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Collectibles and Curiosities For Sale
Item Ships From: Europe
Color:  Orange
MMV Romani, William Klein, 1st Edition, Contrasto, 2005
Located in London, GB
First edition, published by Contrasto, Rome, 2005. Text in English and Italian. This English and Italian language photobook from William Klein sees him revisit the Rome that he im...
Category

Early 2000s Italian Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Antique Map of the Roadstead of Batavia by Van der Aa, 1725
Located in Langweer, NL
Antique map titled 'La rade de Batavia'. (The roadstead of Batavia.) This map shows the roadstead before the Indonesian city of Batavia, nowadays Jakarta. This plate originates from ...
Category

18th Century Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Gio Ponti, First Edition Book
Located in Los Angeles, CA
To study Gio Ponti’s prolific body of work is to appreciate the clear, unifying vision behind a complex creative universe. His creations expand intuitively with the Italian grandeur ...
Category

2010s Italian Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Annie Leibovitz at Work
Located in New York City, NY
Annie Leibovitz, our most celebrated living photographer, explains how her pictures are made Leibovitz addresses young photographers and readers interested in what photographers do...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary European Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

1970s Industrial Cast Aluminium and Brass Flame Proof Edison Striplight, Orange
Located in Leicester, Leicestershire
Korean flame proof Edison LED twin strip light made by Daeyang in the 1970s with bespoke signal orange finish. Original item salvaged from supertankers ...
Category

Late 20th Century Korean Industrial Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Aluminum, Brass

GUFRAMINI Little Bocca Miniature by Studio 65
Located in La Morra, Cuneo
The little Bocca, drawing from the exact proportions of the original version, maintains the sinuous feel and sensuality of a woman’s lips, exactly as intended by Studio65 which designed it in 1970. But, unlike her big sister, she has decided to get rid of her fabric dress and be coated just like her other two little friends. This visionary and glamorous sofa has inspired artists and photographers as a much-photographed protagonist and the centre of attention in exhibitions all over the world. Now, it will become a sassy accessory in the most cutting-edge homes. As if in a fairy tale, the Gufram icons have become smaller and have now turned into Guframini! The most radical Italian design...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Foam

Hermès Playing Cards / Cards Game in the Original Box, Vintage, 1970s
Located in Beuzevillette, FR
Hermès playing cards in the original box. vintage. Made in France. Both sets are complete and feature gold edges on both decks of cards. A deck of green cards and a deck of orange cards. elegant card back design. Box containing two decks of cards, the backs of these have a decoration of gold-colored horse bits forming circles on a red or green background, gilded edges. Hermes orange box...
Category

Late 20th Century French Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Flower Exploring the World in Bloom
Located in New York City, NY
A comprehensive and sumptuous survey that celebrates the beauty and appeal of flowers throughout art, history, and culture The latest installment in the bestselling Explorer Serie...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Horst: Interiors by Barbara Plumb (Book)
Located in North Yorkshire, GB
HORST - Interiors is a book which features 52 of the most stunning Interior designs taken by famed fashion photographer Horst P. Horst during the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s. The images of these splendid houses, apartments and holiday homes - including a memorable portrait of each owner - provides a wonderful record of the changing styles of that period. Horst was invited into homes which many photographers would never have had access to, these included The Duke & Duchess of Windsor, Truman Capote, Jacqueline Onassis...
Category

20th Century Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Map Exploring The World, Midi Format
Located in New York City, NY
A compelling exploration of the ways that humans have mapped the world throughout history - now in a compact new edition Map: Exploring the World brings together more than 250...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Honar, the Afkhami Collection of Modern and Contemporary Iranian Art Book
Located in New York City, NY
"A wealth of vital pieces reflecting a vibrant country that is producing some of the world's most insightful, impacting and aesthetically considered pieces of work... The text is an unprecedented source of enrichment for readers - for those who have read widely on the topic or those looking to find out more about a country which has often been overshadowed by media-fuelled scrutiny."—AestheticaMagazine "Once largely hidden from Western view, the contemporary art scene is Iran is now flourishing as a powerful social and cultural force... Honar: The Afkhami Collection is a new book from Phaidon celebrating the best in modern and postmodern Iranian art. Showcasing a wide range of styles from new media to sculpture and calligraphy, it's a fascinating insight into a new generation of creative talents from the Middle East."—HungerTV. The first and only book on one of the finest private collections of contemporary Iranian art...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Mutant Materials in Contemporary Design by Paola Antonelli 1st edition 1995
Located in London, GB
Published but The Museum of Modern Art, New York 1995. Illustrated in b/w and colour. Orig. clothbacked boards with colourful resin cover designed by Gaetano Pesce affixed to front ...
Category

1990s Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Resin, Paper

Rankin Works with Interview by Jefferson Hack1 st ed. 2000 (book)
Located in London, GB
Published by Booth Client 2000 h/b interview by Jefferson HackThis books delves into Rankin's work during the 1990s: over 200 of the very best of his early anti-fashion shots for the...
Category

Early 2000s Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

1960s Italian Three Piece Orange Genuine Hand Carved Alabaster Smoking Set
Located in Haarlem, NL
Very decorative 1960s Italian hand carved orange alabaster smoking set by Romano Bianchi. Consists of a heavy ashtray, also very useful as trinket dish or vide-poche. A table lighter (which also fits a wax tea light candle). And a very pretty lidded hinged box, which originally would have held cigarettes but also could be used to keep jewellery or little treasures in. Cigarette sales peaked in the 20th century, people were allowed to smoke in the office, the cinema, at restaurants, indoors and outdoors. Once women were able to smoke freely, smoking became a social norm and in general it was considered an act of elegance and sophistication. Businessmen in the 1960s were rarely seen without a cigarette in their hand. So needles to say you needed pretty smoking accessories...
Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Alabaster

1920s Cameo
Located in Madrid, ES
1920s Cameo Elegant cameo from the 1920s carved in a shell and decorated with gilded brass.Dimensions: 4.5x4x0.5 cm
Category

1910s Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Brass

Valentino Trente Ans de Magie 1st French Edition 1991
Located in London, GB
Valentino Trente Ans de Magie 1st French Edition 1991 Published by Abbeville France 1st Edition 1991 Beautiful book celebrating 30 years of Valentino’s creations. Dimension: 34cm ...
Category

1990s Modern Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

The Indonesian Table
Located in New York City, NY
‘It is truly remarkable for a talented chef to also be a sensational storyteller … Petty takes you on a journey across the archipelago, through her food and her life.’ – Julien Royer...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Wild the Naturalistic Garden
Located in New York City, NY
A stunning exploration of one of the hottest trends in garden design, nature-based planting with an eco-aware approach, featuring the work of leading designers such as Sean Hogan, Pi...
Category

2010s Italian Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

A French Font In Marble-19 ° Century
Located in Brussels, Brussels
Very beautiful font in pink marble from the 19th century Very beautiful work from the south of France In superb condition and beautiful patina
Category

19th Century French Renaissance Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Marble

Japan: The Vegetarian Cookbook
Located in New York City, NY
‘Extraordinary … a must have book for anyone who loves vegetables!’ – Amanda Cohen, James Beard-nominated chef and owner of Dirt Candy From the author of global bestseller Japan: ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Internet_Art: From the Birth of the Web to the Rise of NFTs
Located in New York City, NY
A leading figure in the world of networked culture explores the artists and events that defined the mass medium of our time Since 1989, the year the World Wide Web was born, the art world has grappled with the rise of networked culture. This unprecedented survey of the artists and innovators in this area from 1989 to today is interwoven with the personal narrative of one of the leading voices on the digital world. In this book, Omar Kholeif, whose prolific career parallels the growth of the internet, tells the story of this mass medium and how it has fostered new possibilities for artists, both analog and digital. The book showcases work spanning a range of media from legendary artists including Lawrence Abu Hamdan, Lynn Hershman Leeson, Nam June Paik, Heather Phillipson, and Wu Tsang...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Ikoyi: A Journey Through Bold Heat with Recipes
Located in New York City, NY
‘In what seems like only a brief moment, Ikoyi has shaken the world of cooking – René Redzepi, chef & co-owner of noma The exciting debut cookbook from the acclaimed chef of the t...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Pair of Velvet Toy Bears, Straw Stuffed and Glass Eyes
Located in Antwerp, BE
Pair of antique velvet toy bears. Gold - brown - yellow velvet bears with glass eyes and straw stuffed. With sewn mouth and nose and movable arms and legs. Looks like a couple ( male and female ) as there heads are different in size. Beautiful old little toy bears. The arms of 1 bear have been repaired in the past: you can see the thread on the side of the arms. The arms of this bear hang loose to the body. The arms of the other bear can be moved up and down. When 1 arm up or down , the second arm follows automatically as they are attached to each other. Antique toy bears...
Category

Mid-20th Century European Art Deco Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Velvet, Straw, Glass

Manu: Recipes and Stories from My Brazi
Located in New York City, NY
'Manu Buffara is the bridge to the next generation of strong, conscious, and thoughtful chefs.’ – Dominique Crenn 'Manu Buffara is amazing. A mother, warrior, Cook, chef, environm...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Room for Dessert
Located in New York City, NY
The definitive guide to perfect pastry from the acclaimed former elBulli pastry chef and his destination restaurant in Bali As seen on Netflix series Chef's Table: Pastry. Will...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

DS-2878 Boxing Handstitched Leather Punching Bag by De Sede
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Leather punching bag DS-2878/60 by De Sede. Matching to the re-edition of the DS-2878, De Sede boxing fans can get their hands on a very special accesso...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Modern Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Leather

DS-2878 Boxing Handstitched Leather Punching Bag by De Sede
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Leather punching bag DS-2878/60 by De Sede. Matching to the re-edition of the DS-2878, De Sede boxing fans can get their hands on a very special a...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Modern Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Leather

Silver Plated Mid Century Box with Bamboo Inlaid Lid
Located in Henley-on Thames, Oxfordshire
Good quality mid century silver plated box with inset bamboo to the lid Most probably a box for playing cards but could be used for any purpose. made in Italy in the 1970s
Category

1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Silver Plate

Greta Garbo Collection, Sotheby's Sale Catalogue (Book)
Located in North Yorkshire, GB
Sotheby's New York, catalogue from November 1990. Profusely illustrated throughout, mostly in colour. In a very good dust jacket with a glossy orange slipcase. Hardback catalogue for...
Category

20th Century Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Rembrandt Bugatti 'Catalogue Raisonne' (Book)
Located in North Yorkshire, GB
By Jacques-Chalom Des Cordes & Veronique Fromanger des Cordes First edition and numbers 667 of this precious catalogue raisonne of animal sculptures by Rembrandt Bugatti...
Category

Early 20th Century Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Felix Marcilhac Collection Privee, Sotheby's (Book)
Located in North Yorkshire, GB
This is the catalogue published in 2014 by Sotheby's for the sale of the private collection of Felix Marcilhac. As might be expected this was one of the finest collections which incl...
Category

20th Century Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Space Age Vintage Orange Plastic Metal Chair 1970s
Located in Vienna, AT
Pop Art vintage plastic metal chair from a sports stadium in Vienna shows a steel frame and an orange plastic seat shell. The seat shell is plastered...
Category

1970s Austrian Space Age Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal

Osvaldo Borsani Handles Brass, 1950, Italy
Located in Milano, IT
Handles Borsani.
Category

1950s Other Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Brass

Flying Too Close to the Sun
Located in New York City, NY
The first major survey to reveal the ways in which Classical mythology has inspired art throughout the last 2,500 years From the films of Woody Allen and the Coen Brothers...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Large Vintage Cartier Jewelry Elephant Silk Scarf with Irish Linen Pillow
Located in Belfast, Northern Ireland
Katie Larmour Studio is the original vintage scarf pillow maker. Gaining notability for her unique idea and creations back in 2013 - featured in the likes of the Financial Times, and first selling here on 1stdibs in 2016 - our creations are of the absolute top most quality, craftsmanship and finesse. Thank-you for looking. Title: Large Vintage Cartier Jewelry Elephant Silk Scarf with Irish Linen Cushion Pillow Description: Large custom made one-of-a-kind luxury cushion (pillow) created from an exquisite rare vintage pure silk Cartier fashion scarf in a striking print named ‘La Route des Indes’, translating to English as ‘The India Road’. It illustrates exotic elephants in procession adorned with fabulous opulent jewels. They spiral around the square frame one behind the other whimsically ascending in scale. The most magnificent of all leading at the front in a statuesque pose and elaborate decoration. Their eyes are pave set with previous stones of emerald and amethyst and the gold elephants continue along the boarder as well. Cartier is a luxury Parisian empire which originated in 1847 with Louis-François Cartier and is recognised all around the world for their high end creations. The lavishly bejewelled exotic oriental creatures appear to be a reference to the brand’s signature necklaces, bracelets and earrings; ‘Tanjore’, and ‘Djigar’ necklaces, “Rajastan’ bracelet and ‘Gupta’ brooch. This particular peachy coral pink with jade green accents and a glorious subtle sheen is one of the most spectacular examples we have come across. The fabric was personally hand-picked by Katie at antiques market ‘Marche aux Puces Saint-Ouen’ on the outskirts of Paris. On a sumptuous silk soft to the touch. Backed in new 100% pure Irish linen, the aristocrat of textiles and certified by the Irish Linen Guild, lined in a layer of natural bamboo cloth...
Category

20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Textile, Linen, Silk

Spanish Pedal Car from the 30s, Denia
Located in Madrid, ES
Pedal car from the 30s, Denia beautiful pedal car it is manufactured in denia in the decade of the 30s although it has no visible marks or label, it looks like it is a car manufactur...
Category

20th Century Spanish Modern Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal

Made in Italy Sound Amplifier, Orange Ceramics, Customizable Speaker, 2022
Located in San Miniato PI, IT
Description This is an amplifier compatible with all smartphones in which the speaker is positioned at the bottom, near the microphone. It will allow you to increase the volume of your smartphone by 15/20 decibels! European Design Patent filed n. 005778529 Materials Handmade in 100% Italian ceramic and non-toxic glazes, i.e. free of lead and other substances harmful to the health of workers (as required by EU regulations). METHOD OF USE Just insert your smartphone in the appropriate space and start your favorite music to hear it clear and loud at home, outdoors or wherever you want! It has a hole for passing the power cable. ECO-SUSTAINABLE PRODUCTION The production method is characterized by an ethical and eco-sustainable approach. Ceramics of controlled origin, non-toxic glazes and photovoltaic panels are used to guarantee the functioning of the electric ovens...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Ceramic

Tubular Steel Furniture Book / Bauhaus Interior - Die Schöne Wohnung, 1930s
Located in Praha, CZ
- 1930s - for the condition see the pictures - jr.
Category

1930s Bauhaus Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

James Bond: In the Cinema by John Brosnan (Book)
Located in North Yorkshire, GB
By Australian novelist and journalist John Brosnan, who was a regular columnist with the popular UK film magazine Starburst. Opening with a short chapter which analyses the great pop...
Category

20th Century Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

William Henry Goss Porcelain Model of Robert Burn’s Cottage Pastille Burner 1893
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A stylish antique porcelain pastille burner model of Roberts Burn’s Cottage by renowned English potter William Henry Goss (British, 1833-1906) and dated 1893. William Henry Goss was probably best known for his prolific production of crested china wears which were developed for the souvenir trade however alongside these produced a number of other items which have become highly collectable today. This finely made pastille burner is modelled as a long single storey cottage with three windows...
Category

1890s English Late Victorian Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Porcelain

Mr.Peanut, Vintage Peanut Butter Maker, USA, Mid-20th Century
Located in Roma, IT
Mr.Peanut - vintage peanut butter maker is an original decorative object realized in the mid-20th century. This vintage object was realized by Emenee and it was used as a real pea...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Plastic

Staffordshire Pottery Flatback Model of Balmoral Castle
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
The hollow potted castle is mounted on a long oval shaped base molded in relief with swirl patterning with a raised molded banner reading BALMORAL CASTLE...
Category

19th Century English Victorian Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Pottery

Antique Golf Plate, Royal Winton, Golf Language
Located in Oxfordshire, GB
Winton Pottery With Golf Design. A Wonderful Golf Plate by Royal Winton, Stoke on Trent pottery, with the printed mark to the rear. The transfer decoration is showing a golf scene w...
Category

1910s English Sporting Art Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Ceramic

Brussels Dream, Le Rêve Bruxellois, Der Brusseler Traum, Expo 1958
Located in Praha, CZ
- EXPO 1958 Exhibition - Publisher: Arbor Vitae, 2008 - Three languages - Original condition, see the photos - 165 pages - Many beautiful pictures of ar...
Category

Early 2000s Czech Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Collectable TexAvery Droopy Figurine Statue by Demons & Merveilles
Located in Sofia, BG
Figurine statue of Droopy smoking cigar by Demons & Merveilles. Made in 1999 in its original box in perfect condition. Perfect gift and a part of a large collection. USA, 1999.  
Category

Late 20th Century American Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Plastic

Jürgen Teller Charlotte Rampling Book Louis XV
Located in Vienna, AT
Jürgen Teller Charlotte Rampling photography book Louis XV, 2004 First edition book by Jürgen Teller and Charlotte Rampling, new and shrink-wrapped. ...
Category

Early 2000s Austrian Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Faux Leather

Vintage Surveyor's Level, Brass, Scientific Instrument, Engineering, Circa 1950
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a vintage surveyor's level. An English, brass scientific instrument with enamelled finish, dating to the mid 20th century, circa 1950. Appe...
Category

Mid-20th Century British Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Brass

Antique Map of the Roadstead of Bantam by Van der Aa, 1725
Located in Langweer, NL
Antique map titled 'La rade de Bantam'. (The roadstead of Bantam.) This map shows the Indonesian city of Banten / Bantam on Java, Indonesia and its roadstead. With compass rose and s...
Category

18th Century Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Dieter Rams The Complete Works
Located in New York City, NY
The ultimate reference on one of the most influential product designers of all time For more than sixty years Dieter Rams has defined the look, feel, and function of some of the w...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Cologne Cathedral Church Souvenir Building Ashtray Vintage, German, 1960s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A 1960s souvenir building architectural model Ashtray. Some wear with a nice patina, but this is old-age. Made of metal. A beautiful nice desktop item or just a display item in your ...
Category

Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal

DEMAG Die Cast Miniature Crane Truck from NZG, West Germany, 1970s
Located in Barcelona, ES
Die cast DEMAG HC130 crane truck fabricated by Nürnberger Zinkdruckguß-Modelle GmbH (NZG), West Germany 1970s. NZG is famous for specializing in collectible high quality toys and pro...
Category

Late 20th Century German Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal

Charles Schulz Signed Cartoon Book
Located in Jersey, GB
A copy of cartoon book The Snoopy Festival signed by Charles Schulz American cartoonist Charles Schulz (1922-2000) is best known for his comic strip ...
Category

1950s Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

"The Day of the Triffids" Original US Movie Poster
Located in London, GB
Original US movie poster for the 1963 Sci-Fi, Horror film directed Steve Sekely and starring Howard Keel, Nicole Maurey.
Category

1960s American Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Set of Two Vintage Ssico Jaguar Match Box Car Toys, circa 1960
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Set of two vintage Ssico Jaguar match box car toys. By unknown manufacturer, circa 1960. In original condition, with minor wear consistent with age ...
Category

1960s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal

Book "Logos Volume 1, Arduino Panaro Method" and Wooden Rappelling, 1940s
Located in taranto, IT
Extremely rare book Arduino Panaro Bari "logos" method, volume 1, 1930s / 40s, over 400 illustrated pages, signed by the author, equipped with a wooden rappelling team Spignese il...
Category

1940s Italian Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

WWI Antique Aircraft Water-Color and Pastel Drawing by Riccardo Cavigioli
Located in Milan, IT
Drawing in mixed technique, water-color and pastel depicting a WWI airplane, by Riccardo Cavigioli. Measure with frame cm 80x60.3. Riccardo Cavigioli was born in Milan on 10th Nov...
Category

1920s Italian Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Valuable Artistic Property Belonging to the Estate of the Late Stanford White
Located in North Yorkshire, GB
This is the "Supplementary Sale" Catalogue of Valuable Artistc Property belonging to the Estate of Stanford White which took place on November 25th, 26th and 27th 1907 - Consisting o...
Category

Early 20th Century Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Mobilier National 1964-2004: 40 Ans De Creation (Book)
Located in North Yorkshire, GB
Catalogue of an exhibition of 161 pieces of furniture made by some of France's most influential designers in the final third of the 20th century and the early years of 21st century, ...
Category

Late 20th Century 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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