Cabinets of Curiosities

Centuries ago, long before museums containing art and artifacts became commonplace some wealthy patrons, explorers and the curious often created and housed what were called Cabinets Of Curiosities-vast collections of oddities, artifacts, strange and unusual objects and other bric-a-brac.

Some charged modest entry fees to the general public to view the displays.  Others kept thier displays private while others used them to impress guests.

The genesis of the Cabinets Of Curiosities is believed to have started during the Baroque Period. Although I’m sure collections and collectors existed before that time but in smaller numbers.

Part of the reason such collections flourished in the Baroque Period was probably due in part that nautical exploration of distant lands achieved via ship explorations.

Wealthy patrons during that time either traveled and collected themsleves or had others gather objects on their travels and bring back to the patrons.

Whatever the reason, Cabinets Of Curiosities proliferated.

In author Patrick Mauries’ new, deluxe hardbound book from Thames & Hudson: Cabinets Of Curiosities, delves into the history of the phenomenon accompanied by period drawings, paintings and photos of collections up until the present day.

Cabinets consist of themed exhibits such as insect collections, animals, small objects of art, human and animal skeletons, flora, fauna-almost anything or things imaginable.

The book looks at some the most famous or predominate collectors over the ages and how their collections came about, what they were and much more.

The book itself appears aged with its archaic looking cover and binding, selection of type, page layouts and carefully selected images.

Satisfy your curiosity with a literary examination of many of the cabinets of the bizarre.

Psalms 37:4 - Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.