$25,000
H 64 in W 55 in D 3.75 in
English Brass Telescope w/ Spotting Scope & Stabilizer Bar on Tripod Stand 1870
Located in Charleston, SC
English brass and polished steel telescope with spotting scope, adjustable stabilizer bar, and
Brass, Steel
$45,000
H 57 in W 74 in D 4.75 in
French Brass & Polished Steel Telescope w/ Spotting Scope on Tripod Stand C 1850
By Bardou & Son
Located in Charleston, SC
French brass and polished steel telescope with removable lens cap, spotting scope, and mounted on
Brass, Steel
Wood and Brass Surveyor's Transit Scope Tripod, c.1940
By Dietzgen
Located in San Francisco, CA
About These are original wood surveyor's transit scope tripod with solid brass accents. Contact
Brass, Copper
Wooden Surveyor's Transit Scope Tripod c.1940
By Dietzgen
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT Vintage wooden surveyor's transit scope tripod with painted feet and metal top
Brass, Copper
Floor Lamp from Army Surveyor Tripod with Scope, Oak Legs, Leather Strapping
Located in Madison, WI
Floor lamp made from U.S. Army surveyor tripod (circa 1940s) with scope, oak legs and leather
Brass
Sold
H 7 in W 9 in D 34 in
Antique W & L.E Gurley Troy N.Y Surveyors Transit Compass Scope Tripod Stand
By W. & L.E. Gurley
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique surveyor’s level transit signed W & L.E Gurley, Troy NY. Made from oak, brass and glass
Brass
VIntage Spotting Scope on Brass Tripod
By Bausch & Lomb
Located in Oakland, CA
Handsome polished aluminum spotting scope on telescoping brass tripod. Excellent eye candy for the
Polished Aluminum Spotting Scope
By Kowa
Located in Oakland, CA
Handsome aluminum spotting scope with collapsible brass tripod. Clear crisp optics and very
Aluminum, Brass
Mid Century Telescope
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Fabulous vintage telescope mounted on a wood and antique brass tripod. The scope is made out of
Wood
Antique Brass Telescope
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Antique brass telescope on folding wood tripod legs from a Palm Beach estate The brass scope is 38
Brass
A Taxidermied Tiger Skin Rug, 20th Century
Located in ARMADALE, VIC
A Taxidermied Tiger Skin Rug, 1960s Mounted on black felt, with glass eyes. Dimension: Length: 215 cm Width: 165 cm Height: 19 cm. Provenance: Private Australian Collector Acquire...
Animal Skin
$799
H 12 in W 29.5 in D 17.5 in
Vintage 1950's French Military Mess Kit with Trunk Industrial Dining Set
Located in Lafayette, IN
Charming 1950's French military officer's mess kit. Kit appears mostly complete and includes original trunk with all of the items shown in the photos. This set can accomodate rough...
Metal
$17,313
H 59.06 in W 35.44 in D 35.44 in
Mid Century Japanese Fuji Meibo Naval Binocular Nardo Grey & Brass -Original box
By Fuji Meibo
Located in Leicester, Leicestershire
Japanese Fuji Meibo Observation Binoculars 15 x 80 - 4 degree field of view. A large pair of Japanese naval observation binoculars mounted on an aluminium tripod. The marine binocu...
Aluminum, Brass
$34,336
H 6.3 in W 15.75 in D 5.91 in
Fossilised Skull of Prehistoric Marine Reptile the Mosasaur, 70Million Years Ago
Located in Puglia, Puglia
Upper Cretaceous, about 70-65 million years ago (Maastrichtian) Morocco The skull is reconstructed in good proportions with fossil pieces found in a phosphate mine in Morocco. I att...
Bone
$22,490
H 28.75 in W 15.75 in D 8.67 in
Rare 19th Century Italian Memento Mori Bust / Sculpture Carrara Marble Vanitas
Located in Ijzendijke, NL
Masterfully carved Italian Vanitas / Memento Mori bust in solid marble from late 19th century. White Carrara marble skull combined with masterfully carved hood & robes all from one...
Carrara Marble
$29,873Sale Price|32% Off
H 59.06 in W 70.08 in D 52.37 in
Original Sunball Chair by Gunter Ris and Ferdinand Selldorf for Rosenthal
By Ris and Selldorf, Rosenthal
Located in Little Burstead, Essex
This is a fully restored original version of this 1960's iconic classic astronaut's helmet style space age outdoor swivel chair, As you can imagine, after 60 plus years, the original...
Velvet, Fiberglass
$740 / set
H 1.5 in W 22 in D 8 in
1970 3/4 E.R. Pfretzschner Hand-Crafted Violin in the Style of A. Stradivarius
By Casa Stradivari
Located in Doylestown, PA
E.R. Pfretzschner 3/4 hand-crafted copy of Antonius Stradivarius violin, made in Germany, 1970. Elegant, rich wood grain and fine craftsmanship showcase the beauty of this violin. It...
Wood
C1930 Vintage & Unusual Form Upright Bass Benedikt Lang Germany
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Spectacular upright bass 4 string by Benedikt Lang c1930. Was told its an unusual form, and from my experience i believe that to be very true. Seems as tho its in fairly good conditi...
Fruitwood, Maple
1920s J.C. Deagan 725 Marimba Model B, Rosewood Keys, 3 Octave
By Deagan
Located in Buffalo, NY
1920s J.C. Deagan 725 Marimba model B, rosewood keys, 3 octave, original condition, amazing Art Deco design. Retains 4 original mallets, Last patent date 1926.
Metal, Steel
Nikon WWII Naval destroyer Binoculars.
By Nikon
Located in Aspen, CO
One pair of WWII Naval Binoculars with a magnification of 20 x 120. Mounted on a period tripod, these exceptional binoculars display entirely original optics in a distinctly Japanese...
Aluminum
$34,965
H 59.06 in W 14.18 in D 19.69 in
Cold War Japanese Defence Agency 15x80 Binoculars with Illumination Control
By Kowa
Located in Leicester, Leicestershire
Japanese Type 65 Naval Binoculars (1984) by Tokyo Optical Co. – With Full Illumination Controls This outstanding set of Type 65 8cm twin-eye naval binoculars, manufactured by Tokyo O...
Aluminum, Brass, Bronze
$87,000
H 77.76 in W 24.22 in D 24.22 in
Rare Paul Evans for Paul Evans Studio 'PE72' Cabinet in Sculpted Bronze
By Paul Evans
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Paul Evans for Paul Evans Studio, cabinet, model 'PE72', epoxy bronzed resin over laminate, smoked glass, aluminum, mirrored glass, laminate, United States, 1972 This rare illumina...
Slate, Bronze, Steel
Russian Imperial Silver Punch Set From Czar Alexander III
Located in New Orleans, LA
A monumental piece of history, this exquisite silver punch set was made for Czar Alexander III as a gift to British Captain Joseph Wiggins. Heavily decorated with rich engravings and...
Silver
$2,100
H 40 in W 72 in D 21 in
Antique WWII Swiss Army 1945 MO-05 Military Bicycle Bike with Leather Frame Pack
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique WWII Swiss Army MO-05 Military Bicycle with Leather Frame Pack. Item featuredis being offered as pictured. Bicycle does seem to function nicely and the tires are holding air....
Metal
$44,401
H 59.85 in W 33.08 in D 24.81 in
Wurlitzer Juke Box, Original Model Re-Edited in 2021 with Compact Disc Player
Located in Paris, FR
Wurlitzer juke box, genuine original 1948 model. From 2025 Re-Edition, Audio Equipment for 50 Lazers Discs (CD).
Aluminum
Pair of Antique English Naval Cannon
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
Pair of antique English naval cannon each with a tapering three stage barrel flanked by plain trunnions, with a knob shaped cascabel button before a shaped rectangular raised vent an...
Bronze
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.