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Collectibles and Curiosities For Sale
Style: Art Deco
Style: Folk Art
Graceland An Interactive Pop-Up Tour by Chuck Murphy and Priscilla Presley
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Graceland: An Interactive Pop-Up Tour by Chuck Murphy (2006-10-26) - Foreword by Priscilla Presley.Hardcover interactive book. More than 600,000 people visit Graceland annually, maki...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Vintage Toy Wind-Up Speed Boat with Driver by Lindstrom Toy Co., American 1933
Located in Incline Village, NV
Vintage toy speed boat manufactured by the Lindstrom Toy Company of Bridgeport Connecticut, circa 1933 or earlier; the Lindstrom company having been founded in 1913, made quality tin...
Category

1930s American Folk Art Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Tin

Wiener Werkstaette Arts And Crafts, Beaded Bag, by Maria Likarz-Strauss, c 1919
By Maria Likarz, Wiener Werkstätte
Located in Vienna, AT
Exceptional, rare pouch bag with abstract bead embroidery in bright orange, beige, dark brown and white, crocheted at the upper edge, cords as drawstrings with olive-shaped wooden be...
Category

1910s Austrian Art Deco Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Animal Skin, Goatskin, Silk, Beads

Vintage "Masuyama" Lehman Wind-Up Toy. German, Circa 1913 Rare
Located in Incline Village, NV
Early 1900's German hand painted and lithographed tin wind-up toy, by premier tin and whimsical toy maker, Ernest Paul Lehman, circa 1913. This charming and unique toy portrays a Ja...
Category

1910s German Folk Art Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Tin

Louis Kuppenheim 1930 Germany Art Deco Set of Case & Vesta Box In .900 Silver
Located in Miami, FL
Art deco set of case and vesta matches box by Louis Kuppenheim. A beautiful set comprising of a case for cigarettes and a vesta box for matches. This suite was created in Germany du...
Category

1930s German Art Deco Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Lapis Lazuli, Silver, Sterling Silver

Art Deco Ashtray Stand, Chrome and Bakelite by Demeyere, Belgium, 1930s
Located in Saarburg, RP
Art Deco ashtray stand This beautiful and rare Art Deco Ashtray Stand from the 20s/30s is in the streamline modern art deco style. The designer of this extraordinary object has succ...
Category

1930s Belgian Art Deco Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal, Iron, Chrome

Machine Age Art Deco Doctors or Bathroom Floor Model Scale Weigh Master by Hanso
Located in New York, NY
Great Machine Age, American Art Deco floor scale, Weigh Master by Hanson. The scale is fully functional, it shows cosmetic wear to the paint finish, and th...
Category

1930s American Art Deco Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal

Alfred Dunhill Sterling Silver Cigarette Case, circa 1930
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Sterling silver cigarette case with decorative enamel face. Art Deco design. The case is beautifully enameled in a blue and black geometric pattern with a silver finish. The interior of the cigarette case is marked "Alfred Dunhill Paris...
Category

1930s American Art Deco Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Silver

S.T. Dupont Briquet De Poche LD Plaque Gas Cigarette Lighter With Original Box
Located in High Wycombe, GB
S.T. Dupont Briquet De Poche LD Plaque Gas Cigarette Lighter With Original Box and Papers Stamped 100NL95 No 2294 Made in Paris, France Purchase receipt shoes 4/2/1995 Goldsmith...
Category

20th Century French Art Deco Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Gold Plate, Steel

German Art Deco Desk Top Barometer and Weather Station
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
German Art Deco desk top barometer and weather station. German desktop barometer, thermometer and hydrometer. This station is unsigned and made...
Category

20th Century German Art Deco Collectibles and Curiosities

Paris 1937 -- Exposition Internationale
By Eugene Beaudoin and Marcel Lods
Located in London, GB
Original French poster for the Exposition International in Paris, 1937. This award-winning Art Deco design was created by Eugene Beaudoin (1898-1983) and Marcel Lods...
Category

1930s French Art Deco Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

S. T. DuPont Gatsby Paris Cigarette Lighter with Original Box and Papers
Located in High Wycombe, GB
S. T. DuPont Gatsby Paris Cigarette Lighter with Original Box and Papers Booklet stamped at purchase 2016 Stamped 1LY8N84 DuPont PARIS, Made in France on base.
Category

2010s French Art Deco Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Steel

Accordion by Sabatino Nocentini & Figli Made in Florence, Italy
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Antique Italian custom made accordion by Sabatino Nocentini Castiglion & Figli. Antique pearl white accordion, Italian accordion with profuse inlay decoration, gorgeous hand made wi...
Category

Early 20th Century Italian Art Deco Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Abalone, Mother-of-Pearl, Wood

Wurlitzer Auxiliary #4008 External Speaker Matches JukeBox Bubbler
Located in Oakland, CA
Wurlitzer Auxiliary #4008 Speaker Matches JukeBox. Rare 1946 Wurlitzer Jukebox 4000 bubbler. External speaker designed for the famed classic 1015 W...
Category

1980s American Art Deco Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal

Assorted Small Black Forest Roe Buck Mounts
Located in Bridgehampton, NY
Assorted Small Black Forest Roe Buck Mounts, Early 20th Century Sold individually.
Category

Early 20th Century German Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Antler, Wood

Large Marble Solitaire Board Game with 33 Early Handmade Clay Marbles
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a complete board game of marble solitaire with a large turned maple board from the 20th century and handmade clay or stone marbles from the mi...
Category

Early 20th Century English Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Stone

Sparton Model 557 "Sled" Radio by Walter Dorwin Teague
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Sparton model 557 radio designed by Walter Dorwin Teague for the Sparks-Worthington Company in Jackson, Michigan during 1936. The radio, known as the "sled" or "3-knob" is considered...
Category

1930s American Art Deco Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Chrome

Vintage Bavarian Traditional Costume Jewelry Charivari with Hunting Pendants
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Vintage Bavarian Traditional Costume Jewelry Charivari with Hunting Pendants A Bavarian Charivari from the middle of the 20th century. A beautiful piece of historical Bavarian folk ...
Category

Mid-20th Century German Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal, Silver

19th Century Lignum Vitae Fishermans Priest Turned in Lignum Vitae
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
19th Century Lignum Vitae Fishermans or Anglers Priest Turned in Lignum Vitae a good heavy quality fishing priest, lignum vitae, otherwise known as the Wood of Life is the heavies...
Category

19th Century Folk Art Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Fruitwood

19th Century Bocce Balls, France, Set of Three
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Late 19th to early 20th century bocce balls, France, set of three boxwood, iron and brass nails. The first ball has the letters PP in brass, the second ha...
Category

Late 19th Century French Folk Art Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Brass, Iron

Art Deco Ashtray Stand, Chrome and Bakelite by Demeyere, Belgium, 1930s
Located in Saarburg, RP
Art Deco ashtray stand This beautiful and rare Art Deco Ashtray Stand from the 30s/40s is in the streamline modern art deco style. The designer of this extraordinary object has succ...
Category

1930s Belgian Art Deco Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Iron, Chrome, Metal

18th Century Carpenters Hand Plane Tool, Signed and Dated 1791
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Rare Museum-level 18th Century carpenters tool, an antler hand plane, hand-carved to look like a lion. Signed with initials and dated 1791.
Category

Late 18th Century Scandinavian Folk Art Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal

Swagger Stick from The Queen’s Own Royal West Kent Regiment
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Swagger Stick from The Queen’s Own Royal West Kent Regiment Superb vintage Military swagger stick The Queen’s Own Royal West Kent Regiment Malacca cane. The cane has slight curve ...
Category

1920s Art Deco Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Cane

ANTIQUE PERSIAN ASHTRAY WiTH CRANBERRY GLASS TRIANGLE INTERNAL TRAY
Located in GB
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this lovely, super decorative antique Persian Oriental Ashtray with lovely Cranberry glass internal tray A ...
Category

20th Century European Art Deco Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Glass, Wood

Original WWI 1917 Brass Button Polisher
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Original WWI 1917 Brass Button Polisher The polisher is in excellent working condition it has an age darkened patina, a unique piece designed for use by the army This collectable it...
Category

1910s Art Deco Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Brass

Stunning Christmas Vintage St. Nikolaus Santa Claus Belsnickel Candy Container
Located in Nuernberg, DE
This vintage St.Nicholas, Santa Claus candy container made of composition, cardboard, felting and Papermache was made in the 20th century and is a charming addition to any Christmas ...
Category

20th Century German Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Composition

Vintage Marx Fire Chief Friction Action Toy Sedan American, Circa 1930
Located in Incline Village, NV
This original vintage friction activated toy sedan" Fire Chief" Car by The Marx Toy Company, circa 1930, is a difficult toy to find, especially in this variation, which I have not se...
Category

1930s American Folk Art Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Tin, Steel

Vintage Toy Wind-Up "Baby L" Speedboat by Lindstrom Toy Co., American Circa 1933
Located in Incline Village, NV
Vintage toy speed boat manufactured by the Lindstrom Toy Company of Bridgeport Connecticut, circa 1933 or earlier; the Lindstrom company having been founded in 1913, made quality tin...
Category

1930s American Folk Art Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Tin

"Kadi" Pre-war Wind-Up Toy by Lehman Company. Germany Circa 1905
Located in Incline Village, NV
"Kadi" is the name of this rare Chinese themed vintage German made mechanical toy; depicting two turn of the century Chinese men with pigtails walking along, while carrying a large t...
Category

Early 1900s German Folk Art Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Tin

French Art Deco Michel Dufet ashtray
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Original French Art Deco ashtray circa 1930 by Michel Dufet in bi-color wood.
Category

20th Century French Art Deco Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Wood

Antique Toy Wind-Up Double Decker Bus by Ferdinand Strauss Toy Co. Circa 1925
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

Climax Streamline 1930s American Art Deco Train Car Ashtray and Drink Stand
Located in Buffalo, NY
W.J. Campbell designed this art deco cocktail smoker in 1934 for the Climax Machinery Company of Indianapolis. The smoke stand and ashtray feature a circular ring which doubles as a ...
Category

1930s American Art Deco Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal, Copper, Steel, Chrome

Rare Krampus Devil Kewpie Celluloid Christmas Ornament Vintage, Austria 1910s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A rare Christmas ornament from Germany or Austria. It is made of Celluloid and very delicate, this would be a great addition for your Christmas or feather tree. It is in nice conditi...
Category

1910s German Folk Art Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Wire

Globe from Dietrich Reimers. Germany 1930's
By Dietrich Reimers 1
Located in BAAMBRUGGE, NL
Globe by Dietrich Reimers berlin in the 1930's Made of papier mache with a wooden foot.
Category

1930s German Art Deco Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Brass

Broadway Musical Martin Gottfried Large Hardcover Book 1980
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Broadway Musical Martin Gottfried 1980 hardcover book.Large heavy book. A colorful tribute to the great Broadway shows of our time. Profusely illustrated in color. New York: Harry N....
Category

Late 20th Century North American Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Petite Bone Carving of an Indian Soldier
Located in Chicago, IL
This early 20th century figurine is hand-carved of bone to depict an Indian soldier holding a musket rifle. Modeled after Sowar cavalrymen who served under the British East India Com...
Category

20th Century Indian Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Bone, Paint

Antique British Hong Kong Wicker & Leather Fishing Creel or Basket with Straps
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This large antique fishing creel or basket is unsigned with respect to the maker, but originated from the British Hong Kong and dates to approximately 1920. The basket is composed of...
Category

Early 20th Century Hong Kong Art Deco Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Brass

Vintage Bavarian Traditional Costume Jewelry Cufflinks
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Vintage Bavarian Traditional Costume Jewelry Cufflinks A pair Bavarian cufflinks from the middle of the 20th century. A beautiful piece of historical Bavarian folk art jewelry, a re...
Category

Mid-20th Century German Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal, Silver

Antique Mickey Mouse & Minnie Mouse Train Hand Car by Disney & Lionel Circa 1934
Located in Incline Village, NV
Vintage Mickey/ Minnie Mouse Toy Wind-Up pre-war handcar (train car) circa 1934; by The Lionel Train Company in collaboration with Walt Disney Enterprises. The wind-up toy car featur...
Category

1930s American Folk Art Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal

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

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

Mounted Antique Distressed Wooden Santo c.1890-1940 (FREE SHIPPING)
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT A distressed painted carved wooden Mexican Santo. Carved areas exist where the head and articulating arms would have been. The appearance of a "dress" suggests that it was cov...
Category

Late 19th Century Mexican Folk Art Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Steel

Art Deco Propeller Plane in Carved Wood and Metal
Located in Tilburg, NL
Art Deco Propeller Plane in Carved Wood and Metal Sometimes you find a piece that is just right…. This Art Deco propeller plane is a wonderful example of a fun and easthetic object....
Category

Mid-20th Century European Art Deco Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal

Frankenstein or the Modern Prometheus Hardcover Book 1950 Edition
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Frankenstein or the Modern Prometheus hardcover book, 1950s Edition. Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley's legendary horror story is presented in an illustrated Heritage Press edition. Hands...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Petite Bone Carving of an Indian Soldier
Located in Chicago, IL
This early 20th century figurine is hand-carved of bone to depict an Indian soldier holding a musket rifle. Modeled after Sowar cavalrymen who served under the British East India Com...
Category

20th Century Indian Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Bone, Paint

Large Mahogany Antique Boat Model
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Inspired model of a boat or skiff expertly crafted in mahogany, probably by a boat builder, having a graceful form and has acquired a well earned patina only time can give.
Category

19th Century English Folk Art Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Rare Set of Five Mercury Glass Christmas Ornament Vintage, 1930s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A rare Christmas ornament set from Germany or Austria. Each is made from mouth blown glass, these would be a great addition for your Christmas or feather tree. Size always given for ...
Category

1930s German Folk Art Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Wire

ANTIQUE ITALIAN LIBERTY ART DECO CAST IRON AND IRON GATE Early 1900s
Located in Madrid, ES
ANTIQUE ITALIAN LIBERTY CAST IRON AND IRON GATE Early 1900s Liberty era gate in good condition. Very solid and heavy HEIGHT 300 cm WIDTH 190 cm WEIGHT 450 kg MATERIAL Wrought iron ...
Category

Early 20th Century European Art Deco Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Iron

Rare Set of Six Mercury Glass & Cotton Christmas Ornament Vintage, 1910s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A rare Christmas ornament set from Germany or Austria. Each is made from mouth blown glass, one of pressed cotton, this would be a great addition for your Christmas or feather tree. ...
Category

1910s German Folk Art Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Wire

IMCO Julius Meister 1000 Ifa Storm Thumbwheel Mechanical Lighter In Solid Brass
Located in Miami, FL
IMCO mechanical lighter made by the Julius Franz Meister Company. This is an amazing authentic petrol lighter original from the art deco period. This industrial piece was originally designed and patented by Hans Silverknopf and was made in Austria back in 1925-26 by the Julius Meister Company, JMCO commonly know as IMCO. This is the final 4th model storm thumbwheel, called IFA-1000. It was crafted in solid polished brass and is fitted with mechanical sliding elements. This lighter has the rare sub-variety in the snuffer, is rounded and domed on top. The function is very simple, the metallic wheel on the lighter, when pushed down by one's thumb, will rub against the ferrocerium to produce a scorching spark. Simultaneously, the petrol vape is released, which is vaporized (depressurized) as soon as it exits the container. This lighter is near mint, is original not a reproduction and has been cleaned and polished to bring back his original splendor. IMCO The company was founded by Julius Franz Meister in 1907, the Julian Meister Co. (JMCO/IMCO) began as a button and metal goods factory in Vienna. Bernhard Silberknopf became a company partner during 1911. The factory began manufacturing lighters after World War 1. The first lighter model, the "Imko Feuerzeug" was patented in 1920 and several other models were produced during the early 1920s based on this patent. Hans Silberknopf patented the design for the famous "Ifa" Sturmfeuerzeug in 1925. IMCO produced other several models based on this patent. The design was copied by multiple U.S. and Japanese companies during the 1930s and 1940s and countless replicas have been produced. Frequently deceptively characterized as "trench lighters...
Category

1920s Austrian Art Deco Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Brass, Cut Steel

Antique Copper And Brass Coach or Post Horn. English, Late 19th Century
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Great copper coach or post horn Brass reinforcing supports and mouthpiece Original patina Free UK shipping
Category

Late 19th Century English Folk Art Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Brass, Copper

Betel Motor Car Art Deco Brass Box, Collectible Toy, Children's Paint Set, 1930s
Located in Roma, IT
Patent 75086 - This is a large tobacco box with many purposes, (Child's Paint Set). Car in multicolored golden tin in classic brass. Almost new with all the original parts. Wonderful...
Category

Early 20th Century American Art Deco Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal, Brass

Rare Set of Four Mercury Glass & Plastic Christmas Ornament Vintage, 1910s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A rare Christmas ornament set from Germany or Austria. Each is made from mouth blown glass, the 4 mushrooms with wire are made of plastic and are younger age, this would be a great a...
Category

1910s German Folk Art Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Wire

Rene Mercier French Art Deco Mother & Child Sculpture, 1930s
Located in Saint-Amans-des-Cots, FR
Beautiful French Art Deco mother & child statue by René MERCIER, France, 1930s. Wood. Hand carved.. Height : 16.1"(41cm), width : 9"(23cm), depth : 9.8"(25cm). A perfectly made and m...
Category

1930s French Art Deco Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Wood

KARL GLAZER 1932 Austria Schnauzer Dog Table Petrol Lighter Bronze & Red Lacquer
Located in Miami, FL
Petrol lighter designed by Karl Glazer. Fabulous and rare antique table petrol lighter, created in Vienna Austria by the Karl Glazer Metallwarenfabrik, back in the 1932-1933. This u...
Category

1930s Austrian Art Deco Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Brass, Bronze

Johnny Halliday Rock in the Blood French Edition Signed by Gilles Lhote
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Johnny Halliday Rock in the Blood French Edition Signed by Gilles Lhote author, paperback book.Johnny Halliday, Rock in the Blood - French Edition - Dedication, signed by the author ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Park Sherman 1930 Art Deco Chromed Steel Roller Box With Red And Black Bakelite
Located in Miami, FL
Decorative roller desk box designed by Park Sherman. Very decorative desk box, created during the art deco period in America by the Park Sherman Company, back in the 1930. This roller-lid box is very innovative in design and with Avant Garde look. It was crafted in chromed steel with red lacquer and elements in red and black Bakelite. It is fitted with a roller lid, which is in perfect working condition. The Park Sherman Company Park Sherman was an important Springfield company for several decades ending with the sale of the company to a New Jersey firm in 1960. They mass-produced smoking accessories, particularly lighters, as well as a multitude of office, novelty, and other items. The Park Sherman Company operated in Springfield, Illinois until 1960 when it was sold to a New Jersey company. A man named Jacob S. Sherman was the founder of the Park Sherman Company. The company sold miner's supplies (miner's cap lamps, match cases, etc.) and later specialized in things like coin banks and smoking accessories such lighters and cigarette cases. The company's products were sold throughout the 1930s, 1940s and 1950s. 'Everdry' was a brand name that Park Sherman used on some of its products. The word "Everdry" was used, for example, on match cases to indicate that the case would prevent the matches from getting wet. Presumably, your "Everdry" cigarette case kept the contents from getting wet. Materials: Chromed steel and red and black Bakelite. Weight: 231.7 Grams, (0.51 Pounds). Measurements: 114.3 mm by 101.6 mm by 63.5 mm (3.50 x 4.0 x 2.50 Inches). Literature: Rodney and Diane Capstick-Dale, The art deco Collectibles...
Category

1930s American Art Deco Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Steel

A Golden Celebration the Art and the Story of the World's Best-loved Comic Strip
Located in North Hollywood, CA
A Golden Celebration : the Art and the Story of the World's Best-loved Comic Strip Hardcover Book. Charles Monroe Schulz. Large Hardcover Comic books, strips. Publisher ‏ : ‎ Harper ...
Category

Late 20th Century North 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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