A Design System of Wonder, Taxonomy & Collected Marvels
Naturalia • Artificialia • Scientifica • Exotica
Cabinet I
Drawn from aged parchment, dark walnut cabinets, polished brass hardware, specimen jar glass, and faded manuscript ink.
Cabinet II
From engraved cabinet labels to the collector's handwritten field notes, each face serves a taxonomic purpose.
Cabinet III
A measured scale of 4px increments, as precise as the compartments of a collector's cabinet.
Cabinet IV
Actions styled as brass drawer pulls, cabinet latches, and engraved plaques.
Cabinet V
Fields for the cataloguing of curiosities, provenance records, and acquisition details.
Record the chain of ownership where known
Cabinet VI
Containers for content, styled as specimen drawers, labelled jars, glass-fronted cases, and handwritten catalogue entries.
A chambered nautilus sectioned to reveal the logarithmic spiral within. Gift of the Duke of Tuscany, 1587.
Miniature brass armillary sphere with zodiac engravings. Augsburg craftsmanship, circa 1580.
Extracted from the stomach of an Eastern goat. Believed to possess antidotal properties against poison.
Naturalia
Serpens bicephalus (attributed)
Preserved in spirits of wine. Provenance uncertain; possibly from the collection of Athanasius Kircher.
Mineralia
Quartz var. amethystinus
Deep violet crystals lining a basalt cavity. Acquired from a Bohemian mine, 1602.
Exotica
Cornu monocerotis (narwhal tusk)
Spiralled ivory tusk, three feet in length. Later identified as the tooth of the Arctic narwhal.
A mechanical writing figure of silver and gilt bronze, capable of inscribing twelve words upon paper by means of concealed gears and cams. The work of an unknown Nuremberg artisan.
Magnificent specimen, pinned and mounted upon cork. Wing cases display remarkable copper-green iridescence when held to candlelight. Donated by the Swedish ambassador.
Cabinet VII
Wayfinding elements styled as cabinet drawer labels and catalogue breadcrumbs.
Cabinet VIII
Records organised in the manner of a collector's master catalogue.
Catalogus Rerum Mirabilium — Selected Entries
| Specimen | Classification | Origin | Condition | Cat. No. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chambered Nautilus | Naturalia | Indian Ocean | Excellent | WK-0012 |
| Astrolabe | Scientifica | Isfahan, Persia | Good | WK-0089 |
| Coral Branch (Red) | Naturalia | Mediterranean | Fragile | WK-0134 |
| Perpetual Motion Device | Artificialia | Nuremberg | Non-functional | WK-0201 |
| Narwhal Tusk | Exotica | Arctic waters | Excellent | WK-0347 |
| Basilisk Skeleton | Mirabilia | Uncertain | Suspect | WK-0402 |
Cabinet IX
Classification markers for specimens, cabinets, and catalogue status.
Cabinet X
Notices for the collector, from general observations to urgent advisories.
Nota Bene
A consignment of minerals from the Saxon mines has arrived and awaits inspection in the receiving hall. The curator requests assistance with preliminary classification.
Acquisition Confirmed
The Medici collection of cameos and intaglios has been successfully transferred. All forty-seven pieces have been authenticated and assigned catalogue numbers.
Conservation Notice
The humidity in Cabinet XII has risen above acceptable levels. Organic specimens — particularly the mounted insects and pressed botanicals — should be relocated until the condition is remedied.
Caution — Suspected Forgery
The basilisk skeleton in Drawer XVII has been flagged for examination. Initial inspection suggests it is a composite assembled from the bones of multiple species. Access is restricted pending the curator's report.
Cabinet XI
The guiding tenets of the Wunderkammer aesthetic.
Every object belongs in its place. The system of labels, compartments, and classifications brings order to wonder without diminishing it.
Brass, walnut, glass, and parchment — honest materials shaped by skilled hands. The cabinet is as much a marvel as its contents.
The Wunderkammer exists to provoke curiosity. Every detail should invite the viewer to look closer, to ask what and why and how.
Know the history of each element. Design choices, like collected objects, should trace their lineage — rooted in purpose, context, and authenticity.
A cabinet of curiosities is rich but never chaotic. Careful arrangement allows many objects to occupy a small space without overwhelming the senses.