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Scientific Instruments

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Scientific Instruments For Sale
Albert Munsell Color Sphere Antique Scientific 3-D Model
Located in San Diego, CA
Munsell Color Sphere by the father of color--Albert Munsell. We believe it dates from the early 1900s. Very few examples exist. The Albert H. Munsell color wheel apparatus was design...
Category

Early 1900s American American Classical Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal

19th century surgical human skeleton example
Located in London, GB
19th century surgical human skeleton example Dimensions in inches: H 61” x W 15” x D 9” Age: 19th Century Origin: England Condition: Aged Overview An aged and fragmented example ...
Category

1860s British Early Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Natural Fiber

Antique National Cash Register Co. Brass Candy Store Cash Register 313 1029359
Located in Big Flats, NY
Antique National Cash Register Co. Brass Country Store Cash Register 313 1029359 c1910 Measures - 21" x 10 1/4" x 16" An antique country store cash register by National Cash Regist...
Category

Early 20th Century Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

Mid Century West Germany Sputnik Weather Station Barometer by BGM Huger
By Bgm
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Rare, freestanding weather station in the Sputnik design from the 1960s. The weather station measures temperature, humidity, and barometric pressure. The weather station is in very g...
Category

Mid-20th Century Scientific Instruments

Materials

Wood

Spice Grinder
Located in London, England
Rolling spice grinder and trough. Circa 1890 H 14cm x W 34cm x D19cm
Category

1890s Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Walnut

Antique W. & L. E. Gurley Co. Brass Surveyor’s Transit/Theodolite c1890
Located in Big Flats, NY
Antique W. & L. E. Gurley Co. Brass Surveyor’s Transit/Theodolite Signed C1890 Measures - 15" x 7 1/2" x 7 1/2" An antique brass surveyor’s transit/theodolite by W. & L. E. Gurley ...
Category

Late 19th Century Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal

Antique Underwood Typewriter No.6 c.1933
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT An original Underwood typewriter No.6 with a 16 inch carriage and an open-frame design. The typewriter works well and functions properly. New ribbon installed. The serial nu...
Category

Early 20th Century Art Deco Scientific Instruments

Materials

Steel, Nickel

19th Century Magnifying Glass with Hand Carved Yorkie Handle
Located in High Point, NC
19th century magnifying glass with a hand turned brass and hand-carved Yorkie handle from England. This is a charming piece for any home or office, and so useable too! The hand-car...
Category

1890s English Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

Post War Japanese Opera Glasses With Mother of Pearl; in Orig. Carry Case C.1955
Located in Incline Village, NV
Very well precision made mid 20th century opera glasses manufactured in Japan (marked); they are still very operable today and working very well. Although categorized as "opera glass...
Category

Mid-20th Century Japanese Mid-Century Modern Scientific Instruments

Materials

Mother-of-Pearl

Box of mid-19th century compasses housed in their tuia burl box
Located in Milan, IT
Box of mid-19th century compasses, housed in their original tuia burl box, nickel-plated brass and ivory instruments, velvet and satin interior, lock and hinges in brass. Embossed ...
Category

Mid-19th Century Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Wood

Antique Heath & Co Lacquered Brass Vernier Sextant 19th Century
By Heath & Co.
Located in London, GB
A rare cased lacquered brass vernier sextant by A Heath & Co of New Eltham London, dating from the late 19th Century. With silvered scale, stamped mark and New Eltham, London, with ...
Category

Late 19th Century English Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

1820-35 Large Clock Barometer by Silvani Brighton Antique Forecast Instrument
Located in Milan, IT
Rare large barometer complete with clock signed Silvani Brighton, dated from 1820 and 1835. Finely crafted mahogany wood case with double thread at th...
Category

1840s British Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Mahogany

PRELUDE - Vintage Compact Binoculars/Opera Glasses - Japan - Mid 20th Century
Located in Chatham, ON
PRELUDE - Vintage travel size folding binoculars for bird watching or the opera - 3 x 25 m/m magnification - adjustable focus - Japan - mid 20th century. Excellent vintage condition...
Category

Mid-20th Century Japanese Mid-Century Modern Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal

19th Century French Iron Balance - Antique Brass Scale
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 ...
Category

19th Century French Mid-Century Modern Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal, Brass, Iron

Antique Bayliss & Co 19th Century English Brass Apothecary Counter Scale Balance
Located in Dayton, OH
An antique 4 lb mercantile balance by Bayliss & Co of Birmingham, England. Features a twisted iron stand and brass balance with tray and scoop. Makers mark engraved along top arm.
Category

Late 19th Century Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass, Iron

Brass and Bakelite telescopic acoustic cornet England early 1900s
Located in Milan, IT
Telescopic acoustic cornet made of brass and Bakelite , English manufacture of the early 1900s. The principle of its operation is based on the reflection of sound on the inner walls,...
Category

Early 1900s Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

Cold War Japanese Defence Agency 15x80 Binoculars with Illumination Control
By Kowa
Located in Leicester, Leicestershire
Japanese Type 65 Naval Binoculars (1984) by Kowa – With Full Illumination Controls This outstanding set of Type 65 8cm twin-eye naval binoculars, manufactured by Kowa Co., Ltd. in Ap...
Category

1980s Japanese Industrial Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Aluminum, Brass, Bronze

Sputnik Space Age Table Weather Station, Relative Hygrometer, West Germany, 60s
Located in Antwerp, BE
Midcentury Modern Space Age Weather station made by Huger in the 60s, consisting of a thermometer, hygrometer and barometer made in West Germany the weather station is made of a chro...
Category

1960s German Space Age Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Steel, Chrome

19th Century Indian Brass Qibla Compass
Located in Stamford, CT
19th Century Indian etched brass Qibla compass. The compass with brass needle and glass cover, the reverse engraved with tables. 4.2 inches high 2.3 wide A qibla (qiblah) compa...
Category

Late 19th Century Indian Anglo-Indian Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

Antique Brass And Glass National Cash Register Size No. 347 - For Restoration
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Ornate antique brass and glass National Cash Register, size no. 347, circa early 20th century. Primarily brass, with ornate neoclassical details, wood base/drawer, and glass panels. ...
Category

20th Century American Industrial Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass, Other

Vintage 16 Gallon Pegasus Mobil Oil/Grease Drum Barrel
Located in Chula Vista, CA
For your consideration, a vintage 16 Gallon Pegasus MOBIL Oil/Grease Drum Barrel. Vintage unrestored condition. Dimensions: 27.63 H x 15 Diameter. Delivery within 200 miles from...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal

Luxury Victorian French Lorgnette Opera Glasses Marked "La Roi, Paris" Ca. 1895
Located in Incline Village, NV
Absolutely exquisite pair of operable mother of pearl high quality luxury French Opera Glasses with fancy lorgnette style handle and metal mounts. Premium mother of pearl and only th...
Category

1890s French Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Mother-of-Pearl

1930s Educational Model Depicting the Belly of the Woman Immediately After Birth
Located in Milan, IT
Educational model depicting the belly of the woman immediately after birth with a part of the placenta. 1930's, sold by the Hygiene Museum in Dresden...
Category

1930s Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Plaster

Olympus MJU-1 Compact 35mm Film Camera with Olympus 35mm F/3.5 Lens 1990's
Located in Reading, Berkshire
Olympus MJU-1 Compact Film Camera w/ Olympus 35mm F/3.5 Lens and Carry Case The Olympus MJU-1 (also known as Infinity Stylus) is a popular, fully automatic 35mm point-and-shoot film...
Category

1990s Japanese Modern Scientific Instruments

Materials

Plastic

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...
Category

1910s British Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

Torricellian barometer French manufacture from the second half of the 19th century
Located in Milan, IT
Torricellian mercury barometer, French manufacture from the second half of the 19th century, made of mahogany veneer wood with cedar wood edge threading complete with rare thermomet...
Category

1870s Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Wood

Large Vintage WWII Telescope, English, Brass, Military Broad Arrow, Ottway & Co
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a large vintage WWII telescope, an English brass terrestrial instrument by Ottway & Co of London, dated 1945 and marked with the military broad arrow. Perfect for bird watching, landscape appreciation, wildlife, or maritime observation. Equally suitable for observing the night sky. A striking and substantial example of British wartime optical engineering Crafted in brass, displaying bright golden tones throughout the draw tube and sun shade Single draw tube design with smooth motion and pleasing tactile presence Main barrel dressed in a later textured outer cover, adding visual distinction and grip Engraved with 'Ottway & Co – London – 1945' to the main draw Clearly marked with the military broad arrow and original serial number Supplied with a London Fine oak and brass 'Captain's Stand' for display Ideal for collectors of WWII memorabilia...
Category

1940s British Mid-Century Modern Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

Vintage Wood Geloso Television GT1014, 1950s, Italy
Located in Rome, IT
This GTV1014 was one of the first 21-inch b / w televisions produced by Geloso. It uses the intercarrier system as an audio-video medium frequency. The chassis is mounted inside th...
Category

1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Glass, Plastic, Wood

Antique Scholar's Microscope, English, Brass, Scientific Instrument, Victorian
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique scholar's microscope. An English, brass and enamelled metal scientific instrument by Henry Crouch, dating to the late Victorian period, circa 1900. Appealing micr...
Category

Late 19th Century British Late Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

Metal Ship-Wheel Barometer
Located in Queens, NY
Small metal ship-wheel shaped barometer on rectangular wood base.
Category

19th Century Unknown British Colonial Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal

Milan 1920/30 Antique Microscope by F.lli Koristka Wooden Box with Accessories
Located in Milan, IT
Optical microscope signed F.lli Koristka Milano n. 42870 produced between 1920/30, of chromed and black painted brass, three-magnification turret, consisting of a stand and a plate w...
Category

1920s Italian Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

Antique Brass Telescope On Tripod Stand
Located in Bridgeport, CT
The telescope has a selection of the lens that can be removed such that it fits into the case. There is a cover for the end glass. There is a tripod base with cylindrical column pe...
Category

19th Century Arts and Crafts Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

Dentist Chair Type III, Series 3266 by J. Corno, Union Frimor, France, ca 1920
Located in Delft, NL
A dentist chair Type III, series 3266 by J. Corno, Union Frimor, France ca. 1920 The heavy chair has the color in a mahogany look with gold line. The chair has leather headrests a...
Category

Early 20th Century French Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal

Small Antique Opera Monocular, German, Brass, Leather, Viewing Scope, Victorian
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a small antique opera monocular. A German, brass and leather cased viewing scope, dating to the late Victorian period, circa 1900. Charming and petite, with a useful origina...
Category

20th Century German Victorian Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

Antique Pair of 19th Century Brass Scales
Located in Suffolk, GB
Pair of antique brass scales standing on a mahogany base. A brass centre column having a shaped arm to the left holding a removable brass bowl. Th...
Category

19th Century English Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

Antique Hand-Crafted Solid Bronze Mortar with Pestle and Great Original Patina
Located in Lisse, NL
Decorative and tactile, late 18th century mortar set. Mortars have been used for centuries by private people and by people in certain trades. In the kitche...
Category

Late 18th Century European Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Bronze

Antique Tabletop Press, English, Cast Iron, Rotary, Flower Pressing, Victorian
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique tabletop press. An English, cast iron rotary flower pressing machine, dating to the early Victorian period, circa 1850. Relive t...
Category

Mid-19th Century British Early Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Iron

Antique Pocket Field Microscope, English, Brass, Instrument, Edwardian, C.1910
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique scientist's field microscope. An English, brass, pocket instrument, dating to the Edwardian period, circa 1910. Appealing brass ...
Category

Early 20th Century British Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

Vintage Military Terrestrial Telescope, Canadian, Officer Of The Watch, CKC, WW2
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a vintage military terrestrial telescope. A Canadian, chromed brass naval Officer of the Watch refractor by the Canadian Kodak Company, dating to the WWII period, circa 1940...
Category

Early 20th Century Canadian Mid-Century Modern Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

Antique Carved Burr Walnut Banjo Barometer, circa 1880
Located in Suffolk, GB
Outstanding carved burr walnut banjo Barometer having a lovely carved burr walnut case with a thermometer and a 12 inch round silver dial. Perfect workin...
Category

1880s English Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Walnut

Vintage Laboratory Microscope, German, Scientific Instrument, Carl Zeiss Jena
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a vintage laboratory microscope. A German, enamelled metal scientific instrument by Carl Zeiss Jena, dating to the late 20th century, circa ...
Category

Late 20th Century German Modern Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal, Brass

19th Century Portable Doctor’s Box with Partial Medical Instruments
Located in Madrid, ES
Authentic 19th-century portable doctor’s box, crafted in wood and fitted to hold various medical instruments, some of which are still present. This compact and functional piece refle...
Category

1870s Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Fruitwood

Antique Veterinarian Syringe c.1930
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT Antique metal veterinarian serum syringe with two needle attachments and original box and label. Engraved on both sides. CREATOR O.M. Franklin Serum Company. DATE O...
Category

Early 20th Century Industrial Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal

Antique Estwing Geological Rock Hammer Leather Handle
Located in Chula Vista, CA
AMBIANIC presents Antique Rock Hammer Leather Handle Geology Pick Hammer Vintage Tool attributed to Estwing. 12.5 long x 7 w x .75 unsigned Original vintage condition Refer to all im...
Category

Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal

19th Century French Iron Balance - Antique Small Brass Scale
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 ...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal, Brass, Iron

Antique Pocket Poco by the Rochester Optical Co. Folding Camera c.1903
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT The original Pocket Poco was manufactured by the Rochester Optical Co. from approximately 1893 to 1905. Designed as a small compact camera, the camera took 3 1/4 x 4 1/4 (qu...
Category

Early 20th Century American Victorian Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass, Nickel

Art Deco Copper German Perpetual Desk Calendar c.1930
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT An original German perpetual desk calendar. Change the day of the week and date by pressing the Bakelite handle on the side. A knob in the back allows you to adjust the date t...
Category

Early 20th Century German Art Deco Scientific Instruments

Materials

Marble, Copper

Antique, Pair of Binoculars, German, Neo Universal, CP Goerz, Berlin, circa 1920
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique pair of binoculars. A German, 4.5x magnification Neo Universal by CP Goerz of Berlin, dating to the early 20th century, circa 1920. Delightful binocular from a sought-after German specialist Displaying a desirable aged patina - optical elements in clear order Elegantly milled brass with painted black finish Complete with black leather carry pouch CP Goerz Berlin logo present on left barrel; Neo Universal model name to the right Knurled central focus wheel encased within pleasingly formed, folding bridge Smaller adjustment wheel with marking range from 64-72 Serial number of 580854 engraved into front fascia Turned eyecups, adjustment wheel to the right Hand grips dressed in quality textured leather Carry pouch in original condition - clasp not situated Interior dressed with smooth, dark blue velour This is a wonderful pair of vintage binoculars...
Category

Early 20th Century German Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

American Art Deco Radio
Located in Queens, NY
American Art Deco radio in wooden case.
Category

20th Century American Art Deco Scientific Instruments

Antique 1920s Emerson Type 29648 Three Speed Brass Blade Desk Fan Works 16"
Located in Dayton, OH
Circa 1920's Emerson 16 inch three speed desk fan with black enameled body and brass fan blades. The Emerson Electric Mfg Co - New York / St Louis - Volts 110 - Type 29648 - Cycles 6...
Category

Early 20th Century American Machine Age Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal, Brass

Vintage Silver Magnifying Glass with Antler Horn Handle
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
We love seeing this sitting atop antique books on a coffee or side table as well as functional on a desk in an office. Fantastic patina on this vintage magnifying glass.
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Scientific Instruments

Materials

Silver Plate

Antique Master Craftsman's Spirit Level, English, Brass, Desk, Victorian, 1850
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This an antique master craftsman's spirit level. An English, rosewood and brass ornamental desk tool, dating to the early Victorian period, circa 1850. ...
Category

Mid-19th Century British Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

Antique Victorian Quartersawn Oak Hand Crank Candlestick Phone Wall Telephone
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique Victorian Quartersawn Oak Hand Crank Candlestick Phone Wall Telephone. Circa Early 20th Century. Measurements: 20" H x 9" W x 12" D.
Category

Early 20th Century Unknown Victorian Scientific Instruments

Materials

Oak

French 19th Century Culinary Scale from Lyon
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A large kitchen / culinary scale made in Lyon, France, circa 1880. This wonderful antique instrument was used to measure various ingredients and product...
Category

19th Century French Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Marble, Brass

Hand Carved Coquille Nut Egg Box 19th Century Flea Trap Pomander Needle Case
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A beautiful hand carved coquille nut egg box. Beautiful carving, great patina, unscrews at center to open. The original use was a flea trap, things were d...
Category

1880s English Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Wood

Vintage Underwood Champion Portable Typewriter c.1946
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT A vintage portable Underwood Champion Four bank typewriter in grey finish and original case. This typewriter is very clean and in good working order. It has smooth typing and ...
Category

Early 20th Century Industrial Scientific Instruments

Materials

Steel

19th c. Bock-Steger Anatomical Brain Model, Germany
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT A hand crafted and painted plaster anatomical model of the human brain. Franz Josef Steger and pathological anatomist Carl Ernst Bock collaborated a...
Category

19th Century German Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Plaster

French Camera Lucida from the early 20th century. Original case
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
Antique French camera lucida, a mid 1800s drawing aide tool with original box. A camera Lucida is generally considered to have been invented by the English chemist W. H. Wollaston in...
Category

1880s French Industrial Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

Henry Troemner Apothecary Cast Iron & Metal Balance Scale #1, Circa 1890s
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Henry Troemner Apothecary Cast Iron & Metal Balance Scale #1—Circa 1890s This Henry Troemner balance scale #1 is a remarkable antique cast iron scale, likely manufactured between th...
Category

Late 19th Century American High Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal, Iron

Olympus MJU-1 Compact 35mm Film Camera Olympus 35mm F/3.5 Lens
Located in Reading, Berkshire
Olympus MJU-1 Compact Film Camera w/ Olympus 35mm F/3.5 Lens Olympus µ[mju:]-II (Stylus Epic) (Fixed Lens): 108 (W) × 59 (H) × 35 (D) mm 145g The Olympus MJU-1 (also known as Inf...
Category

1990s Japanese Modern Scientific Instruments

Materials

Plastic

Vintage, New and Antique Scientific Instruments

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.