32 Count Curio Match Box

Ok folks, simple swap. Take a 32 count matchbox and decorate it nicely to reflect something odd or interesting based on the curiosity theme- old ephemera, nature, bits and pieces of odd outdated technology.

Defining Wonder Cabinet and those items associated with this swap. Skip if you already understand the term: If you are not that familiar with Wonder Cabinets do a search. Helpful topics include Kunstkammer, Wunderkammer, Albertus Seba, Ernst Haeckel. You have to realize that the Wonder Cabinet was a hodge podge of not just oddities from the natural world, but also archaeological items (or antique and outdated items), equally fascinating man made items, and things from fabulous creatures which more than not were factitious and some times created such as unicorn horn (from a norwhal) or the Fiji Mermaid. The basis of the natural museum stems from such odd and private collections which can be traced back to the 16th century and their revival during the Victorian period. Wonder Cabinets are NOT a mix of found items, junk, or modern items. If you include such things in your box you probably have missed the point. It's not hard to find unusual items. A small fossil, unusual pebble or stone, little crystal, seed pod, feather, maybe a small nature picture or plate from an antique book, leaf, little skeleton key, ancient coin, and the list goes on. Some folks enjoy adding more modern antiques to their nature displays and curiosity cabinets. I enjoy adding things like old scales and bottles, skeleton keys, odd turn of the century boxes, tiny pieces of art and sculpture to my collection. It's a display of the natural world which includes humanity and often such anthropological items found their way into displays. I have had problems in the past conveying the difference between modern human items and those associated with the movement. All I can do is give examples such as maybe a glass or mother of pearl antique button might be ok, but a retro plastic one would not. A skeleton key might be ok, but a modern key would not. A piece of vintage hand made lace might be ok, but a modern machined piece would not. Turn of the century stamp might be ok, but a modern one would not. Pictures or renderings of the natural and archaeological world are ok however so maybe a modern stamp of the Pyramid would be ok. If in doubt about this, simply don't include in your choice of items or don't add antiques and human oddities to your box.

All that said, at LEAST 5 items, but your box should be FULL. Please find wonderful things for your box and make your partner happy. :D 4.9, international due to the lack of weight but please consider international import laws. If in doubt, contact your partner.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cabinetofcuriosities