An old-world sense of wonder

In search of the strange and wonderful? All things are considered at these 10 U.S. shops and museums with a curiosity-cabinet theme.

By Pam Grossman for MSN City Guides

So far this century has been a sleek and shiny age marked by clean lines and minimalist décor (Apple store, anyone?)  While white plastic gadgets have captured many a heart, sometimes I long for a time when clutter was a sign of abundance and extravagance was king. 

After all, in the 17^th century, you wouldn’t have been an aristocrat worth your salt unless your home had a dedicated display case (or better yet, an entire room) crowded with a collection of marvelous objects accumulated over the years. Called “cabinets of curiosities” – or wunderkammern – these personal exhibits paid homage to the wonders and mysteries of the world.  A typical curiosity cabinet might have included zoological specimens, geological rarities, anatomical aberrations, and exceptional works of art, all juxtaposed in a visual melee designed to set the viewer’s jaw dropping and eyes agog.

• See a slide show of curious shops and museums

Luckily, no time machine is necessary if you care to usher in your own Age of Maximalism.  The wunderkammern aesthetic has been blossoming in shops and museums across the country.  After visiting these places, you might just be inspired to create a designated area in your own home for your newly acquired two-headed stuffed rabbit, rainbow titanium geode, or scrimshaw carved in the likeness of the “Mona Lisa.”