Cabinet of Curiosities

Indeed, Cabinets of Curiosity were both a piece of furniture and a room and they were very popular in the Victorian era in Britain, Europe and the Americas. 

 

When we display items or ornaments today, they are one or two items placed together on a shelf with the remaining space being left empty. This is not what Cabinets of Curiosity were in Victorian times. 

Collecting unusual items and oddities was popular. There was no particular genre to this and absolutely anything of interest could and would be collected. Some of this included natural specimens such as fossils, minerals and shells, artefacts, taxidermy, coins, medical equipment, scientific instruments, oil lamps, gemstones, works of art, telescopes, clocks, books, human and animal bones and even plants. 

 

Any object of fascination to its owner was displayed making each Cabinet of Curiosity independent or individual of the next. Some were filled with a variety of items, while others concentrated on one particular theme. They varied greatly in size, some being just a small piece of furniture and others filling a complete room. The only similarities were that every conceivable space was filled with something. The items collected would often illustrate the wealth and rank of the owner. 

 

Cabinets of Curiosity are thought of now as a mini museum, and they were indeed a forerunner to museums as we know them today. Individual residencies with their own library to exhibit and entertain their guests. The householder having their own encyclopaedia to educate and enthral.