Double-page plate from "Dell'historia naturale" by Ferrante Imperato, Napoli: C. Vitale, 1599 (engraving)

Classical wonder-rooms and curiosity cabinets began to appear in the 16th century, as wealthy Europeans returning from abroad proudly displayed objects and specimens collected during exploring expeditions and trading voyages. In the case of Italian apothecary Ferrante Imperato (1550-1625), the Napoletani’s work in pharmacy and herbal medicine aided in facilitating the accumulation of one of the first natural history research collections in Europe, which included a multitude of shells, birds, and a stuffed crocodile on the ceiling. In this image from 1599, Imperato and his son, Francesco, are captured presenting their worldly collection to a pair of awestruck admirers.