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Scientific Instruments

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Scientific Instruments For Sale
Period: 20th Century
Bilancia pesa persona Wunder
Located in Roma, IT
Bilancia pesa persona prodotta in Italia negli anni 70 in perfetto stato Meccanica restaurata Pesata 120 Kg divisioni 500g
Category

1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Iron

Beautiful Glass Apothecary Jar - price per piece
Located in Brussels, BE
Cut-glass top and blown glass jar beautiful quality. Multiple available
Category

20th Century European Scientific Instruments

Materials

Blown Glass, Cut Glass

1900s Foldable Anatomical Brochure Depicting the Human Head
Located in Berghuelen, DE
1900s Foldable Anatomical Brochure Depicting the Human Head A rare brochure illustrating the anatomy of the human head. Very detailed multicoloured depiction of several layers of th...
Category

Early 20th Century German Victorian Scientific Instruments

Materials

Paper

Fairbanks Scale Co American Doctors Scale
Located in Cheshire, GB
Fairbanks doctors scale in black with brass adjustable measuring stick, and cast iron pressure plate. Retaining there original weights. Dimensions: Heig...
Category

Early 20th Century American Scientific Instruments

Materials

Iron

German Art Deco Desk Top Barometer and Weather Station
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
German Art Deco desk top barometer and weather station. German desktop barometer, thermometer and hydrometer. This station is unsigned and made...
Category

20th Century German Art Deco Scientific Instruments

Italy 1939s Sketch Futurist Poster "Day of Two Crosses" Against Tuberculosis
Located in Milan, IT
Sketch of the futurist poster "Day of two crosses, 16th April 1939, XVII", mixed technique of pastel and water-color, for an Italian campaign against tuberculosis, to inform people a...
Category

1930s Italian Futurist Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Paper

Charles and Ray Eames Molded Plywood Leg Splint for Evans in Original Wrapper
Located in Chicago, IL
These leg splints were designed by Charles and Ray Eames and produced for the United States Navy by the Evans Products Company, molded plywood division. They're still in their origin...
Category

1940s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Plywood

Machine Age Art Deco Doctors or Bathroom Floor Model Scale Weigh Master by Hanso
Located in New York, NY
Great Machine Age, American Art Deco floor scale, Weigh Master by Hanson. The scale is fully functional, it shows cosmetic wear to the paint finish, and th...
Category

1930s American Art Deco Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal

Astro tripod mounted telescope by Dollond of London
Located in London, GB
A mid 20th century tripod mounted "Astro" telescope by Dollond of London. 3 inch objective lens. Mounted on a teak tripod. Marked: DOLLOND ASTRO LONDON Chrome and grey finish. I...
Category

Mid-20th Century English Scientific Instruments

Materials

Chrome

1920s Whiting Sculptoscope Coin Op Stereo Card Viewer
Located in Peekskill, NY
Original whiting sculpt scope coin-operated stereo card viewer from the 1920s. Deposit a penny, pull trigger and look through the viewer to flip through st...
Category

Early 20th Century Industrial Scientific Instruments

Materials

Steel

English 20th Century Iron Armillary Held by the Titan Atlas on Stone Pedestal
Located in Atlanta, GA
An English iron armillary depicting Atlas carrying the world from the early 20th century, with carved stone pedestal. Created in England during the 20th century, this armillary featu...
Category

20th Century English Scientific Instruments

Materials

Stone, Iron

Industrial table fan by Ercole Marelli
Located in Torino, IT
Cast iron base and brass blades. Made in the 1920s/30s by the firm of Ercole Marelli founded in Milan in 1891. Ercole Marelli & C. S.p.a began as a small workshop but became, mainl...
Category

1930s Italian Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal, Brass

Antique 5 Draw Telescope, English, Terrestrial, Broadhurst Clarkson, Edwardian
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique 5-draw telescope. An English, brass terrestrial or astrological refractor by Broadhurst, Clarkson & Co, dating to the Edwardian period, circa 1910. Perfect for bi...
Category

Early 20th Century British Edwardian Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

Double Sided Standing Dutch Chalk Board
Located in Stamford, CT
A very large 1900-1910 century chalk board from the Netherlands. The solid wood stand is substantial and easy to move on its antique casters. Great in a kid's room, a restaurant, or ...
Category

Early 20th Century Dutch Scientific Instruments

Materials

Wood

Vintage Westinghouse Shortwave Radio in French Polished Mahogany Case
Located in San Francisco, CA
A handsome Westinghouse combination shortwave radio, the French polished mahogany case housing a tube movement with multiple radio settings, made and signed by Westinghouse. This rad...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Modern Scientific Instruments

Materials

Mahogany

Old Compass reproduction 1944 London, brown Color
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
Old Compass reproduction 1944 London, brown Color
Category

20th Century English Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal

Antique English Folding Brass Compass c.1910
Located in Bath, GB
A brass folding pocket compass which is made also to be added to a chain or ribbon to be worn around the neck. The lens has a good magnification and in lovey condition. Dating to c...
Category

1910s British Edwardian Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

Vintage Fuller's Calculator, English, Bakelite, Brass, Mathematical Instrument
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a vintage Fuller's Calculator. An English, Bakelite and brass cased mathematical instrument by Stanley of London, dating to the mid 20th century, circa 1950. Beautifully pre...
Category

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

Materials

Brass

Brass Lorgnettes 'Long-Handled Opera Glasses' Mid-Century Italian Design 1930s
Located in Palermo, IT
A splendid pair of 'lorgnettes' (long-handled opera, or theatre, glasses). Lorgnettes, eye glasses held in place by long handles rather than resting on the bridge of one's nose, were...
Category

1930s Italian Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

WW1 British Officers Military Pocket Compass by F.Darton & Co - 1917
Located in Bath, GB
A good nickel plated WW1 British Officers Military Pocket Compass signed on the front cover F.Darton & Co, London, VI, No. 2461 together with the date 1917 and the war office "crow'...
Category

1910s British Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Nickel

Antique English Pocket Magnifying Glass / Loop With Compass c.1920
Located in Bath, GB
A charming little folding loop or magnifying glass made from brass, dating to the early twentieth century, c.1920. What of course makes it highly collectable is the inset working co...
Category

1920s British Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

Double Bronze/Brass Apothecary Scale
Located in Guaynabo, PR
This is a gilt bronze/brass double apothecary scale. It depicts an upside down bronze Corinthian column that holds two different set of balance brass ...
Category

20th Century Unknown Neoclassical Scientific Instruments

Materials

Marble, Bronze, Brass

Foldable Anatomical Brochure Depicting Female Anatomy ca.1900s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Foldable Anatomical Brochure Depicting Female Anatomy ca.1900s A rare 19ct anatomical brochure illustrating the female human anatomy. Very detailed multicoloured depiction of human ...
Category

Early 20th Century German Victorian Scientific Instruments

Materials

Paper

Antique English Folding Brass Linen Thread Counter c.1920
Located in Bath, GB
Dating to the early twentieth century, c.1900/1920, this is an antique cast brass linen thread counter, of course usable to magnify whatever you wish. Heavy solid cast brass with a ...
Category

1920s British Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

Semi-Automatic Large Bakelite Grocery Scale, Czech Republic, 1930s
Located in Żory, PL
Old shop scale from the 1930s/1940s, manufactured in the Czech Republic by Zbrojovka Brno. Semi-automatic scale, with internal weights. The scale is set with stylish metal buttons. A...
Category

Early 20th Century Industrial Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal

Antique English Brass Cased Folding Magnifying Glass c.1920
Located in Bath, GB
A lovely shaped little folding / pocket magnifying glass which folds into a shaped brass case, marked "Made In England". Dating to c.1920, remaining in excellent condition measuring...
Category

1920s British Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

Antique Half Relief Anatomical Model Head in Wax, Germany c.1910
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT A German wax dissected model of the head, circa 1910, showing nerves, arteries, veins and muscles of the head with paper numbered labels. The case has the original marker’s la...
Category

Early 20th Century Mid-Century Modern Scientific Instruments

Materials

Wood, Glass

Small Antique English Brass Magnifying Glass c.1910
Located in Bath, GB
A lovely little magnifying glass made from solid brass with a handle; the perfect size to pop in the pocket or bag. Dating to c.1910, Edwardian in era, the magnifier works well and ...
Category

1910s British Edwardian Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

Vintage Fuller's Calculator, English, Walnut Case, Scientific Instrument, C.1950
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a vintage Fuller's Calculator. An English, Bakelite and walnut cased scientific instrument by Stanley of London, dating to the mid 20th century, circa 1950. Quality mathemat...
Category

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

Materials

Bakelite, Walnut

1986 Enorme Telephone Handset by Ettore Sottsass
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A perfectly postmodern telephone handset designed by the Memphis Milano master, Ettore Sottsass, and produced in 1986. The Enorme telephone was the result of a collaboration between...
Category

Late 20th Century Post-Modern Scientific Instruments

Materials

Plastic

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

Early 20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Scientific Instruments

Materials

Plaster, Wood, Paper

Small brass compass supplied to the US army during ww2
Located in Milan, IT
Small brass travel compass, issued to the U.S. Army during World War I, shaped like an onion pocket watch, an instrument consisting of a magnetized needle free to rotate in a horizon...
Category

1910s Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

Antique English Brass Cased Compass Reg. No. For 1903
Located in Bath, GB
A handsome cased late Victorian or Edwardian compass with hinged lid, the little button on the top used to open; just like a pocket watch. The dial is lucky enough to have an Englis...
Category

Early 1900s British Edwardian Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

Unusual Antique English Folding Compass In Brass Case c.1900
Located in Bath, GB
An unusual English compass which folds into it's own brass case. Marked "England" and dating to c.1900. 2" x 1 3/4" x 1/2". Excellent condition. Item: 44415 FREE Worldwide Regist...
Category

Early 1900s British Edwardian Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

Antique Foldable Anatomical Brochure Depicting Female Anatomy
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Foldable Anatomical Brochure Depicting Female Anatomy A rare 19ct anatomical brochure illustrating the female human anatomy. Very detailed multicoloured depiction of human o...
Category

Early 20th Century German Victorian Scientific Instruments

Materials

Paper

Globe from Dietrich Reimers. Germany 1930's
By Dietrich Reimers 1
Located in BAAMBRUGGE, NL
Globe by Dietrich Reimers berlin in the 1930's Made of papier mache with a wooden foot.
Category

1930s German Art Deco Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

Electrostatic machine by Wimshurst, designed by Rinaldo Damiani, Italy 1900.
Located in Milan, IT
Electrostatic machine by Wimshurst, a British engineer and shipowner, designed in the 1880s, created by Rinaldo Damiani, a builder active in Venice between the end of the nineteenth ...
Category

Early 20th Century Italian Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal

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

Early 20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Scientific Instruments

Materials

Plaster, Wood, Paper

Anatomical model: a decomposable eyeball, SOMSO, Germany circa 1950.
Located in Milan, IT
Anatomical model for schools, educational use, depicting a decomposable eyeball, complete in all its parts, made out of polyvinyl chloride, plaster, glass and painted paper, metal ho...
Category

Mid-20th Century German Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal

Anatomical model: a decomposable eyeball, SOMSO, Germany circa 1930.
Located in Milan, IT
Anatomical model for schools, educational use, depicting a decomposable eyeball, complete in all its parts, made of plaster, glass and painted paper mache, metal hooks, holding on a ...
Category

Mid-20th Century German Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal

10 demountable geometric solids in oak height 7.9 inch 1960 Vallardi Milan
Located in Milan, IT
Box containing 10 removable geometric solids made of oak wood, maximum height 20 cm -inches 7.9, housed in their original wooden box. Made for educational purposes for schools by pub...
Category

1960s Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Wood

Maitland Smith Art Nouveau Style Large Standing Brass Nautilus Magnifying Glass
Located in Doylestown, PA
Maitland Smith Art Nouveau style large standing nautilus magnifying glass. Lots of intricate details capture the beauty of this intriguing sea creature. It is free standing supporte...
Category

Late 20th Century Chinese Art Nouveau Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

English Edwardian Brass Pivoting Magnifying Glass on Stand c.1900
Located in Bath, GB
A handsome antique English magnifying glass on stand which pivots on a ball and socket fitting, moving around with ease. Dating to c.1900, it remains in excellent condition having b...
Category

Early 1900s British Edwardian Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

Vintage industrial kitchen scale with timer of Yasu Sasamoto - Dulton -
Located in Roma, IT
Simple but elegant design by Yasu Sasamoto for Dulton. A kitchen scale with a built-in timer. Tested and working (both timer and accuracy are good). This creamy white edition will be...
Category

Mid-20th Century British Industrial Scientific Instruments

Materials

Iron

Sears Tower Constellation Portable Typewriter W/Metal Case. Circa 1960s.
Located in Miami, FL
Vintage Sears Tower Constellation Portable Typewriter W/Metal Case. Circa 1960s. Manufactured for SEARS is the equivalent of a Smith-Corona Classic 12. Features a stylish mid century...
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal

Viennese enamel opera glasses, c. 1900.
Located in Gargrave, North Yorkshire
Viennese enamel opera glasses, c. 1900. The gilt metal opera glasses, having hand painted barrels of a couple wearing 18th Century costume, playing music in garden settings. The hand...
Category

Early 1900s Austrian Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Enamel

Elementary playful atlas composed of a puzzle, by D. Locchi, Paravia, Italy 1920
Located in Milan, IT
Elementary playful atlas composed of a puzzle made up of eighty fruit wood cubes sandwiched in paper faces. Each of the faces of each die participates in a geographical table, or ele...
Category

Early 20th Century Italian Scientific Instruments

Materials

Fruitwood, Paper

Anatomical model: a male human body in life-size proportions, Italy 1930.
Located in Milan, IT
Anatomical model for schools, educational use, depicting the flayed male human body in life-size proportions, with removable organs, made of painted resin, all placed on a black wood...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Scientific Instruments

Materials

Resin, Wood

Berkel LP Scales
Located in Roma, IT
Berkel scale mod.LP from the 1960s made in the Netherlands
Category

1960s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Iron

Antique Extension Ruler Wood Folding Measuring Tape
Located in Chula Vista, CA
AMBIANIC presents Extension Ruler Rustic Wood Folding Tape Decorative Item Attributed to Lufkin or Stanley Closed .75 h x 1.75 d x 8 w, fully extended 55 fully extended Antique vinta...
Category

Early 20th Century Industrial Scientific Instruments

Materials

Wood

Fine Pair French Abalone & Mother of Pearl Opera Glasses
Located in Bath, GB
A stunning pair of French Opera glasses made from gilded brass, all intact and original. The glasses are clad in alternating Mother of Pearl or Nacre shell...
Category

1920s French Art Deco Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

Bilancia pesa persona da Farmacia Diara
Located in Roma, IT
Bilancia pesa persone da Farmacia prodotta in Italia negli anni 70 dalla ditta Diara di Livorno completamente restaurata Pesata massimo 150 kg Divisione 100 g Meccanica
Category

1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Iron

1970's Vintage Olivetti Lettera 35 Typewriter
Located in San Carlos, CA
Beautiful vintage 1970's Olivetti Lettera 35 typewriter, made in Italy. This typewriter comes with a very cool vintage Olivetti shoulder bag. This typewriter is in very good cosmeti...
Category

1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal

Vintage Polaroid SX-70 Tan Land Camera by Henry Dreyfuss
Located in Wallkill, NY
A very nice Polaroid SX - 70 camera, developed by Edwin Land and Richard Wareham, designed by Henry Dreyfuss Associates. This was state of the art and re...
Category

1970s American Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Stainless Steel

Olivetti Divisumma 18, designed by Mario Bellini, 1973
Located in Firenze, IT
The Divisumma 18 is a portable electronic calculator made by Olivetti in 1973 through which the company entered the portable electronics market. Thanks to the design of Mario Bellin...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Plastic, Rubber

20th Century Japanese Pair Of Naval Bridge "Big Eye" Binoculars By Nikon c.1940
Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
A rare set of Japanese naval bridge “big eye“ binoculars by Nikon manufactured during WWII by Tokyo Kogaku Kikai (Tokyo Optical Company). They have been expertly cleaned and hand pol...
Category

1940s Japanese Other Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal

Brionvega Radiocubo by Zanuso & Sapper, 1960s
Located in Parma, IT
Radiocubo Mod.TS502 produced by Brionvega, designed by Zanuso & Sapper in the 1960s. PVC body in the very rare brick red colour, chromed and black metal finishes, with removable ant...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Plastic

Wall Fish Skeleton Thermometer St Labre Indian School Ashland Montana
Located in Chula Vista, CA
AMBIANIC presents Wall Fish Thermometer St Labre Indian School Ashland Montana Maker stamp 6.5 h x 2.5 w x .13 Original unrestored vintage untested decorative item Refer to images.
Category

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

Materials

Plastic

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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