Early 20th Century 10 Lever Bank Padlock by Aligarh c.1920
Located in Bath, GB
A wonderful example of an Aligarh lock made in India in the early twentieth century. Luckily it retains it's original brass lock cover stamped "Victoria Empress". Working well wi...
Brass, Steel
Ing. A. Salmoiraghi, Milan. Brass centesimal tacheometer, No. 7886, late 19th century
Located in Milan, IT
8511 Ing. A. Salmoiraghi, Milan; Centesimal brass theodolite No. 7886, from the late 19th century. It is a scientific instrument used in terrestrial observations to measure horizont...
Brass
Oak Perpetual Calendar, England 1900
Located in Culver City, CA
Oak Perpetual Calendar England, 1900 Oak perpetual desk calendar with rotating side posts to change the month, day, and date. 5.5"w x 3”d x 6.5”h Ref. O2230
Oak
19th Century Continental Measuring Stand
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
A highly unusual and super quality 19th Century mahogany and brass measuring stand. With two beautifully engraved brass plates showing measurements and a sliding height bar with a w...
Brass
19th c. San Francisco "Pac Tel" Telephone Extension Ringer Box c.1890
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT A beautifully preserved piece of local California utility history. This solid oak telephone subset ringer box with intact internal mechanism was custom shop-built in San Franci...
Bronze, Nickel
19th Century French Victorian Brass Scale by P. Charpentier
By P. Charpentier a Paris 1
Located in Queens, NY
French Victorian brass scale with 2 round trays on square wooden base (signed CHARPENTIER with hallmark)
Brass
Bookbinder Press, United States, circa 1890
Located in New York, NY
This piece came from the personal collection of Thierry Despont (1948 - 2023), perhaps best known for his architectural practice—which played integral roles in the restoration of the...
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 study the behavior of light, heat, and sound. These brass parabolic mirrors, when p...
Brass
19th-Century British Dental Elevator, Iron and Horn, London Circa 1850
Located in Milan, IT
A dental instrument. A 19th-Century iron elevator. A baluster-turned shank with double claw, fitted with a horn handle and screwdriver. British manufacturer. London circa 1850.
Iron
Field level no. 148 by Pasquale Cittelli. Italy first half of 19th century.
Located in Milan, IT
Field Level No. 148, instrument for architects or engineers, made of brass and glass. Complete with original oak box. Includes a folding and extendable oak tripod and a tubular canva...
Metal, Brass
English Stick Barometer by Worthington of London
Located in New Orleans, LA
This exceptional English stick barometer is a classic example of these intriguing meteorological instruments. Crafted by the esteemed Worthington & Allan, bow-fronted instrument ...
Mahogany
Antique Antiseptic Sterilizer Barber Shop Cabinet c.1920
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT Antique barber shop sterilizer cabinet features a glass-front door with the original "Antiseptic Sterilizer" logo. Mirrored glass back and one removable glass shelf with the o...
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 in tooth extraction. White Maker, H.C. distributor Kern. American manufacturing. P...
Iron
A botanic model: Syringa vulgaris N. 37 (Uleaceae). Brendel, Germany 1890.
Located in Milan, IT
A rare botanical model of the Brendel, Syringa vulgaris N. 37 (Uleaceae). The round base in ebonized wood holds the botanical model which reveals the flower of the Lilac. Brendel, Be...
Plaster, Wood, Paper
A botanic model: Triticum Vulgare N.11A (Gramineae). Brendel, Germany 1890.
Located in Milan, IT
A rare botanical model of the Brendel, Triticum Vulgare N.11A (Gramineae). The round base in ebonized wood holds the botanical model which reveals the flower of the Wheat. Brendel, B...
Plaster, Wood, Paper
Underwood No. 5 Typewriter, cast iron , New York, circa 1917
By Underwood Universal
Located in Valladolid, ES
Amazing Underwood No. 5 Typewriter, New York, circa 1917, an icon in the history of typing. This typewriter is a classic among 20th-century typewriters. The mechanism works perfect...
Iron
$250Sale Price|50% Off
19th Century Bronze Mortar
Located in Porto, PT
19th Century Bronze Mortar Mortar: 9x12 cm
Bronze
Italian Antique Scale, Brass and Carrara Marble, Early 20th Century
Located in Viterbo, VT
Balance made in Italy in the early 1900s using Carrara marble and brass. The balance is a beautiful example of early 20th century craftsmanship that was focused in bringing beauty ev...
Carrara Marble, Brass
$824Sale Price / set|20% Off
Pair of Antique Customs & Excise Measures, English, Etched Glass Beakers C.1920
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a pair of antique Customs & Excise measures. An English, etched glass governmental beaker set, dating to the early 20th century, circa 1920. A rare and intriguing example of ...
Glass
Quality antique Edwardian carved oak aneroid barometer
Located in Ipswich, GB
Quality antique Edwardian carved oak aneroid barometer, having a quality antique Edwardian aneroid banjo barometer with a fantastic carved oak case surrounding a white porcelain circ...
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 in tooth extraction, one of the two handles, is curved to allow grip during tooth ...
Iron
Large Wooden Carved Black Forest Weather Station with Deer
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Large Wooden Carved Black Forest Weather Station with Deer A large Black Forest antique wall barometer with an ornate carved wooden frame featuring detailed hunting motifs. The desi...
Wood
Bianchi Legitima Early 1900s Marble And Glass Balance
Located in Viterbo, VT
Antique Bianchi Legitima Argentinian balance made in the early 1900s. The balance is a beautiful example of modern technology and art deco beauty, where the internal mechanisms are d...
Carrara Marble, Silver Plate
Antique Shaving Brush Turned Wood Handle Horsehair or Badger Hair
Located in Chula Vista, CA
For your consideration, a vintage or antique shaving brush, likely featuring a turned wood handle and natural bristles, such as horsehair or badger hair. Historically used to cr...
Goat Hair, Wood
Antique English Carved Wood and Tusk Wall Barometer
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Rare and remarkable 19th century English wall hung barometer and thermometer hand crafted in chestnut having dramatic floral carvings and featuring boar or warthog tusks.
Organic Material, Chestnut
Antique Surveyor's Circumcompendium Signed Brand Frères, 1850-1880
Located in Bilzen, BE
"Antique Surveyor's Circumcompendium Signed Brand Frères, 1850-1880" Description: Antique Surveying Circumferentor by Brand Frères Brand Frères, Opticiens du Roi à Bruxelles Circa mi...
Brass
Beste Lederkapsel Vintage Roll Up Tape Measure, Leather & Brass, 1st half 20thc
Located in Atlanta, GA
Wonderfully patinated tape measuring to 20 meters but also in inches on the reverse of the tap, with brass winder and mid stripe as well as hook and keeper, inscribed “Not For Tradin...
Leather
Italian Bronze Mortar and Pestle, mid to late 17th century
Located in Atlanta, GA
The bell shaped mortar with a lower decorative ring and the pestle with raised ridges for gripping, lovely antique patina, the pestle measuring 8.5” in length
Bronze
French Wooden and Steel Handled Drill, 2nd quarter 19th century
Located in Atlanta, GA
Having a wooden grip, a large notched steel wheel, and a steel and wooden handle, with an adjustable tip to accommodate differing sized bits
Steel
Italian Late Baroque Period Wrought Iron & Brass Candle Borer on Later Stand
Located in Atlanta, GA
Likely previously wall mounted these devices were used to bore holes into the middles of circular candles before they were mounted on spikes. Without a hole, increasing in diameter ...
Brass, Wrought Iron
Aneroid barometer within black painted wooden base Italy late 1800s
Located in Milan, IT
Brass aneroid barometer mounted within black painted wooden base with brass feet and handle. Italian manufacture of the late 19th century. Measures 8.5 x 4.8 x 10.5 cm - 3.4 x 1.8 x ...
Wood
Aneroid barometer on turned ebony base of fine workmanship late 19th cent
Located in Milan, IT
Chromed brass aneroid barometer mounted on a turned ebony base of fine workmanship, late 19th-century English manufacture. Buono stato perfettamente funzionante. Measures 10 x 7 x 2...
Wood
Brass aneroid table barometer French manufacture from the early 1900s.
Located in Milan, IT
Brass aneroid barometer, table top, French manufacture of the early 1900s. Buono stato perfettamente funzionante. Measures 11.5 x 5 - 4.5 x 1.9 in. The last photo is the gift box. ...
Brass
Chromed brass barometric altimeter and thermometer Soviet Manufacture 1910
Located in Milan, IT
Barometric altimeter complete with thermometer chrome-plated brass complete with leather case, early 20th century Soviet manufacture. Good condition, working, slightly oxidized dial...
Brass
Precision aneroid barometer "System Paulin" 1915-1930
Located in Milan, IT
Precision aneroid barometer "System Paulin" this is a scientific instrument developed between the years 1915 and 1930 by Swedish engineer Joshua Gabriel Paulin, designed not only to ...
Metal
Brass table aneroid barometer Dutch manufacture late 19th century
Located in Milan, IT
Brass aneroid barometer, tabletop, late 19th century Dutch manufacture. Buono stato perfettamente funzionante. Measures 8.7 x 4.9 cm - 3.4 x 1.8 in. The last photo is the gift box. ...
Brass
French Art Deco Berkel Auto Weighing Scale, Metal, Circa 1930-1940
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A French Art Deco model of a vintage Berkel auto weighing scale in working condition. On the front of the Berkel up to 1kg, on the back it has an old fashioned weighing system. The s...
Metal
Antique French Style Chased Repoussé Gilt Telephone with Carved Jade Inset
Located in Rochester, NY
Antique French style telephone. Decorated in the Asian style. Hand chased gilt brass. Inset with carved jade moth plaque. Bakelite and brass handset. Signed. Circa 1920's. Made by Be...
Jade, Metal, Brass
$295Sale Price|23% Off
Antique Johnson & Johnson Corn And Bunion Plasters Drug Store Display c.1910
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT Antique Johnson & Johnson drug store counter display cabinet with six drawers. Vivid graphics on five sides. Includes original J & J Gauze Pads and Jim's Electria Lini...
Metal
Antique French Brass Balance Scale, Late 19th Century Design
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A small, antique French intricate brass balance with different weights in solid brass, in good condition. The iron scale is topped with the original polished brass plates. The scale ...
Metal, Brass, Iron
1907 Antique Ericsson HA100 Wooden Wall Intercom Telephone Switchboard
By L.M. Ericsson
Located in Sweden, SE
The Intercom telephone by AB L.M. Ericsson, model HA 100/15 with the RE 6000 handset, is a striking example of early 20th century engineering and design. This model belongs to the so...
Brass, Stainless Steel
Astronomical regulator circa 1900 moon phase enamel dial Roman numerals
Located in NANTES, FR
Astronomical regulator circa 1900 moon phase enamel dial Roman numerals M3534 This regulator displays the days of the week, the months, and the phases of the Moon. It dates from the...
Metal
Educational Mechanical Model in Bronze and Wood – 19th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
Rare and fascinating educational mechanical model dating from the 19th century, made of bronze and mounted on a fine wood base. This type of object was used for educational purposes,...
Bronze
Large Arts & Crafts Hand-Carved Nutwood Barometer with Thermometer, Early 1900s
Located in Lisse, NL
This rare and decorative early 20th-century Arts & Crafts wall barometer and thermometer is a striking testament to Dutch craftsmanship. Hand-carved from a single solid piece of rich...
Metal, Brass
French seltzer bottle by Briet, Paris, ca 1860
Located in Delft, NL
French seltzer bottle by Briet, Paris, ca 1860 A French gasogenic soda siphon, seltzer bottle by Briet, Paris. This double gourd shaped antique soda siphon is in good condition, it ...
Porcelain, Glass
Ebony, brass and bone pantograph, signed Lennel, Paris 1780.
Located in Milan, IT
Brass and ebony wood pantograph, in its original mahogany box. The wheels are made of bone. The instrument shows the signature of the maker Lennel à La Sphére à Paris. France 1780.
Brass
19th c. Cast Iron Coffee Grinder Model No. #8
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT An antique, cast iron coffee grinder showcases the craftsmanship of the late 19th/early 20th century. Model #8 features a fully functional hand crank mechanism and sturdy cast...
Iron
Antique French Barometer with Gilded Frame, Lyre Crest, Circa 1790
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A rare antique finely worked French barometer with lyre shaped crest thermometer above a large hexagonal framed barometer. The Parisian décor piece is made of hand carved gilded wood...
Giltwood
Leitz Brass Compound Microscope
By E. Leitz
Located in New Orleans, LA
Brass Compound Microscope in Case Ernst Leitz Dated 1897 This rare late 19th-century compound microscope was crafted by the renowned optical firm Ernst Leitz GmbH of Wetzlar, German...
Optical Glass, Wood
French 19th century Louis XVI st. Ormolu and white Carrara marble thermometer
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A fine and wonderfully decorative French 19th century Louis XVI st. Ormolu and white Carrara marble thermometer. This charming table top thermometer is raised on a thick rectangular ...
Carrara Marble, Ormolu
Antique Orrery – Tellurium by Paravia, Torino (1900, Italy)
Located in Madrid, ES
Rare and collectible orrery (tellurium) produced by the renowned Italian maker Paravia, Torino in 1900. This finely crafted planetary model illustrates the Earth-Sun-Moon system, dem...
Paper
Wooden box containing a travel surgical set, signed Galante, Paris 1870.
Located in Milan, IT
Oak wood box, containing a set of 8 iron surgical instruments, equipped with black horn and rosewood handles. Signed H.Galante & fils. Paris, France circa 1870.
Iron
$9,800Sale Price / set|40% Off
Napoleon III Gilt Bronze & Boulle Barometer & Thermometer Gervais Durand
By Gervais Durand
Located in Miami, FL
Exquisite Pair of fine Antique Gilt Bronze Mounted Tortoiseshell Inlaid Ebonized Boulle Marquetry Instruments by Gervais-Maximilien-Eugene Durand. Originals featuring exquisite bronz...
Brass, Bronze
John Bennett Georgian Barometer
By John Bennett
Located in New Orleans, LA
This exceptional Georgian barometer by the leading London instrument-maker John Bennett strongly reflects the prevalent furniture style and architectural elements of the time in its ...
Brass
19th Century Antique French Brass Balance Scale with Original Weights
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An antique French intricate brass balance with different weights in solid brass, in good condition. The iron scale is topped with the original polished brass plates. The scale reads ...
Metal, Brass, Iron
English mahogany shipboard apothecary dated to around the first half of the 19th cent
Located in Milan, IT
English board pharmacy, datable to around the second half of the 19th century, with mahogany wood case lined inside with red velvet, concealed brass handles, brass hinges, and comple...
Wood
Wooden stethoscope, Germany 1920s.
Located in Milan, IT
Wooden stethoscope, Germany 1920s. Height cm 20.5-8.1 in, base cm 6.5 -2.6 in. Bon état. The last photo is the gift box. Curiosity A stethoscope is an instrument used to auscultate ...
Wood
Set of surgical irons for skull surgery England late 18th century
Located in Milan, IT
Set of steel surgical irons for operations on the skull, English manufacture of the late 18th century, housed in their original leather case lined with green velvet. The instrument...
Steel
Cranioclastic steel forceps and ebony handles England mid-19th century.
Located in Milan, IT
Steel cranioclastic forceps with ebony handles English manufacture mid-19th century. Bon état. Measures 32.5 x 5.5 x 2.5 cm - 12.8 x 2.3 x 1 in. It is an obstetric surgical instrume...
Steel
$395Sale Price|20% Off
Antique Johnson No.101 Soldering Furnace and Copper Iron c.1918
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT An antique cast iron bench-mounted furnace with solid bronze handles. Original soldering iron with wooden handle and solid copper tip. The curved hood is designed to heat sold...
Bronze, Copper, Iron
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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It’s never too early for good design. These interiors combine elevated furnishings and a youthful spirit, resulting in spaces that are at once elegant and whimsical.
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.
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.