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Barometer Antique Weather Measuring Instrument by Giuseppe Piana Early 1800s
Barometer Antique Weather Measuring Instrument by Giuseppe Piana Early 1800s

Barometer Antique Weather Measuring Instrument by Giuseppe Piana Early 1800s

By Giuseppe Piana

Located in Milan, IT

to make an instrument for measure changes of air pressure. Man, as farmer or navigator, has always

Category

Early 19th Century Italian Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Wood

Large Antique Spirit Level, Mahogany, Brass, Craftsman, Instrument, William IV
Large Antique Spirit Level, Mahogany, Brass, Craftsman, Instrument, William IV

Large Antique Spirit Level, Mahogany, Brass, Craftsman, Instrument, William IV

Located in Hele, Devon, GB

This is a large antique spirit level. An English, mahogany and brass craftsman's instrument, dating

Category

Mid-19th Century English William IV Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Mahogany

Small Vintage Spirit Level, English, Brass, Instrument, Preston and Sons,
Small Vintage Spirit Level, English, Brass, Instrument, Preston and Sons,

Small Vintage Spirit Level, English, Brass, Instrument, Preston and Sons,

Located in Hele, Devon, GB

This is a small vintage spirit level. An English, rosewood and brass instrument by E. Preston and

Category

Early 20th Century English Art Deco Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

Vintage Spirit Level, English, Rosewood, Brass, Instrument, Preston and Sons
Vintage Spirit Level, English, Rosewood, Brass, Instrument, Preston and Sons

Vintage Spirit Level, English, Rosewood, Brass, Instrument, Preston and Sons

Located in Hele, Devon, GB

This is a vintage spirit level. An English, rosewood and brass instrument by Preston and Sons

Category

Early 20th Century English Art Deco Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Rosewood

1900 Antique Oak Barometer Richly Carved, Antique Weather  Forecast Instrument
1900 Antique Oak Barometer Richly Carved, Antique Weather  Forecast Instrument

1900 Antique Oak Barometer Richly Carved, Antique Weather Forecast Instrument

Located in Milan, IT

Large barometer with thermometer mounted on a dual scale large oak plank richly carved. English manufacture of the early 1900. Measures: Height 106 cm, inches 41.73. Good condition, ...

Category

Early 20th Century British Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Wood

19th Century Aneroid Brass Barometer Measuring Instrument by Negretti & Zambra
19th Century Aneroid Brass Barometer Measuring Instrument by Negretti & Zambra

19th Century Aneroid Brass Barometer Measuring Instrument by Negretti & Zambra

Located in Milan, IT

Aneroid or holosteric brass barometer made at the end of the 19th century, signed Negretti & Zambra n. I 699, complete with semicircle thermometer with engraved and silver-plated bra...

Category

1880s British Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

Wood and Brass English Spirit Level, 1860s Antique Measurement Instrument
Wood and Brass English Spirit Level, 1860s Antique Measurement Instrument

Wood and Brass English Spirit Level, 1860s Antique Measurement Instrument

Located in Milan, IT

Large spirit level made of wood, brass and glass manufactured in the second half of the nineteenth century. Excellent condition fully functional. Measures: Length 35.5 cm, width 4 cm...

Category

1860s British Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

Set of Antique Draughtsman's Rules, English, Engineer's Instrument Set, C.1920
Set of Antique Draughtsman's Rules, English, Engineer's Instrument Set, C.1920

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

Category

Early 20th Century British Edwardian Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Beech

19th Century Mummy In a Box, "Mumia Vera" the Miracle Cure Medical Scientific
19th Century Mummy In a Box, "Mumia Vera" the Miracle Cure Medical Scientific

19th Century Mummy In a Box, "Mumia Vera" the Miracle Cure Medical Scientific

Located in Lowestoft, GB

A unasuming blue & white cardboard pharmacy container, housing mummy powder "mumia vera" believed to be a miracle cure during the 18th & 19th century Obviously this is exactly wh...

Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Natural Fiber

Scleroscope to Measure the Hardness of Metals, USA, 1914
Scleroscope to Measure the Hardness of Metals, USA, 1914

Scleroscope to Measure the Hardness of Metals, USA, 1914

By Shore Instrument & MFG New York

Located in Milan, IT

Scleroscope shore instrument & MFG New York Pat. June 1910, Dec 15 1914 and sept 25 1915 N. 11315

Category

1910s American Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal, Steel

Measuring Instrument to Verify Distillates in Barrels by Dring & Fage UK 1900s
Measuring Instrument to Verify Distillates in Barrels by Dring & Fage UK 1900s

Measuring Instrument to Verify Distillates in Barrels by Dring & Fage UK 1900s

By Dring & Fage 1

Located in Milan, IT

Measuring instrument made of boxwood and brass divided into four parts and placed in its original

Category

Early 1900s British Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Boxwood

Brass Spirit Level Measuring Instrument by J. Rabone & Sons, Birmingham  1860
Brass Spirit Level Measuring Instrument by J. Rabone & Sons, Birmingham  1860

Brass Spirit Level Measuring Instrument by J. Rabone & Sons, Birmingham 1860

Located in Milan, IT

Brass spirit level signed J. Rabone & Sons Birmingham made in England Warrented correct, complete with adjustment screw and made in the second half of the 19th century. Excellent con...

Category

1860s British Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

1840 French Opticien Leroy Barometer  Elm Wood Antique Instrument Weather Misure
1840 French Opticien Leroy Barometer  Elm Wood Antique Instrument Weather Misure

1840 French Opticien Leroy Barometer Elm Wood Antique Instrument Weather Misure

Located in Milan, IT

French barometer of elm wood signed Leroy Optician Paris, first half of the 19th century. Complete with reading vernier for the variation of atmospheric pressure and two thermometers...

Category

1840s British Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Elm

Antique English WW1 Military Issued Compass - 1917
Antique English WW1 Military Issued Compass - 1917

Antique English WW1 Military Issued Compass - 1917

Located in Bath, GB

A good nickel plated WW1 British Officers Military Pocket Compass engraved on the lid with the war office crow's foot mark and dated 1917 The hunter cased pocket compass has an attr...

Category

1910s British Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Nickel

Antique French A. Bardou Brass Telescope With Mahogany Tripod c1880
Antique French A. Bardou Brass Telescope With Mahogany Tripod c1880

Antique French A. Bardou Brass Telescope With Mahogany Tripod c1880

Located in Big Flats, NY

Antique French A. Bardou Brass Telescope With Mahogany Tripod c1880 Measures - 61" x 35" x 35"

Category

Late 19th Century Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Mahogany

18th C. Electrical Machine
18th C. Electrical Machine

18th C. Electrical Machine

Located in Haddonfield, NJ

THE MOST IMPORTANT INSTRUMENTS IN SCIENTIFIC LABORATORIES OF THE EIGHTEENTH AND NINETEENTH CENTURIES

Category

18th Century and Earlier English Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal

English George III Mahogany Barometer by C. Cusack, Southampton
English George III Mahogany Barometer by C. Cusack, Southampton

English George III Mahogany Barometer by C. Cusack, Southampton

Located in Charlottesville, VA

early 19th century instrument blends scientific heritage with fine English craftsmanship.

Category

19th Century British Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal

Exquisite 1800 Parisian Mercury Barometer: Elegance in Science
Exquisite 1800 Parisian Mercury Barometer: Elegance in Science

Exquisite 1800 Parisian Mercury Barometer: Elegance in Science

Located in New York, NY

instrument. The split dial, expertly crafted, bears the signature of the renowned optician "Flouet," whose

Category

Early 19th Century French Empire Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Wood

French 18th Century Gilt Barometer
French 18th Century Gilt Barometer

French 18th Century Gilt Barometer

Located in Baton Rouge, LA

A stunning gold gilt Louis XVI barometer, made in France circa 1780. The instrument was used to

Category

18th Century French Louis XVI Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Gold Leaf

Barometer Made in France by Mon. Chevallie Second Half of the 19th Century
Barometer Made in France by Mon. Chevallie Second Half of the 19th Century

Barometer Made in France by Mon. Chevallie Second Half of the 19th Century

Located in Milan, IT

instruments “Maison Chevallier L’Ingr Queslin”. When it was discovered, that changes of atmospheric pressure

Category

1860s French Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Wood

French 19th Century Gold Gilt Barometer
French 19th Century Gold Gilt Barometer

French 19th Century Gold Gilt Barometer

Located in Baton Rouge, LA

scientific weather instrument is a true work of art. The dial is faced in paper, which has had its numerals

Category

19th Century French Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Glass, Hardwood, Paper

Rare Mahogany Cased English Baro-Cyclometer by H. Hughes & Sons
Rare Mahogany Cased English Baro-Cyclometer by H. Hughes & Sons

Rare Mahogany Cased English Baro-Cyclometer by H. Hughes & Sons

By Henry Hughes and Son Ltd.

Located in San Francisco, CA

/46. This rare instrument was used to track and presumably plan a way to avoid impnding cyclones

Category

Early 20th Century English Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

Field Artillery Theodolite by Srb & Stys of Prague, 1930s
Field Artillery Theodolite by Srb & Stys of Prague, 1930s

Field Artillery Theodolite by Srb & Stys of Prague, 1930s

Located in Doylestown, PA

instrument of bronze, brass and steel utilized by the Czech military for artillery surveying. In 1919

Category

Early 20th Century Czech Industrial Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass, Bronze, Steel

Large Antique Mid 19th Century Mahogany Magnifying Glass
Large Antique Mid 19th Century Mahogany Magnifying Glass

Large Antique Mid 19th Century Mahogany Magnifying Glass

Located in Bishop's Stortford, GB

A rare Large Victorian Magnifying or Looking Glass, Made from Mahogany Wood all in origianal condition. Known as a gallery glass it allows gentle magnification of items from variable...

Category

Mid-19th Century British Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Mahogany

French Tabletop Glass-Plate Viewer (Stereoscope) by EDUCA, Paris, late 19th C.
French Tabletop Glass-Plate Viewer (Stereoscope) by EDUCA, Paris, late 19th C.

French Tabletop Glass-Plate Viewer (Stereoscope) by EDUCA, Paris, late 19th C.

Located in New York, NY

active in the late 19th and early 20th centuries and specialized in educational, scientific, and

Category

Late 19th Century French Late Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Wood, Glass

French Naval Surgeon's Kit
French Naval Surgeon's Kit

French Naval Surgeon's Kit

Located in New Orleans, LA

, Collin & Cie. includes all the instruments needed to conduct any and every known medical procedure

Category

19th Century French Other Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal, Steel

WW1 brass pocket military sextant made by Ryland & Sons, London circa 1915
WW1 brass pocket military sextant made by Ryland & Sons, London circa 1915

WW1 brass pocket military sextant made by Ryland & Sons, London circa 1915

Located in Central England, GB

This rare precision instrument is a fine solid brass pocket sextant made for the military by the

Category

Early 20th Century British Edwardian Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

Wooden Galvanometer of the Mid-19th Century
Wooden Galvanometer of the Mid-19th Century

Wooden Galvanometer of the Mid-19th Century

Located in Milan, IT

instrument used to measure weak currents. The instrument consists of a coil, a graduated scale placed under

Category

1850s British Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Wood

Spirit Level Made of Wood, Brass and Glass by W. Marples & Sons Hibernia, 1860
Spirit Level Made of Wood, Brass and Glass by W. Marples & Sons Hibernia, 1860

Spirit Level Made of Wood, Brass and Glass by W. Marples & Sons Hibernia, 1860

By William Marples & Sons

Located in Milan, IT

Wood and brass spirit level, antique instrument signed W. Marples & Sons Hibernia, from the second

Category

1860s British Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

19th Century Surgery Box
19th Century Surgery Box

19th Century Surgery Box

Located in Madrid, ES

19th CENTURY SURGERY BOX SOME INSTRUMENT IS MISSING-SEE PHOTOS. THE BOX MEASURES:45X17X18 CM Good

Category

19th Century English Baroque Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal

Saccharimetre a Penombres by Jj Duboscq
Saccharimetre a Penombres by Jj Duboscq

Saccharimetre a Penombres by Jj Duboscq

By J. Duboscq, Paris 1

Located in London, by appointment only

Numbered No 25 and signed by J Duboscq a Paris. A saccharimeter is an instrument for measuring

Category

19th Century French Louis Philippe Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Steel, Brass

Antique Root Bowl, Wabi Sabi Style, Scandinavia 1800s
Antique Root Bowl, Wabi Sabi Style, Scandinavia 1800s

Antique Root Bowl, Wabi Sabi Style, Scandinavia 1800s

Located in Hønefoss, 30

A unique and large root bowl from Norway, Scandinavia, dated 1818. In good vintage condition showing beautiful patina from age and use.

Category

19th Century Norwegian Romantic Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Wood

Mining Topographic Compass Davis & Son London First Half of the 1800s
Mining Topographic Compass Davis & Son London First Half of the 1800s

Mining Topographic Compass Davis & Son London First Half of the 1800s

Located in Milan, IT

1800s. It is a survey instrument, for measurement of horizontal and vertical angles and magnetic

Category

1840s British Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

Brass Camera Lucida Made in the First Half of the 19th Century
Brass Camera Lucida Made in the First Half of the 19th Century

Brass Camera Lucida Made in the First Half of the 19th Century

Located in Milan, IT

in the development of achromatic lenses for microscopes. Instrument placed in its original mahogany

Category

1840s French Antique Scientific Instruments

Pantograph Signed Lennel, Paris, 1780
Pantograph Signed Lennel, Paris, 1780

Pantograph Signed Lennel, Paris, 1780

Located in Milan, IT

Brass and ebony pantograph, in its original mahogany box. Bone wheels. The instrument shows the

Category

1780s British Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

Brass Sextant
Brass Sextant

Brass Sextant

Sold|$2,225

Brass Sextant

Located in New York, NY

Turn-of-the-century brass astronomical measuring instrument used to determine latitude and

Category

19th Century English Antique Scientific Instruments

English brass telescope on tripod.
English brass telescope on tripod.

English brass telescope on tripod.

Located in San Francisco, CA

tripod, circa 1880. Original brass table tripod included with instrument. Optically sound.

Category

19th Century English Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

19th C Double Butcher's Scale by Maco Braga
19th C Double Butcher's Scale by Maco Braga

19th C Double Butcher's Scale by Maco Braga

By Maco Braga

Located in Norwalk, CT

Protugal in the late 19th century by the noted instrument company Maco Braga, In original brass patina

Category

19th Century Portuguese Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

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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.