘Victoria’ from the Elswick Shipyard
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
George Edward Horton: The Launch of H.M.S. ‘Victoria’ from the Elswick shipyard of Sir W. G. Armstrong Whitworth and Co. Ltd, Newcastle-upon-Tyne in 1887, watercolour and pencil heig...
Category
1880s European Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paint
19th Century Buffalo Wild Bill Cody Cabinet Collectors Card
Located in Coeur d'Alene, ID
Buffalo Bill's Wild West Hon. W.F. Cody cabinet card by Anderson 785 Broadway, New York.
Period: Late 19th century
Origin: New York
Size: 4 1/4" x 16"
Family Owned & Operated
Cisco...
Category
1880s Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Other
Count Gleichen’s shrapnel paperweight. Russian and English, 1854
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
Count Gleichen’s Russian shell paperweight, the tooth shaped fragment of a Russian armament shell set above another of rectangular form both raised on a silver mount on an ebonized rectangular plinth, applied with a plaque reading ‘Two fragments of a Russian shell fired at Mr Fred Burne assist.t paymaster and Mr Henry Crave St John midshipman of H.M.S. Cumberland in Aug.t 1854 from Tsee Fort Bonarsund whilst conveying refreshments to the English camp – for their messmate – H.S.H. Prince Victor of Hohenlohe Midshipman landed with the Naval Brigade in 1854’. With a framed caricature of Count Gleichen inscribed Vanity Fair, London, July 5, 1884. Vice Admiral H.S.H Count Gleichen – the Queen’s Nephew.Russian and English, 1854.
The print has the following biography on the reverse and on the mount ‘His Serene Highness Prince Victor …. of Hohenlohe-Langenburg, is better known in England as Count Gleichen and as the Queen’s nephew. Born fifty years ago, he was sent to school at Dresden; but at the age of fourteen he conceived ideas not to be bounded within the confines of the small life of a German principality. So he ran away from school to go to sea, and his aunt the Queen of England, being informed of the fact, proposed to her sister to let her adventurous nephew become naturalised as an Englishman and enter the English Navy. This was accordingly done, and Prince Victor, as he was then called, was appointed to the Powerful on the Mediterranean Station, in 1848. He served in the Crimean War and in the operations in China he proved a popular officer and a good sailor-man, and was three times wounded in battle. In 1861 he married the daughter of Admiral Sir George Seymour, sister of the fifth Marquis of Hertford on which occasion it was that he put down his title of Prince and took up for future use that of Count. He became, in due course a Vice-Admiral, and in the meantime he also became a sculptor. It is in the latter art that he now mainly busies himself, and he has created many pleasing busts of his royal relatives and some works of greater pretensions than family portraits. An Alfred the Great, a Beaconsfield, and a Prince Imperial...
Category
1880s English Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal, Silver
Queen Victoria Authentic Strand of Hair with Certificate of Authenticity
Located in Jersey, GB
Few British rulers have cast as long a shadow as Queen Victoria. Her reign lasted 63 years, which stood as the record up until great-granddaughter Elizabeth II surpassed her in 2015....
Category
19th Century Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Other
Scandinavian Antique Leather-Bound Books, 2000 Books in Brown And Red Available
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
A large collection of Scandinavian decorative antique library leather-bound books
Please note that the pictures listed are a sample of the books available and not the exact 50 books available. We will send pictures of the actual books before shipping them out.
An attractive collection of 2000 mid-size antique leather-bound books. This lot of books on literature from Sweden are wrapped in leather-bound covers, comprised of varying rich, warm tones and gold leaf print embossing. The books seated side-by-side measures 2,5 meters, approximate 8´2 foot run. This collection of antique Swedish books are ready to ship and take their place, handsomely adorning your bookcase or library shelves...
Category
Early 20th Century Swedish British Colonial Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Leather, Paper
19th Century Arapaho Large Panel Tobacco Bag
Located in Coeur d'Alene, ID
Arapaho large panel, tobacco bag with old collection tag "tobacco bag" white seal #450. Brain tanned buffalo calf. All original, remains soft and supple. S...
Category
Late 19th Century American Native American Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Hide
Gelatin Print of a Beautiful Gentleman Steam Yacht at Anchor by W Kirk
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
A gelatin print of a beautiful gentleman steam yacht at anchor just to the west of Cowes in the Solent by W Kirk, Cowes.
Impressed WM U Kirk to the right hand side.
OS 15 1/2. ...
Category
Early 1900s English Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Italian Gilt Carved Stand
Located in Dallas, TX
This short Italian stand is gilded in gold and was made sometime in the early 19th century. The 4 supports were carved in a serpentine form with a leaf on each one. It has something ...
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Giltwood, Wood
Late 19th century Pair of Cast Iron Andirons
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
A pair of large cast iron andirons in the form of Tweedleddee and Tweedledum, late 19th century.
Category
1870s English Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Iron
Large 19th Century Indonesian Sculpture of a Bull
Located in Stockton, NJ
Massive and rare early 19th century Indonesian ship bowsprit. Originally a decoration on the front of a ship. Carved wood bull with natural horns. Museum mou...
Category
Early 19th Century Asian Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Iron
Jephthah the Gileadite Returning Home, circa 1800
Located in Virum, DK
Jephthah the Gileadite returning home after destroying the Ammonite towns. Unsigned. Oil on metal. Scene from The Book of Judges chapter 11, 30–40.
Category
Early 1800s Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal
Fourteen Point Star Badge
By George Ward
Located in London, GB
A 14 point star Badge made by George Ward of Manchester and assayed in Chester in 1843
Engraved with "Presented to PCR George Heathcote by members of No...
Category
19th Century English Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Sioux Three-Piece Pipe with Man Effigy
Located in Coeur d'Alene, ID
Pawnee/Sioux man figure pipe, with three-piece hand-carved spooled Catlinite stem; over 36". Important museum/ investment quality.
Period: First half of the 19th century
Origin: Pa...
Category
Early 19th Century Native American Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Other
Henry Hallam, Constitutional History of England, 3 Vols, 1867, Leather Bound
Located in Hillsborough, NJ
Author: Hallam, Henry.
Title: The Constitutional History of England From The Accession of Henry VII To The Death of George II.
Publisher: London: John...
Category
1860s British Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Leather
Large Elm Tiller from the Brixam Fishing Trawler 'Provident'
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
A large elm tiller with a bronze helm and turned finial from the Brixham fishing trawler 'Provident', 1924
Provident details:
Builder: J Sander...
Category
1920s English Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Antique Book Set, 13 Vols Charles Dickens Novels, English, Fiction, Victorian
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique set of 13 Charles Dickens novels. An English language, comprehensive library of fiction books, dating to the Victorian period, published 1866 to 1868.
Synonymous...
Category
Mid-19th Century British Victorian Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
The Wandering Jew by Eugene Sue Complete Edition with Illustrations
Located in Dallas, TX
Presenting a rare first edition hardback copy of The Wandering Jew by Eugene Sue, Complete Edition IN ONE VOLUME with Illustrations by GAVARNI and GIRARDET, published by George Routl...
Category
Late 19th Century English Late Victorian Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
The Life of Emma, Lady Hamilton by J T Herbert Baily, 1st Ed
Located in valatie, NY
The Life of Emma, Lady Hamilton by J T Herbert Baily. Published by Menzies London, 1905. 1st Ed hardcover no dust jacket as published. 137 untrimmed pages with all 23 portraits of Lady Hamilton each with a tissue guard. Dame Emma Hamilton...
Category
Early 1900s English Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Early Single-soled Curling Stone
Located in Oxfordshire, GB
Antique Granite Curling Stone.
A late 19th century single-soled curling stone with a brass (gun metal) and wood handle. The handle is fixed to a bar that is set into the top of the s...
Category
1860s British Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Granite
Silver Lady Woman Ex Voto religious Folk Art, Antique European, 1910s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A cute petite religious Ex Voto. I do not know what it is made of, thin and light filigree silver or silver plated metal. It is handmade, embossed and then welded. Given the delicacy...
Category
Early 20th Century German Art Nouveau Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Silver Plate, Sheet Metal
Antique Map of Brazil, Uruguay, Paraguay and Guyana by A & C. Black, 1870
Located in Langweer, NL
Antique map titled 'Brazil'. Original antique map of Brazil, Uruguay, Paraguay and Guyana. This map originates from ‘Black's General Atlas of The...
Category
Late 19th Century Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Large Original Vintage Map of Australia, circa 1920
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Great map of Australia
Original color. Good condition
Published by Alexander Gross
Unframed.
Category
1920s English Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Antique Toy Wind-Up Double Decker Bus by Ferdinand Strauss Toy Co. Circa 1925
By STRAUSS
Located in Incline Village, NV
Antique Wind-Up Double Decker open air bus by the Ferdinand Strauss Toy Company, New York; circa 1925; is quite a large and substantial toy resembling very closely, buses of that era...
Category
1920s American Folk Art Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Tin
Chinese Wooden Block Printing Set, circa 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
Chinese innovations in ink, block printing, and movable type fueled global advancements in printing technology, expanding the range of influence of the written word. These printing innovations can be attributed to Chinese Buddhist devotees, who embraced woodblock printing as an important vehicle to spread sutras and good spirits.
Though the printing press is said to have been invented in China, it never offered the same efficiencies to Chinese culture as it did in the West, due to the near endless numbers of Chinese characters and the labor involved in manipulating them.
Enclosed in a contemporary wooden frame, each of the miniature wood blocks included in this early 20th-century type set was hand-carved with a Chinese character. Each is a unique and wonderful curiosity, providing an unusual look at a moment in time.
Each set contains approximately 70 individual tiles.
Category
Late 19th Century Chinese Qing Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Wood
19th Century Horn & Brass Covered Trophy Cup Accessory
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Stunning 19th century horn and brass covered trophy cup having incredible details such as eagle at the base and cow on the lid.
Category
19th Century English Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Brass
Ronson Newark 1929 Art Deco Steel RonDeLight Table Lighter Black & Blue Lacquer
Located in Miami, FL
A ball table lighter designed by Ronson.
Very beautiful RonDeLight Junior desk lighter, created in Newark United States by Art Metal Works Inc. for The Ronson Co. during the art dec...
Category
1920s American Art Deco Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Steel, Chrome
RARE , LARGE Complete set of 8 Christmas Putz Houses, loofah trees, balconies
By Leo Putz
Located in Buffalo, NY
Rare , large, complete set of 8 Christmas PUTZ Houses,, Loofah Trees, balconies, etc.. In original box.Amazing original condition. Stamped on bottom MADE IN JAPAN, EACH ONE NUMBERED...
Category
1920s Japanese Folk Art Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Laminate, Paper
English Edwardian Brass Pivoting Magnifying Glass on Stand c.1900
Located in Bath, GB
A handsome antique English magnifying glass on stand which pivots on a ball and socket fitting, moving around with ease.
Dating to c.1900, it remains in excellent condition having b...
Category
Early 1900s British Edwardian Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Brass
Elegant English miniature chest of drawers in walnut burl from Mid-19th Century
Located in Knivsta, SE
Elegant English miniature chest of drawers in walnut burl from Mid-19th Century.
Perfect as a jewelry or collector’s box.
Wear consistent with age and use
Category
Mid-19th Century English Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Walnut
Original Antique Print of Napoleon Bonaparte. Circa 1850
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Great image of Napoleon Bonaparte
Fine steel engraving
Published by Furne, Paris circa 1850
Unframed.
The size given is the paper size
Category
1850s English Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Antique Map of Brazil by Levasseur '1875'
Located in Langweer, NL
Antique map titled 'Carte du Brésil'. Large map of Brazil, with small fold out. This map originates from 'Atlas de Géographie Moderne Physique et Politiq...
Category
Late 19th Century Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Indian Inlaid Table Top Cabinet
Located in Greenwich, CT
Fine early 19th Century Indian bone inlaid padouk miniature secretary, Monghyr, the two doors inlaid with flowers, vines and birds opening to reveal a fall front writing surface, the...
Category
Early 19th Century Indian Anglo-Indian Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Bone, Padouk
Eugène Vallin, Menuisier d'art de l'ecole de Nancy
Located in Montelabbate, PU
Eugène Vallin (1856 – 21 July 1922) was a French furniture designer and manufacturer, as well as an architect.
Hardcover, 319 pag.
Category
Early 20th Century Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Original Antique Print, Portrait of Lord Nelson, circa 1850
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Great image of Lord Nelson
Fine steel engraving by H.Robinson
After J.Hoppner
Published circa 1850
Unframed.
Category
1850s English Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Rare 19th Century Folding Pew, Altar, Desk from Regency Period, England or U.S.
Located in Lomita, CA
Form and function make this piece of furniture unique. If a piece of furniture could be clever, this desk, bench, altar, pew, would go to the head of the Sunday School class. It is v...
Category
Late 19th Century English Regency Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Burl
American Victorian Brass Scale
Located in New York, NY
American Victorian green painted iron and brass scale with 2 brass trays.
Category
19th Century American Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Iron
Mid 19th Century Wood Oars on Stand
Located in New York, NY
Four antique wooden oars, hand-carved in Indonesia, mid 19th Century.
Some original paint is preserved, with time-conferred patina.
The tallest o...
Category
1840s Indonesian Tribal Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Wood
Antique Aluminum Teaching Dental Phantom Head Skull on Stand Gold Tooth 1920's
Located in Portland, OR
Antique aluminum dental phantom teaching head model with a gold tooth, 1920's.
A wonderful fun sculptural dental phantom, the aluminum head with lower...
Category
1920s German Brutalist Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Aluminum, Gold, Steel
Silver Cannon Lighter By Gibson & Langman
Located in New Orleans, LA
Ideal for both cigar aficionados and military enthusiasts, this Late Victorian silver cannon and carriage table lighter showcases four fully functional wheels, allowing it to be effo...
Category
19th Century English Victorian Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Silver
Fairbanks Scale Co American Doctors Scale
Located in Cheshire, GB
Fairbanks doctors scale in black with brass adjustable measuring stick, and cast iron pressure plate. Retaining there original weights.
Dimensions:
Heig...
Category
Early 20th Century American Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Iron
19th Century Miniature French Sedan Vitrine
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Charming miniature vitrine in the style of a Sedan chair. Very rare and unique piece to display a favorite item from your collection..
Category
19th Century French Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Wood
Rhodes, James Ford, History of the United States, 7 Vols, in a Fine Binding
Located in Hillsborough, NJ
AUTHOR: RHODES, James Ford.
TITLE: History Of The United States From The Compromise of 1850 To The Final Restoration Of Home Rule At The South In 1877.
PUBLISHER: NY: The Macm...
Category
1910s American Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Leather
Three Framed Plates from "L'ornement Polychrome" Edited by Racinet
By Auguste Racinet
Located in Hanover, MA
Three mounted and giltwood framed chromolithograph plates from L'Ornement Polychrome: Motifs de tous les styles, art ancien et asiatique, Moyen Age, Renaissance, XVIIe et XVIIIe siècles, by A. Racinet, 1869-1873. Published by Firmin-Didot, Paris.
Specifically, the three framed plates are Middle Ages, Renaissance and 17th century.
This reference work “created to render major services to our industrial arts” brings the archeological art...
Category
19th Century French Victorian Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Giltwood
African Fulani Currency Bracelet, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
Characterized by its open shape capped with geometric ends, this bracelet is but one form of the many types of body adornments favored the Fulani people of West Africa. The thick des...
Category
Early 20th Century Nigerien Tribal Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Brass
1920s 35 Zeiss-Ikon 35 Cm Cinema Projector
By Zeiss Ikon
Located in London, GB
A late 1920s 35 mm Zeiss-Ikon cinema projector.
Lens: Neokino 52.5/110 by Emil Busch A.-G. Rathenow.
Original black paint.
Lamp house contain...
Category
Early 20th Century German Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Brass, Steel, Iron
Napoleonic Prisoner-of-War Guillotine
Located in New Orleans, LA
An incredible and extremely rare artifact of world history, this mutton bone model of a guillotine was created during the Napoleonic wars by a French prisoner of war. Many of the inmates at the prisoner of war camps were skilled artisans long before they were soldiers, and because of the long duration of the conflict and cost of care, their captors encouraged detainees to use their skills to create objects to be sold at civilian open markets. Because of the intricacy of these fascinating objets d'art, very few of these models have survived the test of time. This masterpiece is impeccably detailed with soldiers and cannons lining the platforms. Adding to the rarity of this piece is that it has moving parts, as only a scant few model carvings were ever created with such mechanical accuracy. The soldiers have movable arms, while the guillotine features a movable "blade" for added authenticity.
By many accounts, Napoleonic prisoners of war...
Category
19th Century French Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Bone
French Late 19th Century Neo Gothic Gilded Metal Saint Statue
Located in Buisson, FR
Wonderful gilded metal saint statue with beautiful expression,
France, circa 1880-1900.
Weathered. Measurements include the wooden base.
Category
Late 19th Century French Gothic Revival Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal
Antique and Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities for Sale
Antique and vintage collectibles and curiosities can bring whimsy and wonder to any interior.
Decorating with old scientific instruments, historical memorabilia and vintage musical instruments, as well as other authentic collectibles and curiosities that can be found on 1stDibs, presents an opportunity to create a unique, natural history museum-like atmosphere in your home that can provoke conversation as often as it pays tribute to how far we’ve come in understanding our world.
And bringing collectibles and curiosities into your space is actually on trend — Wunderkammern, or curiosity cabinets, were all the rage in Europe during the 1500s and continued to have adherents there and in the U.S. in the following centuries. Today, however, they’re experiencing a real surge in popularity and influencing how many interior designers are furnishing and decorating homes — combining contemporary with antique, scientific with tribal, earthly with extraterrestrial, Les Lalanne tables with Flemish tapestries.
The original Wunderkammern were entire rooms filled with objects demonstrating their owners’ worldly knowledge: A proper one included artificiala or preciosa (objets d’art); naturalia (such as skeletons, shells, minerals); exotica (taxidermy or dried plants); and scientifica (scientific instruments), frequently alongside religious relics and ancient artifacts.
Pay tribute to a history of rich and diverse musical traditions that have taken shape all over the world by decorating your home with a collection of antique and vintage musical instruments — with a little help from strong hanging wire or some wall hooks, vintage brass instruments such as a gong, French horn or trumpet can help elevate a home office or complement the efforts you’ve made to ensure a welcoming vibe in your home’s entryway. Bells or antique wind instruments can add provocative metallic contrasts to dark woods as tabletop decorative objects.
Create an intriguing focal point with Georgian scientific instruments, such as stick barometers with mahogany cases or lacquered brass telescopes. These items stem from an era named for the monarchies of the four King Georges, who ruled England in succession starting in 1714 (plus King William’s reign, which lasted until 1837). Just as there was beautiful jewelry produced during the period that today is coveted by collectors, there is much to be found in the collectibles and curiosities realm too.
Wanderlust, nostalgia and a shared love of good design are contributing factors to certain trends in decorating — just as vintage trunks and luggage have reappeared as furniture or home accents in a bedroom or foyer, decorating with globes, maps or nautical objects is similarly rooted in the allure of travel and a penchant for the stylish finishing touch that collectibles bring to our homes.
Find a wide range of antique and vintage collectibles and curiosities on 1stDibs.
Read More
Pamela Shamshiri Shares the Secrets behind Her First-Ever Book and Its Effortlessly Cool Interiors
The sought-after designer worked with the team at Hoffman Creative to produce a monograph that beautifully showcases some of Studio Shamshiri's most inspiring projects.
Moroccan Artworks and Objects Take Center Stage in an Extraordinary Villa in Tangier
Italian writer and collector Umberto Pasti opens the doors to his remarkable cave of wonders in North Africa.
Montecito Has Drawn Royalty and Celebrities, and These Homes Are Proof of Its Allure
Hollywood A-listers, ex-pat aristocrats and art collectors and style setters of all stripes appreciate the allure of the coastal California hamlet — much on our minds after recent winter floods.
Whaam! Blam! Pow! — a New Book on Pop Art Packs a Punch
Publishing house Assouline and writer Julie Belcove have teamed up to trace the history of the genre, from Roy Lichtenstein, Andy Warhol and Yayoi Kusama to Mickalene Thomas and Jeff Koons.
The Sparkling Legacy of Tiffany & Co. Explained, One Jewel at a Time
A gorgeous new book celebrates — and memorializes — the iconic jeweler’s rich heritage.
What Makes a Gem-Encrusted Chess Set Worth $4 Million?
The world’s most opulent chess set, weighing in at 513 carats, is literally fit for a king and queen.
Tauba Auerbach’s Geometric Pop-Up Book Is Mighty Rare, Thanks to a Hurricane
This sculptural art book has an epic backstory of its own.
Step inside the Storied Mansions of Palm Beach’s Most Effervescent Architect
From Spanish-style courtyards to fanciful fountains, these acclaimed structures abound in surprising and elegant details.
Recently Viewed
View AllMore Ways To Browse
Antique Iron Collectors
Vintage Framed Art Collectable
Black Victorian Display
Antique Wood Shoes
Antique Iron Wheel
Vintage Furniture Supplier
Vintage Furniture Suppliers
American Streamline
Vintage Wine Collectables
Vintage Wine Collectibles
Antique Iron Screws
Antique Yard
Vintage Electronics Electronics
Electronics Vintage
Wood Staircase
Vintage Cat Collectables
Vintage Cat Collectibles
Horse Antiques Collectables