Scientific Instruments
to
176
905
596
1,537
5
4
145
140
136
53
45
36
27
23
16
15
15
6
6
6
4
3
1
1
135
577
825
9
384
292
59
27
44
35
38
32
54
37
22
9
904
646
446
246
142
1,086
373
261
222
181
1,546
1,542
1,543
8
4
4
4
4
Scientific Instruments For Sale
Antique English Brass Cased Compass c.1900
Located in Bath, GB
A handsome cased late Victorian or Edwardian compass with hinged lid, the little button on the top used to open; just like a full hunter pocket watch.
The case is made from brass wi...
Category
Early 1900s British Edwardian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Antique English Griffin & George Cased Laboratory Pharmacy Balance Scale 18"
Located in Dayton, OH
Early 20th-century laboratory / pharmaceutical scales /balances produced by Griffin & George Ltd. of England. Brass and metal scales on a brown bakelite base, housed in a wood and gl...
Category
Early 20th Century English Georgian Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
$448 Sale Price
20% Off
Antique English Compass In Case With White Enamel Dial; Georgian C.1820
Located in Bath, GB
A charming early little compass with a polished brass case and a perfect white enamelled face or dial. The pin at the top is pulled out to release the needle freely and pushed in aga...
Category
1820s British George III Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Signed Marquise Paris Art Deco Period French Leather & Chrome Binoculars
By Hermès, Louis Vuitton
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A stylish pair of antique binoculars.
By Marquise of Paris.
With relatively low-power magnification, chromed brass, curved eye cups, and leather ...
Category
Early 20th Century French Art Deco Scientific Instruments
Materials
Chrome
Antique English Nickel Cased Compass Reg. No. For 1903 - WW1 Military Issue
Located in Bath, GB
A handsome cased World War One issued compass with hinged lid, the little button on the top used to open; just like a full hunter pocket watch. The front is stamped with the war off...
Category
1910s Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Nickel
Mid-Century Brass Wall Barometer, 1950s
Located in Palermo, IT
Mid-Century Brass Barometer, 1950s
Working and in good condition.
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Large Antique Brass Butcher’s Balance Scale with Ox Head, Circa 1890
Located in Barntrup, DE
A rare and visually commanding late 19th-century brass balance scale, attributed to J. Motk & Co., circa 1890. Likely of Portuguese or Central European origin, this exquisite scale w...
Category
Late 19th Century Portuguese Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
French 19th Century Culinary Scale
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A 19th century French counter or grocer’s scale with two brass trays mounted on a white marble top. This wonderful antique instrument was used to measure various ingredients and prod...
Category
19th Century French French Provincial Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Marble, Brass
Luxury Victorian French Lorgnette Opera Glasses Marked "La Roi, Paris" Ca. 1895
By Le Roi
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
Magnifying Glass in Patinated Brass and Mother of Pearl Early 20th Century
Located in Meer, VAN
Magnifying Glass in Patinated Brass and Mother of Pearl, Europe, Early 20th Century.
This is a beautiful and very well made magnifying glass in patinated brass and mother of pearl. ...
Category
Early 20th Century European Art Deco 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
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
Antique EH Sargent Labratory Precision Orsat Gas Analyzer Apparatus Case 21"
Located in Dayton, OH
Late 19th - early 20th century Orsat gas analyzer apparatus with absorption pipettes and hardwood case, produced by E.H. Sargent & Company.
An Orsat gas analyser or Orsat apparatus ...
Category
Late 19th Century Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Glass, Rubber, Hardwood
$1,440 Sale Price
20% Off
Antique Toledo 8400A American Art Deco Green Enameled Porcelain Penny Coin Scale
Located in Dayton, OH
Toledo Scale Company Model 8400A. Features an enameled green porcelain finish and tiled station. Features the iconic Art Deco Skyscraper design with a ...
Category
Early 20th Century Art Deco Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal, Enamel
$1,080 Sale Price
20% Off
Carl Zeiss binocular Design Collection 8x56B T*P* Black Forest
By Carl Zeiss
Located in Delft, NL
Carl Zeiss binocular Design Collection 8x56B T*P* Black Forest, Germany
Zeiss 8x56B T*P* Black Forest Edition binocular, model number 525661
Made of shock-absorbing, non-slip and ru...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary German Scientific Instruments
Materials
Rubber
Antique Transit Theodolite, English, Surveying Instrument, Thornton, Edwardian
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique transit theodolite. An English, bronze and brass surveying instrument by AG Thornton of Manchester, dating to the Edwardian perio...
Category
Early 20th Century British Edwardian Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass, Bronze
Mid 19th c. Brass Fireplace Roasting Bottle Jack
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT
A clock work, wind up "bottle jack" or "fireplace jack" is a rotisserie device used to keep a roast or bird turning in a fireplace to cook evenly. Signed "John Linwood Warrant...
Category
Mid-19th Century British Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass, Iron
Genuine Old Apothecary Medical Bottles Jars Set Brown Amber Glass
Located in Poperinge, BE
Beautiful set of 9 authentic apothecary bottles or jars, in brown amber blown glass with thick glass stoppers, circa 1960s-70s.
This set is very characterful and is full of nice old...
Category
Mid-20th Century Belgian Scientific Instruments
Materials
Glass
Large Antique GE General Electric Oscillating Industrial Desk Fan Works 21"
Located in Dayton, OH
Large antique 1915 2-Star / Loop handle desk fan by General Electric. Black painted steel housing with four brass blades / wings and cage with serpentine bars. Three speed; oscillati...
Category
1910s Industrial Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass, Steel
$640 Sale Price
20% Off
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
Set of 2 Brass Furniture Leg Embellisher, circa 1930
Located in Barcelona, ES
Set of two brass decorative embellishers imitating feline paws. Designed by unknown manufacturer, circa 1930. In original condition, with minor wear consistent with age and use...
Category
1930s Spanish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
$125 Sale Price
86% Off
Set of 9 Antique Brass Scale Weights in Wood Block Apothecary 1920s
Located in Dayton, OH
1920's brass apothecary scale weight set including nine weights (one 50 gram, three 100 grams, one 200 grams, one 500 grams, one 1 kilo, and one 2 ki...
Category
1920s Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
$280 Sale Price / set
20% Off
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
Large Antique 3-Draw Telescope, Irish, Brass, Leather, Terrestrial, Edwardian
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a large antique 3-draw telescope. An Irish, terrestrial or astronomical instrument in enamelled brass and leather, dating to the Edwardian period, circa 1910.
Perfect for bi...
Category
Early 20th Century Northern Irish Edwardian Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
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 2 Draw Telescope, English, Brass, Navigational Instrument, Victorian
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique 2-draw telescope, an English terrestrial or maritime navigational instrument, dating to the late Victorian period, circa 1900.
Perfect for bird watching, landscap...
Category
Early 20th Century British Late Victorian Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Antique Real Chinese Abacus
Located in Somis, CA
This is an authentic, original Chinese abacus that was actually used in the early 20th century. The abacus, an ingenious calculator, has been a vital tool in China for over a thousan...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal
$110 Sale Price
60% 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
Small Antique English Brass Magnifying Glass c.1910
Located in Bath, GB
A lovely little magnifying glass made from solid brass with a handle; the perfect size to pop in the pocket or bag.
Dating to c.1910, Edwardian in era, the magnifier works well and ...
Category
1910s British Edwardian Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Torricellian mahogany barometer signed Davis 65 Bold St. Liverpool 1839/1841
Located in Milan, IT
Torricellian mercury barometer in mahogany wood, signed Davis 65 Bold St. Liverpool active at this address from 1839 to 1841, complete with reading nonius for checking pressure varia...
Category
Mid-19th Century Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Wood
Antique 3 Draw Telescope, English Brass, Leather, Newton & Co, Victorian, C.1870
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique 3 draw telescope. An English, brass and leather dressed refractor by Newton & Co, dating to the Victorian period, circa 1870.
Perfect for bird watching, landscape...
Category
1870s British Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
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...
Category
Late 19th Century English Industrial Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal, Copper
$5,600 Sale Price
20% Off
Vintage 2-in-1 Pendant Map Measure, German, Navigational Tool, Mid Century, 1960
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a vintage 2-in-1 pendant map measure. A West German, cast metal and glass navigational tool, dating to the mid 20th century, circa 1960.
Fascinating pendant style map measu...
Category
Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal
A Very Rare Late 19th Century Sanderson Plate Camera
Located in Dublin, IE
A very rare late 19th Century Sanderson well figured mahogany plate camera with well cast brass mounts in excellent condition and of exceptional quality with extra plates and carryin...
Category
Late 19th Century English Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
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
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 at the University of Leipzig...
Category
19th Century German Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Plaster
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
1900s Decorative Wall Hanging „Multimeter“ Scientific Slide Rule Calculator
Located in Vienna, AT
A dekorative appr. 120-year-old, large, wall-mounted round „Multimeter“ analog slide rule calculator. Dated around 1900, made in Germany. It has a rotatable glass disc and offers multiple features like multiplication, division, interest-calculation and square root...
Category
Early 1900s German Art Nouveau Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Glass
19th Century Brass Telescope by Broadhurst and Clarkson
Located in Dublin, IE
A fabulous 19th Century brass three draw telescope by 'Broadhust and Clarkson, London’, circa 1880. This stunning piece is of exceptional quality, fully restored and with excellent ...
Category
19th Century English Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Antique Salter's Family Scale England Early 20th Century
Located in Meer, VAN
Antique Salter's Family Scale, England, turn of the Century.
Back when normal household items were designed to be beautiful. This scale by Salter is a tr...
Category
Early 20th Century British Art Deco Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal, 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
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
Brass Lorgnettes 'Long-Handled Opera Glasses' Mid-Century Italian Design 1930s
Located in Palermo, IT
A splendid pair of 'lorgnettes' (long-handled opera, or theatre, glasses). Lorgnettes, eye glasses held in place by long handles rather than resting on the bridge of one's nose, were...
Category
1930s Italian Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
$457 Sale Price
20% Off
Gruchon & Emons Paris 1918 magnetic compass for U.S Engineer Corps
Located in Milan, IT
Rare nautical survey magnetic compass, brass pocket, signed Gruchon & Emons Paris No. 81 1918, made for U.S Engineer Corps and in use by officers during World War I. This is a smal...
Category
1910s Vintage 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 English Brass Cased Folding Magnifying Glass c.1920
Located in Bath, GB
A lovely shaped little folding / pocket magnifying glass which folds into a shaped brass case, marked "Made In England".
Dating to c.1920, remaining in excellent condition measuring...
Category
1920s British 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
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
French Barometer Gilt Wood Verre Eglomise
Located in Bradenton, FL
19th century French Giltwood and Verre Eglomise Barometer. The barometer frame is richly decorated with bouquets of flowers, vine branches, shells and palm leaves. The Eglomisé Dial ...
Category
19th Century French Charles X Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Stucco, Giltwood
$1,800 / item
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
Vintage Handmade Egg Timer Hourglass in Wooden Textile Bobbin Spool 3min Timer
Located in Bishop's Stortford, GB
Vintage Handmade Egg Timer Hourglass in Wooden Textile Bobbin Spool 3min Timer. Crafted with precision, the hourglass features fine sand that flows smoothly, symbolizing the passage ...
Category
Early 20th Century British Victorian Scientific Instruments
Materials
Glass
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 folding tripod stand, 19th Century.
Signed on focal tube by prolific telescope make...
Category
1850s French Louis Philippe Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass, Steel
Traveler's pocket compass, Victorian-era turned brass
Located in Milan, IT
Traveler's pocket compass, Victorian-era turned brass, late 19th century England, rose on sixteen-twenty copperplate engraving paper complete with goniometric circle.
Conservation s...
Category
1890s Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Large, Good Condition and Stylish Antique English Victorian Oak Wall Barometer
Located in Lisse, NL
Stunning design and top quality executed antique barometer.
This late 19th-early 20th century, English manufactured wall barometer has everything that makes an antique worthwhile. F...
Category
Early 20th Century English Victorian Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Large Antique Library Telescope, English, Starboy, Astronomical, Broadhurst & Co
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique library telescope. An English, brass 'Starboy' astronomical mounted refractor by Broadhurst, Clarkson & Co, dating to the early 20...
Category
Early 20th Century British Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
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
Late Midcentury Modern Realistic Weather Radio Cube
Located in Chula Vista, CA
AMBIANIC presents
Weather Radio WeatheRadio Deskube TW Weather NOAA Radio 12-181B
Radio Shack Tandy
Very minimal and modernist with touch of 70s woodgrain
...
Category
Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Scientific Instruments
Materials
Plastic
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
Antique English Folding Brass Linen Thread Counter c.1920
Located in Bath, GB
Dating to the early twentieth century, c.1900/1920, this is an antique cast brass linen thread counter, of course usable to magnify whatever you wish.
Heavy solid cast brass with a ...
Category
1920s British Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
A botanic model Brendel, Germany 1900.
Located in Milan, IT
A rare botanical model of the Brendel, Conium maculatum N.60 (Umbelliferae). The round base in ebonized wood holds the botanical model which reveals the flower of the Hemlock. Brende...
Category
Early 20th Century German Scientific Instruments
Materials
Wood
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.
Recently Viewed
View AllMore Ways To Browse
Library Telescope
Opera Binoculars
Antique Microscope Slide
Antique Planer Tools
Opera Glasses Mother Of Pearl
Optician Sign
Stanley Tool
Surveyors Level
Torricelli Barometer
Antique Butcher Hook
Antique Cast Iron Weighing Scales
Antique Medical Box
Antique Medical Devices
Antique Metal Wood Planes
Antique Syringes
Antique Wooden Grinder
Avery Scales
German Sundial