Space oddities: The secrets of Wunderkammern

ENJOY FREE SHIPPING ON ART, FASHION AND DECOR WITH CODE FREESHIP* | [START SHOPPING]( [UNSUBSCRIBE]( [1stdibs.com]( [FURNITURE]( [LIGHTING]( [DECOR]( [ART]( [NFTS]( [JEWELRY]( [FASHION]( [AUCTIONS]( [Shop the Collection]( Wunderkammern, or cabinets of curiosities, were used by people for centuries to showcase enigmatic artifacts, exotic specimens and mystifying sketches, among other things. This fall, give in to your peculiar interests and curate a Wunderkammer from our collection of fascinating and bizarre (dare we say, shocking?) pieces. [Shop the Collection]( [Shop the Collection]( Wicked Good Fun Yes, there are many stranger things to be found. We invite you to explore five unique pieces before beginning your journey into the unexplained. [A Certain Fate]( Lyubena Fox's dramatic oil painting is an example of a memento mori (Latin for "Remember you must die.") The artist uses symbolic objects — an hourglass and wilting flower — to signify the impermanence of human life. [SHOP Now]( [David Avery, Death and the Printmaker, 2021]( David Avery, Death and the Printmaker, 2021 [SHOP NOW]( [Jan C. Schlegel, Zeus Faber, 2018]( Jan C. Schlegel, Zeus Faber, 2018 [SHOP NOW]( [Unknown, Memento Mori, 18th Century]( Unknown, Memento Mori, 18th Century [SHOP NOW]( [Shop Art]( [All Aflutter]( Taxidermy and rare specimens were standard fixtures in Wundkerkammern in the days when much of the natural world was a mystery. This framed collection of butterflies and coral is more than a century old, and it shows the meticulous lengths collectors went to preserve (and display) their findings. [SHOP Now]( [Elephant Bird Egg, Pre-17th Century]( Elephant Bird Egg, Pre-17th Century [SHOP NOW]( [Taxidermied Sickle Pomfret Fish, 1870]( Taxidermied Sickle Pomfret Fish, 1870 [SHOP NOW]( [Set of 10 Scientific Optical Mirrors, ca. 1880]( Set of 10 Scientific Optical Mirrors, ca. 1880 [SHOP NOW]( [SHOP COLLECTIBLES]( [That Come-Slither Look]( The enigmatic serpent motif dates to Hellenic and Ancient Roman times, symbolizing wisdom and fertility. This alluring Victorian necklace features seven carats of diamonds and fine turquoise in a mixed mounting of gold and silver, and the life-like head has startlingly realistic teeth. [SHOP Now]( [Black Enamel and Rose-Cut Diamond Mourning Brooch, 1860s]( Black Enamel and Rose-Cut Diamond Mourning Brooch, 1860s [SHOP NOW]( [RIMA Jewels Gold Skeleton Earring, 2016]( RIMA Jewels Gold Skeleton Earring, 2016 [SHOP NOW]( [Essex Crystal Bird Charm, 1800]( Essex Crystal Bird Charm, 1800 [SHOP NOW]( [SHOP JEWELRY]( [We Mere Mortals]( Much like memento mori, vanitas sculptures are ruminations on life’s transience and the beauty to be found during our time on Earth. This 19th-century bust features a skull draped with a hood and robes, all made from one piece of solid Carrara marble that is exquisitely carved to mimic the folds of the cloth. [SHOP Now]( [After Mongiardino Pair of Marble Obelisks, Late 20th Century]( After Mongiardino Pair of Marble Obelisks, Late 20th Century [SHOP NOW]( [Smoky Quartz Crystals on Gilded-Wooden Base, 1880]( Smoky Quartz Crystals on Gilded-Wooden Base, 1880 [SHOP NOW]( [German Memento Mori Oil on Agate, 1650]( German Memento Mori Oil on Agate, 1650 [SHOP NOW]( [SHOP DECOR]( [Building a Mystery]( Every bit as fascinating as its contents is the cabinet itself. Hailing from 17th-century France, this intriguing piece is made from wood and decorated with ebony, ivory and gilt bronze. Its semicircular shelves allow for curios to be hung in the center — and the back is painted with exotic animals and birds. [SHOP Now]( [Dutch Collector’s Cabinet, 1750s]( Dutch Collector’s Cabinet, 1750s [SHOP NOW]( [Victorian Ebony Collector’s Cabinet, 1850]( Victorian Ebony Collector’s Cabinet, 1850 [SHOP NOW]( [Cipriani Homood Display Cabinet, New]( Cipriani Homood Display Cabinet, New [SHOP NOW]( [SHOP CABINETS]( The Most Beautiful Things This curated collection is filled with spectacular pieces possessing stories of craftsmanship and provenance. Shop standout works by influential artists, iconic jewelry by leading labels, vintage fashion, one-of-a-kind antiquities, and so much more. [Bulgari Diamond, Ruby and Gold Serpenti Bracelet, Contemporary]( [Bulgari Diamond, Ruby and Gold Serpenti Bracelet, Contemporary]( [Shop Now]( [Greta Manusson-Grossman Grasshopper Floor Lamp, New]( [Greta Manusson-Grossman Grasshopper Floor Lamp, New]( [Shop Now]( [Piero Fornasetti Side Table, 1960s]( [Piero Fornasetti Side Table, 1960s]( [Shop Now]( [Helmut Newton, Scene from Pina Bausch, Dance Theater Wuppertal, 1983/1997]( [Helmut Newton, Scene from Pina Bausch, Dance Theater Wuppertal, 1983/1997]( [Shop Now]( [Pierre Jeanneret Library Chair, 1959–60]( [Pierre Jeanneret Library Chair, 1959–60]( [Shop Now]( [Victorian Bodice and Skirt Set, 1890s]( [Victorian Bodice and Skirt Set, 1890s]( [Shop Now]( [SHOP THE COLLECTION]( [Explore Our Editors' Picks]Find It at 1stDibs Auctions The secret is out! It’s now possible to find rare deals on jewelry, fine art, furniture, decor and fashion — and bidding on these pieces takes the thrill of the treasure hunt to a whole new level. Paddles ready, then? [Prints]( [Rings]( [Decor]( [Fashion]( [Seating]( [Lighting]( [SHOP AUCTIONS]( From Introspective Why Collecting Matters — Especially Right Now [Read Now]( [App Banner Message Center]( *This offer is good for up to $200 USD off your total shipping cost of art, fashion or decor purchased on 1stdibs.com (exclusions apply) when you place your next online purchase and enter promotion code FREESHIP at checkout on 1stdibs.com. This offer is valid from May 12, 2022, 12:00 AM EST through December 31, 2022, 12:00 AM EDT, 4:00 AM EDT. This offer is only valid for pre-approved accounts. Offer cannot be applied to previously-made purchases and may not be combined with any other offer. Value of the shipping credit you receive under this offer cannot exceed the lesser of the quoted shipping price on the eligible item(s) or $200 USD. This offer can be applied to jewelry, art, fashion, or decor category purchases only, excluding sculpture. All standard customer terms and conditions apply. 1stdibs reserves the right to cancel, withdraw, or modify this offer at any time. Offer is nontransferable. Void where prohibited. [1stDibs Promise]( [1stDibs Promise]( We’re committed to your satisfaction and peace of mind with every purchase. Expertly Vetted Sellers | Buyer Protection | Price-Match Guarantee [LEARN MORE]( On behalf of our employees and extended community of makers and sellers, we thank you for your business and ongoing support of the design industry. [Instagram]( [Facebook]( [Pinterest]( [YouTube]( [Twitter]( [Discord]( [DOWNLOAD APP]( 1STDIBS | 51 Astor Place | New York, NY, 10003, US To unsubscribe from 1stDibs promotional emails, click [here](. [View in Browser](