The Antiquarian
A Cabinet of Curiosities
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From Baron Calzolari's Cabinet of Natural Curiosities
Today's Full Cabinet
Five curiosities, one from each category
№ WK-6121-NAT
a phosphorescent fern frond
naturalia
Drawer: J-18
Provenance: Left anonymously at the door of the cabinet, 1701
Condition: Slightly worn but structurally sound
Observation: Said to have been split in two by a monarch to settle a succession
Open Question: Has it always been what it appears to be?
№ WK-6898-ART
a miniature cabinet lock
artificialia
Drawer: C-3
Provenance: Won in a wager with a sea captain
Condition: Never cleaned; preserves its original patina
Observation: Similar objects appear in collections across three continents
Open Question: Was it made as a curiosity, or did it serve a practical purpose?
№ WK-7675-SCI
a vacuum-sealed chronometer
scientifica
Drawer: L-12
Provenance: Discovered in the walls during renovation of an old apothecary
Condition: Shows evidence of having been copied or cast
Observation: Appears in the background of a 17th century painting of unknown provenance
Open Question: What ceremony or ritual was it made to serve?
№ WK-8452-EXO
a Cathayan spice container
exotica
Drawer: E-21
Provenance: Acquired from the estate of a Venetian merchant, 1623
Condition: One of a matched pair; the other's whereabouts unknown
Observation: Changes color slightly depending on the light
Open Question: What would we learn if the companion pieces were found?
№ WK-9229-MIR
a forbidden flying carpet thread
mirabilia
Drawer: N-6
Provenance: Excavated from ruins predating the local village
Condition: Fragmentary; additional pieces may yet be discovered
Observation: The mechanism, if any, remains unidentified
Open Question: Did the original owner know what they possessed?