Castiglioni Arco Floor Lamp by Flos (1962)
The Arco — Castiglioni brothers’ 1962 marble-and-steel masterpiece What it is The Arco floor lamp, designed in 1962 by Achille and Pier Giacomo Castiglioni for Flos, was their solution to overhead lighting without ceiling installation: a 2.…
Roman Denarius of Julius Caesar — The “Elephant” Issue (49-48 BC)
Caesar’s “elephant” denarius — minted to pay his troops at the start of the Civil War What it is Struck in 49-48 BC at a moving military mint as Julius Caesar marched on Rome, this silver denarius shows an elephant trampling a horned serpen…
Memphis Carlton Room Divider by Ettore Sottsass (1981)
The Carlton — the most recognised piece of the Memphis Group What it is The Carlton is a colourful plastic-laminate room divider designed by Ettore Sottsass for the Memphis Group’s debut 1981 Milan exhibition.
Vatican City 1929 “Conciliazione” Stamp Set — The First Issue
The 1929 Conciliazione issue — Vatican City’s first stamps What it is When the Lateran Treaty of February 1929 created Vatican City as a sovereign state, the new postal service issued its first stamps in August of that year.
Ferrari 250 GTO Original Sales Brochure (1962)
Ferrari 250 GTO — original brochures and literature now command thousands What it is The Ferrari 250 GTO is the most valuable production car in history — auction sales have crossed $70 million.
Olivetti Valentine Typewriter (1969) — Sottsass’s Pop-Art Icon
The Olivetti Valentine — Ettore Sottsass’s 1969 pop-art portable What it is The Olivetti Valentine is a portable typewriter designed by Ettore Sottsass and Perry King and released in 1969.
Venetian Zecchino Gold Ducat — The Coin That Ran the Mediterranean
Venetian zecchino — the most reliable gold coin of the medieval Mediterranean What it is The Venetian zecchino, originally called the ducato d’oro, was first minted in 1284 under Doge Giovanni Dandolo.
French Indochina 100 Piastres Banknote (1925–1951)
French Indochina banknote Southeast Asian colonial banknotes have become a major category for Asian collectors over the past decade. The 100-piastres notes of French Indochina are the category’s flagship type.
South African Krugerrand (1967, First Issue)
The 1967 Krugerrand The Krugerrand redefined modern bullion-coin collecting. The 1967 first-year issue is a recognised numismatic milestone and a foundational item for African collectors.
Indian Mughal Mohur of Akbar the Great (1556–1605)
A Mughal gold mohur Mughal gold coinage represents some of the finest Islamic numismatic art ever produced. The mohur of Akbar — the third Mughal emperor — is an iconic Indian-subcontinent collectible and a globally recognised type.