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Antique Scientific Instruments

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19th Century French Hand Painted and Gilt Iron Scale with Paris Coat of Arms
19th Century French Hand Painted and Gilt Iron Scale with Paris Coat of Arms

19th Century French Hand Painted and Gilt Iron Scale with Paris Coat of Arms

Located in Dallas, TX

, circa 1880, the double face scientific instrument features the coat of arms of Paris in the center, with

Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal, Iron

Early 19th Century French Barometer
Early 19th Century French Barometer

Early 19th Century French Barometer

Located in Charlottesville, VA

, perfect for collectors of scientific instruments or those looking to add a touch of French sophistication

Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Giltwood, Paint

French 19th Century Gilt & Painted Barometer
French 19th Century Gilt & Painted Barometer

French 19th Century Gilt & Painted Barometer

Located in Baton Rouge, LA

contrast to the intention as a scientific instrument. One can observe “centigrade” still legible on the

Category

19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal, Gold

18th Century French Louis XVI Carved Giltwood Wall Barometer & Thermometer
18th Century French Louis XVI Carved Giltwood Wall Barometer & Thermometer

18th Century French Louis XVI Carved Giltwood Wall Barometer & Thermometer

Located in Dallas, TX

, France, circa 1760 and hexagonal in shape, the scientific instrument features its original hand painted

Category

Late 18th Century French Louis XVI Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Glass, Giltwood, Parchment Paper

French Early 19th Century Louis XVI Gold Gilt Barometer
French Early 19th Century Louis XVI Gold Gilt Barometer

French Early 19th Century Louis XVI Gold Gilt Barometer

Located in Baton Rouge, LA

scientific instrument was used to measure atmospheric pressure in order to better predict the weather. This

Category

Early 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Glass, Hardwood

Antique Gimballed Compass, English, Brass, Decorative, Display, Victorian, 1880
Antique Gimballed Compass, English, Brass, Decorative, Display, Victorian, 1880

Antique Gimballed Compass, English, Brass, Decorative, Display, Victorian, 1880

Located in Hele, Devon, GB

This is an antique gimballed compass. An English, brass and glass decorative scientific instrument

Category

Late 19th Century British Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

Scarce Early 20th Century French Richard Jules Mahogany Cased Barograph
Scarce Early 20th Century French Richard Jules Mahogany Cased Barograph

Scarce Early 20th Century French Richard Jules Mahogany Cased Barograph

By Jules Richard

Located in Forney, TX

handcrafted in Paris, France, in the early 20th century, this fine weather forecasting scientific instrument

Category

Early 20th Century French Belle Époque Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal, Brass

Louis XVI Octagonal Giltwood Barometer-Thermometer with Lyre Crest (c. 1780)
Louis XVI Octagonal Giltwood Barometer-Thermometer with Lyre Crest (c. 1780)

Louis XVI Octagonal Giltwood Barometer-Thermometer with Lyre Crest (c. 1780)

Located in New York, NY

H × 18 in W × 2 in D (≈ 86 × 46 × 5 cm). A handsome, fully period example that marries scientific

Category

18th Century French Louis XVI Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Glass, Wood

Early 18th Century Italian Compass, Pierre de Baillou, Milan
Early 18th Century Italian Compass, Pierre de Baillou, Milan

Early 18th Century Italian Compass, Pierre de Baillou, Milan

By Pierre de Baillou

Located in Milano, IT

fact that he signed a scientific instrument, defining it "made in Milan", allows us to hypothesize with

Category

1720s Italian Other Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass, Steel

Antique English Three-Drawer Brass Telescope by J H Steward, circa 1880
Antique English Three-Drawer Brass Telescope by J H Steward, circa 1880

Antique English Three-Drawer Brass Telescope by J H Steward, circa 1880

Located in Bath, GB

Steward - Opticians and scientific instrument makers James Henry Steward (1817–1896) established J.H

Category

1880s English Late Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

Antique Surveyor's Level, English, Theodolite, Desk, Ornament, William Stanley
Antique Surveyor's Level, English, Theodolite, Desk, Ornament, William Stanley

Antique Surveyor's Level, English, Theodolite, Desk, Ornament, William Stanley

Located in Hele, Devon, GB

with mahogany carry box, dating to the early 20th century, circa 1910. A Fine scientific instrument

Category

Early 20th Century English Edwardian Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

Culpeper Compound Microscope
Culpeper Compound Microscope

Culpeper Compound Microscope

Located in New Orleans, LA

is widely regarded as the most influential maker of scientific instruments in the early 18th century

Category

18th Century English Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

Antique 19th C. W & A K Johnston 18" Celestial Library Floor Globe Stand 1879
Antique 19th C. W & A K Johnston 18" Celestial Library Floor Globe Stand 1879

Antique 19th C. W & A K Johnston 18" Celestial Library Floor Globe Stand 1879

By W. & A.K. Johnston

Located in Portland, OR

enlightenment period scientific instruments; numerous lion, bear, serpent and horse figures; many classical

Category

1870s Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

Vintage Cast Iron Test Tube and Beaker Laboratory Stand c.1920-1940
Vintage Cast Iron Test Tube and Beaker Laboratory Stand c.1920-1940

Vintage Cast Iron Test Tube and Beaker Laboratory Stand c.1920-1940

By Fisher Scientific

Located in San Francisco, CA

bridges scientific heritage and modern style. Dating to the 1920s-1940s, its cast iron construction

Category

Early 20th Century American Industrial Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Iron, Metal

Antique Telescope, a Franks Ltd, Manchester, Officer of the Watch
Antique Telescope, a Franks Ltd, Manchester, Officer of the Watch

Antique Telescope, a Franks Ltd, Manchester, Officer of the Watch

Located in Hele, Devon, GB

scientific instrument maker. Following a bankruptcy in 1879, a new firm was formed soon after, an optician

Category

Early 20th Century English Edwardian Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal

Monumental Swiss Brass Telescope by Perrelet
Monumental Swiss Brass Telescope by Perrelet

Monumental Swiss Brass Telescope by Perrelet

By Perrelet

Located in New Orleans, LA

into scientific instruments. It was in 1823, the same period this telescope was constructed, that Louis

Category

19th Century European Other Antique Scientific Instruments

Botanic Scientific Specimen, Italy, 1900
Botanic Scientific Specimen, Italy, 1900

Botanic Scientific Specimen, Italy, 1900

By Osterloh Modell

Located in Milan, IT

, corollas, scientific names and species. Today, in addition to being collected for the Wunderkammer, Cabinet

Category

Early 20th Century German Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal

Working Glass Dome Scientific Pump
Working Glass Dome Scientific Pump

Working Glass Dome Scientific Pump

By Janette Mfg

Located in Peekskill, NY

If you are a collector of early medical objects then you already know how rare this pump is. It's made by the Janette Mfg. Co of Chicago. I have been trading in this kind of object f...

Category

Early 20th Century American Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass, Iron

Early Scientific Scale, Very Sculptural Form
Early Scientific Scale, Very Sculptural Form

Early Scientific Scale, Very Sculptural Form

Located in Atlanta, GA

Sculptural scientific scale, produced by the E.J Cady Company of Chicago, circa 1920s. It has a

Category

1920s American Industrial Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal, Brass

J. H. Steward Pocket Military Compass c.1890
J. H. Steward Pocket Military Compass c.1890

J. H. Steward Pocket Military Compass c.1890

Located in Bath, GB

retailer of optical, scientific, military and surveying instruments. J.H. Steward was the head optician of

Category

1890s British Late Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

Large Scientific Glass and Brass Prism
Large Scientific Glass and Brass Prism

Large Scientific Glass and Brass Prism

Located in Culver City, CA

Large scientific prism on original adjustable brass disc stand, signed June 1888, Italy

Category

19th Century Italian Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

Mid-19th or Early 20th Century Scientific Bottle
Mid-19th or Early 20th Century Scientific Bottle

Mid-19th or Early 20th Century Scientific Bottle

Located in San Francisco, CA

Hand blown scientific bottle with original label. Stamped "3L" on the bottom.

Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Glass

Adjustable Concave Ebonised and Brass Optical Scientific Mercury Mirror
Adjustable Concave Ebonised and Brass Optical Scientific Mercury Mirror

Adjustable Concave Ebonised and Brass Optical Scientific Mercury Mirror

Located in Lowestoft, GB

A scientific optical doubled sided mirror with one concave mirror plate the other flat These

Category

Late 19th Century English Late Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Mirror, Optical Glass, Hardwood

Pair of 19th Century Concave & Convex Distortion Scientific Mirrors
Pair of 19th Century Concave & Convex Distortion Scientific Mirrors

Pair of 19th Century Concave & Convex Distortion Scientific Mirrors

Located in Lowestoft, GB

origin, early to mid 19th century in age These were likely used within a scientific nature, to show

Category

Mid-19th Century English Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Mirror, Optical Glass, Oak

19th Century Witches Optical Scientific Mirror Ball & Ebonised Stand
19th Century Witches Optical Scientific Mirror Ball & Ebonised Stand

19th Century Witches Optical Scientific Mirror Ball & Ebonised Stand

Located in Lowestoft, GB

A 19th century mercury glass witches ball on a later purpose made ebonised stand. The witches ball has a small glass lipped base that sits perfectly on the stand. The ball is heavi...

Category

Late 19th Century English Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Blown Glass, Pine

1910 Old Precision Pharmaceutical Scientific  Laboratory Scale Baird & Tatlock
1910 Old Precision Pharmaceutical Scientific  Laboratory Scale Baird & Tatlock

1910 Old Precision Pharmaceutical Scientific Laboratory Scale Baird & Tatlock

Located in Milan, IT

Precision pharmaceutical laboratory scale signed Baird & Tatlock BTL London England from 1910 for galenic preparations with brass weights from 1-2-5-10-20-50-100 grams, as well as nu...

Category

1910s British Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

Antique Brass Three-Draw Telescope, 19th Century
Antique Brass Three-Draw Telescope, 19th Century

Antique Brass Three-Draw Telescope, 19th Century

Located in Colorado Springs, CO

other scientific instruments. Although an ancient material, brass, an alloy of copper and zinc, is much

Category

19th Century French Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

Scientific Tellurium and Lunarium by Jean Felkl, Praha, circa 1870
Scientific Tellurium and Lunarium by Jean Felkl, Praha, circa 1870

Scientific Tellurium and Lunarium by Jean Felkl, Praha, circa 1870

Located in Milan, IT

Scientific physical demonstration model signed on the earth globe: "Zemekoule Vydali. J. Felkl a

Category

1890s German Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Bronze

Vintage Binnacle Compass, English, Brass, Maritime, Navigation, Instrument
Vintage Binnacle Compass, English, Brass, Maritime, Navigation, Instrument

Vintage Binnacle Compass, English, Brass, Maritime, Navigation, Instrument

Located in Hele, Devon, GB

This is a vintage binnacle compass. An English, brass maritime navigation instrument, dating to the

Category

Early 20th Century English Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

Antique Transit Theodolite, English, Surveying Instrument, Thornton, Edwardian
Antique Transit Theodolite, English, Surveying Instrument, Thornton, Edwardian

Antique Transit Theodolite, English, Surveying Instrument, Thornton, Edwardian

Located in Hele, Devon, GB

This is an antique transit theodolite. An English, bronze and brass surveying instrument by AG

Category

Early 20th Century British Edwardian Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass, Bronze

Early 20th Century Trio of Graduated Glass Optical Scientific Spheres
Early 20th Century Trio of Graduated Glass Optical Scientific Spheres

Early 20th Century Trio of Graduated Glass Optical Scientific Spheres

Located in Lowestoft, GB

their exact purpose, likely scientific or a teaching aid. Measures: 21/17/13cm in height 9/9/8.5cm

Category

Early 20th Century English Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Blown Glass, Hardwood

19th Century Brass Telescope Antique Marine Navigation Instrument
19th Century Brass Telescope Antique Marine Navigation Instrument

19th Century Brass Telescope Antique Marine Navigation Instrument

Located in Milan, IT

observation, creating the first rudimentary instrument for optical approaching. But Lipperhey was unlucky, in

Category

1870s Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

Antique EH Sargent Labratory Precision Orsat Gas Analyzer Apparatus Case 21"
Antique EH Sargent Labratory Precision Orsat Gas Analyzer Apparatus Case 21"

Antique EH Sargent Labratory Precision Orsat Gas Analyzer Apparatus Case 21"

By Sargent Welch Scientific Company

Located in Dayton, OH

Late 19th - early 20th century Orsat gas analyzer apparatus with absorption pipettes and hardwood case, produced by E.H. Sargent & Company. An Orsat gas analyser or Orsat apparatus ...

Category

Late 19th Century Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Glass, Rubber, Hardwood

19th Century Pair of Distortion Mirrors, Concave & Convex Fairground Scientific
19th Century Pair of Distortion Mirrors, Concave & Convex Fairground Scientific

19th Century Pair of Distortion Mirrors, Concave & Convex Fairground Scientific

Located in Lowestoft, GB

A rare pair of a Victorian distortion mirrors, one being concave the other convex Housed in their original softwood well carpentered frames with ebony finish The very thick pla...

Category

Mid-19th Century English Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Glass, Pine

19th Century English Mahogany Barometer Antique Instrument Weather Misure
19th Century English Mahogany Barometer Antique Instrument Weather Misure

19th Century English Mahogany Barometer Antique Instrument Weather Misure

Located in Milan, IT

variation, alcohol thermometer, hygrometer and level for correct positioning of the instrument on the wall

Category

Mid-19th Century British Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Mahogany

19th C Concave Ebonised and Brass Optical Scientific Foxed Mercury Mirror
19th C Concave Ebonised and Brass Optical Scientific Foxed Mercury Mirror

19th C Concave Ebonised and Brass Optical Scientific Foxed Mercury Mirror

Located in Lowestoft, GB

A scientific optical doubled sided mirror with one concave mirror plate the other flat. These

Category

Late 19th Century English Late Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Mirror, Optical Glass, Hardwood

19th Century Pair of Optical Experimental Scientific Mirrors Concave and Convex
19th Century Pair of Optical Experimental Scientific Mirrors Concave and Convex

19th Century Pair of Optical Experimental Scientific Mirrors Concave and Convex

Located in Lowestoft, GB

A large pair of scientific optical mirrors, one concave the other convex. These where used in

Category

Late 19th Century English Late Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

Collection of Dr. A.F. Dixon's Medical Research Instruments
Collection of Dr. A.F. Dixon's Medical Research Instruments

Collection of Dr. A.F. Dixon's Medical Research Instruments

Located in Austin, TX

A unique collection of antique medical research instruments having belonged to Dr. Andrew

Category

19th Century English Antique Scientific Instruments

Early 20th C Wax Anatomical Study Human Ear Cochlea Scientific Medical
Early 20th C Wax Anatomical Study Human Ear Cochlea Scientific Medical

Early 20th C Wax Anatomical Study Human Ear Cochlea Scientific Medical

Located in Lowestoft, GB

A unusual and finely turned display stand, with a detailed wax study of the Inner workings of the human Ear (Cochlea). Turned in a softwood, likely pine withs its original ebonise...

Category

Early 20th Century European Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Glass, Pine

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Antique Scientific Instruments For Sale on 1stDibs

There is a range of antique scientific instruments for sale on 1stDibs. Each of these unique antique scientific instruments was constructed with extraordinary care, often using metal, wood and brass. Antique scientific instruments have been produced for many years, with earlier versions available from the 18th Century and newer variations made as recently as the 20th Century. Victorian, Industrial and Louis XVI antique scientific instruments are consistently popular styles. Antique scientific instruments have been a part of the life’s work for many furniture makers, but those produced by LeMaire Paris, W & T Avery and Dollond, London are consistently popular.

Finding the Right Scientific-instruments for You

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.