Deluxe Victorian French Lorgnette Opera Glasses. Paris, France. Circa 1895
Located in Incline Village, NV
French maker of these exquisite pair of operable mother of pearl high quality "Opera Glasses" with fancy lorgnette style adjustable handle and brass mounts; comes with its original ...
Brass
Antique Canadian Country Primitive Pine Wood Colonial Wooden Spinning Wheel
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Please message us with your zip code to request a more reasonable domestic U.S. shipping quote. Antique Canadian Country Primitive Pine Wood Colonial Wooden Spinning Wheel. Item fea...
Wood
C1920 World Globe on Mahogany Stand w Reeded legs by Replogle
By Replogle Globes
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fantastic Replogle world globe c1920 on a mahogany stand that has 4 reeded legs and will be restored its original beauty. Glass globe which when illuminated is a classic. Globe spins...
Brass
Antique French Hexagonal Barometer, Giltwood, Napoleonic Era, 1800
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A gold patinated, antique French hexagonal barometer made of handcrafted giltwood, in good condition. The top part of the Parisian décor piece is enhanced by flower carvings. The gla...
Giltwood
Antique Jolly Time Popcorn Maker c.1930-1950
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT A charming 1930s Jolly Time electric popcorn maker that captures the golden age of American kitchen appliances. This sturdy countertop piece features a cylindrical metal body ...
Steel
$980Sale Price|30% Off
Antique Max Kohl Chemnitz Germany Brass Iron Optical Polariscope Scope 15"
Located in Dayton, OH
Rare antique Max Kohl, Chemnitz, Germany, microscope / polariscope. Made of brass and cast iron with tripod base and two lenses. Circa 1900. Max Kohl was founded in 1876 by Max Ha...
Brass
Antique early 20th century German pine and steel bascule or platform scale
By Deutsches Reichs Gebrauchs Muster (D.R.G.M.) 1
Located in Casteren, NL
Early 20th century industrial decimal platform scale constructed from solid pine and steel, retaining its original mechanical weighing system and a full set of iron counterweights. T...
Steel
Antique Kwik Maker Popcorn Maker c.1930
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT A charming 1930s Kwik Maker electric popcorn maker that captures the golden age of American kitchen appliances. This sturdy countertop piece features a cylindrical metal body ...
Steel
19th Century Brass Bed Warmer with Pierced Warming Chamber
Located in San Diego, CA
Antique 19th-century brass bed warmer featuring a distinctive pentagonal warming chamber and long brass handle. The pierced brass top is decorated with evenly spaced ventilation hole...
Brass
Portable Wooden Pocket Sundial, Late 18th Century
Located in NANTES, FR
**Portable Wooden Pocket Sundial, Late 18th Century This **wooden pocket sundial** dates from the **late 18th century**. The back is covered with a paper listing the **main cities ...
Wood
Antique Scholar's Magnifying Glass, French, Sewing, Library Magnifier, Edwardian
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique scholar's magnifying glass. A French, silver plated needlework or reading magnifier, dating to the Edwardian period, circa 1910. Striking handle and large diamete...
Silver Plate
Antique General Store Tobacco Plug Cutter c.1890-1920
By IBM
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT An antique cast iron tobacco plug cutter used in general stores during the late 19th and early 20th centuries to slice pressed plug tobacco into smaller, sold-by-the-inch piec...
Iron, Metal
19th Century Antique Balance Scales by Decker, White Metal & Brass
Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
A rare 19th Century set of precision balance scales made in Turin by Decker. Extremely accurate, these weighing scales were likely used by an apothecary or by an official responsible...
Metal, Brass
A 19th-Century dental elevator.
Located in Milan, IT
A dental instrument. A 19th-Century iron elevator. A baluster-turned shank with double claw, fitted
Iron
Antique Cast Iron Coffee/Grain Grinder #1762
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT This authentic cast iron coffee and grain grinder showcases the craftsmanship of the late 19th/early 20th century. Model #1762 features a fully functional hand crank mechanism...
Iron
$2,280 / set
Pair of 19th Century Brass Parabolic Reflectors
Located in Chicago, IL
In the 19th century, parabolic reflectors such as these were employed in scientific experiments to
Brass
Late 19th Century Carved Skull with Wooden Base
Located in Madrid, ES
Rare and finely carved skull, dating from the late 19th century, sculpted with remarkable anatomical precision and craftsmanship. The piece reflects the tradition of memento mori ob...
Bone
A late19th-Century dental extractor, United States 1900.
Located in Milan, IT
An instrument for dental use. A late 19th early 20th century dental extractor. An iron forceps used
Iron
Antique English Carved Oak Wall Hanging Barometer
Located in New Orleans, LA
An English hand carved solid Oak Wall Hanging Barometer. Oak case has a beautifully carved crest with two acanthus pediments, a center finial, turned columns with carved capitols fla...
Metal, Brass
Sterling Silver Folding Opera Glasses - Antique Victorian (1895)
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An exceptional, fine and impressive pair of sterling silver folding opera glasses; an addition to our Victorian silverware collection. These exceptional antique Victorian sterling ...
Sterling Silver
Large Antique 3 Draw Telescope, English Brass, Leather Spyglass, Victorian, 1860
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
instrument presents with both practical appeal and decorative presence. Perfect for bird watching, landscape
Brass
Pair of Antique Customs & Excise Measures, English, Etched Glass Beakers C.1920
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
apparatus, rich in period charm and scientific interest. Fascinating quarter gallon capacity, designed for
Glass
Suture forceps signed A.L. Hawkings in Steinlesssteel early 1900s
Located in Milan, IT
Suture forceps signed A.L. Hawkings steel Steinlesssteel from the early 1900s, complete with 4 needles and original chrome-plated metal case. Case size cm 22.2 x 4 x 2 - 8.8 x1.6 x...
Steel
Hexagonal Lampascope Magic Lantern by Alphonse Giroux – 19th Century –
By Alphonse Giroux et Cie
Located in NANTES, FR
**Hexagonal Lampascope Magic Lantern by Alphonse Giroux – 19th Century – This hexagonal lampascope by Alphonse Giroux is made of cardboard covered with paper. It was designed to b...
Wood
19th Century Antique Bow Front Barometer by J. Somalvico & Co of London
Located in Devon, GB
in London between 1800 and 1900. They were a highly re puted firm of instrument makers.
Rosewood, Mother-of-Pearl
English Stick Barometer by Worthington of London
Located in New Orleans, LA
instruments. Crafted by the esteemed Worthington & Allan, bow-fronted instrument is comprised of luxurious
Mahogany
Vintage Wooden Barley-Twist Hourglass with Hand-Blown Glass
Located in San Diego, CA
A handsome vintage hourglass featuring a solid wood frame with classic barley-twist turned supports and a faceted hexagonal top and base. The hourglass contains hand-blown glass bulb...
Glass, Wood
Antique Surveyor's Circumcompendium Signed Brand Frères, 1850-1880
Located in Bilzen, BE
closure hardware — rare for instruments of this type and period. Condition: Excellent. The compass
Brass
18/19 century or earlier set of Antique Tibetan Buddhist Tools/ Iron or Steel
Located in Ukiah, CA
18/19thC Tibetan Buddhist Ritual Implements Set in Triangular Iron Box An exceptional and rare antique Tibetan Buddhist ritual implements set, finely cast in iron or steel, housed i...
Bronze, Steel, Iron
Antique pharmacist's scales
Located in Milano, IT
The apothecary scale is a rare collector's item, in excellent condition, traceable to the late 18th century. The lower part of the object is made of walnut wood. Centrally located i...
Metal, Brass
A late19th-Century dental extractor, United States 1900.
Located in Milan, IT
An instrument for dental use. A late 19th early 20th century dental extractor. An iron forceps used
Iron
Two Large Magnifiers With 19th Century Gilded and Mother-of-Pearl Handles
Located in San Francisco, CA
Two Large Magnifiers With 19th Century Gilded and Mother of Pearl Handles Largest: 4"w x 2"d. x 12.75"h smallest: 3.5" x 1.25"d x 10.25"h
Brass
Silver Cased Compensated Weather Barometer Superb Royal Provenance Alfred Clark
Located in Dublin, Ireland
This is a very Rare and Superbly made Sterling Silver Cased Compensated Weather Barometer – The Silver Assay Marks inform us that it was made in 1900 by the famed Silversmith, Alfred...
Sterling Silver
$1,990 / item
Antique French Corker
Located in Calgary, Alberta
A beautifully crafted antique French hand-operated corking machine, once used in wineries for sealing bottles with corks. The corker has an arched lever, adjustable bottle-height sc...
Iron
$2,000Sale Price|20% Off
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"
Mahogany
Rare Victorian Antique Bronze Double Drawer Register, National
By National Cash Register Co.
Located in Buffalo, NY
Seldom seen Victorian period double-drawer cash register was used by a general store and is in perfect working condition.Amazing original condition.. American made antique 1909 regi...
Marble, Brass
Large Arts & Crafts Hand-Carved Nutwood Barometer with Thermometer, Early 1900s
Located in Lisse, NL
Weather), and “Regen of Wind” (Rain or Wind), sits behind its original beveled glass. Both instruments are
Metal, Brass
Educational Mechanical Model in Bronze and Wood – 19th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
scientific collection, or an industrial or steampunk-style interior. Condition: Very good condition, with a
Bronze
Brass syringe signed S. Maw Son & Sons London from the late 19th century
Located in Milan, IT
Brass syringe signed S. Maw Son & Sons, London, England, late 19th century, used both for rectal use, for performing enemas and for vaginal irrigations. This type of syringe was typi...
Brass
Ophthalmoscope Signed Medical Supply Assocn Agent's For Curry & Paxton London
Located in Milan, IT
Ophthalmoscope signed Medical Supply Assocn Agent's For Curry & Paxton London from the second half of the 19th century, made of chrome-plated brass with interchangeable mirror and le...
Brass
Early 20th century chrome-plated brass Killian nasal speculum in the shape of pliers
Located in Milan, IT
Chrome-plated brass Killian nasal speculum from the early 1900s. The pincer-like tool is characterized by two long, thin valves with an opening system controlled by an adjusting scr...
Brass
English Antique George II Mahogany Stick Barometer by Polti of Exeter
By C. Polti
Located in Devon, GB
A rare George II period mahogany stick barometer with finely carved cistern cover and surround to partly conceal the mercury tube. Most unusually the signed register plate is made of...
Brass
18th Century French Barometer in Giltwood Frame
Located in Buchanan, MI
18th century French barometer in giltwood frame.
Giltwood, Glass
A pair of antique blow glass apothecary stills, Italy 1800.
Located in Milan, IT
A pair of antique blown glass stills from a pharmacy, mounted on a contemporary, parallelepiped-shaped cherry wood base. Italy, circa 1800.
Blown Glass, Cherry
Leitz Brass Compound Microscope
By E. Leitz
Located in New Orleans, LA
example of precision German engineering, the instrument bears serial number 42499, dating it to circa 1897
Optical Glass, Wood
$550 / set
Three Large Copper Funnels
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Collection of three Industrial Era copper funnels. Smallest, tin lined, brass ring, dove-tailed construction, hallmarked "U", 8" high and 6 3/8" wide Medium, all copper, brass ring ...
Copper
Collection of 18th and 19th Century Arabic Astrolabes and Quadrant
Located in London, GB
excellent set of antique astronomical instruments is a selection of five Persian brass astrolabes and a
Brass
Small Hexagonal Shaped Barometer
Located in Queens, NY
Small hexagonal shaped wood barometer.
American Country Wood Spinning Wheel
Located in Queens, NY
American Country-style (19th Century) stained wood spinning wheel.
French Victorian Bronze Cannon Model
Located in Queens, NY
French Victorian bronze cannon with trailer model. (2 pieces)
Bronze
Indian Style Brass Charcoal Stove
Located in Queens, NY
Asian Indian-style (19/20th Century) round brass charcoal stove on 3 legs with removable flip top.
Brass
English Victorian Rosewood Barometer
Located in Queens, NY
English Victorian shaped rosewood and inlaid wall barometer.
Quality pair of antique Victorian balance scales
Located in Ipswich, GB
Quality pair of antique Victorian balance scales, having a central cast iron support holding brass weighting pans accompanied by weights. D. 1880
Brass, Iron
A fine mahogany ship’s stick barometer by Dolland & Son
By Dolland
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
the age of 20 and became the most eminent optical instrument maker of the late 18th century. Such was
Brass
Set of 2 Early XX Century Metal Dragon Shaped Fireplace Holders
Located in Barcelona, ES
Antique metal traditional Catalan fireplace holders with a dragon shape. Made in Spain by unknown manufacturer, circa 1900. In original condition, with minor wear consistent w...
Metal
Brass Pivoting Bullseye Magnifying Glass / Lens on Stand c.1915
Located in Bath, GB
A handsome antique English magnifying glass / bullseye lens on stand which pivots on a ball and socket fitting, moving around with ease. Dating to c.1915, it remains in excellent co...
Brass
Antique Orrery – Tellurium by Paravia, Torino (1900, Italy)
Located in Madrid, ES
Earth globe, mounted on a solid base. This type of educational instrument was commonly used in schools
Paper
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.