WHY THEY’RE HOT Industrial
style—and now its gadget-loving
design cousin, steampunk—celebrates
raw materials and exposed inner
workings, and refl ects nostalgia for
the machine age. Collectors are
experimenting with scientifi c
instruments, which fi t naturally into
the aesthetic. Burnished brass
microscopes, balance scales,
geological maps—these tools that
explore the natural world have our
creative gears turning. Upcycle them
into functional objects (think telescope
and tripod fl oor lamps) or leave them
be as handcrafted works of everyday
art. Their counterparts—anatomy
models, quirky taxidermy, insect
collections—are also surefi re
conversation starters.
HINT Look for pieces that are innately
artful or that celebrate earthy
wonders. These types of items are
prized by collectors for their ease in
moving from the lab to the living room.
COST Antique microscopes,
telescopes, and survey transits in good
condition sell for upward of $500,
though bargains in the $100 range
exist. Vintage earth science collections
(insects and rocks), roll-up classroom
maps, and taxidermy are the current
darlings of the category and can still
be snagged for less than $100.