Collectibles and Curiosities
Collectibles and Curiosities For Sale
Color: Black
Collection of Leather Bound Art Deco Photo Albums of European Travel
Located in Atlanta, GA
Collection of Leather Bound Art Deco Photo Albums of European Travel, the actual albums are probably French, circa 1920's. They document fabulous trips throughout Europe in the 1920'...
Category
1920s French Art Deco Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Leather, Paper
Okitenugui Kabuto Samurai Helmet Shaped as a Head Towel Saika, Early Edo Period
Located in Milano, IT
Okitenugui kabuto
Samurai helmet shaped as a head towel
Saika, early Edo period, 17th century
The Haruta armorers who moved to Kii province in the early 17th century, took the name from the village where they worked, Saika, near Wakayama, possibly on request of the local daimyo, Asano Yukinaga, a great armour amateur. Specialised in the construction of plate helmets, they produced mainly two typologies of kabuto: one with six plates covered with a chrysanthemum-shaped plate on top and one shaped as a “head towel”, called okitenugui. The latter type of kabuto employs very heavy plates crafted in a curved manner and was improved in order to make it resistant to firearms.
This okitenugui kabuto features some distinctive decorations of the Haruta school, including the application of cut-out iron elements, including eyebrows, washers and lozenge-shaped decorations on the sides. The ring on the top, however, is a rare feature and could be used to hold a small war flag.
Category
17th Century Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Iron
Ships Wheel by John Hastie of Greenock
Located in Norwell, MA
Very nice antique solid brass ships wheel that has been highly polished and lacquered. The hub has deeply engraved makers name "John Hastie & Co...
Category
1930s North American Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Brass
Fabergé: Imperial Eggs and Other Fantasies by Hermione Waterfield
Located in valatie, NY
Fabergé: Imperial Eggs and Other Fantasies by Hermione Waterfield. Published by Charles Scribner's Sons, 1978. 1st Ed, 1st Printing hardcover with dust jacket. The Fabergé egg is one of a limited number of jeweled eggs created by Peter Carl Fabergé and his company from 1885 to 1917. The most famous of the eggs are the ones made for the Russian Tsars...
Category
1970s American Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Chanel The Impossible Collection
Located in NEW YORK, NY
More than any other designer of her era, Gabrielle Chanel had the ability to predict the evolution of contemporary fashion. Self-inventor extraordinaire, Chanel revolutionized the lifestyle of her time by inventing a modern concept of luxe minimalism, elevating humble fabrics such as jersey and tweed to couture status, giving birth to a new Silhouette both sophisticated and discreet, setting her stamp on the twentieth century with her modern spirit of understated luxury.
The house of Chanel represents modern fashion. Under its founder, the style of the modern woman was invented, through the image of Gabrielle Chanel herself. She dressed women to be free, and her emancipated clothes reflected the shifting landscape of society. Her designs fundamentally affected what we wear, and how we wear it. The work of the house under her successor Karl Lagerfeld has transformed fashion anew: He drew the template for a fashion designer reviving a moribund house with elements from its own history. Just as Chanel created modern fashion, Lagerfeld in turn established the blueprint of the modern fashion house. She reshaped the clothes women wear, he reshaped the industry that makes them.
This book is a literary museum exhibition, a curated selection of 100 iconic and signature looks of the house of Chanel, from the timeless Little Black Dress to the impeccably simple tweed suit, the apothecary-style perfume bottle, two-tone pumps...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Other
Sotheby's British Art Pottery, Martin Brothers, the Harriman Judd Collection
By Sotheby's
Located in valatie, NY
Sotheby's British Art Pottery, Martin Brothers, The Harriman Judd Collection, New York, January 22, 2001. Softcover auction catalog. 497 Lots on 196 Pages – All Described and illustrated in color. the Harriman Judd Collection of British Art Pottery, the finest, most comprehensive collection of this type ever to come up for auction. Taken from the California home of the late Allen Harriman and Edward Judd the sale includes 800 lots of British Art Pottery, Studio Pottery and Majolica with estimates ranging from $200-$80,000. Harriman and Judd began collecting in the 1970’s and the collection they amassed largely over a ten-year period provides an in-depth survey of 130 years of British Art Pottery from all of the major factories working in this period. With objects ranging in size from 3 inches to 6ft. tall, potteries and artist potters highlighted include: Doulton Lambeth, the Martin Brothers, William Moorcroft, George Tinworth, Hannah Barlow, Mark Marshall...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Brutalists: Brutalism’s Best Architects
Located in New York City, NY
As seen in Architectural Digest, Forbes, ELLE Decoration, and Design Milk
An unprecedented survey of more than 250 architects who continue to define one of the most polarizing yet celebrated of styles
Brutalist architecture inspires a passionate response, be it adulation or contempt. There is no disputing, however, that the style produces some of the world’s most breathtaking buildings. This landmark volume documents the movement as never before, by profiling the architects behind the style.
Featuring more than 250 historic and contemporary architects (organised alphabetically) along with specially selected examples of their work, this book includes international icons alongside those who are less well known or who have for too long been neglected, providing a unique record of this influential global architecture movement. The book includes 350 stunning images of more than 200 iconic Brutalist buildings, alongside fresh and surprising masterworks from 1936 to the present day, creating the ultimate companion to the Brutalist masters.
Featured architects include: John Andrews; João Batista Vilanova Artigas; Lina Bo Bardi; Bogdan Bogdanovic; Marcel Breuer; Douglas Cardinal; André-Jacques Dunoyer de Segonzac; Bertrand Goldberg; Erno Goldfinger; Jadwiga Grabowska-Hawrylak; Agustín Hernández Navarro; John M. Johansen; Louis I. Kahn; Denys Lasdun; Le Corbusier; João da Gama Filgueiras Lima; Alberto Linner Díaz; Owen Luder; Paulo Mendes da Rocha...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Ships Binnacle from US Navy
Located in Norwell, MA
Small boat binnacle with wood base, brass compass ring and hood. Compass is engraved "US Navy Bureau of ships, 4 Inch Boat Compass Mark1 1942 The Lionel C...
Category
1940s North American Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Brass
Howard & Co. Sterling Silver Realist Miniature Golf/ Golfers Collectible
Located in New York, NY
Howard & Co., sterling silver, late 19th or early 20th century, highly detailed and realistic miniature of 2 golfers on a stand. It measures 2 1/4'' in height by 3 1/8'' in width by ...
Category
Early 20th Century American Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Silver, Sterling Silver
Regarding Cocktails by Sasha Petraske
Located in New York City, NY
Regarding cocktails is the only book from the late Sasha Petraske, the legendary bartender who changed cocktail culture with his speakeasy-style bar Milk & Honey.
Forewords by Dale ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Cx-52 Model Swiss Cipher Machine
Located in New Orleans, LA
A triumph of ingenuity and craftsmanship, this Swiss cipher machine is a fabulous example of mechanical precision. Cipher machines are used to encrypt a...
Category
20th Century Swiss Other Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal
Moby Dick by Herman Melville, First Edition, Illustrated by Rockwell Kent, 1930
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
Melville, Herman. Illustrated by Rockwell Kent. Moby Dick. New York: Random House, 1930. First Trade Edition with Kent Illustrations. Rebound in full leather. Housed in a matching cu...
Category
1930s American Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Guhl & Harbeck Style Chain Stitch Hand Crank Sewing Machine
Located in Guaynabo, PR
This is a Guhl & Harbeck style chainstitch hand crank sewing machine. The C shaped cast iron machine is painted black and its rectangular bas...
Category
20th Century German Machine Age Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Iron
African Campaign Military Metal Chest Luggage J Willis Fleming Esq Deputy Lieut
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this very nice and collectable antique field used Jones Brothers & Co of Wolverhampton LTD Steel boots case with an original engraved plaque for J ...
Category
1880s English Campaign Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Steel
A for Ara, Contemporary, Floor Standing Speakers, Walnut, Gold Leaf, 2010s
By A for Ara
Located in Stamford, CT
Pair solid wood horn floor standing high fidelity speakers Model FS-1 by A for Ara. Available immediately
A fine walnut dot inlaid horn on an ebony base wi...
Category
2010s Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Wood
Brass Binnacle "NEGUS N.Y."
Located in Norwell, MA
Rare yacht binnacle from Negus of New York. The mushroom top is fitted with two removable oil burners and has an oval glass viewing port. The binnacle pedestal holds a gimballed bras...
Category
1890s North American Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Brass
Essential Pre-Raphaelites by Lucinda Hawksley
Located in Bradenton, FL
Essential Pre-Raphaelites by Lucinda Hawksley. Hardcover book with dustjacket. Published in 2000 by Parragon of Bath, England. Printed and bound in Indonesia. Illustrated, 256 pages.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Pre-Raphaelite Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
The Order of Things by Fashion Photgrapher Schoerner
By Schoerner
Located in NYC, NY
A unique book first edition print set on a circular format retains its original case.
Category
Late 20th Century American Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Plastic, Paper
Sally Ride Nasa Signed Photo - 1st US Woman in Space
Located in Jersey, GB
Sally Ride NASA signed photo
Official signed colour 8 x 10 inch NASA photo of Sally Ride (1951-2012) - the first US woman in space and third overall.
Ride is pictured in her NASA u...
Category
20th Century Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Original vintage scale from the 20th Century 'Designed by Berkel in Belgium'
By Berkel 2
Located in Udenhout, NL
Original personal scale from 1946 designed by Berkel in Belgium.
(Made in Brussels.)
Very nice Industrial decorative object.
Category
1940s Belgian Industrial Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal, Enamel
1950s Dutch Industrial Scientific Convex Lens Brass Stand Cast Iron Tripod Base
Located in Haarlem, NL
Scientific school or laboratory convex shaped lens on a brass stand with cast iron tripod base.
The heavy convex glass lens is 7 1/2 cm (2.95") th...
Category
1950s Dutch Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal, Brass, Iron
Ship Wheel from a Wheeler Yacht
Located in Norwell, MA
Solid brass ships wheel with the name wheeler cast into one of the spokes. Wheeler was a famous maker of yachts, up to seventy five feet, cabin cruisers, etc.
Hemingway wrote his ...
Category
1930s North American Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Brass
Art Museum
Located in New York City, NY
Visit the world’s most comprehensive and compelling museum in a single book – the ultimate gallery in your own home
Housing the finest art collection ever assembled, this classic ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Albrecht Dürer "The Small Horse, " 19th Century Copper Plate Engraving
Located in Barcelona, ES
"The Small Horse" copper plate engraving by Albrecht Dürer, circa 1505.
This is a 19th century engraving, printed in black on laid paper, framed by a beautiful gilt and ebonized carv...
Category
Late 19th Century French Renaissance Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Wood, Paper
Designs for Gilt Bronze Objects from the French Restoration 1814-1830, 1st Ed
Located in valatie, NY
Designs for Gilt Bronze Objects from the French Restoration 1814-1830: Clocks, Candelabras, Chandeliers, Sconces and Inkwells, by Charles Plante. Publis...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Brass Ships Wheel with Wood Handles
Located in Norwell, MA
Antique ships wheel with six spokes. Unusual and nicely shaped wheel with six handles, two brass and four wood. The back of the wheel has a 1906 patent dated. Probably from a small l...
Category
Early 1900s North American Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Brass
Guitar: the Shape of Sound
Located in New York City, NY
As seen in Harper’s Bazaar UK, Guitar World, and Design Week
The 100 most iconic guitars from around the globe, from early modern beginnings to cutting-edge electric models
The guitar is the iconic instrument at the heart of all popular music. From Delta blues on acoustics to electric rock & roll, and all that came in its wake, the guitar has proven the most versatile and emotive conduit for musical expression and experimentation.
Across more than 300 years, master guitar-makers have striven continually for new sculptural and aural peaks, yet the guitar's immediacy and intimacy endures, however loud the volume controls on the amplifiers are turned.
With 100 of the finest and most innovative models of guitar from the 17th century to the present day alongside the players who changed the face of popular music, Guitar includes fascinating stories behind iconic models from an eclectic mix of brands, including Alden, D'Angelico, Fender, Gibson, Gretsch, Ibanez, Kay, Martin, Millimetric Instruments, Mosrite, Greg Smallman, and Stauffer.
The book also includes a wealth of fascinating and lesser known information about enigmatic performers including the Beatles, Woody Guthrie, Jimi Hendrix, Robert Johnson, Pat...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Brass Yacht Binnacle From the 19th Century
Located in Norwell, MA
Very fine antique boat compass fitted to a polished brass case. The binnacle is fitted to a carved wood base with rope border. Fitted with an atta...
Category
1890s North American Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Brass
Maharam Bear by PIN-UP
Located in New York, NY
Maharam Bear by PIN-UP
008 Nightfall
Initially created for PIN–UP’s Fall/Winter 2016/2017 issue, the Bear is handmade by a small-scale Canadian produc...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Canadian Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Leather
Vintage Woven Handcraft Traditional Douli Rice Hat Asia
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Vintage Traditional Handwoven Rice Hat Asia
Douli Hat Conical Shade Rain Guard
Vintage patina present
Handcrafted
17 diameter x 4.5 tall Inside head 6.5 diameter
Preowned unrest...
Category
Early 20th Century Asian Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Wicker, Rattan
Gaston Suisse (1896-1988), Splendeur du Laque Art Dèco
Located in Montelabbate, PU
Year of publication 2013, Number of pages 269, Format 25 x 28 cm. Photos 250 including colors. Binding Hardcover under illustrated dust jacket
French language.
Very young, Gaston Su...
Category
2010s French Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
19th century American Southern Portrait by Benoni Irwin
By Benoni Irwin
Located in Savannah, GA
Oil on canvas portrait entitled:Mr. Bowles of Kentucky, painted by Benoni Irwin (1840-1896) an American portraitist born in new market, Ontario, Canada. He moved to New York as a you...
Category
Late 19th Century American American Classical Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Wood
Antique Crucifix Cross Cast Iron Garden Architectural Chapel Church Cemetery #2
Located in Tyler, TX
TALL Antique French Cast Iron Cross Crucifix~~Chapel Church Garden Architectural Yard Cemetery Prayer Room Wall Hanging~~c. 1890s
Fab...
Category
Late 19th Century French Victorian Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Iron
Proof: Photography in the Era of the Contact Sheet, Collection of Mark Schwartz
Located in valatie, NY
Proof: Photography in the Era of the Contact Sheet from the Collection of Mark Schwartz + Bettina Katz by Peter Galassi. Cleveland Museum of Art. A glimpse inside the darkroom--and i...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Modernism Foretold: the Nadler Collection of Late Antique Art from Egypt, 1/500
Located in valatie, NY
Modernism Foretold: The Nadler Collection of Late Antique Art from Egypt, 1/500
by Asen Kirin, Katherine Leigh Marsengill, Georgia Museum of Art. Georgia Museum of Art, 2020. 1st Ed hardcover with dust jacket. "This exhibition catalogue features an extraordinary assembly of objects dating from the 3rd to the 8th century CE that belong to Emanuel and Anna Nadler of New York City and Palm Beach. The Nadler family has long been one of the most important collectors of Coptic art...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Mert Alas and Marcus Piggott. Signed, Limited Edition Monograph Book
By Mert Alas and Marcus Piggott, Charlotte Cotton
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Jump into the megawatt world of Mert and Marcus, the creative tour de force who have styled and shot some of the most powerful brands and personalities of our time, from miu miu to A...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary European Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Brass Boat Compass in Varnished Wood Box
Located in Norwell, MA
Classic early twentieth century boat compass by Dirigo of Seattle Washington. The gimballed compass has been meticulously polished and lacquered. This classic marine instrument is fi...
Category
1930s North American Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Brass
Large Cape Buffalo Taxidermy Shoulder Mount
Located in Ongar, GB
A large vintage taxidermy Cape Buffalo shoulder mount. Very well modelled and is a very impressive piece. Wear in places from age and use.
Please contact ...
Category
Early 20th Century Unknown Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Animal Skin
Sarah Sze: Paintings
Located in New York City, NY
The first and only monograph to give a comprehensive examination of acclaimed American artist Sarah Sze's painting practice
Since the late 1990s, Sarah Sze has developed a signatu...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Brass Boat Compass in Varnished Wood Box
Located in Norwell, MA
Classic early twentieth century boat compass. The gimballed compass has been meticulously polished and lacquered. This classic marine instrument is fitted to its original hardwood bo...
Category
1950s North American Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Brass
Carl Elmberg, Tobacco Jar in Cast Iron, Näfveqvarns Bruk, Swedish Grace, 1920s
Located in Stockholm, SE
Decorative tobacco jar in cast iron with decor of animals and figures. Designed by Carl Elmberg for Näfveqvarns bruk, Swedish Grace, 1920s.
Carl Elmberg (1889–1955) sculptor and ...
Category
1920s Swedish Art Deco Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Wrought Iron
Engine Order Telegraph with German Commands
Located in Norwell, MA
Solid brass ships telegraph with German commands. With engraved maker’s plate on top marked: "Lubecker, Maschinenbau - Gesell shaft, or LMG, Ship...
Category
1930s European Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Brass
Vintage Triangular Hanukkah Menorah
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful vintage Hannukah Menorah. This vintage piece is a replica of a menorah from the 14th century southern Europe. Made in Israel, this piece is ...
Category
1970s Israeli Baroque Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Brass
Treasures of the Smithsonian by Edwards Park
Located in valatie, NY
Treasures of the Smithsonian by Edwards Park. Published by Smithsonian Books, Harry Abrams, 1987. Hardcover with dust jacket. With more than four hundred ...
Category
1980s American Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Material Transfers
By Phaidon
Located in New York City, NY
A provocative examination of the connections between contemporary expression in architecture and traditional materials and forms
Architect, architectural historian, and preservati...
Category
2010s Chinese Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Elizabeth Taylor's Diamond Platinum Pendant Necklace, Christie's 2011 Auction
Located in Vaughan, ON
Very rare chance to own the diamond necklace from the one and only legendary actress Elizabeth Taylor.
Christie's, New York, Dec 3rd 2011, The Collection of Elizabeth Taylor, Sale 2629, Lot 1461
This symbolic Number 1 diamond and platinum necklace is previously owned by Elizabeth Taylor, proudly acquired by Redstone Antiques...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Platinum
Boat Binnacle Compass from the 19th Century
Located in Norwell, MA
Rare yacht binnacle with a highly polished gimballed compass fitted to a varnished box. The box has a polished brass side burner and hinges, hooks, and screws. First class nautical r...
Category
1890s North American Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Brass
Ship's Engine Order Telegraph by Charles Cory and Son of New York
Located in Norwell, MA
Solid brass ship's engine order telegraph with faceplates from Charles Cory and Son Patentees, New York. Smaller size than most, meticulously polished and lacquered.
Overall Dime...
Category
1920s American Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Brass
French Military Steel and Brass Armor, Late 18th-Early 19th Century
Located in San Francisco, CA
French military steel and brass breast plate body armor, having a genuine muscat ball dent, France, late 18th-early 19th century.
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Brass, Steel
Antique Walking Stick Cane 9 Ct Gold Pommel, Late 19th Century
Located in London, GB
This is an exquisite antique Victorian walking cane with a 9ct gold pommel, dating from the late 19th Century.
The gold handle is round in sh...
Category
1890s English Victorian Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Gold
Art Deco 1928 Ladies Compact by Richard Hudnut
Located in Devon, England
For your consideration is this virtually mint condition Art Deco ladies combination compact dating to 1928. This is a classic Art Deco Richard Hudnut Le Debut Cloisonné Powder, Rouge...
Category
Mid-20th Century North American Art Deco Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Enamel, Chrome
Collection of Museum Mounted Industrial Eye Glass Dyes/Molds
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Collection of Museum Mounted Industrial Eye Glass Dyes/Molds
An instant collection of four unique actual industrial brass and iron molds for eyeglass fram...
Category
20th Century American Industrial Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Brass, Iron
Never Again, Again, Again: Genocide by Lane Montgomery, Signed 1st Ed
Located in valatie, NY
Never Again, Again, Again: Genocide: Armenia, The Holocaust, Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia, Darfur by Lane H. Montgomery. Published by Ruder Finn Press, New Yor...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Yacht Binnacle of the Highest Quality
Located in Norwell, MA
Skylight Yacht Binnacle from the 19th century. Exceptional binnacle built to a very high standard. Very heavy and sturdy with a beautiful desig...
Category
1880s North American Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Brass
1970s British Classic Blue & Chrome AC.GMT.Co. Industrial Wall Clock Black Dial
Located in Leicester, Leicestershire
Rescued from Industrial scrap yards and brought back to life in our UK workshop, our expert process allows us to create a high quality clock of luxury standards.
At A.C GMT Co. we ...
Category
1970s English Industrial Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Steel, Chrome
Richard Sapper, Edited by Jonathan Olivares Book
Located in New York City, NY
An in-depth study of the work of German-born Industrial designer Richard Sapper, most famous for designs such as the Tizio lamp and the Brionvega radio...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Fine Pair Golden Guilloche Enamel and Mother of Pearl Opera Glasses, c.1910
Located in Bath, GB
Pretty as a picture and in outstanding condition, this lovely pair of early twentieth century opera glasses come complete with their original case (wear commensurate with age).
Th...
Category
1910s French Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Brass, Enamel
Donna Dennis: Poet in Three Dimensions
Located in New York City, NY
The first monograph on the architectural sculptor and installation artist and long-time collaborator with the New York School poets
Best known for creating large-scale installatio...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary 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.
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.
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