A selection of amazing antique exhibits (17 photos)

Today we are surrounded by a lot of modern, fashionable gadgets, without which we can no longer imagine ordinary life. But if, for example, you put 10 flagship smartphones in a row and cover them with company names, then most people will not understand where Samsung, Xiaomi, iPhone, Oppo, Vivo or Huawei are. After all, they look almost the same, and each of the companies presents so many models that your head is spinning. Either way... earlier. Today the rich cannot be surprised by new technology, but antiques are a completely different matter. Amazing, unique and even mysterious artifacts of the past fascinate people and evoke in them the cherished thought: “I have no idea what this is, but I urgently need it.” Let's take a look at these impressive exhibits.

A jewel probably given by Queen Victoria herself in 1884. My great-grandmother valued this jewelry very much and wore it only on special occasions. Then she passed it on to her granddaughter, and she passed it on to hers. So she ended up with my mother.





Corner chair in English Georgian style, made around the last quarter of the 18th century. Found at Raby Castle in County Durham



1890s apartment steam radiator with built-in food warmer. In European and American houses of the late 19th century, one could see an extremely unusual heating device - a cast-iron radiator with a special cabinet for dishes. Such devices were installed in kitchens or dining rooms. This miracle first appeared in 1892 in the USA. Somewhat later, the device appeared in European homes.





Shrapnel from an artillery shell, which was later turned into a pendant, 1915. The talisman itself is wrapped in 14-karat gold and made in the form of a pendant.



“This early 20th century antique crib has been in my wife’s family for several generations. One of the relatives brought it from China. It’s a pity that no other information has been preserved.”



This is a huge birdcage more than 2 meters high! The Victorian style in design is clearly visible. Such cages were intended for large birds. They are of French origin from the 19th century. It is curious that such products are made by craftsmen even today.



Antique holder from a sewing kit, circa 1920. This is a walnut thimble holder with a felt pad in the lid. It is convenient to store pins and needles.



Antique silver lipstick case. By 1915, lipstick was sold in metal cylindrical containers. Women had to use the tip of their fingernail to slide a tiny lever on the side of the tube to move the lipstick to the top of the case.



French chain mail and 18k gold coin purse



An eerie and unusual brooch from 1900. This brooch was probably used not only for decoration, but also for protection against the evil eye. This was a common practice in those days.



Antique funeral home fan. Such fans were used to expel insects and eliminate the smell of corpses. Most of them had lanterns on both sides to illuminate the coffin.



18th century champagne bucket



“One of my prized possessions. A full bottle of typhoid vaccine from World War II."



Victorian wax seal. This charming print was made around the mid to late 1800s.



FrenchmanA palanquin from the early 18th century with original glass. A palanquin is a special covered stretcher that was used to transport noble and wealthy people.



Vintage silver toothbrush with replaceable brush



Hand carved 1920s hearse. Funeral cars were originally made in the same workshops as horse-drawn carriages. Therefore, similar motifs often appeared in designs. When decorating ritual cars, carvings were often used, and flowerpots, columns and sculptures of various shapes were used for decoration.