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Scientific Instruments

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Scientific Instruments For Sale
Antique World Globe From Fleet Street London 1923 on Wooden Stand
Located in High Wycombe, GB
Antique Terrestrial Geographia of Fleet Street London 12"inch World Globe on handcrafted Wooden Three Legged Base 1923 Made 55 Fleet Street, London Beautiful desktop globe, sho...
Category

1920s British Art Deco Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Wood, Paper

19th Century Medical Science Research Artifact
Located in London, GB
19th Century Medical Science Research Artifact A fine example of 19th Century medical science research artifact, in three sections and not hinged. A...
Category

1850s Unknown Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Natural Fiber

An apothecary bronze mortar and pestle, Italy 1700.
Located in Milan, IT
Bronze Apothecary mortar, fitted with mortar pestle. Italy early 18th century.
Category

Early 18th Century Italian Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Bronze

1900s Decorative Wall Hanging „Multimeter“ Scientific Slide Rule Calculator
Located in Vienna, AT
A dekorative appr. 120-year-old, large, wall-mounted round „Multimeter“ analog slide rule calculator. Dated around 1900, made in Germany. It has a rotatable glass disc and offers multiple features like multiplication, division, interest-calculation and square root...
Category

Early 1900s German Art Nouveau Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Glass

Vintage Safe Deposit Box In Steel, Czechoslovakia 1980s
Located in Zohor, SK
Step back in time with this remarkable vintage steel safe box, a testament to both craftsmanship and security. Crafted in the 1980s within the borde...
Category

1980s Slovak Mid-Century Modern Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Steel

French Neo-Classical Style Louis XVI Style Carved Giltwood Barometer Wall Decor
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is amazing! It is a 19th century French Louis XVI style carved giltwood barometer. The crest appears to be a carved armillary of some sort with cascading laurel leaves and branc...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Glass, Giltwood

Mid-Century Georgian Style German Wall Barometer
Located in Germantown, MD
A 1960s decorative Georgian Style wall Barometer from West Germany. 28" tall.
Category

Mid-20th Century German Georgian Scientific Instruments

Materials

Wood

Pair of Victorian Antique Brass Scales
Located in Suffolk, GB
Pair of Victorian antique brass scales standing on a mahogany base. A brass centre column having a shaped arm to the left holding a removable brass...
Category

19th Century English Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

A Rare 2 Day Marine Chronometer By George Hedger
Located in Lincolnshire, GB
A fine example of a 2 day chronometer in the original 3 tier mahogany and brass bound case by William Hedger, the movement with the unusual layout is almost like an 8 day example mad...
Category

Mid-19th Century English Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

1980s Green Bang & Olufsen Beocom 2000 Phone
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Designed in 1986 Lone and Gideon Lindinger-Lowy, the Bang & Olufsen Beocom 2000 telephone is Danish design at its finest, and the epitome of 1980s high-tec...
Category

Late 20th Century Post-Modern Scientific Instruments

Materials

Plastic

Antique German aneroid barometer from the early 1900s made of turned marble.
Located in Milan, IT
Antique German aneroid barometer from the early 1900s made of turned marble, brass, and glass. Good state. Working order. Diameter cm 17 - inches 6.7, thickness cm 5- inches 1.9...
Category

1910s Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Marble

Mother of Pearl Opera Glasses by Colmont Paris
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
A gorgeous pair of antique Mother-of-Pearl opera or theatre glasses, by renowned maker 'Colmont Paris'. Constructed from brass, with inlaid panels of i...
Category

19th Century French Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

Mid-Century Modern Sterling Silver Thermometer by Tiffany & Co.
Located in New York, NY
Mid-Century Modern-Period, sterling silver thermometer in working condition, Tiffany and Company, New York, circa 1950s. Works are made by...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal, Sterling Silver

A poket sextant signed Stanley, London 1890.
Located in Milan, IT
A travel nautical instrument, sextant, to determine the ship’s position. The cover became the base of it. Signed Stanley, London, England circa 1890.
Category

Late 19th Century English Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

Marine Compass in Box by Star Compass of Boston
Located in Norwell, MA
Solid brass boat compass fitted to a dovetailed wood box with rich varnished finish. Compass card is marked Star Pathfinder, Milton Mass. The entir...
Category

1950s North American Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

Anemometer 1950 Coal Mining Vintage Science Equipment in Brass and Steel
Located in Miami, FL
Mechanical desk anemometer in brass. Very interesting scientific coal mining anemometer, made up back in the 1950's with brass and blackened steel parts...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass, Steel, Iron

An apothecary bronze mortar and pestle, England 1800.
Located in Milan, IT
Bronze Apothecary mortar, fitted with mortar pestle. England early 19th century.
Category

Early 19th Century English Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Bronze

An ivory diptical sundial, Italy XVII century.
Located in Milan, IT
An ivory portable diptych sundial. Italy circa 1600. (SHIP TO EU ONLY)
Category

Early 17th Century Italian Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Ivory

Natural specimen: children verme, Italy 1900.
Located in Milan, IT
An example of natural specimen of Ascaris Lumbricoides. Children verme, preserved in formaldehyde and sealed on glass container. Italy circa 1900.
Category

Early 20th Century Italian Scientific Instruments

Materials

Glass

Beautiful Antique Brass Scale
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Immerse yourself in the elegance and charm of yesteryear with this exquisite antique brass scale, a true testament to craftsmanship and beauty. Th...
Category

Mid-20th Century Scientific Instruments

Materials

Marble, Brass

Memento Mori by Callum Campbell
Located in Geneve, CH
Memento Mori by Callum Campbell Objects for Self Collection Signed Dimensions  W 3.5 x H 9.3 cm Materials: Brass Finish: Polished Engraved with clients name and date of birth...
Category

2010s Australian Modern Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

Glass Pharmacy Wound Syringe in Beech Case by Wm Toogood Ltd
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Glass Pharmacy Wound Syringe in Beech Case by Wm Toogood Ltd The Glass Syringe comes in its original turned Beech case and has the Pharmacy label on the front The box is 9” long and...
Category

19th Century Industrial Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Beech

1986 Gray and Black Enorme Telephone by Ettore Sottsass for Enorme
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A perfectly postmodern telephone designed by the Memphis Milano master, Ettore Sottsass, and produced in 1986. The Enorme phone was produced in another color way but this is the much rarer gray and black version. The Enorme telephone was the result of a collaboration between Sottsass and David Kelley, founder of the design firm IDEO. Sottsass created the conceptual design, and Kelley and his team were responsible for the engineering and detail design. To produce the telephone, the two formed the Enorme Corporation with Jean Pigozzi. Examples of this phone design are found in the collections of The Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Museum of Modern Art, RISD Museum, and the Los Angeles County Museum. In good vintage condition with wear consistent with age and use. Works great! Molded manufacturer's mark on handset and base: "Designed by Ettore Sottsass Enorme...
Category

Late 20th Century Post-Modern Scientific Instruments

Materials

Plastic

19th Century Cast Iron Book Press by Army and Navy Csl
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
19th century cast iron book press by army and navy csl circa 1890. Fine quality book press by army & navy c.S.L .  Army and navy co-operative soci...
Category

Late 19th Century English Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass, Iron

Polished Oak Barograph and Barometer by Negretti & Zambra, London
Located in Norwich, GB
Edwardian polished oak cased barograph with bevelled glass panels. Brass base plate stamped ‘Regent, Jewelled movement supporting the ten vacuum chambers linking the ink pen pointer ...
Category

1930s English Edwardian Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

A wooden diptical sundial, England 1790.
Located in Milan, IT
Pocket sundial, made out of wood, with print paper element on both the internal sides and to the top. England end of XVIII cent.
Category

Late 18th Century English Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Wood, Paper

A precision brass scale, France 1880.
Located in Milan, IT
Precision scale made out on brass. France circa 1880.
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

Antique Brass and Wood Set of Scales with Assorted Weights
Located in New Orleans, LA
19th Century Victorian Era Brass and Wood Set of Scales with Assorted Weights.
Category

19th Century English Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

Baroque Style Venetian Gilt Carved Barometer by Palladio
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Gorgeous intentionally aged Venetian barometer made in the baroque taste by Italian artisans Palladio. The diamond shaped frame is painted and embellished with gilt scrollwork and ro...
Category

20th Century Italian Baroque Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal

Antique Victorian Quality Carved Oak Banjo Barometer
Located in Suffolk, GB
Antique Victorian quality carved oak banjo barometer having a quality carved oak shaped case with a brass bezel, porcelain dial with original hands and a thermometer An attractiv...
Category

19th Century English Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Oak

Leonard Bailey Wooden Block Plane Tool, United States, Early 20th Century
Located in Costa Mesa, CA
Leonard Bailey Wooden Block Plane Tool, United States, Early 20th Century.
Category

20th Century American Industrial Scientific Instruments

Materials

Steel

Vintage Steel Laboratory Beaker Stand
Located in High Point, NC
An intriguing and unique accent, this vintage lab-ware stand holds three round-bottomed flasks. Once used as a tool for conducting laboratory analysis or e...
Category

20th Century Belgian Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal

1960s Hanging Brass Temperature Thermometer Gauge
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Brass Temperature Gauge 1960s Modern Decorative Brass Hanging Temperature Thermometer Gauge Solid Brass and Cork 10 tall 3.5 tall with handle x 1.13 in diameter Preowned original...
Category

1960s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

Austrian Bronze Mortar and Pestle, Original Patina, Pharmacy or Herbalist
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Offered is a beautiful antique solid brass mortar and pestle set. The mortar has a cylindrical shape with a flared mouth and two angular handles at the sides. The baton-shaped pestle...
Category

1920s Austrian Hollywood Regency Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal, Brass

1950s Dutch Industrial Scientific Convex Lens Brass Stand Cast Iron Tripod Base
Located in Haarlem, NL
Scientific school or laboratory convex shaped lens on a brass stand with cast iron tripod base. The heavy convex glass lens is 7 1/2 cm (2.95") th...
Category

1950s Dutch Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal, Brass, Iron

Vintage Erskine 200 Sterilized Barber Shop Shaving Brush
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Vintage ERSKINE 200 Sterilized Barber Shop SHAVING BRUSH Nylon Bristles Rubber Stamped Sterile 200 4.5 tall x 1.38 diameter Preowned original vintage...
Category

1950s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Nylon, Rubber

Austrian Vintage Barometer in Heart Shape by Wippel & co
Located in Vienna, AT
rare austrian vintage barometer in heart shape by Wippel & co, rosewood, good original condition
Category

1950s Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal, Brass

Antique French Grocers Scale Circa 1890
Located in New Orleans, LA
Antique French Grocers Scale Circa 1890
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

Vintage Dental Model of Mouth with Braces in Original Box by Columbia Dentoforms
Located in New York, NY
A vintage 1960/70s teaching dental model of a mouth with braces by noted company Columbia Dentoforms. Columbia Dentoforms has been making teaching models ...
Category

1960s North American Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Chrome

Italian 18th Century Butcher Hooks
Located in Atlanta, GA
Charming 18th century Butcher Hooks from the Piedmont region of Italy. Wonderfully crafted from hand forged iron. A perfect kitchen accessory or to...
Category

18th Century Italian Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Iron

Early 20th Century Set of Three Antique Apothecary Glass Bottles
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Early 20th century set of three antique apothecary glass bottles. By unknown manufacturer, Spain. In original condition, with minor wear cons...
Category

Early 20th Century Spanish Mid-Century Modern Scientific Instruments

Materials

Glass

Three-Dimensional Midcentury Italian Wall Plaster Didactic Anatomical, 1950s
Located in Reggio Emilia, IT
Italian midcentury three-dimensional didactic anatomical panel in plaster with Antonio Vallardi Milano label, Italy 1950s Please note that the item is original of the period and t...
Category

1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Plaster, Wood

Apothecary glass funnels, Italy 1800.
Located in Milan, IT
Pair of apothecary glass funnels. Italy 1800 ca.
Category

Early 19th Century Italian Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Glass

Set of Vintage Draughtsman's Rules, English, Engineer's Instruments, circa 1930
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a set of vintage draughtsman's rules. An English, beech engineer's instrument set in a mahogany case, dating to the mid 20th century period, circa 1930. Useful set of meas...
Category

Early 20th Century British Edwardian Scientific Instruments

Materials

Beech

Collection of French Opaline Apothecary Jars
Located in Copenhagen, K
Collection of 20 opaline apothecary jars from the 19th century. Collection consists of 14 larger jars and 6 smaller jars.
Category

19th Century French Empire Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Opaline Glass

Italian 18th Century Butcher Hooks
Located in Atlanta, GA
Charming 18th century Butcher Hooks from the Piedmont region of Italy. Wonderfully crafted from hand forged iron. A perfect kitchen accessory or to s...
Category

18th Century Italian Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Iron

A pair of magnifyng glasses, Italy 1870.
Located in Milan, IT
A pair of Wunderkammer round shape magnifying glasses for scientific purpose with black wooden frames, mounted over a black wooden bases. Italy, circa 1870.
Category

Late 19th Century Italian Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Glass, Wood

Vintage Sculptural Magnifying Lens Glass
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Sculptural magnifying lens glass 7.38 w x 1.5 d x 6 h Unrestored vintage condition Refer to images.
Category

Late 20th Century Mid-Century Modern Scientific Instruments

Materials

Glass

Antique Pair of 19th Century Brass Scales
Located in Suffolk, GB
Pair of antique brass scales standing on a mahogany base. A brass centre column having a shaped arm to the left holding a removable brass bowl. Th...
Category

19th Century English Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

Vintage Egg Timer, English, Brass, Glass, 3 Minute Sand Countdown, Mid-Century
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a vintage egg timer. An English, brass and glass 3 minute sand countdown, dating to the mid 20th century, circa 1960. Charming vintage timer set w...
Category

Mid-20th Century British Scientific Instruments

Materials

Glass

Rope Twist Carved Oak Nautical Barometer
Located in Norwell, MA
Early twentieth century barometer with porcelain face with merchants name A Black & Co., Nautical Optician, Glasgow. Carved rope twist case with brass bezel. Brass hanging tab. Nice ...
Category

1930s European Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

Georgian Mahogany Wheel Barometer
Located in Bradenton, FL
A very nice Mid-19th Century mahogany georgian wheel barometer with decorative Ebony and Holly string inlay around the outer edges of the case. Sold as is because some of the small i...
Category

Early 19th Century English George III Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Mahogany

Quality Antique Victorian Burr Walnut Carved Banjo Barometer
Located in Suffolk, GB
Quality antique Victorian burr walnut carved banjo barometer having a quality burr walnut carved shaped case with a 10 inch silvered engraved dial, original hands, thermometer and a ...
Category

19th Century English Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Walnut

19th Century Italian Carved Louis XVI Style Giltwood Barometer
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Gorgeous late 19th century gilt wood barometer thermometer made in Italy in the Louis XVI or baroque taste. The large barometer features a large carve...
Category

19th Century Italian Louis XVI Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal, Brass

Carved Wooden C.Engel & Cie Antique Belgium Barometer with Thermometer, 1910s
Located in Verviers, BE
Carved wooden C.Engel & Cie antique Belgium Barometer with Thermometer, 1910s Unusual antique carved wooden barometer in a lovely carved case, working order. With best Wishes, ...
Category

1910s Belgian Art Nouveau Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Fruitwood

Molecular Structure Model on a Wood Base
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Academic style molecular structure model crafted with painted wood balls strung with metal rods and presented on a classic turned wood base.
Category

Mid-20th Century English Mid-Century Modern Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal

18th Century Parisian Giltwood Barometer Thermometer
Located in Dallas, TX
This lovely giltwood barometer and thermometer was hand-carved during the Louis XVI period in Paris, France. During the late 1700’s, barometers were typically only owned by wealthy f...
Category

Late 18th Century French Louis XVI Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Iron

French XVIII TH box microscope for the privilege of the King
Located in Madrid, ES
French XVIII TH box microscope by Sibie a Marsella for the privilege of the King The box microscope can be defined as a compound microscope where the optic system is fixed by a pilar...
Category

1750s Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Wood

Vintage, New and Antique Scientific Instruments

Decorating with vintage, new and antique scientific instruments, as well as other authentic collectibles and curiosities that can be found on 1stDibs, presents an opportunity to create a unique, natural history museum-like atmosphere in your home that can provoke conversation as often as it pays tribute to how far we’ve come in understanding our world.

The Age of Discovery (or the Age of Exploration) refers to a period during the 15th to 18th centuries that saw Europeans taking to the high seas to explore, trade and conquer various regions of the world. What we know about geography, the advancement of sea vessels and the development of scientific instruments all broadened significantly during this time.

With every new finding about our world, scientists invented tools to measure and record. While many of these objects are now obsolete, they are essentially works of art and have a rich history. Scientific instruments of a bygone era represent how far science and technology have advanced.

If you’re interested in introducing antique scientific instruments and tools to your decor to add contrast or draw attention to otherwise unexplored corners of your living room or dining room, there are many options to consider as far as textures and colors go. Like any curious decorative object that draws attention to your home library or mantel, vintage scientific instruments will likely add spirit to any conversation that might take place over cocktails or dinner.

Create an intriguing focal point with Georgian scientific instruments, such as stick barometers with mahogany cases or lacquered brass telescopes. These items stem from an era named for the monarchies of the four King Georges, who ruled England in succession starting in 1714 (plus King William’s reign, which lasted until 1837). Just as there was beautiful jewelry produced during the period that today is coveted by collectors, there is much to be found in the collectibles and curiosities realm too.

Mid-century modern scientific instruments also capture a period of rapid progress, representing groundbreaking discoveries that defined the 20th century. Wouldn’t antique anatomical models of the 1950s pair well with your eye-catching abstract paintings, George Nelson clock or Florence Knoll sofa?

Whether you’re looking for a way to showcase your passion for chemistry or aviation or are making room in your foyer for a breathtaking industrial-style electronic time tower manufactured by Patek Philippe, 1stDibs offers a collection of vintage, new and antique scientific instruments that includes topographic tools, laboratory equipment and more.

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