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A curio cabinet is a specialised type of display case, made predominantly of glass with a metal or wood framework, for presenting collections of curios, like figurines or other interesting objects that invoke curiosity, and perhaps share a common theme.
What can I do with a curio cabinet?
There are a number of ways you can use curio cabinets to their full potential and polish up your home’s style with a fun flair of design. Display Family Heirlooms. Storage With Style. Enhance Awkward Spaces. Showcase Decorative Dishware. Your One-Stop Holiday Shop.
What room does a curio cabinet go in?
If you’re wondering where to put these stylish glass cabinets, the answer is anywhere! It depends on what you plan on using one for. Curios that display dishes can look nice in the dining room or living room. Display cabinets for porcelain figurines work well in a bedroom.
Are curio cabinets outdated?
China & Curio Cabinets Having a nice set of china and crystal might have been a status symbol which needed to be shown off and admired back in the day. With the decline in formal dining and dining rooms, china cabinets have gone the way of the Dodo. Curio cabinets are a close second.
Why do they call it a curio cabinet?
The glass display cases called “curio cabinets” got both their form and their name from the historic “Cabinets of Curiosity.” Though ubiquitous today, curio cabinets come from a rich history of passionate collectors and exultant status-seekers, looking for the flashiest proclamations of their presence in society.
What’s the difference between a curio cabinet and a china cabinet?
The main distinction between the two is that china display cabinets generally feature a solid wood construction with glass in the front, while curio cabinets usually have glass panels along the sides as well as the front.
What goes inside a curio?
A curio cabinet is usually a narrow and tall cabinet with glass shelves, mirrored backs, and glass doors on the front. Curios come in various shapes and styles. As mentioned, some have interior lighting installed and even have adjustable shelves. Some curios have drawers or doors underneath to allow extra storage.
Can you put a curio cabinet at the foyer?
Or, if your entry hall or foyer is large enough, you may have room for both an entry table and a buffet/hutch combination. In this case, you can use the entry table for its traditional purpose, and the buffet and hutch to display artwork or curios.
How do you organize a curio?
Arranging a Varying Collection You should put items in your curio cabinet a little more orderly. You can also arrange your items in small groups or organize collections by year, style, or theme. Stacking some books with a small item on top will provide varying heights.
Can you put china in a curio cabinet?
While china cabinets are used for a certain purpose, curio cabinets can be used for displaying just about anything. No matter what you decide to put in a curio, one thing is for sure- you need a high-quality and sturdy one to ensure all of your treasures aren’t ruined.
Are old china cabinets worth anything?
Older cabinets tend to be worth more than their newer counterparts, all things being equal. Solid wood cabinets are almost always more valuable than those that use veneers. It’s also important that a china cabinet be of a style that works in today’s homes.
Are china cabinets a thing of the past?
Traditionally, China cabinets were perfect for putting anything and everything fancy on display, especially in the kitchen or dining room. However, over the years, they took a dip in popularity as many homeowners moved from fancy to functional. But China cabinets are making a comeback.
When were curio cabinets invented?
Perhaps some of this wonder is a vestige of the beginnings of collecting in this manner: the birth of the Cabinet of Curiosities. Wunderkammern first began to appear in the homes of royalty and the aristocratic in 16th century Europe.
When were curio cabinets made?
Curio cabinets and their history reach far back into the 16th century, where the term originated from small, decorative objects that the elite once collected based on the curiosity they evoked with their novelty.
Do you spell curio cabinet?
A curio cabinet is a specialised type of display case, made predominantly of glass with a metal or wood framework, for presenting collections of curios, like figurines or other interesting objects that invoke curiosity, and perhaps share a common theme.
What is the bottom of a hutch called?
A hutch is a piece of furniture that is made up of 2 parts. The lower part is a cabinet (similar to a buffet or credenza) and the top part is a display case made up of shelves that sits on top of the lower cabinet.
Why do they call it a china cabinet?
Designed and built to protect and display formal dinnerware and flatware, china cabinets are so named because of the fine porcelain dinnerware invented and perfected by the Chinese more than a thousand years ago.
What’s the difference between a hutch and a china cabinet?
Although they look similar, a hutch can be placed in nearly any room and has a multipurpose use (for storage or displaying collections). A china cabinet is always in a dining room or kitchen and is used for storing and displaying fine china.
Can you put books in a curio cabinet?
This glass-front cabinet from Skona Hem holds books, plants, and tchotchkes. These are a great option if you need a little extra storage and like looking at your stuff, but want something a little more orderly and contained than a bookcase or open shelving.
What is a curio table?
A curio cabinet is designed to be used as a furniture display piece in a dining room. A curio is easily identified because it is typically crafted with a wooden frame, glass cabinet doors, a mirrored back and lights.
