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Scientific Instruments

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Scientific Instruments For Sale
Antique Nickel Plated Bronze Table Top Fire Engine Bell
Located in New York, NY
This antique bronze tabletop fire engine bell with a wood base is a rare find. Its nickel-plated bronze construction exudes vintage charm, making it a...
Category

Early 20th Century American Scientific Instruments

Materials

Bronze, Nickel

Antique Kodak Hawk-Eye No. 2A Folding Camera c.1926-1934 (FREE SHIPPING)
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT A Hawk-Eye Shutter Model 2A folding camera, model B with a leather wrapped body, chrome and brass accents and extended push button shutter mechanism. Closes to 1.5 inches flat...
Category

Early 20th Century Industrial Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal, Chrome

1880 Earnst Plank Magic Lantern, Box Plus 72 Slides
Located in Peekskill, NY
This is a beautiful and decorative 1800 magic lantern full boxed set. It was created by Ernst Plank and each slide box is signed. It comes with an amazing ...
Category

Late 19th Century German Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Glass

Wonderful Benjamin Pike & Sons (New York) Circa 1850 Theodolite
Located in Placerville, CA
This is a Wonderful Pike & Sons Theodolite (166 Broadway) complete with Box & Tripod. American made 19th century Theodolites are VERY common. Finding one in great shape with its or...
Category

Mid-19th Century American Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

Large Kodak Folding No. 3A Camera with Mahogany Inlay c.1910 (FREE SHIPPING)
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT A large Eastman Kodak No. 3A folding camera with red bellows and Mahogany inlay. The body is wrapped in leather with chrome and brass accents. The camera folds to 2.5 inches. ...
Category

Early 20th Century Industrial Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal, Brass, Chrome

Art Deco Kodak Compur Model Six-20 Folding Camera c.1930
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT An Art Deco Kodak Compur Model Six-20 Folding Camera with a leather wrapped body, chrome accents and flip out view finder. Black and silver Art Deco design on both sides Show...
Category

Early 20th Century Art Deco Scientific Instruments

Materials

Chrome, Metal

Antique Microscope in Original Box, circa 1900
Located in Greven, DE
Antique travel microscope in unrestored found condition. The brass should be polished and the glasses cleaned. All parts appear to be complete, no guarantee, see photos.
Category

Early 20th Century French Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

Antique Art Nouveau Barometer, Sheraton Inlaid Aneroid Barometer, Scotland, 1910
Located in Vancouver, BC
Antique Art Nouveau barometer, Sheraton inlaid aneroid barometer, Scotland 1910, H143 Scotland, 1910 Solid Walnut and veneer The Walnut case is inlaid with exotic fruitwood Porcelai...
Category

1910s Scottish Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Walnut

19th Century French Glazed Porcelain Water Filter Pharmacy Display Item
Located in Dallas, TX
This antique ceramic water filter, complete with pewter spout and lid, was created in Provence, France, circa 1870. In the old days, it was used as a promotional display in a Pharmac...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Ceramic, Porcelain

Hand Carved Coquille Nut Egg Box 19th Century Flea Trap Pomander Needle Case
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A beautiful hand carved coquille nut egg box. Beautiful carving, great patina, unscrews at center to open. The original use was a flea trap, things were different in the old days and...
Category

1880s English Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Wood

Floor Standing Globe On A Turned Hardwood & Brass Stand Model No 16
Located in High Wycombe, GB
Crams Imperial World Globe Floor Standing Globe On A Turned Hardwood & Brass Stand Model No 16 Manufactured by George F Cram Co. Indiana, U.S.A Sizes are guesstimates
Category

Early 20th Century American Victorian Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

Mid Century Revere S-16 16mm Sound Movie Projector w Case 22"
Located in Dayton, OH
Mid century Revere 16 sound projector with case. Working. Dimensions: 22"x 15.5" x 7.5"
Category

Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal

Antique Trade Scale Brass and Cast Iron, France, circa 1880
Located in Labrit, Landes
This trade scale was made in the late 19th century in France; It was a scale used by traders for retail Brass and Cast-Iron Patina and signs of use which ma...
Category

Late 19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Iron, Brass

English George III Inlaid Mahogany Barometer
Located in New York, NY
English Neoclassical George III mahogany marquetry barometer signed "J Kataberga, Banbury - Warranted". Dimensions: 39" H x 10" W x 2" D. Dealer: S138XX
Category

Early 19th Century George III Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Mahogany

Antique Salter Family Scales No 50 a Well Loved and Used Family Scales
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Antique Salter Family Scales  No 50 A well loved and used Family Scales, made by Salter, the cast iron body is in Dark green with Gold highlights, it has...
Category

1940s Industrial Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Iron

A Wellington commemorative barometer retailed by Wehrle and Steuert
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
This carved giltwood barometer is in the form of a military trophy of arms surmounted by a ducal coronet. It comprises a sword hilt, cannon barrels and standards surrounding a portr...
Category

1850s English Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Giltwood

Italian 18th Century Balance, Scale
Located in Atlanta, GA
A very stunning 18th century balance - Scale from Rome, Italy. Beautifully crafted from polychromed and gilt wood. A wonderful accent piece for a library or office.
Category

Mid-18th Century Italian Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Wood

Barometro torricelliano a mercurio in legno firmato A. Pozzi attivo tra 1820/30
Located in Milan, IT
Barometro torricelliano a mercurio in legno di mogano, con doppia filettatura laterale in legno di cedro e di ebano, firmato A. Pozzi Wootton Bassett attivo tra il 1822 e il 1830. Lo...
Category

1820s Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Wood

19th Century Hand Carved Oak "Military" Barometer
Located in North Salem, NY
Very unusual hand carved Oak "Military" aneroid barometer from England. Circa 1880. Often antique items like this can be highly collectible and are often sought after by collectors and enthusiasts of vintage scientific instruments...
Category

1880s English Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Oak

Vintage Teaching Aid Modell of An Ear - Somso ca. 1960
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Vintage Teaching Aid Modell of An Ear - Somso ca. 1960 A folding model of an ear. Used as teaching material in German schools ca. 1960. Made of wood and plastic by Somso, Germany. ...
Category

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

Materials

Plaster, Wood, Paper

A Victorian anchor and rope barometer by Gray and Keen, Liverpool
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
A Victorian anchor and rope barometer by Gray and Keen, Liverpool. The 10 ¾-inch silvered dial of this walnut barometer is set within the arms of an anchor and a coil of double twisted rope which passes over a ring handle. The dial is inscribed in Spanish and the scale in both Fahrenheit and ‘Beaumur’. It is The trunk inset with a thermometer. Inscribed Gray & Keen, Liverpool on the dial. English and Italian, circa 1860. Height: 37in (94cm) Width: 17in (43cm) Gray and Keen from Liverpool exhibited in the Designers and Manufacturers Hall of the Great Exhibition of 1851. The official catalogue entry reads ‘Wheel barometer, designed for use in naval establishments’ and ‘Gothic wheel barometer’s. For a similar rope twist barometer...
Category

1860s European Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Walnut

Black Forest Style Carved Walnut Barometer, Germany, ca. 1920
Located in Barntrup, DE
Black Forest style carved walnut barometer, Germany, ca. 1920. An impressive carved walnut barometer with masterfully carved flowers and leaves. A small mirror on the top of the roun...
Category

1920s German Black Forest Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Glass, Mirror, Walnut

Pair Of Large Antique Italian Globes
Located in Madrid, ES
Pair Of Large Antique Italian Globes Large pair of terrestrial and celestial globes from Italy 1940s. The globes are in good conditio...
Category

1940s Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Wood

Nikon AF Nikkor Camera Lens Set 28mm 50mm 85mm Speedlight Flash & Case
Located in Dayton, OH
Vintage Nikon camera lens lot. Comes with Lightware case, 3 Nikon AF Nikkor 1:1.4D lenses (28mm, 85mm, and 50mm), Nikon Speedlight SB-28 flash, 4 Nikon lens hoods (HN-31, HK-&, HN-1...
Category

Late 20th Century Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal

French Planetary Clock InGided Brass And Marble Planetarium Tellurium
Located in Madrid, ES
French Planetary Clock In Golden Brass And Tellurium Marble, Planetarium Rare French planetary from the 19th century in brass and Royal Red marble base...
Category

Late 19th Century Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Marble

Antique Vintage Scale Weight, circa 1930
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Antique scale weight made in Spain by unknown manufacturer, circa 1930. In original condition, with minor wear consistent with age and use, pre...
Category

1930s Spanish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal

Superb Antique French Opera Glasses Signed Chevalier, Paris c.1900
By Chevalier Opticien Paris
Located in Bath, GB
A truly exquisite pair of Opera Glasses by the well renowned French maker, Chevalier of Paris, signed on both eye pieces. The glasses are made from polished brass and Abalone shell ...
Category

Early 1900s French Edwardian Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

Early 20th Century English Telescoping Surveyors Measure
Located in Burton, TX
Telescoping surveyors measuring staff made of wood with brass fittings. Marked 'Houghton-Butcher Mfg. Co. Ltd., London 1918 No. 1.173'. Lovingly care...
Category

Early 20th Century English Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

Antique Wooden Plate, Wabi Sabi Style, Scandinavia, 1800s
Located in Hønefoss, 30
A wonderful wooden wabi sabi plate from Scandinavia, circa 1800s. In good vintage condition showing beautiful patina from age and use. Measures: Ø: 2...
Category

19th Century Norwegian Romantic Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Wood

1970s Wooden Foldable School Abacus, Czechoslovakia
Located in Praha, CZ
Mid century wooden colorful abacus that was used in schools in the 1970s. Can be folded as shown in the pictures. Good original condition.
Category

Mid-20th Century Czech Scientific Instruments

Materials

Wood

Vintage Metal Laboratory Beaker Stand
Located in High Point, NC
An intriguing and unique accent, this vintage lab-ware stand holds various vintage technical glasswares. Industrial, utilitarian, and scientific, yet also playful and curious, this vintage beaker...
Category

20th Century French Industrial Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal

Langlois Graphometer - Circa 1730
Located in Placerville, CA
This is a BEAUTIFUL Graphometer made by the premier instrument maker in France, Claude Langlois, after Bion and Butterfield had stopped making instruments. As discussed on my Graphometer - Semicircle webpage, the French produced a good number of Graphometers from 1600 to about 1850. And a fair number of these Graphometers are still around. If you want to add a really nice Graphometer to your collection, this Langlois merits serious consideration for these reasons: 1. While not as well-known internationally as Bion and Butterfield, Langlois was The Man in France after Bion and Butterfield had passed away. 2. The President of Harvard College...
Category

Early 18th Century French Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

Mid-Century Modern Stereo Speakers
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Inspired by the iconic Dynaco A25 loudspeakers, our twenty-fives offer modern performance with classic proportions. A ten-inch woofer and 1.5 inch textile dome tweeter are sourced fr...
Category

Mid-20th Century Scientific Instruments

Materials

Walnut

Male Anatomical Torso Somso AS24, 1960
Located in Faversham, GB
Somso AS24 male torso with head. The fourteen removal organs are made from Somso Plast with the muscles shown on the right-hand side of the torso. From a large European collection, v...
Category

20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Scientific Instruments

Materials

Plastic, Acrylic, Plaster

19th Century Botanic Model by Robert Brendel - Panicula (panicle)
Located in Berghuelen, DE
19th Century Botanic Model by Robert Brendel - Panicula (panicle) A great antique botanical model manufactured by the famous Robert Brendel manufactory for botanicals models around ...
Category

Early 20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Scientific Instruments

Materials

Plaster, Wood, Paper

Vintage Metal Laboratory Beaker Stand
Located in High Point, NC
An intriguing and unique accent, this vintage lab-ware stand holds various vintage technical glasswares. Industrial, utilitarian, and scientific, yet also playful and curious, this vintage beaker...
Category

20th Century Czech Industrial Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal

Collection of Friedrich Ziegler wax model human heart development forms
Located in London, GB
Collection of Friedrich Ziegler wax model human heart development forms A rare collection of 4 wax models of the human heart, showing its early development to full size. The hand-col...
Category

Early 1900s German Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Natural Fiber

Vintage Metal Laboratory Beaker Stand
Located in High Point, NC
An intriguing and unique accent, this vintage lab-ware stand holds various vintage technical glasswares. Industrial, utilitarian, and scientific, yet also playful and curious, this vintage beaker...
Category

20th Century Czech Industrial Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal

Pocket barometer by C Baker in original case
Located in East Geelong, VIC
This pocket barometer was made by the firm of C Baker of 244 High Holborn, London and is still in its original leather covered case. The model number is 7073, ...
Category

Early 1900s English Edwardian Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

Bronze Magnifying Glass w/ Art Nouveau Nude, ca. 1910
Located in Petaluma, CA
This lovely high quality magnifying glass makes a perfect piece for the art nouveau lover, or anyone who wants to hold a beautiful object when trying to magnify something. Note the ...
Category

Early 20th Century American Art Nouveau Scientific Instruments

Materials

Bronze

Vintage Metal Laboratory Beaker Stand
Located in High Point, NC
An intriguing and unique accent, this vintage lab-ware stand holds various vintage technical glasswares. Industrial, utilitarian, and scientific, yet also playful and curious, this vintage beaker...
Category

20th Century Czech Industrial Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal

Navy Binoculars
Located in Paris, FR
Binoculars Navy with polished steel adjustable tripod base. With polished aluminium and steel binoculars with glass lens, magnifying x12. Adjustable height.
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Indian Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass, Steel, Aluminum

Vintage Metal Laboratory Beaker Stand
Located in High Point, NC
An intriguing and unique accent, this vintage lab-ware stand holds various vintage technical glasswares. Industrial, utilitarian, and scientific, yet also playful and curious, this vintage beaker...
Category

20th Century Czech Industrial Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal

Large Late 18th Century Hourglass
Located in Firenze, IT
Shipping policy No additional costs will be added to this order. Shipping costs will be totally covered by the seller (customs duties included). A large 18th century hour glass, o...
Category

Late 18th Century British Late Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Glass, Wood

19th Century Grey-Brown Italian Oversized Marble Mortar & Pestle, Antique Décor
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Early 19th century, a set of an oversized mortar made of hand crafted white marble with a wooden Oakwood pestle, in good condition. This fun set was on display in a pharmacy in Milan...
Category

Early 19th Century Italian Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Marble

Anatomical Model of Human Eye Papier-maché, Scientific Collectables, Dr.Auzoux
Located in Leuven , BE
Anatomical cut of one eye, composition in natural painted papier-maché, with numbered labels on the different elements / the opening eyeball to cover the removable pute. Pen annotati...
Category

19th Century French Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Plaster, Paper

Pair Antique French Mother of Pearl Opera Glasses circa 1910, Lorgnette Handle
Located in Bath, GB
A splendid pair of late Victorian Opera / Theatre glasses professionally re-polished to gleam, making them as good as they would have looked over 100 y...
Category

1910s French Edwardian Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

Late 19th Century Scientific "Cyclo-Stormograph" by Short & Mason Tycos
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fabulous and appears to be completely intact. Short & Mason Tycos Cyclo-Stormograph under beveled glass & mahogany with a drawer which contains extra graph paper, tiny key and origin...
Category

Early 1900s English Industrial Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal

Barograph and Barometer by Negretti & Zambra
Located in Cheshire, GB
Unusual oak-cased barograph and barometer by Negretti & Zambra, having five glazed removable lid. The mechanical eight-day movement is housed i...
Category

Early 20th Century British Scientific Instruments

Materials

Oak

Mid Century Collection of Leica Ernst Leitz Camera Lenses Summaron Hektor
By Leica 1, Ernst Leitz Wetzlar
Located in Atlanta, GA
A collection of mid 20th century Leica / Ernst Leitz lenses. There is a Summaron, a Hektor and a Range Finder. Also, cases and lens caps. All of these have been previously used. What makes Leica so good you may be asking. Well here's a quote that's sums up the appeal, "Shooting with a Leica is like a long tender kiss, like firing an automatic pistol, like an hour on the analyst’s couch...
Category

Mid-20th Century German Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal

Nikon's Photomic FTn 35mm SLR Camera Fitted with Nikkor-H 50mm Prime Lens F2.0
Located in High Wycombe, GB
Nikon's Photomic FTn 35mm SLR Camera Fitted with Nikkor-H 50mm Prime Lens F2.0 With Brown Ever Ready case Great build quality, heavy weight camera made in Japan. In good working co...
Category

1960s Japanese Machine Age Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Chrome

Jean Baptiste Van Lerberghe Theodolite - Circa 1700 to 1720
Located in Placerville, CA
This is a fascinating and unique Theodolite that is engraved as a Semicircle - only 180 degrees. The Theodolite was made by Jean Baptiste Van Lerberghe of Bollezelle, France. Bo...
Category

Early 18th Century French Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

19th Century Botanic Model by Robert Brendel - Grain Grate
Located in Berghuelen, DE
19th Century Botanic Model by Robert Brendel - Grain Grate A great antique botanical model manufactured by the famous Robert Brendel manufactory for botanicals models around 1900. H...
Category

Early 20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Scientific Instruments

Materials

Plaster, Wood, Paper

Pocket barometer by J H Steward in original case
Located in East Geelong, VIC
This pocket barometer was made by the firm of by J H Steward and is still in its original leather covered case. The silvered dial with its blued pointer is surrounded by a rotating a...
Category

Early 1900s English Edwardian Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

French Pendulum Clock & Aneroid Barometer, circa 1960
Located in Labrit, Landes
Clock and aneroid barometer in walnut made circa 1960. The aneroid barometer (or holosteric barometer) was developed by the Frenchman Lucien Vidie who filed a patent for it in 1844 ...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal, Brass

Vintage French Hour Sand Glass in Pewter
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
French Pewter and Sand 15 Minutes Hour Glass
Category

1920s French Folk Art Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Pewter

Set of Antique Draughtsman's Rules, English, Engineer's Instrument Set, C.1920
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a set of antique draughtsman's rules. An English, beech engineer's instrument set in a mahogany case, dating to the mid 20th century period, circa 1920. Charming set of me...
Category

Early 20th Century British Edwardian Scientific Instruments

Materials

Beech

19th Century Botanic Model by Robert Brendel - Umbella (umbel)
Located in Berghuelen, DE
19th Century Botanic Model by Robert Brendel - Umbella (umbel) A great antique botanical model manufactured by the famous Robert Brendel manufactory for botanicals models around 190...
Category

Early 20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Scientific Instruments

Materials

Plaster, Wood, Paper

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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