Scientific Instruments
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Scientific Instruments For Sale
Antique Brass and Wood Set of Scales with Assorted Weights
Located in New Orleans, LA
19th Century Victorian Era Brass and Wood Set of Scales with Assorted Weights.
Category
19th Century English Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Leonard Bailey Wooden Block Plane Tool, United States, Early 20th Century
Located in Costa Mesa, CA
Leonard Bailey Wooden Block Plane Tool, United States, Early 20th Century.
Category
20th Century American Industrial Scientific Instruments
Materials
Steel
Marine Compass in Box by Star Compass of Boston
Located in Norwell, MA
Solid brass boat compass fitted to a dovetailed wood box with rich varnished finish. Compass card is marked Star Pathfinder, Milton Mass. The entir...
Category
1950s North American Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
1980s Green Bang & Olufsen Beocom 2000 Phone
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Designed in 1986 Lone and Gideon Lindinger-Lowy, the Bang & Olufsen Beocom 2000 telephone is Danish design at its finest, and the epitome of 1980s high-tec...
Category
Late 20th Century Post-Modern Scientific Instruments
Materials
Plastic
A pair of magnifyng glasses, Italy 1870.
Located in Milan, IT
A pair of Wunderkammer round shape magnifying glasses for scientific purpose with black wooden frames, mounted over a black wooden bases. Italy, circa 1870.
Category
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Glass, Wood
Italian 18th Century Butcher Hooks
Located in Atlanta, GA
Charming 18th century Butcher Hooks from the Piedmont region of Italy. Wonderfully crafted from hand forged iron. A perfect kitchen accessory or to...
Category
18th Century Italian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Iron
Polished Oak Barograph and Barometer by Negretti & Zambra, London
Located in Norwich, GB
Edwardian polished oak cased barograph with bevelled glass panels.
Brass base plate stamped ‘Regent, Jewelled movement supporting the ten vacuum chambers linking the ink pen pointer ...
Category
1930s English Edwardian Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
1960s Hanging Brass Temperature Thermometer Gauge
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Brass Temperature Gauge
1960s Modern Decorative Brass Hanging Temperature Thermometer Gauge
Solid Brass and Cork
10 tall 3.5 tall with handle x 1.13 in diameter
Preowned original...
Category
1960s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Antique Victorian Quality Carved Oak Banjo Barometer
Located in Suffolk, GB
Antique Victorian quality carved oak banjo barometer having a quality carved oak shaped case with a brass bezel, porcelain dial with original hands and a thermometer
An attractiv...
Category
19th Century English Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Oak
Apothecary glass funnels, Italy 1800.
Located in Milan, IT
Pair of apothecary glass funnels. Italy 1800 ca.
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Glass
Antique French Grocers Scale Circa 1890
Located in New Orleans, LA
Antique French Grocers Scale Circa 1890
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Italian 18th Century Butcher Hooks
Located in Atlanta, GA
Charming 18th century Butcher Hooks from the Piedmont region of Italy. Wonderfully crafted from hand forged iron. A perfect kitchen accessory or to s...
Category
18th Century Italian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Iron
Early 20th Century Set of Three Antique Apothecary Glass Bottles
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Early 20th century set of three antique apothecary glass bottles.
By unknown manufacturer, Spain.
In original condition, with minor wear cons...
Category
Early 20th Century Spanish Mid-Century Modern Scientific Instruments
Materials
Glass
Quality Antique Victorian Burr Walnut Carved Banjo Barometer
Located in Suffolk, GB
Quality antique Victorian burr walnut carved banjo barometer having a quality burr walnut carved shaped case with a 10 inch silvered engraved dial, original hands, thermometer and a ...
Category
19th Century English Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Walnut
Rare 17th Century Japanese Export Lacquer Medical Instrument Box
Located in Amsterdam, NL
A rare Japanese export lacquer medical instrument box
Edo-period, 1650-1700
L. 19 x W. 6 x H. 8.5 cm
This unconventionally shaped lacquer b...
Category
17th Century Japanese Edo Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Gold
Botanic Model of a Red Grape Flower, Paravia, Italy, 1940
Located in Milan, IT
A botanical maquette for didactic use, depicting a red Grape flower, Vitis Vinifera, Anipelidee. Made of metal, paper, plaster, galalith and wood. Extremely detailed. Paravia, Milan,...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal
Vintage Dental Model of Mouth with Braces in Original Box by Columbia Dentoforms
Located in New York, NY
A vintage 1960/70s teaching dental model of a mouth with braces by noted company Columbia Dentoforms. Columbia Dentoforms has been making teaching models ...
Category
1960s North American Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Chrome
Antique Microscope in Original Box, circa 1900
Located in Greven, DE
Antique travel microscope in unrestored found condition. The brass should be polished and the glasses cleaned.
All parts appear to be complete, no guarantee, see photos.
Category
Early 20th Century French Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Austrian Bronze Mortar and Pestle, Original Patina, Pharmacy or Herbalist
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Offered is a beautiful antique solid brass mortar and pestle set. The mortar has a cylindrical shape with a flared mouth and two angular handles at the sides. The baton-shaped pestle...
Category
1920s Austrian Hollywood Regency Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal, Brass
19th Century Grey-Brown Italian Oversized Marble Mortar & Pestle, Antique Décor
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Early 19th century, a set of an oversized mortar made of hand crafted white marble with a wooden Oakwood pestle, in good condition. This fun set was on display in a pharmacy in Milan...
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Marble
Mappamondo di Dr. Neuse Stockholm per Jordglob, Scandinavia primi '900
Located in Roma, IT
Mappamondo terrestre in cartapesta dei primi '900 in buono stato di conservazione non ci sono riparazioni.
Il globo gira su un asse di ottone con scala graduata in gradi base in legn...
Category
20th Century Swedish Art Deco Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Vintage Steel Laboratory Beaker Stand
Located in High Point, NC
An intriguing and unique accent, this vintage lab-ware stand holds three round-bottomed flasks. Once used as a tool for conducting laboratory analysis or e...
Category
20th Century Belgian Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal
Rope Twist Carved Oak Nautical Barometer
Located in Norwell, MA
Early twentieth century barometer with porcelain face with merchants name A Black & Co., Nautical Optician, Glasgow. Carved rope twist case with brass bezel. Brass hanging tab. Nice ...
Category
1930s European Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
French XVIII TH box microscope for the privilege of the King
Located in Madrid, ES
French XVIII TH box microscope by Sibie a Marsella for the privilege of the King
The box microscope can be defined as a compound microscope where the optic system is
fixed by a pilar...
Category
1750s Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Wood
A Rare 2 Day Marine Chronometer By George Hedger
Located in Lincolnshire, GB
A fine example of a 2 day chronometer in the original 3 tier mahogany and brass bound case by William Hedger, the movement with the unusual layout is almost like an 8 day example mad...
Category
Mid-19th Century English Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Olivetti Lettera 36 Portable Typewriter Designed by Ettore Sottsass. circa 1970s
Located in Miami, FL
Vintage Olivetti Lettera 36 Portable Typewriter with the Original Case. circa early 1970s
Created by famed Italian designer/architect Ettore Sottsass...
Category
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal
Louis XVI Style Dore Bronze Thermometer, Circa 1880
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Circa 1880, Louis XVI Style Dore Bronze Thermometer. In beautiful shape.
Category
Early 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Bronze
Vintage Brass Telescope on Walnut Tripod Stand
Located in North York, ON
Vintage brass telescope on walnut tripod stand. Sold as is for decorative purposes. Country of origin and manufacturer unknown. Estimated age c...
Category
1950s Unknown Industrial Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal, Brass
Shallow Water Dive Helmet
Located in Peekskill, NY
This is an early all rubber and glass shallow water diving helmet. These were used mostly in marinas for underwater ship/boat maintenance. Divers used th...
Category
Early 20th Century American Industrial Scientific Instruments
Materials
Rubber
Antique Salter Family Scales No 50 a Well Loved and Used Family Scales
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Antique Salter Family Scales No 50
A well loved and used Family Scales, made by Salter, the cast iron body is in Dark green with Gold highlights, it has...
Category
1940s Industrial Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Iron
Georgian Mahogany Wheel Barometer
Located in Bradenton, FL
A very nice Mid-19th Century mahogany georgian wheel barometer with decorative Ebony and Holly string inlay around the outer edges of the case. Sold as is because some of the small i...
Category
Early 19th Century English George III Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Mahogany
A seed scale model, France 1830.
Located in Milan, IT
Rare model of scale for seeds. Wooden and iron. France 1830 ca.
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Iron
Mid-Century Modern Stereo Speakers
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Inspired by the iconic Dynaco A25 loudspeakers, our twenty-fives offer modern performance with classic proportions. A ten-inch woofer and 1.5 inch textile dome tweeter are sourced fr...
Category
Mid-20th Century Scientific Instruments
Materials
Walnut
Baroque Style Venetian Gilt Carved Barometer by Palladio
By Palladio
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Gorgeous intentionally aged Venetian barometer made in the baroque taste by Italian artisans Palladio. The diamond shaped frame is painted and embellished with gilt scrollwork and ro...
Category
20th Century Italian Baroque Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal
Rare Pierre Cardin Pop Art Futuristic Ambiance Phone
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Rare and highly collectable Pop Art futuristic Ambiance phone.
Category
1980s Taiwanese Futurist Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Plastic
Early 19th Century 2 Day Marine Chronometer by James McCabe, No. 199
By James McCabe
Located in Lincolnshire, GB
Number 199, a two day marine chronometer by James McCabe, London, beautifully signed and numbered on the dial and movement, and the number on the bottom of the bowl. In a three part ...
Category
Early 19th Century English Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Danish Early 20th Century Coffee Grinder by a. Jørgensen
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Danish early 20th century coffee grinder by A. Jørgensen.
Here we present a fine piece of coffee making heritage by danish maker a. Jørgensen from cop...
Category
Early 20th Century Danish Art Deco Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal
Antique Cased Microscope, English, Scientific Instrument, Swift & Son, Edwardian
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique cased microscope. An English, black enamel scientific instrument by J. Swift & Son of London, dating to the Edwardian period, circa 191...
Category
Early 20th Century British Edwardian Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass, Enamel
End XIX Century Brass and Glass Hourglass Antique Time Measuring Instrument
Located in Milan, IT
Sand hourglass, brass container with circular base and tapered columns in the center and blown glass cruet. Duration 45 minutes. English manufacture of the early 1900s.
Measures height 20 cm, diameter 11.5 cm – 7.9x4.5 inches.
Shipping is insured by Lloyd's London; our gift box is free (look at the last picture).
In Greece, the use of hourglasses was introduced in 325 BC, in the form of stone containers with a truncated cone shape that let water flow out of a hole in the bottom at a constant rate. Other hourglasses were cylindrical or cup-shaped and were slowly filled by a constant flow of water. Some signs on the inner surface of the container indicated the passage of hours as the liquid level rose. Another version consisted of a metal container with a hole in the bottom which, placed to float in a larger container, sank in a given time. This system remained in use until the 20th century in North Africa. These clocks were typically used at night, but not during the day, when the more accurate sundials were available.
In the first half of the III century BC. Ctesibius transformed the hourglass into the more complex water clock. Various mechanisms were introduced by him and others to increase the precision of the watch by regulating the pressure and keeping the flow of water constant, but also to offer a better display of the time. The most advanced specimens could ring bells or gongs, open windows to display images, or had movable indicators, dials or representations of celestial bodies. Among the designers of watches...
Category
1890s Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Glass
18th Century Diptych Portable Sundial And Compass by German Beringer
Located in Milan, IT
Antique 18th Century Diptych Sundial and Compass a portable wooden boxwood sundial with compass, of German origin, by David Beringer, Nuremberg, dating back to the 1790 circa, in good age related condition, with signs of wear consistent with age and use.
David Beringer (1756 – 1821) was a German scientific instrument maker and craftsman active in Nuremberg and famous for his cubic wooden sundials visible in Metropolitan Museum of Art di New York.
A portable sundial...
Category
Late 18th Century German Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Vintage Plaster Anatomical Skull Model
Located in Houston, TX
Interesting vintage plaster anatomical skull model. This great plaster skull bust model is in very good condition and dates to the 1940s.
A real conver...
Category
1940s Other Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Plaster
Barograph and Barometer by Negretti & Zambra
Located in Cheshire, GB
Unusual oak-cased barograph and barometer by Negretti & Zambra, having five glazed removable lid. The mechanical eight-day movement is housed i...
Category
Early 20th Century British Scientific Instruments
Materials
Oak
Vintage Steel Laboratory Beaker Stand
Located in High Point, NC
An intriguing and unique accent, this vintage lab-ware stand holds three round-bottomed flasks. Once used as a tool for conducting laboratory analysis or e...
Category
20th Century Belgian Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal
19th Century Metal "Family Scale", circa 1899-1903
Located in San Francisco, CA
Antique 24 pounds "Family Scale" with original decals and dates listed on the front: "Mar.14 '99-Mar.28 '03".
All metal. Scale works.
Category
19th Century Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal
Scientific instrument: Crookes Maltese Cross Tube, Italy, 1900
Located in Milan, IT
Blown glass scientific instrument. A fine example of Crookes tube with Maltese cross, the precursor of the cathode tube. It demonstrates the rectilinear m...
Category
Early 20th Century Italian Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal
Curiosity Cabinet Naturalism Collection of Shell Circa 1900
Located in Beuzevillette, FR
Very interesting set of shells collected by an amateur between the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century. The shells are classified by size and age either in ...
Category
Early 20th Century French Scientific Instruments
Materials
Shell
Original vintage scale from the 20th Century 'Designed by Berkel in Belgium'
By Berkel 2
Located in Udenhout, NL
Original personal scale from 1946 designed by Berkel in Belgium.
(Made in Brussels.)
Very nice Industrial decorative object.
Category
1940s Belgian Industrial Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal, Enamel
Memento Mori by Callum Campbell
Located in Geneve, CH
Memento Mori by Callum Campbell
Objects for Self Collection
Signed
Dimensions W 3.5 x H 9.3 cm
Materials: Brass
Finish: Polished
Engraved with clients name and date of birth...
Category
2010s Australian Modern Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Naudet & Co. 1915-1916 Paris World War I French Aviation Altimeter Militaire
Located in Miami, FL
World War I French aviation altimeter made by Naudet & Co.
Antique French aviation altimeter designed specifically for aviation, and dating to th...
Category
1910s French Industrial Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass, Steel
Antique Brass Desk Top Lens Decorative Curio
Located in London, GB
A good quality, desk top lens.
England, c1920s,
Brass construction on a solid metal base for sturdiness/weighting.
Adjustable to some extent.
Ideal desk top or shelf decorative c...
Category
Early 20th Century English Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Antique 16th Century Islamic Safavid Al Jazari Combination Locking Brass Casket
Located in Portland, OR
A highly important engraved Islamic combination locking brass casket, based on a design by the 12th Century Arab inventor & artist Ismail Al Jazari. Circa...
Category
16th Century Iraqi Islamic Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Vintage Spanish Analog Telephone by Telefonica, circa 1980
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Vintage Analog Telephone manufactured by Telefonica from Spain, circa 1980.
In original condition, with minor wear consistent with age and use, preserving a beautiful patina.
M...
Category
1980s Spanish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Plastic
Carved Wooden C.Engel & Cie Antique Belgium Barometer with Thermometer, 1910s
By Black Forest
Located in Verviers, BE
Carved wooden C.Engel & Cie antique Belgium Barometer with Thermometer, 1910s
Unusual antique carved wooden barometer in a lovely carved case, working order.
With best Wishes, ...
Category
1910s Belgian Art Nouveau Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Fruitwood
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
19th Century Italian Carved Louis XVI Style Giltwood Barometer
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Gorgeous late 19th century gilt wood barometer thermometer made in Italy in the Louis XVI or baroque taste. The large barometer features a large carve...
Category
19th Century Italian Louis XVI Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal, Brass
20th Century German Field Binoculars, circa 1940
By Emil Busch
Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Exceptional 20th century German polished steel observation binoculars on a later telescopic stand by D.F. This model was originally designed by Emil Busch and it has been adopted by the military in 1936. The model is suitable for both day and night time observation and the direction line of fire from artillery. Various adjustable dials in working conditions. The side is stamped D.F. 10 x 80, dkl. The piece has been professionally polished and mounted on a stunning old telescopic wooden tripod stand...
Category
20th Century German Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal
Antique Vintage Scale Weight, circa 1930
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Antique scale weight made in Spain by unknown manufacturer, circa 1930.
In original condition, with minor wear consistent with age and use, pre...
Category
1930s Spanish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal
Set of Antique Draughtsman's Rules, English, Engineer's Instrument Set, C.1920
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a set of antique draughtsman's rules. An English, beech engineer's instrument set in a mahogany case, dating to the mid 20th century period, circa 1920.
Charming set of me...
Category
Early 20th Century British Edwardian Scientific Instruments
Materials
Beech
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.
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