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Scientific Instruments

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Scientific Instruments For Sale
Mid Century Revere S-16 16mm Sound Movie Projector w Case 22"
Located in Dayton, OH
Mid century Revere 16 sound projector with case. Working. Dimensions: 22"x 15.5" x 7.5"
Category

Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal

Silver Brass Pocket Sundial Compass French, circa 1780
Located in Firenze, IT
Shipping policy No additional costs will be added to this order. Shipping costs will be totally covered by the seller (customs duties included). Silver brass octagonal dial with fo...
Category

Late 18th Century German Louis XVI Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Silver, Brass

Antique "No. 1A Kodak Junior" Folding Camera c.1914-1927
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT The body of camera is leather wrapped with a leather handle and brass and chrome accents. It folds smoothly closed to 1.75 inches. Sold for decorative purposes only. May or...
Category

Early 20th Century Art Deco Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal, Brass, Chrome

Large 19th Century Hourglass
Located in Firenze, IT
Shipping policy No additional costs will be added to this order. Shipping costs will be totally covered by the seller (customs duties included). A large 19th century hour glass, o...
Category

Late 19th Century British Late Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Glass, Wood

Keuffel & Esser Co. Surveyor's Transit
Located in Savannah, GA
A 1912 Keuffel & Esser Co. railroad surveyor's transit. Includes outfitted mahogany case. All original with matching serials. Approximately 70 inches tall with a 24 inch leg sprea...
Category

1910s American Industrial Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass, Steel

Vintage Bolex 280 Macrozoom Video Movie Camera & Case 1:1.8/7-56mm 11"
By Bolex
Located in Dayton, OH
Vintage Bolex 280 Macrozoom video camera and case. Includes camera strap, remote shutter button, lens cap, rubber lens hood, and camera strap. Made in A...
Category

Late 20th Century Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal

Volta's electrophore, demonstrator of the flow of electrons Italy 1960.
Located in Milan, IT
Volta's electrophore, demonstrator of the flow of electrons from inert materials to conducting materials. Taking the instrument composed of a disc of conductive metal and a handle of...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal

Art Deco Table or Desk Top Brass Mounted 7" Double Convex Magnifying Glass
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Art Deco desk/table top adjustable magnifying glass. A 7" diameter double convex lens in an open topped brass frame suspended between two vertical posts rising from a stepped two-tie...
Category

Early 20th Century American Art Deco Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

Hand Carved Coquille Nut Egg Box 19th Century Flea Trap Pomander Needle Case
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A beautiful hand carved coquille nut egg box. Beautiful carving, great patina, unscrews at center to open. The original use was a flea trap, things were different in the old days and...
Category

1880s English Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Wood

Superb Large Painted Iron Balance Scales by Holliday & Co London 1907
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Superb Large Painted Iron Balance Scales by Holliday & Co London 1907 This very large and attractive beam balance scale is set on a cast Iron base the central upright columns are a...
Category

Early 1900s Industrial Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Iron

Blown glass scientific instrument, Italy 1900.
Located in Milan, IT
Blown glass scientific instrument to evaluate the expansion of the liquids with the warmth. Italy circa 1900.
Category

Early 20th Century Italian Scientific Instruments

Materials

Glass

Antique Teaching Aid - Structure of the Human Skin, Plaster on Wood
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Teaching Aid - Structure of the Human Skin, Plaster on Wood An antique hand-painted anatomical wall model depicting the structure of the human skin with roots of the hair. T...
Category

Early 20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Scientific Instruments

Materials

Plaster, Wood, Paper

Art Deco Kodak Compur Model Six-20 Folding Camera c.1930
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT An Art Deco Kodak Compur Model Six-20 Folding Camera with a leather wrapped body, chrome accents and flip out view finder. Black and silver Art Deco design on both sides Show...
Category

Early 20th Century Art Deco Scientific Instruments

Materials

Chrome, Metal

Seldom Seen Authentic Exploding Skull, Medical, After Claude Beauchêne
By Claude Beauchene
Located in Buffalo, NY
Authentic Exploding Skull Originally created by Edmé François Chauvot de Beauchêne (ca.1780-1830), a French anatomist and surgeon, developed this disarticulation method to comprehensively show all the cranial bones and their connections. The exploded skull...
Category

Early 20th Century French Industrial Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal

Antique "No. 1A Kodak Junior" Folding Camera c.1914-1927 (FREE SHIPPING)
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT The body of camera is leather wrapped with a leather handle and brass and chrome accents. It folds smoothly closed to 1.75 inches. Sold for decorative purposes only. May or...
Category

Early 20th Century Art Deco Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal, Chrome, Brass

Early 20th Century English Telescoping Surveyors Measure
Located in Burton, TX
Telescoping surveyors measuring staff made of wood with brass fittings. Marked 'Houghton-Butcher Mfg. Co. Ltd., London 1918 N0. 1.195'. Lovingly cared...
Category

Early 20th Century English Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

Antique Kodak Hawk-Eye No. 2A Folding Camera c.1926-1934 (FREE SHIPPING)
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT A Hawk-Eye Shutter Model 2A folding camera, model B with a leather wrapped body, chrome and brass accents and extended push button shutter mechanism. Closes to 1.5 inches flat...
Category

Early 20th Century Industrial Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal, Chrome

Edwardian Camera on Tripod Stand
Located in Altrincham, GB
Edwardian Sanderson Ensign half plate camera, on hickory tripod stand, circa 1910 - 24" diam x 65"h set up - Sanderson Cameras Sanderson cameras, both field and 'Hand and Stand' for...
Category

Early 1900s English Edwardian Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Leather, Hickory

Large Kodak Folding No. 3A Camera with Mahogany Inlay c.1910 (FREE SHIPPING)
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT A large Eastman Kodak No. 3A folding camera with red bellows and Mahogany inlay. The body is wrapped in leather with chrome and brass accents. The camera folds to 2.5 inches. ...
Category

Early 20th Century Industrial Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal, Brass, Chrome

Art Deco Kodak Junior Six-20 Bimat Folding Camera c.1930
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT An Art Deco Kodak Compur Model Six-20 Folding Camera with a leather wrapped body, chrome accents and flip out view finder. Black and silver Art Deco design on both sides Show...
Category

Early 20th Century Art Deco Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal, Chrome

Blown glass scientific instrument, Italy 1900.
Located in Milan, IT
Blown glass scientific instrument to evaluate the expansion of the liquids with the warmth. Italy circa 1900.
Category

Early 20th Century Italian Scientific Instruments

Materials

Glass

Large Kodak Folding No. 3A Camera with Mahogany Inlay c.1903 (FREE SHIPPING)
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT A large Eastman Kodak No. 3A folding camera with red bellows and Mahogany inlay. The body is wrapped in leather with chrome and brass accents. The camera folds to 2 inches. Th...
Category

Early 20th Century Industrial Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal, Brass, Chrome

French 19th Century Louis XIV St. Ormolu And Patinated Bronze Barometer
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A most impressive French 19th century Louis XIV st. Ormolu and patinated Bronze barometer, after Torricelli. The circular patinated bronze face has the eight enameled plaques depicti...
Category

19th Century French Louis XIV Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Bronze, Ormolu

19th Century Hand Carved Oak "Military" Barometer
Located in North Salem, NY
Very unusual hand carved Oak "Military" aneroid barometer from England. Circa 1880. Often antique items like this can be highly collectible and are often sought after by collectors and enthusiasts of vintage scientific instruments...
Category

1880s English Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Oak

Antique Wooden Plate, Wabi Sabi Style, Scandinavia, 1800s
Located in Hønefoss, 30
A wonderful wooden wabi sabi plate from Scandinavia, circa 1800s. In good vintage condition showing beautiful patina from age and use. Measures: Ø: 2...
Category

19th Century Norwegian Romantic Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Wood

Unique Antique Water Filter, 19th Century
Located in Udenhout, NL
This is a very unique and antique water filter from Brussels, Belgium.
Category

1870s Belgian Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Porcelain

Large French 19th Century Brass and Steel Scale with Weighing Pans and Column
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French brass and steel scale from the 19th century with central column and two weighing pans. Embrace the charm and sophistication of the 19th century with this exquisite French br...
Category

19th Century Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass, Steel

Antique Iron Worker Hand Forged Vintage Tools Set of 9
Located in Chula Vista, CA
collection handmade Iron Blacksmithing Tools- Set of 9 Antique Iron Worker Tools forging metal circa early 1900s tool total 9 25 the longest x 3...
Category

Early 20th Century American Industrial Scientific Instruments

Materials

Iron, Metal

Antique Nickel Plated Bronze Table Top Fire Engine Bell
Located in New York, NY
This antique bronze tabletop fire engine bell with a wood base is a rare find. Its nickel-plated bronze construction exudes vintage charm, making it a...
Category

Early 20th Century American Scientific Instruments

Materials

Bronze, Nickel

Luxury Victorian French Lorgnette Opera Glasses Marked "La Ville Paris" Ca 1890
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 gilt metal mounts. Premium mother of pearl and on...
Category

1890s French Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Mother-of-Pearl

Pair Of Vintage Cased Opera Glasses, French, Brass, Binocular, Mid 20th Century
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a pair of vintage cased opera glasses. A French, brass and Mother of Pearl Galilean binocular, dating to the mid 20th century, circa 1950...
Category

1950s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

Terrestrial Globe Ludwig Julius Heymann, Circa 1880
Located in Madrid, ES
Terrestrial Globe Ludwig Julius Heymann, Circa 1880 Globe 10 cm in diameter with a marble base held by metal putty. Nineteenth century. Dimensions: 46 cm high 7.14 cm diameter
Category

1880s Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Marble

Anatomical model: a decomposable eyeball, Italy end of 19th century.
Located in Milan, IT
Rare anatomical model for schools, educational use, depicting a decomposable eyeball, complete in all its parts, made of plaster, glass and painted paper mache, metal hooks. Italy ci...
Category

Late 19th Century Italian Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal

Rare anatomical model: an external and inner ear, Italy end of 19th century.
Located in Milan, IT
Rare anatomical model for schools, educational use, depicting a separable external and internal ear, complete in all its parts, made of plaster and painted paper mache, metal hooks. ...
Category

Late 19th Century Italian Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal

Anatomical model: a woman’s human bust dissection. Italy end of 19th century.
Located in Milan, IT
Rare anatomical model for class, depicting a woman’s human bust dissection with all removable organs, complete in all its part. Made out of painted plaster and paper mache, mounted o...
Category

Late 19th Century Italian Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Plaster, Wood

19th Century French Table Sundial And Compass
Located in Firenze, IT
Shipping policy No additional costs will be added to this order. Shipping costs will be totally covered by the seller (customs duties included). Brass sundial with folding gnoman. ...
Category

Late 19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

1950s Mid-Century Modern Olympia Sm-3 Portable Typewriter with Case
Located in Miami, FL
Vintage Mid-Century Modern Olympia SM3 portable typewriter with the original metal case. Circa 1950s. Features a Qwerty keyboard, a grayish green color body with chrome trims and the original metal case with a galvanized-like finish and the original lock key. Olympia SMs were once considered the Mercedes Benz of typewriters. The Hermes 3000...
Category

1950s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal

Early 20th Century Belgian Black Board, Chalkboard
Located in Udenhout, NL
Early 20th Century Belgian Black Board, Chalkboard, in a good state.
Category

1940s Belgian Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Slate

Collection of Friedrich Ziegler wax model human heart development forms
Located in London, GB
Collection of Friedrich Ziegler wax model human heart development forms A rare collection of 4 wax models of the human heart, showing its early development to full size. The hand-col...
Category

Early 1900s German Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Natural Fiber

Fine Pair of Mother of Pearl Opera Glasses by Dolland, London
Located in Bath, GB
A splendid pair of Edwardian Opera / Theatre glasses professionally re-polished to gleam, making them as good as they would have looked over 100 years ag...
Category

Early 1900s British Edwardian Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

Nikon Lot N90 35mm Camera with MB-10 Grip SB-25 Flash MF-26 Control
Located in Dayton, OH
Lot includes Nikon N90s 35mm camera, MB-10 Multi Power Vertical Grip, SB-25 Speedlight flash, MF-26 Multi-Control Back, instruction books/original boxes, Complete User’s Guide Nikon ...
Category

Late 20th Century Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal

Barometro torricelliano a mercurio in legno firmato A. Pozzi attivo tra 1820/30
Located in Milan, IT
Barometro torricelliano a mercurio in legno di mogano, con doppia filettatura laterale in legno di cedro e di ebano, firmato A. Pozzi Wootton Bassett attivo tra il 1822 e il 1830. Lo...
Category

1820s Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Wood

Old Doctors School Model Lower Back Spine
Located in Oostrum-Venray, NL
Old Doctors School Model Lower Back Spine Additional information: Period of Time: 1960 Country of origin: Germany Condition: Good
Category

20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Scientific Instruments

Materials

Plastic

1960s Olivetti Underwood 21 Portable Typewriter With Original Travel Case
Located in Miami, FL
Vintage Mid Century Modern Olivetti Underwood 21 Portable Typewriter With Original Case Circa 1960s Features a QUERTY keyboard, a teal and light blue metal body with a dark gray pla...
Category

1960s Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal

Antique English Brass-Mounted Rosewood Complete Apothecary Case, Circa 1880.
Located in New Orleans, LA
Rare complete antique English London-made apothecary case, circa 1880. Rosewood with Brass Mounts.
Category

Late 19th Century English Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

1960s Industrial Medical Cabinet
Located in Norwalk, CT
This is a great medical cabinet from the 1960s, ready to keep all your goodies safe this is a great 1960s accent item that is sure to be a one of a kind addition to your decor!
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal

Vintage Metal Laboratory Beaker Stand
Located in High Point, NC
An intriguing and unique accent, this vintage lab-ware stand holds various vintage technical glasswares. Industrial, utilitarian, and scientific, yet also playful and curious, this vintage beaker...
Category

20th Century French Industrial Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal

Mid Century Revere S-16 16mm Sound Movie Projector w Case 22"
Located in Dayton, OH
Mid century Revere 16 sound projector with case. Working. Dimensions: 22"x 15.5" x 7.5"
Category

Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal

Pair Of Large Antique Italian Globes
Located in Madrid, ES
Pair Of Large Antique Italian Globes Large pair of terrestrial and celestial globes from Italy 1940s. The globes are in good conditio...
Category

1940s Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Wood

Floor Standing Globe On A Turned Hardwood & Brass Stand Model No 16
Located in High Wycombe, GB
Crams Imperial World Globe Floor Standing Globe On A Turned Hardwood & Brass Stand Model No 16 Manufactured by George F Cram Co. Indiana, U.S.A Sizes are guesstimates
Category

Early 20th Century American Victorian Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

Large Impressive 1800s Kalidoscope
Located in Peekskill, NY
This scope is unsigned and was acquired from a European collector. It could be American but I'm guessing its not. The eyepiece and turning mechanism are brass. The tube is canvas wra...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Industrial Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Fruitwood

Barometer In Walnut-19th Century
Located in Brussels, Brussels
walnut barometer from the 19th century from England The thermometer works and the barometer mechanism is present In superb condition and very beautiful patina
Category

19th Century British Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Walnut

English Leather Covered Naval Telescope, circa 1850
Located in London, GB
An unusual English nineteenth century leather and brass single drawer hand held Naval signals telescope with a lens cap, sliding eyepiece cover and panel insert into the leather show...
Category

1850s British Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

Black Forest Style Carved Walnut Barometer, Germany, ca. 1920
Located in Barntrup, DE
Black Forest style carved walnut barometer, Germany, ca. 1920. An impressive carved walnut barometer with masterfully carved flowers and leaves. A small mirror on the top of the roun...
Category

1920s German Black Forest Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Glass, Mirror, Walnut

Louis XVI Giltwood Barometer
Located in Essex, MA
Oval with a ribbon bow over an oval glass fronted barometer with grisaille painted panel with metal directionals. Inscribed Selon Torricelli.
Category

1790s French Louis XVI Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Giltwood

Nikon AF Nikkor Camera Lens Set 28mm 50mm 85mm Speedlight Flash & Case
Located in Dayton, OH
Vintage Nikon camera lens lot. Comes with Lightware case, 3 Nikon AF Nikkor 1:1.4D lenses (28mm, 85mm, and 50mm), Nikon Speedlight SB-28 flash, 4 Nikon lens hoods (HN-31, HK-&, HN-1...
Category

Late 20th Century Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal

Bronze Magnifying Glass w/ Art Nouveau Nude, ca. 1910
Located in Petaluma, CA
This lovely high quality magnifying glass makes a perfect piece for the art nouveau lover, or anyone who wants to hold a beautiful object when trying to magnify something. Note the ...
Category

Early 20th Century American Art Nouveau Scientific Instruments

Materials

Bronze

Vintage Teaching Aid Modell of An Ear - Somso ca. 1960
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Vintage Teaching Aid Modell of An Ear - Somso ca. 1960 A folding model of an ear. Used as teaching material in German schools ca. 1960. Made of wood and plastic by Somso, Germany. ...
Category

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

Materials

Plaster, Wood, Paper

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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