The cabinet of curiosities: Interior designer's Best Friend!
For many centuries, cabinets of curiosities have fascinated and amazed the most curious among us. Shells, precious stones, scientific objects, the cabinets of curiosities house finds from the four corners of the world. If originally, these unusual places were the delight of collectors, today the object of curiosity is placed at the center of very ambitious decoration projects!
Let's discover together how the cabinet of curiosities stands out as the perfect ally for interior designers.
What is a cabinet of curiosities?
A cabinet of curiosities is a place that stores and display original and curious various objects. The objects on display are unearthed by adventure and travel enthusiasts. Therefore, they come from all continents. Islands, tropical forests, oceans, objects of curiosity come from all backgrounds and all cultures. It is these different environments that offer us objects as curious as each other: plants, animals, minerals… A cabinet of curiosities does not only include objects of natural origin. Some objects have been transformed or created by man, such as sculptures. In a certain way, we can define the cabinet of curiosities as the ancestor of museums. Indeed, a cabinet of curiosities can contain complete collections of objects that cannot be found anywhere else and which arouse... curiosity!
Without forgetting a competition between collectors...
Campo del Cielo meteorite: diplayed flying in the air in a brass circle on oak: A rare curiosity from space becomes an object of conversation.
What is the origin of the cabinet of curiosities?
The history of the cabinet of curiosities
The first cabinets of curiosities appeared in Europe during the Renaissance . From the second half of the 16th century, many scientists took a different look at the world. They then mix science and technology to understand and study the things around them. The taste for travel is intensifying and solutions to navigate ever further are developing. It was also during the Renaissance that artists became interested in all the imperfections of the world and paid great attention to details. On land as at sea, explorers came across exceptional pieces : skeletons, corals, insects, precious stones... Pieces that they then hastened to bring back with them to study and exhibit. As the great expeditions multiplied, the collections of objects were enriched.
Take people on a journey, without traveling with the cabinet of curiosities
True miniature museums, cabinets of curiosities allow us to present the world to people without traveling. It’s the journey that invites itself into the cabinet of curiosities!
Indeed, if we go back to the origins, means of transport were obviously not as developed and accessible during the Renaissance as they are today. Curiosity cabinets therefore made it possible to introduce regions and environments to the population through objects that they were not likely to find when leaving their homes.
Overcrowded shelves and bookcases, dark walls, dim lighting, and objects arousing interest, this is the image we have of the cabinet of curiosities!
What about today’s cabinet of curiosities?
If the cabinet of curiosities still fascinates as much as during the Renaissance, its use has evolved slightly. Travel souvenirs and other natural curiosities have given rise to a real trend for curio cabinet decoration. Some individual collectors design their own cabinet of curiosities by setting up a room in their home for this purpose. They display on shelves and consoles all kinds of objects that they unearth during travels or after a long period of research (flea markets, etc.). Setting up a small cabinet of curiosities is now accessible to everyone. But passion and motivation are essential qualities to succeed in this homemade curiosity cabinet project.
Everyone love to arrange their office according to their own taste! Especially by adding some conversation pieces : something that the visitors will notice and ask « what is that object on your shelf or desk ? » Pocessing such a piece is also a sign that its owner is curious : open minded and interrested by the history of our world… and that is CULTURE. Places like Objet de Curiosité are dedicated to supply boutiques and interior designers with rare objects that add meaning to a deco set. Decoration shops, and decoration professionals can definitely rely on these modern cavern of Ali-Baba to make their customers dream.
Some individual collectors design their own cabinet of curiosities by setting up a room in their home for this purpose. They store on shelves and consoles all kinds of objects that they unearth during travels or after a long period of research (flea markets, etc.). Setting up a small cabinet of curiosities is now accessible to everyone. But passion and motivation are essential qualities to succeed in this homemade curiosity cabinet project. Everyone is then free to arrange their office according to their tastes!
Places like Objet de Curiosité are dedicated to supply boutiques and interior designers with rare objects that add meaning to a deco set. Decoration shops, and decoration professionals can definitely rely on these modern cavern of Ali-Baba to make their customers dream.
What can you find in a cabinet of curiosities?
The cabinet of curiosities can find its resources in different universes: living kind, minerals, but also everything related to science. Here is a non-exhaustive list of what can be found in a cabinet of curiosities:
● Animal curiosities
The cabinet of curiosities allows you to realize the great diversity of animals and insects that have once roamed on Earth. From the largest vertebrate to the smallest diathomies our nature offers us a beautiful diversity.
Some examples of animal curiosities:
- Butterflies from Peru whose mimicry with an owl is surprising. (Caligo atreus)
- Mysterious and fascinating insects such as stick-insects, spiders, goliaths, etc.
- Fish, shellfish, colorful birds taxidermy.
- Sea algae or colorfull gorgonians (like corals, they are indeed animals skeleton!).
- Bird eggs, such as ostrich, emu, nandu, the 3 largest nowadays on earth. But also the largest that ever existed : elephant bird eggs
CALIGO
CALIGO ATREUS in a diamond
IDOLOMANTIS DIABOLICA
Couple of evil mantises
ELEPHANT BIRD EGG
Prehistoric egg
All these collections testify of the diversity of the animal world, but unfortunately also, to the disappearance of certain species.
● Mineral curiosities
The stones can be polished to highlight contrasts, creatively displayed on spinning or sliding bases which will highlight them. In slices, in geodes, or natural each mineral should be at its best!
Some examples of minerals and crystals:
● Vegetal curiosities
The vegetal world also offers us beautiful curiosities. Atypical roots, giant seeds, you sometimes have to venture into inaccessible places to find this type of plant resources, and understanding the reason why they have such a shape is often a challenge... But there is always a reason.
● Scientific curiosities
Scientific curiosities brought joy to scientists of the past. Today, even if they have lost their scientific dimension, they keep a decorative use. Scientific objects fit perfectly into maximalist decors.
- Test tubes
- Globes
- Sextan
- Barometer
- Hourglass
- Magnifying glass
- OUTLET-30%
Who are curiosity cabinets for?
While cabinets of curiosities may be of interest to individual collectors, they are especially of great interest to decoration professionals. Whether you are an interior designer , architect, designer or manager of a decoration store , the curiosity cabinet is an inexhaustible source of inspiration and a place where you can unearth rare gems for your clients. Colors, shapes, materials, the curiosity cabinet has a vast collection of objects, some of which will enhance your clients' interiors.
What to do in a cabinet of curiosities?
As a decoration professional, your role is to provide complete satisfaction to your customers (even the most demanding!). To do this, you must be creative and constantly stay on the lookout for new decorating trends. Here is how the curiosity cabinet responds to this problem:
Stock up on inspiration by visiting a cabinet of curiosities
Thanks to the curiosity cabinet, you will be immersed in completely atypical worlds. You will find all kinds of decorations with very different atmospheres. Inspirations by color, by materials, by artistic movement, there is no doubt that you will find something to inspire you for your clients! The cabinet of curiosities is above all an intense and immersive experience!
Meet decoration enthusiasts specializing in the cabinet of curiosities
Working with Objet de Curiosity also means interacting with people who are passionate about their work, who strive to present ever more amazing and unique objects. As a decoration professional, this is an opportunity for you to expand your list of good addresses to find decorative objects.
Some firms stand out in a field that they are more passionate about: taxidermy, entomology, gemology... But that's not all!
How does the cabinet of curiosities support you in your decorating projects?
● Unusual furniture
Because in a complete decoration project, it's not just the accessories and sculptures that count. Furniture is also very important. Pedestal tables, sideboards, armchairs, bookcases: the cabinet of curiosities is full of furniture of all kinds that has stood the test of time. Very specific period furniture is sometimes very difficult to find.
Are you looking for furniture with a strong personality to furnish your client's room? The uniqueness of revisited vintage pieces is the perfect solution. Object of curiosity draws on the Art Deco style, with geometric lines that perfectly match the current period. Even more so with a new matte finish, whether natural or black. But always protected by an invisible matte varnish!
And the reissue of surprising seats, like the casino armchair above, allows you to stand out in color.
The furniture in a cabinet of curiosities is different. It has a story, a soul. It does not just come out of a manufacturing factory and is not produced on an assembly line, which gives it a certain uniqueness. And therefore a real plus to make your customers' decor perfectly unique. Most of the time, the furniture is carefully redesigned while retaining its character.
● Objects and accessories that stand out
Fluorite cup from Mexico
Are you looking for a bright touch of color to complete your client's decor? All colors exist in nature and our specialty is to highlight these pieces without painting or reproducing them: the value of the real.
Do you want to dedicate part of your store to the mineral world? Do you want to place a surprising but meaningful object in the center of a sideboard?
Object of curiosity will answer your problem and transform a natural curiosity into an object of conversation.
With tailor-made and rarity, the spirit of the Cabinets of Curiosity is found in a flying meteorite, or a chameleon on an emu egg. And everyone will want to know the story of this find. An irresistible curiosity.
Fossilized Mammoth's femur
Why take inspiration from cabinets of curiosities for your decoration projects?
Source and authenticity of objects
Going through an expert such as Objet de Curiosity is the guarantee of knowing the origin of the objects . So, there is no risk of having a counterfeit in your hands. It is also the guarantee of finding entirely legal objects.
At Objet de Curiisés, we attach great importance to the sourcing of natural materials.
Made to measure
Object of Curiosity does not just display a series of objects. Real development work is being done. Butterflies under a bell. Shells assembled to form a unique lamp. An insect placed in a glass box. There are endless possibilities for harmoniously presenting curiosities! This work results in a service essential to your business: personalization and tailor-made . Thus, Object of Curiosity will know how to assemble insects or minerals to create a unique object in the world: yours.
Professionals working in a curiosity cabinet like Objet de Curiisés also have the ability to highlight the objects and materials provided by you. A major asset to satisfy your customers and highlight their own objects!
Support at each stage of your decoration project
Working with the curio cabinet expert means benefiting from support at each stage of your decoration or supply project for your store. It also means benefiting from professional advice and the assurance of a project carried out in compliance with transport rules!
- Taking into account your needs and the expectations of your customers.
- Personalized advice;
- Creation of custom pieces;
- Packing and transport monitoring.
Curiosities are sometimes very fragile. So, for safe transport, Objet de Curiisés is committed to carefully packaging your packages. Plus, going through customs will never be a problem! Object of Curiosity knows all the rules for border crossings. So you can have curiosities delivered all over the world with complete peace of mind!
In conclusion, the curiosity cabinet stands out as a valuable ally for decoration professionals. Advice, personalization, it is in this place that you can find exceptional pieces that will delight your customers! Our world is highlighted with objects from all continents. A great way to remember how many secrets nature holds!
The WOW effect!
A marble sink on a wall of Beetle Elytra from Laos.
Object of Curiosity: the curiosity cabinet at the service of decoration professionals
For many years, our team has supported decoration professionals in the creation and delivery of tailor-made objects of curiosity. Whatever your challenge (decorating a hotel lobby, decorating a living room of a luxury villa, etc.) we combine our world with yours to create the wow effect for your clients!
Need information? A tailor-made decor? Let’s connect!
