Antique Brass Scottish Surveyor's Compass in Fitted Wooden Box
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
The compass has two hinged hangles that fold down into the fitted walnut storage box.
Metal, Brass
19th C Surveyors Metamorphic Instrument Box/Table A very rare piece
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
19th C Surveyors Metamorphic Instrument Box/Table A very rare piece, the carrying box originally held many pieces of the surveyor’s equipment, there are specific compartments whic...
Walnut
Estate American Surveyor's Transit Level in Original Fitted Oak Box, 1930s-1940s
Located in New Orleans, LA
Estate American surveyor's transit level in original fitted oak box and signed "BOSTROM- BRODY mf6, Atlanta GA
Oak
Sold
H 4.73 in W 11.62 in D 6.3 in
1890 Antique Brass Level Watts & Sond London Mahogany Box, Surveyor Instrument
Located in Milan, IT
Telescope topographic level, made of brass with base with three leveling screws, from the end of the 19th century. signed R. Watts & Sond London, manufacturers of theodolites and oth...
Brass
Sold
H 4.34 in W 4.34 in D 7.49 in
Italian Brass Land-Surveyor Instrument Made in 1860 with its Original Walnut Box
Located in Milan, IT
Land-surveyor squaring, measuring instrument made of brass, Italian manufacture, from the second half of the 19th century, complete with original walnut box.
Brass
Vintage Gurley Surveyor Transit Level with Original Box
By Gurley Engineering Instruments
Located in North York, ON
This Industrial level is super neat. Made by Gurley Engineering Instruments, it is comprised of a compass and telescope and comes in the original wooden box with two extra pieces of ...
Metal
Sold
H 5.52 in W 10.63 in D 7.09 in
Topographic Brass Level Surveyor Instrument by Stanley circa 1870 Mahogany Box
Located in Milan, IT
In excellent condition and complete with original mahogany box with brass hinges and closing hooks. Box size 27 x 1.8 x 14 cm -10.6 x 0.7 x 5.5 inches, level length 23 cm - 9 inches,...
Brass
Sold
H 5.75 in W 12.25 in D 3 in
Surveyor's Level or Theodolite by W.F. Stanley, London, in Original Fitted Box
By W. F. Stanley
Located in Austin, TX
A fine working English surveyor's theodolite or transit instrument (aka a dumpy level or surveyors level) of brass, No.80148, by W.F.
Metal, Brass
19th Century French Antique Surveyor's Level in Wooden Box
Located in Coral Gables, FL
19th Century French Antique Surveyor's Instruments Box
$1,678Sale Price|20% Off
H 5.12 in W 17.72 in D 5.12 in
20th Century English Theodolite by W.F. Stanley London in Original Wooden Box
By W. F. Stanley
Located in Sofia, BG
20th century English surveyor's theodolite or transit instrument of brass by W.F. Stanley (Optical, Philosophical & Mathematical Instrument Manufacturer, London), circa 1930, in orig...
Brass
Antique Victorian Brass Bound Oak Cigar Humidor 19th Century
Located in London, GB
This is a stylish antique Victorian oak brass and cedar lined tabletop cigar humidor circa 1860 in date. The rectangular box features a lift out tray and adjustable divisions with s...
Oak, Cedar
$1,142Sale Price|20% Off
H 13.59 in W 31.5 in D 16.34 in
Antique Merchant's Tool Chest, English, Pine, Craftsman's Trunk, Victorian, 1900
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique merchant's tool chest. An English, stained pine craftsman's trunk, dating to the late Victorian period, circa 1900. Pleasingly robust with charming personalised...
Pine
$285
H 3.15 in W 7.49 in D 5.12 in
Victorian Decorative or Jewelry Box, in Wood, England, 19th Century
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
This box is a jewelry box or a decorative box. It was made in the 19th century, in England, Victorian Period. Its lid is made in wood, brown in color.
Metal
$400
H 0.5 in Dm 1.75 in
Pocket Compass / Nautical Compass Appears to be Marked Barker and Sons of London
By Frances Barker & Son
Located in Warrenton, OR
Pocket Compass / Nautical Compass. Appears to be marked Barker and Sons of London. If authentic, could be circa 1890 but we are unable to confirm. Please use your own judgement on ...
Metal
$1,195
H 12 in W 15.25 in D 9.5 in
Antique Mahogany Desk Top Organizer or Storage Chest with Perpetual Calendar
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This solid antique mahogany desk top document chest is completely unsigned, but presumed to have been made in England in circa 1900 in the period Edwardian style. The front of the ch...
Brass
English Ship's Binnacle Compass of Brass with Side Burner Light
Located in Austin, TX
A fine English ship's binnacle compass of brass - a navigational instrument used for maritime travel. A binnacle is the housing that protects the compass and helps stabilize it desp...
Metal, Brass
$684Sale Price|20% Off
H 3.94 in W 10.83 in D 6.89 in
Antique Cigar Case, English, Oak, Cedar, Desktop Humidor, Edwardian, Circa 1910
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a superb antique cigar case. An English, oak and cedar-lined desktop humidor, dating to the Edwardian period, circa 1910. A handsome collector's piece offering excellent stor...
Oak, Cedar
$2,173
H 16 in W 11.6 in D 8.8 in
Top Quality 19th Century Jewelry, Treasure Box, Cabinet w Drawers & Mirror Doors
Located in Lisse, NL
A beautiful antique and all handcrafted jewelry box with a striking velvet lining. This rare and larger size jewelry box or casket makes a beautiful accessory for a lady with an eye...
Brass, Bronze
$2,600Sale Price|20% Off
H 6 in W 15.5 in D 11 in
19th Century English Gentleman's Mahogany and Brass Campaign Jewelry Box
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
High quality English mahogany and brass fine jewelry box that was likely used for stationary as well. Attention to detail, originality and surviving key, circa 1870s.
Brass
$395
H 5.5 in W 5 in D 3 in
Antique Brass Nautical Sextant on Hardwood Display Stand, Maritime Instrument
Located in Delray Beach, FL
A handsome antique brass nautical sextant mounted on a custom hardwood display stand, offering the timeless appeal of historic maritime navigation instruments. Featuring a beautifull...
Brass
$4,427Sale Price|20% Off
H 21.07 in W 35.83 in D 19.69 in
Antique Master Shipwright's Chest, English, Mahogany, Tool Trunk, Victorian
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique master shipwright's chest. An English, ebonized mahogany tool trunk with ornate interior, dating to the Victorian period, circa 1880. Wonderful craftsman's piec...
Mahogany
19th Century English Mahogany Campaign Chest, circa 1860
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This 19th-century English mahogany tabletop campaign chest exudes a refined elegance with its rich warm hue and sophisticated brass hardware. It features two cabinet doors with beaut...
Mahogany
$1,312Sale Price|20% Off
H 10.04 in W 12.41 in D 8.86 in
Antique Stationery Box, English, Golden Oak, Fall Front Desk Tidy, Edwardian
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique stationery box. An English, golden oak and brass fall front desk tidy, dating to the Edwardian period, circa 1910. Beautifully figured desk box, with fine craftsm...
Brass
19th Century Rosewood Toiletry Box
Located in Banner Elk, NC
Very fine rosewood gentleman's toiletry box, English, ca. 1880
Wood
$5,151Sale Price|20% Off
H 25.2 in W 38 in D 25.99 in
Antique Cabinet Maker's Chest, English, Tool Trunk, Fitted Interior, Victorian
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique master cabinet maker's chest. An English, heavy tool trunk with mahogany and walnut interior, dating to the early Victorian period, circa 1850. Wonderful master c...
Walnut, Pine
$580Sale Price|20% Off
H 14.5 in W 11 in D 7.5 in
Keuffel & Esser Co. Military Transit Surveyor Telescope
Located in Guaynabo, PR
This is a Keuffel & Effer Co. military transit surveyor. It consists of a compass and a telescope. Inside the center of the compass is hallmarked Keuffel & Esser. Also over the front...
Metal
$1,312Sale Price|20% Off
H 7.09 in W 16.93 in D 13.78 in
Antique Travelling Vanity Case, English, Leather, Silver, Dressing Table Box
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique travelling vanity case. An English, leather and silver dressing table box with fitted interior, dating to the early 20th century, circa 1920. Appealing vanity set...
Leather
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.