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Collectibles and Curiosities For Sale
Style: Scandinavian Modern
Style: Louis XIV
Norwegian Sterling Silver Bangle Bracelet by David-Andersen 1960s
Located in Stockholm, SE
Lovely and classic modernist style sterling silver bangle bracelet by David Andersen, Norway 1960s. The armring can be adjust to fit any preference you wish and are suitable for both...
Category

1960s Norwegian Scandinavian Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Sterling Silver

Set of Three Midcentury Danish Vikings Figures by Jacob Jensen
Located in San Diego, CA
Set of three midcentury Danish Viking figures made of mixed woods by Jacob Jensen, circa 1950s. The figures are in good vintage condition and measure: 5...
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Teak, Walnut, Wood

17thC Church cattedra
Located in Livorno, IT
Louis XIV era church cattedra. At the centre the profile of a cleric, wearing the black doctoral biretta with four flaps , typical for doctorates of pontifical universities and depar...
Category

Late 17th Century Italian Louis XIV Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Wood, Nutwood, Walnut, Giltwood, Lacquer

Long Silver Necklace by Marianne Berg for Uni David-Andersen, Norway, 1960s
Located in Stockholm, SE
Lovely silver necklace by designer Marianne Berg for Uni David-Andersen 1960s Norway. This is a two-section longer pendant with Viking inspired patterns on a long silver chain neckla...
Category

1960s Norwegian Scandinavian Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Silver

Danish Modern Hand Painted Police Officer Stackable Toy
Located in San Diego, CA
Nice 1950s wood painted Danish police officer stackable toy, a rare find great to display, simple and unique. The top comes off and you can remove each part.
Category

20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Wood

Scandinavian Modernist Natural Deep Madeira Amber Sterling Silver Statement Ring
Located in New York, NY
Large Estate Scandinavian Modernist natural deep madeira translucent amber and sterling silver statement ring. 20th Century Organic form statement ring featuring an artistic sterling...
Category

20th Century European Scandinavian Modern Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Sterling Silver, Other

Brass Vintage Clip on Earrings by Anna Greta Eker, Norway, 1960s
Located in Stockholm, SE
Midcentury brass clip earrings with a dark purple glass stone in the middle with a cut rock shape. Designed by Anna Greta Eker, Norway, 1960s. A typical couple of vintage earrings re...
Category

1960s Norwegian Scandinavian Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Stone, Brass

Louvre Paris Great Museums of The World Hardcover 1986
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Louvre Paris Great Museums Of The World Hardcover by editor Ragghianti, Carlo Ludovico.Vintage 1967 'Louvre Paris: Great Museums of the World' Hardcover Book! This book was published...
Category

Late 20th Century French Louis XIV Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Vintage 1950's small wooden monkey - Kay Bojesen style
By Kay Bojesen, Zoo Line
Located in EINDHOVEN, NL
Small vintage 1950's wooden monkey by Kay Bojesen. In nice original condition - beautiful patina on the wood - one piece of the monkeys left hand is missing. See pictures. You can e...
Category

1950s Japanese Scandinavian Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Hardwood

Svenskt Tenn, Strandvagen 5, Stockholm: samtliga möbler och textiler
Located in New York, NY
Svenskt Tenn catalog featuring the furniture, lighting, and botanical-print textile and wallpaper designs of in-house architect/designer Josef Frank. Published in the early 1950’s, t...
Category

1950s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Lovely Set of 6 Scandinavian Wooden Danish Vikings, 1950s
Located in Nürnberg, Bayern
Fantastic collection of 6 different Scandinavian Vikings. Measures: The largest is 33.5 cm high. The others are 22 cm, 18 cm, 13.5 cm and 9 cm high.
Category

1960s Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Leather, Wood

"Man of Mercury" Bracelet by Bjorn Weckstrom for Lapponia
Located in Toledo, OH
This bracelet is part of the space silver series by Bjorn Weckstrom for Lapponia. This design was called the "Man from Mercury". This Scandinavian modern cuff bracelet is marked 925 ...
Category

1970s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Sterling Silver

Lovely Set of 7 Scandinavian Wooden Woodpecker Corkscrews, 1960s
Located in Nürnberg, Bayern
Lovely Set of 7 Scandinavian Wooden Woodpecker Corkscrews + 2 WIne Corks, 1960s
Category

1960s Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal

4 Vintage 1950s Teak Danish Viking Soldier Figures Mid-Century Collection
Located in Hyattsville, MD
Set of Four, incomplete. The shortest one is missing one arm and one spears. Another taller one is missing a spear. The tallest one is 5.25 inches tall.
Category

1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Teak

Nanna & Jørgen Ditzel, Sofa Table
Located in Esbjerg, DK
A beautiful piece of Classic Scandinavian Modern design, fits perfectly in the hand feels good and the function is as good as the form as it always should be.
Category

1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Oak, Teak

Kay Bojesen, Vintage Early Large Monkey, teak and limba wood, stamped, 1950s
Located in Wargrave, Berkshire
This is a vintage early example of the largest production monkey, designed by Kay Bojesen in 1951. Constructed from teak and limba wood, the joints are articulated allowing the monk...
Category

1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Teak

1970s German Sputnik Barometer Tabletop Sculpture Mid-Century Modernist Orb
Located in Hyattsville, MD
Very clean example, estate fresh to you. Wonderful design by Huger of W.Germany.
Category

1970s German Scandinavian Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Brass

Scandinavian Modern Necklace by KE Palmberg for Alton ca 1960's
Located in Örebro, SE
Cool scandinavian modern necklace by KE Palmberg for Alton ca 1960's. Good vintage condition, wear and patina consistent with age and use. Measurements: length ca 48 cm, width 6,8 cm...
Category

1960s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Bronze

Walking stick/cane in teak an maple by Nanna & Jørgen Ditzel, Denmark, 1950s
Located in Hägersten, SE
Walking stick designed by Nanna & Jørgen Ditzel. Produced by Kold's Savvaerk in Denmark during the 1950s. This example made from solid teak in the stem with a tip of walnut and lamin...
Category

1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Maple, Teak

Scandinavian Modern Silver Brooch and Screw Back Earrings, Victor Jansson -1964
Located in Örebro, SE
Beautiful Scandinavian Modern silver brooch and screw back earrings by Victor Jansson, Sweden -1964. Signed with makers mark. Measurements brooch:...
Category

1960s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Silver

19th Louis XIV Style Pair of Church / Altar Candlesticks in Silver Metal / Lamp
Located in Beuzevillette, FR
Very nice pair of church or altar candlesticks in silver metal. The wear of the silver gives them a magnificent patina. Louis XIV-style Nineteenth century. These pretty candlehol...
Category

19th Century European Louis XIV Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Silver Plate

Scandinavian White and Molded Porcelain Madonna on Teak Panel, 1960s
Located in Nürnberg, Bayern
Scandinavian white hand molded porcelain Madonna on teak panel, 1960s. The white porcelain makes a wonderful contrast to the teak. Perfectly formed, very delicate and expressive. ...
Category

1960s Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Porcelain, Teak

Vintage Ivan Holth, Norway Guilloche Enamel over Sterling Silver Pin in the Shap
Located in Seguin, TX
Vintage Ivan Holth, Norway guilloche enamel over sterling silver pin in the shape of a sailing ship. White and blue, marked on back, overall...
Category

Mid-20th Century Norwegian Scandinavian Modern Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Sterling Silver, Enamel

French 19th Century Louis XIV St. Ormolu And Patinated Bronze Barometer
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A most impressive French 19th century Louis XIV st. Ormolu and patinated Bronze barometer, after Torricelli. The circular patinated bronze face has the eight enameled plaques depicti...
Category

19th Century French Louis XIV Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Bronze, Ormolu

Walking Stick / Cane by Nanna & Jørgen Ditzel, by Kold's Savvaerk, Denmark
Located in Hägersten, SE
Walking stick designed by Nanna & Jørgen Ditzel. Produced by Kold's Savvaerk in Denmark during the 1950s. This example made from solid afromosia in the stem and laminated teak in the...
Category

1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Teak

Rare 1955 Helsingborg Exhibition Cigarette Holder+Ashtray Stig Lindberg Domino
Located in Hyattsville, MD
A rare two piece set, commemorating the Helsingborg Exhibition of 1955, and only produced for one year, for this exhibit. No Gustavsberg collection is complete without something fro...
Category

1950s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Ceramic

Vintage Rectangular Bronze Brooch by Uni David-Andersen for D.a. Norway 1960s
Located in Stockholm, SE
Lovely bronze brooch designed by Uni David-Andersen for David Andersen AS in the 1960s Norway. The broch has a Viking inspired look with a rectangular shape and geometric patterns. A...
Category

1960s Norwegian Scandinavian Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Bronze

Set of Three Like New Mid-Century Danish Vikings Figures w/ Box by Jacob Jensen
Located in San Diego, CA
Set of three like new mid-century Danish viking figures made of mixed woods with original box by Jacob Jensen, circa 1950s. The figures are in excellent vintage condition and measure...
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Wood, Teak, Walnut

Original Danish Kay Bojesen Toy Wagon "Family Trip", Colorful Beech Wood, 1950s
Located in Aarhus C, DK
Kay Bojesen´s "Family Trip" is one of his most loved wooden toy designs. This set is original vintage. It consists of wagon and 4 family members: mother, father and two children. ...
Category

1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Wood, Beech, Paint

Original Danish Piet Hein "Solitaire" Teak Board Game Complete Set Vintage 1960s
Located in Aarhus C, DK
Vintage "Solitaire" board game designed by Piet Hein for Danish wood manufacturer Skjøde, Skjern. Both the board and the pegs are made from teak. Designed and made ca. 1960s. This piece comes including the original leather bag for storing the pegs and the original instructions in Danish, German and English attached to the bottom. Marked on bottom: Piet Hein Skjøde...
Category

1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Leather, Teak, Wood

Versailles Gardens Sculpture And Mythology By Jacques Girard 1st Ed. 1985 Book
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Versailles Gardens Sculpture And Mythology By Jacques Girard 1985. Discover the artistic splendor of the gardens of Versailles with the book "Versailles Gardens: Sculpture And Mythology" by Jacques Girard, 1st edition published in 1985. Large heavy collectible coffee table hardcover book A renowned photographer captures the grandeur, fantasy, history, and artwork of Louis XIV's spectacular gardens of Versailles. A beautiful book that explains fully the symbolic and historic gardens of Versailles, France. It was published in 1985 and 30 years later the photographic plates stand up to the test of time although there probably are more recent publications. The concept of Louis XIV and created by Le Notre, the greatest landscape architect, the gardens are a lasting tribute to the gods, nature and the marrying of these elements to architecture and design. “In 1664 a festival was held in the gardens which marked the beginning of the glorious era of Versailles”. The book has a complete and detailed map of the gardens and extensive commentary on the photographic plates and a full list of the sculptures and the artists. Published by The Vendome Press...
Category

Late 20th Century French Louis XIV Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Kay Bojesen Monkey, Danish Design, 2000s
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Kay Bojesen monkey, originally designed in 1951. Made of teak and limba wood. Danish design. The monkey is a classic gift for baptism, graduatio...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Danish Scandinavian Modern Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Wood

Kay Bojesen Jointed Monkey Toy Danish Modern Teak
Located in San Diego, CA
Kay Bojesen articulating and jointed teak monkey. Bought from the original owner who had it in the early 1960s. Nice color and patina the cords are loosely sold AS/IS.
Category

20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Teak

Vintage Desk Model Airplane, Private Jet, Scandinavia, 1970s
Located in Esbjerg, DK
A well-made mounted desk model of an aero plane/private jet. Professionally mounted on an oak stand. Unknown Scandinavian maker, circa 1970-1975. It’s made...
Category

1970s Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Acrylic, Oak

Scandinavian Modern Silver & Amber Necklace & Armring by Niels Erik From Denmark
Located in Esbjerg, DK
A stylish modernistic pendant necklace with matching armring designed by the Danish silversmith Niels Erik From circa 1960-70. The original neck-ring is comprised of a single bend st...
Category

1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Sterling Silver

Danish Modernist Ring, Pendant & Armring in Pewter & Pink Stones, 1970s
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Art jewelry set consisting of a pink gem set bangle, ring and pendant in pewter. We recon that the pink stones is either rose quartz or moonstones. This set was handmade during the 1...
Category

1970s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Pewter

Lapponia Modernist Silver Bracelet by Björn Weckström, Finland, 1970s
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Much sought after vintage 'organic' modern sterling silver bracelet. Fully hallmarked by Lapponia, Finland. Designed during the 1970s by Bjorn Weckstrom....
Category

1970s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Sterling Silver

Turqouise Stone Vintage Pewter Pendant by Jørgen Jensen, Danmark 1950s
Located in Stockholm, SE
Beautiful turqious blue stone pewter necklace by jeweller Jørgen Jensen, Denmark 1950s. The pendant has six eggshaped stones with crackeled copper colored details inside the stones. ...
Category

1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Stone, Pewter

Scandinavian Modern, Bjorn Weckstrom Silver Ring, for Lapponia, Finland, 1969
Located in London, GB
Bjorn Weckstrom scuptural sterling silver ring, Lapponia, Finland, 1969
Category

20th Century Finnish Scandinavian Modern Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Sterling Silver

PH Grand Piano Vintage Model 'mid 1930's' by Poul Henningsen, Modern, Sculptural
Located in Copenhagen, DK
This PH Grand Piano, from around the mid 1930's is an excellent-conditioned vintage instrument. It was in 1930 that this instrument was first designed b...
Category

1930s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Chrome

Saara Hopea-Untracht: Life and Work
Located in New York, NY
Monograph on renowned and prolific mid-century Finnish designer Saara Hopea-Untracht, written by her husband, the American metalsmith, educator, and writer...
Category

1980s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

PH Grand Piano PH186 Excellence, Black Leather, Chrome, Modern, Sculptural
Located in Copenhagen, DK
- All prices are listed ex works. - 5 year guarantee. - We regularly crate, ship and install PH Pianos worldwide with full insurance. The Poul Henningsen-designed PH Grand Piano...
Category

2010s Danish Scandinavian Modern Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Chrome

Mid-Century Danish Viking Figure
Located in San Diego, CA
A very cool and well made mid-century Danish viking figure made of mixed woods, leather and faux fur, circa 1950s. The figure is in very good vintage co...
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Faux Fur, Wood, Teak, Walnut

Holger Bäckström and Bo Ljungberg for Akvamatik Ab. Ultima Ashtray
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Holger Bäckström and Bo Ljungberg for AKVAMATIK AB, Tranås, Sweden. ULTIMA ashtray in steel, Swedish design. Approx. 1970s. Polished aluminium. Excellent condition with minor sig...
Category

1970s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Steel

Christmas Ornaments by Georg Jensen Collectibles Series, Set of 2
Located in Miami, FL
Christmas ornaments designed by Georg Jensen for the Collectibles series. Both ornaments are in brass gilded with 24-carat gold. Measures: 7" High x 6" Wide and approximately 1.19 ...
Category

20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Brass

Modernist Brooch, Atelier Borgila, 1945
Located in Örebro, SE
Beautiful modernist silver brooch from Atelier Borgila -1945. Signed with maker's mark.
Category

1940s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Silver

17th Century Italian Rare Carved Walnut Antique Kneeler
Located in Casale Monferrato, IT
Rare antique Italian kneeler, Mid-17th Century Louis XIV. Made of solid walnut with relief decoration carved into the wood. In the part dedicated to the knees there is a compartment. Of great value all the hand forged iron part of the escutcheons and fantastic large antique keys...
Category

Mid-17th Century Italian Louis XIV Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Walnut

PH Grand Piano Vintage Model '1935-1938' by Poul Henningsen, Modern, Sculptural
Located in Copenhagen, DK
This PH Grand Piano, serial number 4600, was manufactured between 1935 and 1938. It is an excellent-conditioned vintage instrument that has been careful...
Category

1930s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Chrome

Glass Ball Full-Range Stereo Speaker Set W. Travertine Base 'Customizable'
Located in Copenhagen, DK
With the Singularity speaker, the function takes on infinite value. we have built our design up from the most fundamental requirements of the product. Our clear sphere has captured the moment- and has augmented and empowered it- in a stunning work of art that delivers incredible, lucid sound. The Singularity speaker uses the most foundational materials and nothing else: stone, glass, wood, and the finest-quality full-range speaker driver all assembled and handcrafted in Sweden while designed in Denmark. We have encapsulated sound's vibrating air inside the crystal-clear sphere, making for a phenomenal sound that is both transparent and present. This configuration is for a pair of stereo floor...
Category

2010s Danish Scandinavian Modern Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Travertine, Quartz, Marble, Granite

Mid-Century Danish Viking Figure by Jacob Jensen Rare
Located in San Diego, CA
A super rare mid-century Danish viking figure by Jacob Jensen, circa 1950s. The figure is in very good vintage condition and measures 2.25"W x 2"D x 3.25"H. Our viking is made of a maple and walnut with a bronze long spear; it is signed on the underside. I have been collecting Danish wood toys...
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Bronze

Bojesen Monkey Repair Kit
Located in Courbevoie, FR
Boyesen's Monkey Repair Kit (Height 20 cm). For old and recent editions. EU shipping €3.00
Category

2010s Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Teak

Christmas Ornaments Designed by Malene Birger for Georg Jensen Collectibles
Located in Miami, FL
Christmas ornaments designed by Malene Birger for Georg Jensen. The ornaments are made of brass and gilded with 24-carat gold. Measures: 7" High x 6 1...
Category

20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Brass

Kay Bojesen Early Handmade Wooden Oak Elephant Children's Toy, 1950s, Denmark
Located in Odense, DK
Rare Kay Bojesen wooden toy elephant from the early 1950s in patinated oak with an amazing grain. The Elephant was created in 1953 by Kay Bojesen and from the start handmade in his s...
Category

1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Oak

Bronze bracelet and ring set by Uni David-Andersen for D Andersen Norway 1960s
Located in Stockholm, SE
Lovely bracelet and ring bronze set designed by Uni David-Andersen in the 1960s Norway. This jewellery set has a Viking inspired look with rectangular shaped bracelet of connected se...
Category

1960s Norwegian Scandinavian Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Bronze

Finnish Architecture Book 'Alvar Aalto and Others', 1975
Located in Praha, CZ
- 1975 - Exhibition of the finnish architecture - The museum of finnish architecture and Netherlands congress centre - good original condition ...
Category

1970s Scandinavian Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Vintage Danish Modernist Silver Bracelet with Leaves, AJ Sterling, 1960s
Located in Esbjerg, DK
A. modernist sterling silver bracelet designed by silversmith Arne Johansen and studio-made circa 1960-70. Hallmarked: Sterling, AJ, Denmark. Reminiscent...
Category

1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Sterling Silver

Map Holy Land La Terre Sainte Engraved van Loon Published N de Fer 1703 French
Located in BUNGAY, SUFFOLK
La Terre Sainte, The Holy Land, Tiree Des Memoires De M.De.La Rue. Par N. de Fer. Geographe de Sa Majeste Catoliq et de Monseigneur le Dauphin. Avec Privil du Roi 1703 Detailed map of the Holy Land from Nicholas de Fer's L'Atlas Curieux ou le Monde. East is oriented at the top. MAKER Nicolas de Fer 1646-1720 The French cartographer and engraver, Nicolas de Fer, was a master at creating maps that were works of art. The maps that he published were printed during the Baroque period when the decorative arts were characterized by ornate detail. De Fer’s detailed maps and atlases were valued more for their decorative content than their geographical accuracy. Nicolas de Fer was born in 1646. His father, Antoine de Fer, owned a mapmaking firm. At the age of twelve, Nicolas was apprenticed to a Parisian engraver named Louis Spirinx. The family business was starting to decline when his father died in 1673. Nicolas de Fer’s mother, Genevieve, took over the business after the death of her husband. In 1687 the business was passed on to Nicolas and the profits increased after he took over the firm. Nicolas de Fer was a prolific cartographer who produced atlases and hundreds of single maps. He eventually became the official geographer to King Louis XIV of France and King Philip V...
Category

Early 1700s French Louis XIV Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Rare Modern Design in the Home, Milena Lamarová / Czechoslovakia
Located in Praha, CZ
- 1965 - designer : Miroslav Rada - Artia Praha - English version - original condition, see the photos - 207 pages - many beautiful pictures - jr.
Category

1960s Scandinavian Modern Vintage 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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