Gold Rush Pocket Scale in an Green enameled Tin, ca 1850
Located in York County, PA
EXCEPTIONAL GOLD RUSH POCKET SCALE WITH GREEN, ENAMELED TIN, GILT EAGLE & LETTERING THAT READS: “MADE EXPRESSLY FOR CALIFORNIA,” circa 1850 “Miners' Improved Gold Scale,” made circ...
Metal
Bronze Mortar with Inscription, Spain, 1816
Located in Madrid, ES
Pharmacy mortar. Bronze. Spain, 1816. Mortar with an excavated mouth, decoration of derived ribs in pilasters and a stripe in the upper area with an inscription (I am from Don Juan...
Bronze
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...
Wood
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...
Wood
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...
Wood
A Large 19th Century Brass Library Telescope Marked A. Bardou, Paris
By A. Bardou
Located in San Francisco, CA
A large and impressive 19th century French brass library telescope marked A. Bardou, Paris. (Denis Albert Bardou; 1841 - 1893) The telescope mounted on a brass and cast iron tripod ...
Brass, Iron
$108Sale Price|20% Off
Vintage Woman Figurine Lady Sewing Tailor Tape Measure
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Very charming small figurine of a lady that functions as a tape measure. This vintage piece was commonly found on a sewing table and has both centimeters as well as inch measurements...
Plastic
Antique Gilt-Bronze Clock and Barometer Set by Maison Mottheau et Fils
By Maison Mottheau et Fils
Located in London, GB
Antique gilt-bronze clock and barometer set by Maison Mottheau et Fils French, c. 1880 Height 85cm, width 45cm, depth 30cm This ornamental clock and barometer set were crafted by th...
Bronze, Enamel
Napoleon lll Style Wood Marble Scale
Located in Guaynabo, PR
This is a Napoleon lll Style Scale. It depicts a rectangular wood case with brown marble top. There is one “X” shaped holder at each side of the marble that holds the brass round sha...
Marble, Brass
Torricellian mahogany barometer signed Corton Lincoln mid-19th cent.
Located in Milan, IT
Torricellian mercury barometer in mahogany wood, signed Corton Lincoln of the mid 19th cent. complete with reading nonius for checking pressure variation, alcohol thermometer, hyg...
Wood
18th Century Silver Butterfield Dial By Langlois Paris
By Pierre Langlois
Located in Lincolnshire, GB
A fine example of a silver Butterfield type sundial in the original green shagreen case. The finely engraved dial has Premier cadran (first dial) engraved with the city names and lat...
Silver
Ornamental Turning Lathe, No. 1906 by Holtzapffel & Co
Located in New Orleans, LA
An essential tool in the creation and finishing of furniture, this 19th-century English ornamental lathe is an object of beauty in and of itself. The extraordinary machine was made b...
Brass, Iron
Antique Rustic Wood Zig Zag Folding Ruler Extension
By Stanley
Located in Chula Vista, CA
AMBIANIC presents Extension Ruler Rustic Wood Folding Decorative Item Attributed to Lufkin or Stanley Closed .75 h x 1.75 d x 8 w, fully extended 55 fully extended Antique vintage un...
Wood
French 19th Century Culinary Scale from Lyon
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
instrument was used to measure various ingredients and products that are epicurean in nature. Its sizable
Marble, Brass
English Brass Bankers Balance Scale from the 19th Century with Circular Pans
Located in Atlanta, GA
An English brass bankers balance scale from the 19th century. Born in England during the 19th century, this elegant brass bankers scale features a central shaft, connected in its upp...
Brass
Rare Early 8x10 Double Bellows Double Exposure Camera
Located in Peekskill, NY
When have you ever seen one of these? This is a first for me. This very unique camera came out of an important 2 generation New York Collection. This was a custom built double exposu...
Aluminum
19th Century Bismuthinite Mineral Natural History Specimen Curio
Located in Lowestoft, GB
A lustrous silver Bismuthinite specimen, housed in its original glass and turned ebonised display bubble. Bismuth also known as "white mass" It is a post-transition metal and one o...
Natural Fiber, Blown Glass, Pine
$950 / item
American Victorian Metal Stereoscope
Located in Queens, NY
2 American Victorian-style wood and etched metal stereoscope.(PRICED EACH)
Metal
English Victorian Brass Telescope
Located in Queens, NY
English (Scottish) Victorian brass tabletop telescope with 3 legged iron base.
Brass
English Brass & Leather Hand Held Telescope
Located in Queens, NY
English (19th Century) brass and leather hand held telescope
Brass
French Victorian Brass Opera Glasses
Located in Queens, NY
French Victorian mother of pearl and brass opera glasses with handle
Glass
English Regency Red Lacquer Barometer
Located in Queens, NY
English Regency-style (19/20th Century) red lacquer small chinoiserie wall barometer.
Lacquer
American Country Style Weather Vane
Located in Queens, NY
American Country-style (19th Century) wrought iron weather vane with serpent with arrow tongue
Iron
17th century apothecary's ivory mortar - Indo-Portuguese
Located in Bruxelles, BE
17th century apothecary's ivory mortar Apothecary's ivory mortar 9 Indo-Portuguese 17th century Cites certificate number IT/CE/2023/MI/01108 11 x 9,5 cm
Ivory
American Victorian Scale and Height Measure
Located in Queens, NY
American Victorian standing scale with mahogany center post and brass weight and height measure with platform base on wheels (signed FAIRBANKS)
Brass
English Victorian Postal Scales with Brass Weights
Located in Queens, NY
"English Victorian postal scales with brass weights consisting of two-4lb weights and a 2lb weight on a oak base (signed: S. MORDAN & CO LONDON) Some minor chipping to the veneer of...
Metal
Antique American Iron Balance Weighing Scale with Weights
Located in Queens, NY
"American (early 20th Century) balance weighing scale Set on a concave rectangular cast iron beveled base with twist mid-section topped by a pointed finial. One chain beam balance fi...
Brass
American Country Brass Coffee Grinder
Located in Queens, NY
American Country-style (19th Century) brass coffee grinder with etched floral design.
Brass
Pair of American Country Antique Cast Metal Floral Design Rectangular Coin Banks
Located in Queens, NY
"Pair of Antique American (early 20th Century) cast bronze coin banks with rectangular forms with flared tops and bottoms, featuring floral designs with pink and green painted detail...
Bronze
American Victorian Stereoscope Photographs
Located in Queens, NY
American Victorian-style collection of stereoscope photographs. (100 available)
Paper
English Victorian Ebonized Telescope
Located in Queens, NY
English Victorian ebonzied metal and brass trim telescope on adjustable dark stained tripod base (signed: WOOD, late ABRAHAM & CO, LIVERPOOL)
Brass
large apothecary's ivory mortar - 17th century
Located in Bruxelles, BE
Large apothecary's ivory mortar Indo-Portuguese 17th century 16,7 x 10,4 cm Cites certificate number 2022/BE01446/CE
Ivory
17th century apothecary's ivory mortar and pestle - Germany
Located in Bruxelles, BE
large 17th century turned apothecary's ivory mortar and pestle Germany 17th century Cites certificate number IT/CE/2023/MI/01110 18,6 x 7 cm ; pestle 21,5 cm Beautiful conditions a...
Ivory
Antique Mortar and Pestle Duo, English, Brass, Apothecary, Jardiniere, Georgian
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique mortar and pestle duo. An English, polished brass apothecary dish or decorative jardiniere pot, dating to the Georgian period, circa 1800. Dashing Georgian morta...
Brass
Ancient anatomical model of a flayed hand, Italy 1900.
Located in Milan, IT
Anatomical model for schools, educational use, depicting a flayed hand. Made of plaster, in excellent condition and with original patina. Anatomical study use. Italy circa 1900.
Plaster
Ancient plaster anatomical model of a flayed foot, Italy 1900.
Located in Milan, IT
Anatomical model for schools, educational use, depicting a flayed foot. Made of plaster, in excellent condition and with original patina. Anatomical study use. Italy circa 1900.
Plaster
A terrestral globe signed J. Lebegue & C, Paris France 1880.
Located in Milan, IT
A Medium-sized terrestrial globe, made of papier-mâché, finished with pastille and completed by the application of paper spindles imprinted with intaglio printing. Color touch-ups. F...
Fruitwood
A terrestral globe signed Périgot, published by Delagrave, Paris 1880.
Located in Milan, IT
A Medium-sized terrestrial globe, made of papier-mâché, finished with pastille and completed by the application of paper spindles imprinted with intaglio printing. Color touch-ups. T...
Brass
Antique Victorian Quality Mahogany Banjo Barometer by James H Kelly of Glasgow
Located in Suffolk, GB
Antique Victorian quality mahogany banjo barometer by James H Kelly of Glasgow Having a quality mahogany shaped banjo barometer with scroll shaped carving circular silvered engrave...
Other
1930s Hand-carved Pharmacy Stone Mortar
Located in Marbella, ES
1930s Hand-carved Pharmacy Stone Mortar
Stone
1930s Hand Carved Pharmacy Stone Mortar
Located in Marbella, ES
1930s Hand Carved Pharmacy Stone Mortar
Stone
Spanish Moorish Gothic Mortar 15th century
Located in DELFT, NL
Spanish - Moorish Gothic bronze mortar and with ribs, most likely from Andalusia. Of conical shape, resting on a circular base, the exterior decorated with a series of wing-shaped pr...
Bronze
$5,764Sale Price|29% Off
19th Century Arnold & Son Veterinary Operation Key Table "Canine Table"
Located in Lowestoft, GB
James Arnold turned his hand to making surgical instruments and then it turned into a family business
Oak
$716Sale Price|20% Off
The Astronomer Unique Historical Folk Art Painting Signed 1918
Located in South Burlington, VT
Unique Historical Work of Art Dated 1918 "L' Astronome (The Astronomer) by Fedinant Roybet. This is an original and one-of-a-kind artistic presentation- a superb pyrography incis...
Wood
19th Century English Molding Plane
Located in High Point, NC
19th century molding plane made from beech wood. The plane is stamped with the name MIKE. Imagine the moldings this plane was used to make.....
Beech
19th Century Trying or Jointer Plane
Located in High Point, NC
19th century trying or jointer plane from England. Lovely patina from age and use.
Metal
Nineteenth Century Ships Octant
Located in Norwell, MA
Ships octant from circa 1850 with an engraved scale to 100 degrees. With peepsight, mirrors, colored lenses, etc. Fitted to a step up box. Some old repairs and replacement wood to li...
Brass
Flemish mortar. Bronze. 17th century.
Located in Madrid, ES
Flemish mortar. Bronze. XVII century. Features brand. Mortar with a circular base with a mouth that extends outward from the two upper stripes and a body with slight entasis and a ...
Bronze
Antique Russian Leather Band Barber Razor Strop
Located in Chula Vista, CA
AMBIANIC presents Vintage Barber Leather Band Razor Sharpening Strop Russian Stamped Phillips Detroit Michigan 24 long x 2.5 w x .38 Preowned original vintage Refer to images
Leather
19th Century Set of 3 Victorian Set Squares
Located in High Point, NC
This is a set of three antique shipwright's set squares. The squares are made from oak and have brass caps. They are right-angled tools, dating to the Victorian period, circa 1880. ...
Brass
Set of Three Victorian Set Squares, C. 1880
Located in High Point, NC
This is a set of three antique shipwright's set squares. The squares are made from oak and have brass caps. They are right-angled tools, dating to the Victorian period, circa 1880. ...
Brass
Wall-Mounted Large Weather Station in Art Nouveau Style Carved Walnut Belgium
Located in Verviers, BE
Wall-mounted weather station in carved walnut made in Spa Belgium by Valentine Engel High quality mechanism with Jeweled movement barometer and thermometer (in centigrade) Unusual de...
Walnut
Late Medieval Marble Apothecary Mortar
Located in Pease pottage, West Sussex
Marble apothecary mortar. with four lugs having being worked into horses heads. Most likely for private apothecary use Excellent patination. Marble Circa 14th/15th Century, with late...
Marble
Pewter enema syringe with piston action, 19th century
Located in Delft, NL
Pewter enema syringe with piston action, 19th century Five enema syringes made of pewter, one of which has a wooden handle. Two pieces marked with the German brand Hauptner of 30 gr...
Pewter
Louis XV Parcel-Gilt And Painted Wood Barometer
Located in Bradenton, FL
18th century Louis XV period hand carved and painted parcel gilt French wall barometer. Louis XV giltwood case with ornately hand-carved scrollwork on a green painted wood back. A be...
Wood, Glass
Large Antique Victorian Quality Rosewood Banjo Barometer
Located in Suffolk, GB
Large antique Victorian quality rosewood banjo barometer having a quality rosewood banjo shaped case with carved scroll decoration with a thermometer and 10 inch circular silvered di...
Other
Antique stereoscopic table for brothels, Germany, late 19th century.
Located in Milan, IT
Antique stereoscopic table viewer used in brothels, to view erotic images printed on paper for a fee. This device consists of a parallelepiped in fruit wood painted black, with the s...
Metal, Brass
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.
Produced in 1843, the well-preserved volume is evidence of the author's exacting specifications.
New or old, the coverlets add old-time charm to any space.
Get into the games! These items celebrate the events, athletes, host countries and sporting spirit.
French trendsetter and serial collector Daniel Rozensztroch tells us about his obsession with objects related to seafaring men.
It's hard to resist the allure of a beautiful pool. So, go ahead and daydream about whiling away your summer in paradise.
The sought-after designer worked with the team at Hoffman Creative to produce a monograph that beautifully showcases some of Studio Shamshiri's most inspiring projects.
Italian writer and collector Umberto Pasti opens the doors to his remarkable cave of wonders in North Africa.
Hollywood A-listers, ex-pat aristocrats and art collectors and style setters of all stripes appreciate the allure of the coastal California hamlet — much on our minds after recent winter floods.