1920s Dental Paperweight Sculpture Glass Slab Temperature Gauge Thermometer
By S.T. Dupont, Honeywell
Located in Hyattsville, MD
Rare item from the L.D. Caulk Co. of Milford Delaware. New old stock, New in box. A true Relic from yesteryears building technics. A beautiful desktop sculptural object. Temp rises w...
Glass
Large pressure gauge with brass bezel by Dewrance of London
Located in London, GB
A large early 20th century pressure gauge with brass bezel by Dewrance of London. Dial marked: 0 – 200 pounds per square inch. 0-25-50-75-100-125-150-175-200 POUNDS PRESSURE PER □ ...
Brass, Enamel
$809Sale 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
Rare Sikes’ Hydrometer (Alcohol Proof Tester) Set Atkey & Son, Cowes, C. 1830
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Sikes’ Hydrometer Set by Atkey & Son, Cowes, Circa 1830 A superb and complete 19th-century Sikes’ hydrometer set, by Atkey & Son of Cowes, a noted English maker of fine scientific i...
Brass
Antique Schaeffer & Budenberg Stationary Steam Engine Model w Copper Boiler
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique 19th century Schaeffer & Budenberg stationary steam engine model. Made of cast iron featuring copper boiler The Budenberg Gauge Company was founded in 1918. The original pa...
Metal, Copper
Collection of 19th c. Mortise Marking Guages
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT Collection of 19th century Rosewood and Boxwood mortise marking gauges with bronze knobs and accents. One is stamped "Pat. Oct. 22, 1872". CREATOR Unknown. DATE OF M...
Bronze
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
Early 20th Century Pair of Mirror Witches Balls on Bronze Stands
Located in Lowestoft, GB
A matching pair of early 20th century mirrored witches balls, with pressed steel galleries and hanging hoops. They have later been associated to a pair of extremely well cast and he...
Bronze
English Mahogany Steel Engraved Stick Barometer Signed F. Tarone, Circa 1780
Located in Charleston, SC
English mahogany stick Barometer with a broken arch pediment, brass urn finial, Satin wood string inlay, hinged glass door revealing a numeral steel engraved dial with original mount...
Steel
English Mahogany Banjo Barometer. Circa 1830
Located in Charleston, SC
English mahogany banjo barometer with centered brass finial in scrolled pediment, glass encased thermometer, ebonized reeded mirror, original dial, and glass encased barometer gauges...
$3,680Sale Price|20% Off
Antique Working English Cast Iron Cheese Press Thomas Corbett of Shrewsbury 1880
Located in Portland, OR
A rare antique and all original fully functioning cast iron English cheese press, by Thomas Corbett of Shrewsbury, circa 1880. This cheese press has just been fully professionally re...
Iron
Antique French Giltwood Barometer Thermometer, Circa 1815
Located in Dallas, TX
Although constructed circa 1815 as a scientific instrument, this French giltwood barometer is a beauty to behold.
Glass, Wood, Giltwood
Reclaimed Red Granite Sundial with Negretti & Zambra Dial Plate
By Negretti & Zambra
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
Negretti & Zambra Negretti and Zambra (active 1850-1985) were one of Britain’s leading manufacturers of scientific, mathematical and surveying instruments.
Stone, Limestone, Granite, Metal, Bronze
Collection of Five Early Industrial Pressure Gauges
Located in Sheffield, MA
Collection of five early industrial pressure gauges, four manufactured by Ashcroft Manufacturing Company. These custom mounted industrial artifacts make a strong decorative presenta...
Brass, Tin
Steam Age Kenotometer by Brady and Martin
By Brady & Martin Ltd. 1
Located in Bransby, GB
Kenotometer by Brady and Martin. A type of barometer or vacuum gauge used to measure very low pressures typically 1.5" Hg in the condenser of a steam turbine power plant. As the temp...
Brass
18th Century Louis XV, Water Gilt Barometer
Located in Atlanta, GA
18th Century Louis XV, Water Gilt Barometer with a crest of kissing doves topped by sprays of olive leaves.
The temperature gauge with the original paper scale & tubin...
Unavailable
H 19 in W 11 in D 14 in
Wilart, 35mm Cinema Camera, One Off Factory Prototype, Circa 1919. As Sculpture.
By Wilart Camera Company
Located in Dallas, TX
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ NOTE: This Antique May Qualify For Our GALLERY WIDE ~EXTRA~ 10-20% OFF SALE, Going On NOW. Please Inquire. ~~~~...
Metal, Brass
Sold
H 36.42 in W 4.34 in D 3.15 in
Antique Stick Barometer, Walnut, Scientific Instrument, Negretti & Zambra, 1900
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
An English, walnut scientific instrument with thermometer by Negretti & Zambra, dating to the late Victorian period, circa 1900.
Walnut
Early 20th Century Brass Pressure Gauge
By Dewrance & Co. 1
Located in San Francisco, CA
Large, solid brass English pressure gauge by Dewrance and Co., London.
Brass
Sold
H 19.49 in W 5.52 in D 5.52 in
Antique Pluviometer Set, English, Copper, Meteorological, Rain Gauge, Victorian
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique pluviometer set. An English, copper and glass meteorological rain gauge, dating to the Victorian period and later, circa 1900. Fascinating and comprehensive rai...
Copper
19th Century Hydrometer by Farrow and Jackson of London
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
19th century hydrometer by Farrow and Jackson of London circa 1890. Fine quality hydrometer made by farrow and jackson of london. This is a measuring instrument used for measurin...
Brass
Superb Example Of A 19th Century Brass And Mahogany Vacuum Pump
Located in Lincolnshire, GB
A wonderful example of a double valve demonstration vacuum pump with brass and mahogany columns, decorative finials, and the raised larger plate supported columns, with a smaller one...
Brass
English Mahogany Banjo Barometer J. Somalvico & Co. Circa 1810
Located in Charleston, SC
English mahogany banjo barometer with arched broken pediment, Satinwood and Rosewood inlay, thermometer, barometric pressure gauge, original knob, and enclosed glass level. Paper l...
Late 1800s Carved Black Forest Barometer from North-East France
Located in Dallas, TX
Completely hand-carved, this stunning, Black Forest wall hanging has a thermometer and barometer. It depicts a beautifully proportioned deer leaning against an embankment with its ri...
Wood
Sold
H 15.16 in W 6.11 in D 7.29 in
Antique Prestwich Fluid Gauge, English, Aeronautical, Scientific Instrument
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique Prestwich fluid gauge. An English, cased aeronautical scientific instrument for display, dating to the early 20th century, circa 1920.
Glass
Sold
H 0.99 in W 3.55 in D 1.78 in
Vintage Pocket Slide Rule, English, Brass, Scientific, Measuring, Instrument
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a vintage pocket slide rule. An English, brass scientific measuring instrument, dating to the early 20th century, circa 1930.
Brass
Vintage Tire Pressure Gauge
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A finely machined and warmly patinated vintage tire pressure gauge.
Steel
Sold
H 0.6 in W 2.29 in D 1.86 in
A brass pocket compass by Barker and Sons of London, English circa 1890
Located in Central England, GB
This superb compass has an enclosed case, which is made from heavy gauged brass. It is hinged on one side for opening and has a carrying ring opposite. And between there is a sliding...
Brass
1920s Mahogany & Brass Antique Tool Carpentry Scribe
By Stanley
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Mahogany Wood & Patinated Brass Antique Old Carpentry Marking Tool circa 1920s USA Carpenter Scribe Marking Gauge Vintage Wood Working Tool in Wood and Brass 8 Lx 5W x 2.25 H inches ...
Brass
19th Century Cast Iron Balance Scale, circa 1800s
Located in San Francisco, CA
About A cast iron balance scale with two original weights, side gauge and attached weight. The piece is solidly built and works properly. Creator: Unknown. Date of manufacture...
Iron
Antique Marble and Brass Paris Boulangerie Scale, circa 1860
Located in Dallas, TX
Comes with complete set of weights From Paris, this Boulangerie (bakery) scale makes a wonderful statement with its veined white marble and gleaming brass platters. Weights would ...
Marble, Brass
1870s Vajen-Bader Smoke Protector, Super Rare!
By Vajen Bader Co.
Located in Peekskill, NY
This is the celebrated Vajen-Bader smoke rescue helmet. These full face helmets are very rare and found mostly in museum collections. It’s considered the Holy Grail for collectors of...
Perambulator, Or Surveyor’s Wheel, A Waywiser
By Troughton & Simms London
Located in New York, NY
This elegant eighteenth century waywiser is constructed of pine with a brass gauge and exquisitely decorative hands. The scientific instrument makers, Troughton London, was owned a...
Brass
Studebaker Motor Meter
By Studebaker
Located in Stamford, CT
Winged temperature gauge for Studebaker motors by Boyce, circa early 20th century.
Metal
Slate and Copper Switch Board
Located in Aurora, OR
Salvaged from a factory, this early 20th century switchboard is a beefy relic of early industrial manufacturing. Mounted on a 2" thick slate slab, the thick copper strips are mounted...
Slate, Copper
Sold
H 103 in W 74 in D 5.5 in
8.5 Foot Tall 17th Century Portrait Oil Painting of Sir Christopher Wren
By Sir Peter Lely
Located in Gallatin, TN
The main sources for Wren’s scientific achievements are the records of the Royal Society.
Canvas, Oil
Early 20th Century Air Compressor Gauge/Industrial Design
Located in Winnetka, IL
This air compressor gauge of orange enameled iron is a great example of American Industrial Design in the early 20th century. Gauge marked: PAT'D September 18, 1906. Machine Age desi...
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.
It's hard to resist the allure of a beautiful pool. So, go ahead and daydream about whiling away your summer in paradise.
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.