History of Curios

What's in a name?

When the Renaissance's most daring minds challenged the conventional way of looking at the world, they unwittingly started a quaint tradition that has endured for nearly 500 years. From those humble beginnings, curio cabinets, or Wunderkammern (literally, "wonder chambers") as they were known, began popping up all over Europe as scientists, artists, explorers, and other enlightened minds sought ways to display their works and discoveries to a curious world.

Initially, the term "curio cabinet" referred to the collection itself or the room in which it was displayed. Only after these display cases became more common did the term "cabinet" come to indicate the specific piece of furniture we know today. The curio cabinets of the 16th and 17th centuries were also the inspiration for the modern day museum, which explains why they are now so popular for displaying our most treasured collectibles.

Historical background

The Renaissance was a period of cultural awakening after a dark age of vaguely recorded history and limited progress. As such, curiosity was in the air. Ideas and personalities were suddenly recognized as being important and collectors arranged their curios in such a way that would convey their understanding or interpretation of the world. Basically, a person's display offered a glimpse of their personality and this versatility offered by the curio cabinet was instrumental in its rise in popularity.

The curio cabinet today

For the most part, contemporary collections are far more tame than the eccentric and bizarre assemblies of the Renaissance, and the curio cabinet itself has evolved to suit any taste. The curio cabinets available today adhere to or incorporate aspects of all the major artistic movements throughout history from across the globe. Never before has there been such a diverse assortment of curio cabinets, which means finding one to complement your collection is all but guaranteed.

An ode to curios

This piece by poet and artist Angela Lorenz offers some insight into the storied history of curios:

Before the Renaissance was born

Curiosity was scorned

as part of human pride.

But with the new age,

Curiosity rages,

And the cabinets opened wide.

Upon unlocking the cabinet door,

All was visible

ceiling to floor,

Every inch a wonder

at a single gaze,

A collection of oddities

arranged to amaze.

More information on curio cabinets