Lifestyle and Era is a subcategory of “Other,” that includes everyday objects and furnishings, documenting changing tastes, customs, and the rhythm of life in past generations. These are items that once served a practical or decorative purpose but today stand as testimonies to the style and aesthetics of their time.
Afrika Korps tropical helmet, cork and canvas, Germany (North Africa), 1941
A tropical cork helmet (Tropenhelm) used by soldiers of the German Afrika Korps (Deutsches Afrikakorps, DAK) during the North African campaign of 1941-1943. Made of lightweight, hardened cork covered with beige canvas. On the sides are metal insignia: on one side a tricolor national shield (black-white-red), on the other a Wehrmacht eagle holding a swastika. The inside of the helmet is lined with red lining, with a preserved leather potnik and a fragment of the chin strap. The potnik bears the manufacturer's stamp HR41 (Heinrich Radecke, Hamburg, 1941).
All in very good state of preservation, with natural wear to the fabric at the edges of the brim and minor rubbing. Despite the broken chin strap, the structure remains fully stable. The helmet is preserved in its original condition, without conservation interference.
Luftwaffe non-commissioned officer’s cap, wool fabric, Germany, ca. 1939-1945
Wooden spoon with initial “V”, Poland, 19th century.
Hand-carved wooden spoon, 23 cm long, from Poland, dating to the 19th century or earlier. The bowl is deep, clearly utilitarian, with traces of use. The handle decorated with serrated line engravings and an initial "V", acting as identification of the owner. At the end a preserved thong with an old paper collector's tag attached.
In the 19th century in Poland, spoons of this type were among the basic items of everyday use on rural and pastoral farms. They were made by hand from a single piece of wood, which was part of the tradition of Polish folk craftsmanship, based on simple, durable materials.
Copies with preserved markings are rare today, documenting the development of Polish material culture and everyday practices of village life.
This category includes clothing and accessories, personal items, travel sets, musical instruments, toys, photographs, handicrafts, and furniture. Each object carries not only historical but also emotional value, as it tells stories about the daily lives, aspirations, and values of its former owners.
“Lifestyle and Era” offers a glimpse of history from a private, intimate, and material perspective. It is an ideal source of inspiration for collectors and curators in search of objects with soul. In interior arrangements, these items bring a retro vibe, bring character to spaces, and often become starting points for stories about times gone by.