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Scientific Instruments

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Scientific Instruments For Sale
Antique Oak Wall Mount Crank Telephone Unsigned C1910
Antique Oak Wall Mount Crank Telephone Unsigned C1910

Antique Oak Wall Mount Crank Telephone Unsigned C1910

Located in Big Flats, NY

This antique wall-mount crank telephone, crafted from oak, dates to approximately 1910. The telephone features a classic design with twin brass bells, a hand-crank magneto, and a rec...

Category

Early 20th Century Scientific Instruments

Materials

Oak

Vintage 16x Pocket Magnifying Loupe by Ruper, Mid-Century Modern
Vintage 16x Pocket Magnifying Loupe by Ruper, Mid-Century Modern

Vintage 16x Pocket Magnifying Loupe by Ruper, Mid-Century Modern

Located in Chula Vista, CA

For your consideration, a 16x pocket magnifying loupe, likely a vintage or standard numismatic tool. These folding magnifiers are traditionally used by coin and stamp collectors for ...

Category

1960s Japanese Modern Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Stainless Steel

PRELUDE - Vintage Compact Binoculars/Opera Glasses - Japan - Mid 20th Century
PRELUDE - Vintage Compact Binoculars/Opera Glasses - Japan - Mid 20th Century

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

A Large Antique "Trog" w/ Markings, Scandinavia c. 1700s
A Large Antique "Trog" w/ Markings, Scandinavia c. 1700s

A Large Antique "Trog" w/ Markings, Scandinavia c. 1700s

Located in Hønefoss, 30

Antique Scandinavian Trog A hand-carved trog in aged burled wood, likely Norwegian, 18th or 19th century. The single lug handle with its oval cutout is a hallmark of Scandinavian fo...

Category

18th Century Norwegian Primitive Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Wood

Antique Swedish American Telephone Co Oak Fiddleback Hand Crank Wall Model c1900
Antique Swedish American Telephone Co Oak Fiddleback Hand Crank Wall Model c1900

Antique Swedish American Telephone Co Oak Fiddleback Hand Crank Wall Model c1900

Located in Big Flats, NY

An antique wall-mounted telephone, circa 1900, manufactured by the Swedish American Telephone Co. This fiddleback style telephone is crafted from oak and features a hand-crank mechan...

Category

Early 20th Century Scientific Instruments

Materials

Oak

Regency Mahogany Stick Barometer Made and Signed by Worthington & Allan
Regency Mahogany Stick Barometer Made and Signed by Worthington & Allan

Regency Mahogany Stick Barometer Made and Signed by Worthington & Allan

Located in San Francisco, CA

A fine English mahogany ebony trimmed bow front stick barometer, made and signed by Worthington of London, a prominent maker of scientific instruments in the first half of the ninet...

Category

1820s English Regency Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

Mechanical planetarium representative of the solar system with Sun Earth and Moon
Mechanical planetarium representative of the solar system with Sun Earth and Moon

Mechanical planetarium representative of the solar system with Sun Earth and Moon

Located in Milan, IT

Mechanical planetarium, or representative model of the solar system, from the second half of the 19th century. The cartouche of the globe reads: GlobusVydal J. Felkl at Syn Roztok ...

Category

1860s Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal

Antique Medical Anatomical Wax Head Model, 19th Century
Antique Medical Anatomical Wax Head Model, 19th Century

Antique Medical Anatomical Wax Head Model, 19th Century

Located in Nottingham, GB

A rare and highly detailed late 19th century anatomical wax model of a dissected human head, mounted on a wooden display board designed for wall present...

Category

Late 19th Century Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Wood

Beste Lederkapsel Vintage Roll Up Tape Measure, Leather & Brass, 1st half 20thc
Beste Lederkapsel Vintage Roll Up Tape Measure, Leather & Brass, 1st half 20thc

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...

Category

1920s Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Leather

Siebe Gorman Fire Fighter Smoke Mask
Siebe Gorman Fire Fighter Smoke Mask

Siebe Gorman Fire Fighter Smoke Mask

$2,800Sale Price|20% Off

Siebe Gorman Fire Fighter Smoke Mask

By Siebe Gorman & Co.

Located in Stockholm, SE

This is an early Siebe Gorman & Co. Ltd. smoke mask. These full face helmets are very rare and found mostly in museum collections. This example looks and feels like it´s never have ...

Category

Late 19th Century English Industrial Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal

Antique Portable Cased Paget Star Celestial Globe Hughes & Son 19h Century
Antique Portable Cased Paget Star Celestial Globe Hughes & Son 19h Century

Antique Portable Cased Paget Star Celestial Globe Hughes & Son 19h Century

By Henry Hughes and Son Ltd.

Located in London, GB

A superb portable cased 19th Century Paget Star Celestial Globe by H. Hughes & Son Ltd. London, No. 735, circa 1890 in date. The constellations are depicted on lithographed paper se...

Category

Late 19th Century English Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

Antique Atwater Kent Breadboard Radio C1910
Antique Atwater Kent Breadboard Radio C1910

Antique Atwater Kent Breadboard Radio C1910

Located in Big Flats, NY

This antique Atwater Kent breadboard radio, dating to the early 20th century, showcases an iconic design from the dawn of radio technology. The apparatus is mounted on a wooden base,...

Category

Early 20th Century Scientific Instruments

Materials

Wood

Mid Century Medical Floor Model Scale by Detecto
Mid Century Medical Floor Model Scale by Detecto

Mid Century Medical Floor Model Scale by Detecto

By Detecto Scale Company

Located in New York, NY

Architectural Mid Century Modern design floor model doctors scale made in the USA by Detecto, circa 1950's. The scale is in very good, original clean and ready to use condition, it is missing the horizontal height bar. This example includes a vertical grab knob , which is something I have never seen before. Originally from a doctors office, perfect to complete a stylish MCM bathroom.

Category

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

Materials

Aluminum, Steel

Antique Schaeffer & Budenberg Stationary Steam Engine Model w Copper Boiler
Antique Schaeffer & Budenberg Stationary Steam Engine Model w Copper Boiler

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...

Category

Late 19th Century English Industrial Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal, Copper

Dentist Chair Type III, Series 3266 by J. Corno, Union Frimor, France, ca 1920
Dentist Chair Type III, Series 3266 by J. Corno, Union Frimor, France, ca 1920

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

Vintage Wooden Barley-Twist Hourglass with Hand-Blown Glass
Vintage Wooden Barley-Twist Hourglass with Hand-Blown Glass

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...

Category

Early 20th Century American Post-Modern Scientific Instruments

Materials

Glass, Wood

Magnetic Perpetual Calendar "Tite"-Paul Tilche for Arform-France 1957-58
Magnetic Perpetual Calendar "Tite"-Paul Tilche for Arform-France 1957-58

Magnetic Perpetual Calendar "Tite"-Paul Tilche for Arform-France 1957-58

By Paolo Tilche

Located in Milano, IT

Designed in the late 1950s, this perpetual calendar translates time into a small mechanical landscape: suspended wires, magnets and tags become elements of a poetic micro-architectur...

Category

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

Materials

Metal, Enamel, Magnets

Vintage Wood Geloso Television GT1014, 1950s, Italy
Vintage Wood Geloso Television GT1014, 1950s, Italy

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

1870 Antique Burnished Brass W F Stanley Level Surveyor Measurement Instrument
1870 Antique Burnished Brass W F Stanley Level Surveyor Measurement Instrument

1870 Antique Burnished Brass W F Stanley Level Surveyor Measurement Instrument

Located in Milan, IT

Topographic level signed W.F Stanley of burnished brass, from the second half of the 19th century. In excellent condition and complete with original mahogany box with brass hinges an...

Category

1870s British Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

Antique "Pancake" Style Lever Padlock, Edwards 6-Lever Padlock
Antique "Pancake" Style Lever Padlock, Edwards 6-Lever Padlock

Antique "Pancake" Style Lever Padlock, Edwards 6-Lever Padlock

Located in Chula Vista, CA

For your consideration, an antique "pancake" style lever padlock, likely an Edwards 6-Lever padlock or a similar model made by Slaymaker or Eagle Lock Co. These flat, round locks wer...

Category

1910s American American Classical Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Steel, Iron

Cold War 20x120 Naval Binoculars with Illumination Control, Japan 1984
Cold War 20x120 Naval Binoculars with Illumination Control, Japan 1984

Cold War 20x120 Naval Binoculars with Illumination Control, Japan 1984

By Kowa

Located in Leicester, Leicestershire

Naval Binoculars by Tokyo Optical Company with 20 x 120 magnification which were an official issue for the Japan Defence Agency, manufactured in October 1984, supplied via Yonei Shot...

Category

1980s Japanese Industrial Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Aluminum, Brass, Bronze

19th c. Expandable Marquise Paris Field Binoculars c.1880-1899
19th c. Expandable Marquise Paris Field Binoculars c.1880-1899

19th c. Expandable Marquise Paris Field Binoculars c.1880-1899

Located in San Francisco, CA

ABOUT An original pair of leather wrapped expandable binoculars with "Marquise Paris" embossed in the center. Leather case with brass studs. The lens expands out to sharpen the view...

Category

Late 19th Century French Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal, Brass

England Early 1900 Brass Galvanometer Antique Physic Measuring Instrument
England Early 1900 Brass Galvanometer Antique Physic Measuring Instrument

England Early 1900 Brass Galvanometer Antique Physic Measuring Instrument

By Philip Harris Ltd.

Located in Milan, IT

Moving coil brass galvanometer with three-screw base, instrument signed Philip Harris Ltd Birmingham England n. 19402, made in the early 1900, a tool used as a detector of direct cur...

Category

Early 20th Century British Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

Antique Italian Nautical Graphometer with its Original Wooden Box Genoa, 1940s
Antique Italian Nautical Graphometer with its Original Wooden Box Genoa, 1940s

Antique Italian Nautical Graphometer with its Original Wooden Box Genoa, 1940s

By CAIM, Genova 1

Located in Milan, IT

Brass, copper and lead graphometer complete with the original wooden box signed CAIM Genova Via S. Sabina two of the 1940s. Measures of box 28 x 29 cm H 24. CAIM Genoa was company ac...

Category

1940s Italian Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

Georgian Original Mahogany Apothecary Cabinet
Georgian Original Mahogany Apothecary Cabinet

Georgian Original Mahogany Apothecary Cabinet

Located in Northampton, GB

Free Worldwide Shipping Constructed from Solid Mahogany From our Apothecary Box collection, we are pleased to offer this Mahogany Apothecary Cabinet. The Cabinet made from solid Ma...

Category

Early 19th Century British George IV Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

Antique F.W. Braun Apothecary Balance Beam Scale c.1920
Antique F.W. Braun Apothecary Balance Beam Scale c.1920

Antique F.W. Braun Apothecary Balance Beam Scale c.1920

Located in San Francisco, CA

ABOUT F.W. Braun antique apothecary balance beam scale in a Mahogany display case with three adjustable copper feet, solid brass scale, Bakelite and copper knobs, and enamel maker's...

Category

Early 20th Century American Industrial Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal, Bronze, Copper, Enamel

1950s Olympic Tape Measure Peoples Republic of China
1950s Olympic Tape Measure Peoples Republic of China

1950s Olympic Tape Measure Peoples Republic of China

Located in Chula Vista, CA

Vintage Tricle Bakelite Olympic Tape Measure made Peoples Republic of China Cover made from dappled rich dark tricle bake-lite includes gilt brass fittings and cloth tape. 5.25 dia...

Category

1950s Chinese Mid-Century Modern Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

Antique Victorian Quality Mahogany Banjo Barometer by James H Kelly of Glasgow
Antique Victorian Quality Mahogany Banjo Barometer by James H Kelly of Glasgow

Antique Victorian Quality Mahogany Banjo Barometer by James H Kelly of Glasgow

Located in Suffolk, GB

Antique Victorian quality mahogany banjo barometer by James H Kelly of Glasgow Having a quality mahogany shaped banjo barometer with scroll shaped carving circular silvered engrave...

Category

19th Century Scottish Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Other

Antique Telescope, English, 6-Draw, Brass, Leather, Terrestrial, Victorian, 1860
Antique Telescope, English, 6-Draw, Brass, Leather, Terrestrial, Victorian, 1860

Antique Telescope, English, 6-Draw, Brass, Leather, Terrestrial, Victorian, 1860

Located in Hele, Devon, GB

This is an antique telescope, an English six-draw terrestrial or maritime instrument, dating to the Victorian period, circa 1860. Perfect for bird watching, landscape appreciation, ...

Category

1860s British Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

Vintage Table Phone in Boulle Style - Wood and Brass
Vintage Table Phone in Boulle Style - Wood and Brass

Vintage Table Phone in Boulle Style - Wood and Brass

Located in Cantù, IT

Elegant vintage Boulle-style desk telephone with fine brass details and decorative inlays on a tortoiseshell effect background. The square body made of fine wood is embellished with ...

Category

20th Century Italian Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal, Bronze

Sinar P Expert Kit Large Format 4X5
Sinar P Expert Kit Large Format 4X5

Sinar P Expert Kit Large Format 4X5

Located in valatie, NY

Sinar p 4x5 expert kit containing: Sinar copal f5.6 auto aperture shutter & release cable Sinar p 4x5 camera Regular bellows Wide angle bellows 4x5 g...

Category

1980s Swiss Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Aluminum

Bookbinder Press, United States, circa 1890
Bookbinder Press, United States, circa 1890

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...

Category

Late 19th Century American Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Iron

Cold War Japanese Defence Agency 15x80 Binoculars with Illumination Control
Cold War Japanese Defence Agency 15x80 Binoculars with Illumination Control

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...

Category

1980s Japanese Industrial Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Aluminum, Brass, Bronze

No. 7 adjustable locking plier pressure lock wrench Botnick Motor Corporation
No. 7 adjustable locking plier pressure lock wrench Botnick Motor Corporation

No. 7 adjustable locking plier pressure lock wrench Botnick Motor Corporation

Located in Chula Vista, CA

For your consideration, a vintage BMC No. 7 adjustable locking plier, also known as a "pressure lock wrench," manufactured by the Botnick Motor Corporation in Binghamton, NY.  Pa...

Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Steel

Antique French Style  Chased Repoussé Gilt Telephone with Carved Jade Inset
Antique French Style  Chased Repoussé Gilt Telephone with Carved Jade Inset

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...

Category

Early 20th Century American Scientific Instruments

Materials

Jade, Metal, Brass

Underwood No. 5 Typewriter, cast iron , New York, circa 1917
Underwood No. 5 Typewriter, cast iron , New York, circa 1917

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...

Category

1910s American Art Nouveau Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Iron

19th Century Mother of Pearl and Repousse Gold Handle Pen with 14k Tip
19th Century Mother of Pearl and Repousse Gold Handle Pen with 14k Tip

19th Century Mother of Pearl and Repousse Gold Handle Pen with 14k Tip

Located in Los Angeles, CA

A beautiful vintage Fountain Pen - a lovely decorative piece for the desk, but also still fully functional. The handle is Mother of Pearl that leads into an elegant Gold design and ...

Category

19th Century Art Nouveau Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Gold

A Fabulous Early 20th Century Brass Telescope by Clarkson, London
A Fabulous Early 20th Century Brass Telescope by Clarkson, London

A Fabulous Early 20th Century Brass Telescope by Clarkson, London

Located in Dublin, IE

A fabulous early 20th Century brass telescope with a plaque marked 'Clarkson, London' This stunning finely cast polished brass telescope is of exceptional quality with superb optics...

Category

Early 20th Century English Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

Art Deco Desk Tabletop Rotary Restored Telephone By Monogram Black with Trim
Art Deco Desk Tabletop Rotary Restored Telephone By Monogram Black with Trim

Art Deco Desk Tabletop Rotary Restored Telephone By Monogram Black with Trim

By Monogram

Located in Port Jervis, NY

Fantastic Monogram Art Deco desk tabletop telephone with metal accents in excellent antique condition with minimal wear. Restored with new cords. See all pics

Category

1930s American Art Deco Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal

Tacheometro model Soldati late 19th c. signed La Filotecnica Milano
Tacheometro model Soldati late 19th c. signed La Filotecnica Milano

Tacheometro model Soldati late 19th c. signed La Filotecnica Milano

Located in Milan, IT

Tacheometer model Soldati from the late 19th century signed La Filotecnica Ing. A Salmoiraghi Milan serial no. 18865. Construction site surveying and tracking tool used for calculati...

Category

Late 19th Century Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

1890s Hand Painted Life Size Anatomical of Head
1890s Hand Painted Life Size Anatomical of Head

1890s Hand Painted Life Size Anatomical of Head

Located in Peekskill, NY

This is an early and high quality hand-painted plaster antique anatomical model of an adult human head. I would date this to 1900. The detail...

Category

Late 19th Century German Industrial Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Plaster

Box of mid-19th century compasses housed in their tuia burl box
Box of mid-19th century compasses housed in their tuia burl box

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

Mechanical solar system with Sun, Mercury, Venus, Earth, Moon and Mars 1870
Mechanical solar system with Sun, Mercury, Venus, Earth, Moon and Mars 1870

Mechanical solar system with Sun, Mercury, Venus, Earth, Moon and Mars 1870

Located in Milan, IT

Tellurium or representative and demonstrative mechanical model of the solar system composed of the Sun, Mercury, Venus, Earth, Moon and Mars, realized by the Prague geographer and ...

Category

1870s Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal

Set of surgical irons for skull surgery England late 18th century
Set of surgical irons for skull surgery England late 18th century

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...

Category

Late 18th Century Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Steel

ZEISS Ikon Novar-Anastigmat 45mm F3.5 Film Camera 1950s
ZEISS Ikon Novar-Anastigmat 45mm F3.5 Film Camera 1950s

ZEISS Ikon Novar-Anastigmat 45mm F3.5 Film Camera 1950s

Located in Moreno Valley, CA

Zeiss Ikon Contina Camera with Novar-Anastigmat 45mm F3.5 Prontor SVS. Zeiss Ikon Contina 35mm RF style camera with a 45mm f/3.5 Novar-Anastigmat prime lens. Cosmetically in great co...

Category

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

Materials

Metal

19th Century Indian Etched Brass Qibla Compass, Antique Anglo-Indian
19th Century Indian Etched Brass Qibla Compass, Antique Anglo-Indian

19th Century Indian Etched Brass Qibla Compass, Antique Anglo-Indian

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

Early Eye Glass Trade Stimulator - Test Your Own Eyes Optometer
Early Eye Glass Trade Stimulator - Test Your Own Eyes Optometer

Early Eye Glass Trade Stimulator - Test Your Own Eyes Optometer

Located in Peekskill, NY

This is an early eyeglass trade stimulator... TEST YOUR OWN EYES. Its an Optometer that has a dial on the right of the device. Turn the dial and there is a double geared carousel wit...

Category

Early 20th Century American Industrial Scientific Instruments

Materials

Steel

1970's Japanese Nikon 20 x 120 Big Eye Military Binoculars & Tripod
1970's Japanese Nikon 20 x 120 Big Eye Military Binoculars & Tripod

1970's Japanese Nikon 20 x 120 Big Eye Military Binoculars & Tripod

By Nikon

Located in Leicester, Leicestershire

An iconic piece of Japanese military-grade optics, this pair of Nikon 20×120 binocular telescopes represents one of the most highly regarded large-format observation instruments of t...

Category

1970s Japanese Industrial Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Aluminum, Brass, Bronze

Rare Sikes’ Hydrometer (Alcohol Proof Tester) Set Atkey & Son, Cowes, C. 1830
Rare Sikes’ Hydrometer (Alcohol Proof Tester) Set Atkey & Son, Cowes, C. 1830

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...

Category

Early 19th Century English Regency Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

Vintage German Brass Barometer with Zodiac Symbols, Mid-20th Century
Vintage German Brass Barometer with Zodiac Symbols, Mid-20th Century

Vintage German Brass Barometer with Zodiac Symbols, Mid-20th Century

Located in Bochum, NRW

Vintage German Brass Barometer with Zodiac Symbols, Mid-20th Century A sculptural convergence of meteorology and mysticism, this mid-century German barometer offers both scientific p...

Category

Mid-20th Century Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

Transparent blown glass laboratory retort from the early 19th century.
Transparent blown glass laboratory retort from the early 19th century.

Transparent blown glass laboratory retort from the early 19th century.

Located in Milan, IT

An early 19th-century transparent blown glass laboratory retort used for distillation, it has a pyriform body and long neck bent downward that gradually narrows toward the mouth. Bo...

Category

1820s Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Glass

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.