Scientific Instruments
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Scientific Instruments For Sale
19th Century Botanic Model by Robert Brendel - Umbella (umbel)
Located in Berghuelen, DE
19th Century Botanic Model by Robert Brendel - Umbella (umbel)
A great antique botanical model manufactured by the famous Robert Brendel manufactory for botanicals models around 190...
Category
Early 20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Scientific Instruments
Materials
Plaster, Wood, Paper
Mid-Century English Inlaid Burlwood Barometer / Thermometer
Located in Germantown, MD
Mid-Century English Inlaid Burlwood Barometer / Thermometer.
Clean vintage condition. Measures 8.5" in width, 33" in height and 2.25" in depth.
Category
Mid-20th Century English Mid-Century Modern Scientific Instruments
Materials
Wood
US Navy Mark 74 Aiming Telescope
Located in Norwell, MA
1943 United States Navy Telescope. Used primarily as part of the Mark 16 Aiming System on 50 caliber anti-aircraft gun mounts. Fitted with three sun filters...
Category
1940s North American Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
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
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
Langlois Graphometer - Circa 1730
Located in Placerville, CA
This is a BEAUTIFUL Graphometer made by the premier instrument maker in France, Claude Langlois, after Bion and Butterfield had stopped making instruments.
As discussed on my Graphometer - Semicircle webpage, the French produced a good number of Graphometers from 1600 to about 1850. And a fair number of these Graphometers are still around. If you want to add a really nice Graphometer to your collection, this Langlois merits serious consideration for these reasons:
1. While not as well-known internationally as Bion and Butterfield, Langlois was The Man in France after Bion and Butterfield had passed away.
2. The President of Harvard College...
Category
Early 18th Century French Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Jean Baptiste Van Lerberghe Theodolite - Circa 1700 to 1720
Located in Placerville, CA
This is a fascinating and unique Theodolite that is engraved as a Semicircle - only 180 degrees.
The Theodolite was made by Jean Baptiste Van Lerberghe of Bollezelle, France. Bo...
Category
Early 18th Century French Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
English Regency Gilt Figural and Ebonized Dital Harp, Maker E. Light, Circa 1815
Located in Hollywood, SC
English Regency gilt stenciled figural and floral ebonized dital harp signed by maker Edward Light. Retailed at Srohl Foley place London, Early 19th century.
Category
1810s English Regency Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Giltwood, Ebony, Wood, String
Large Antique French Neoclassical Brass Scale
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Large Antique French Neoclassical Brass Scale, by Berenger & Co, Lyon
France, Circa 1870
A stunning Large Antique French Neoclassical Brass Scale, crafted by the renowned Berenger & Co of Lyon during the mid to late 19th Century. This remarkable brass shop keepers, assay or pharmacist scale...
Category
Late 19th Century French Neoclassical Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
An apothecary bronze mortar and pestle, Italy 1700.
Located in Milan, IT
Bronze Apothecary mortar, fitted with mortar pestle. Italy early 18th century.
Category
Early 18th Century Italian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Bronze
Pair Antique French Mother of Pearl Opera Glasses circa 1910, Lorgnette Handle
Located in Bath, GB
A splendid pair of late Victorian Opera / Theatre glasses professionally re-polished to gleam, making them as good as they would have looked over 100 y...
Category
1910s French Edwardian Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Superb Antique French Opera Glasses Signed Chevalier, Paris c.1900
By Chevalier Opticien Paris
Located in Bath, GB
A truly exquisite pair of Opera Glasses by the well renowned French maker, Chevalier of Paris, signed on both eye pieces.
The glasses are made from polished brass and Abalone shell ...
Category
Early 1900s French Edwardian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
20th Century Czech Wooden Industrial Element
Located in High Point, NC
This 20th-century wooden foundry mold, repurposed as a captivating decorative piece, stands as a testament to the fusion of industrial history and artistic charm. Crafted from solid ...
Category
20th Century Czech Industrial Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal
19th Century Cast Iron Book Press by Army and Navy Csl
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
19th century cast iron book press by army and navy csl circa 1890.
Fine quality book press by army & navy c.S.L . Army and navy co-operative soci...
Category
Late 19th Century English Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass, Iron
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
A Wunderkammer object: the mechanical paradox, France half 19th century.
Located in Milan, IT
A Wunderkammer object: the mechanical paradox. It consists in a double cone, which is able to climb up along an inclined plane. The double cone rises when the slope of the inclined p...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Ebony, Oak
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
Antique Teaching Model Longitudinal Profile of the Grain
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Teaching Model Longitudinal Profile of the Grain
A great antique hand-painted model of the grain with removable germ. Made of papier ma...
Category
Early 20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Scientific Instruments
Materials
Plaster, Wood, Paper
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
1970s Wooden Foldable School Abacus, Czechoslovakia
Located in Praha, CZ
Mid century wooden colorful abacus that was used in schools in the 1970s. Can be folded as shown in the pictures. Good original condition.
Category
Mid-20th Century Czech Scientific Instruments
Materials
Wood
A glass and vulcanite syringe, London 1880.
Located in Milan, IT
An end of the 19th-Century medical’s instrument. A glass and vulcanite syringe. London, UK circa 1880.
Category
Late 19th Century British Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Glass
18th Century mahogany and brass telescope by Nairne & Blunt of London
Located in Martlesham, GB
18th Century mahogany and brass telescope by Nairne & Blunt of London, having a mahogany barrel with a thumb wheel to the side of the main barrel, supported on a solid brass tripod s...
Category
1780s British Georgian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Mahogany
Microscope cloth counting glass by J. Casartelli & Son of Manchester.
Located in London, GB
Microscope cloth counting glass by J. Casartelli & Son of Manchester.
In original maroon leather velvet lined case.
Marked: J. CASARTELLI & SON SALFORD.6. Rd 14755.
Registered des...
Category
Late 19th Century English Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass, Steel
Antique Wrap Reel Machine, English, Factory, Cotton, John Nesbitt, Victorian
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique rotary wrap reel machine. An English, brass and cast iron factory cotton skein winder by John Nesbitt of Manchester, dating to the late...
Category
Late 19th Century British Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Bronze
Antique Book Press with 4 Drawer Stone Top Flat Art File Cabinet
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A working antique iron book press which sits atop a four drawer art storage cabinet with two brass identification card holders on each drawer. ...
Category
19th Century Rustic Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Stone, Iron, Brass
A GERMAN ANATOMICAL MODEL OF a PREGNANT WOMAN STEPHEN ZICK
Located in Madrid, ES
A GERMAN ANATOMICAL MODEL OF A PREGNANT WOMAN STEPHEN ZICK
The woman with articulated arms, removable torso revealing internal organs, lying on a couch with cushion incised and modelled with simulated lace.On a later wood box.
Stephen Zick was one of a dynasty of carvers active from the late 16th to the 18th century in Nuremberg, . Such models, as well as carved skulls, were conceived as teaching tools and were inspired by the drawings of Andrea Vesalius...
Category
Early 18th Century Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Wood
English George III Inlaid Mahogany Barometer
Located in New York, NY
English Neoclassical George III mahogany marquetry barometer signed "J Kataberga, Banbury - Warranted".
Dimensions: 39" H x 10" W x 2" D.
Dealer: S138XX
Category
Early 19th Century George III Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Mahogany
Large 19th Century Bronze Balance Scale
Located in Dallas, TX
Large 19th Century Bronze Balance Scale is a wonderful example of European mercantile history! Hand-crafted from solid bronze in an elaborate design to exude quality and refinement,...
Category
Mid-19th Century English Belle Époque Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Bronze
Dr Forbes Specifications Bath Thermometer
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Dr Forbes Specifications Bath Thermometer
A great piece, the thermometer has a beech Case so that it can be floated to show the numerical temperature and also the recommended from
...
Category
Early 1900s Edwardian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Beech
Vintage Drawing Instrument Set, German, Draughtsman's Tools, Schcenner, C.1930
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a vintage drawing instrument set. A German, nickel draughtsman's tool case by Schcenner, dating to the mid 20th century, circa 1930.
Fine German instrument set in fold-out carry case
Displaying a desirable aged patina throughout
Silver nickel presents a lightly tarnished appearance, commensurate with age
Presented within a textured carry case with four fold design
8 pieces offering the essential tools for the travelling draughtsman
Comprises a pair of compass, two bow compass and ruling pen...
Category
Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Scientific Instruments
Materials
Nickel
Stick barometer in glass and wood case Northern Italy early 19th century
Located in Milan, IT
Ebonized wood cue barometer, manufacturing in northern Italy from the early 19th century, housed in an elegant custom-made shrine glass and ebonized wood with decorative motifs.
B...
Category
1810s Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Wood
An apothecary glass mortar and pestle, Italy 18th century.
Located in Milan, IT
Apothecary glass mortar, fitted with glass pestle. Italy early 18th century.
Category
Early 18th Century Italian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Glass
20th Century French Wooden Floor Abacus
Located in High Point, NC
A wooden abacus created in 20th century France. A symbol of antiquated mathematical processes, this seemingly simple stack of slidable wooden beads can be used for subtraction, addit...
Category
20th Century French French Provincial Scientific Instruments
Materials
Wood
Apothecary precision scale, travelling set, France 1890
Located in Milan, IT
Precision travel scale, pharmaceutical use. The box is made of oak wood. The scale can be completely disassembled and positioned inside the drawer. A lever allows you to lift the pla...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Wood
Anatomical Cut of Human Skull Papier-maché, Didactical Collectables, Dr.Auzoux
Located in Leuven , BE
Anatomical cut of a human skull composed in natural painted papier-maché, with numbered labels on the different elements
Category
19th Century French Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Plaster, Paper
Vintage Draughtsman's Set, German, Drawing Instruments, Tools, Richter Pracision
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a vintage draughtsman's set. A German, nickel silver drawing instrument set by E.O. Richter Präcision, dating to the mid 20th century, circa 1930.
Five piece instrument set ...
Category
Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Scientific Instruments
Materials
Nickel
Mid-Century Georgian Style German Wall Barometer
Located in Germantown, MD
A 1960s decorative Georgian Style wall Barometer from West Germany. 28" tall.
Category
Mid-20th Century German Georgian Scientific Instruments
Materials
Wood
An apothecary bronze mortar and pestle, Italy 1700.
Located in Milan, IT
Bronze Apothecary mortar, fitted with mortar pestle. Italy early 18th century.
Category
Early 18th Century Italian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Bronze
An apothecary bronze mortar and pestle, Italy 1700.
Located in Milan, IT
Bronze Apothecary mortar, fitted with mortar pestle. Italy early 18th century.
Category
Early 18th Century Italian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Bronze
Vintage Safe Deposit Box In Steel, Czechoslovakia 1980s
Located in Zohor, SK
Step back in time with this remarkable vintage steel safe box, a testament to both craftsmanship and security. Crafted in the 1980s within the borde...
Category
1980s Slovak Mid-Century Modern Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Steel
1960s Tesla Speaker Ars450, Czechoslovakia
By Tesla
Located in Zohor, SK
Unique and original item. A speaker used in villages as a part of a local radio in Czechoslovakia. this piece in marked as Tesla ARS 450, 25W. We were no...
Category
1960s Czech Mid-Century Modern Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal
Set of Victorian Brass Beam Scales
Located in Altrincham, GB
Set of Victorian Brass Beam Scales, complete with pans and nest of weights - Williams & Sons - Cannon St. London - 21"w x 12"d x 27"h
Category
Mid-19th Century English Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
A botanic model of a pale pink tulip, Brendel, Germany 1880.
Located in Milan, IT
A rare Brendel botanical model of Tulipa gesneriana, the Tulip N.200 (Liliaceae), light pink color. The wooden ebonized round base holds the model which opens revealing the flower. T...
Category
Late 19th Century German Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Wood
Extra Large Antique Mounted Magic Lantern Condensing / Magnifying / Optical Lens
Located in Lisse, NL
Wonderful early 20th century magic lantern lens.
It does not matter what the reason is why you like the look and feel or the history of these special lenses. Your fascination could ...
Category
Early 20th Century European Arts and Crafts Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
French Pendulum Clock & Aneroid Barometer, circa 1960
Located in Labrit, Landes
Clock and aneroid barometer in walnut made circa 1960.
The aneroid barometer (or holosteric barometer) was developed by the Frenchman Lucien Vidie who filed a patent for it in 1844 ...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal, Brass
Precision demountable scale for travel, France 1880.
Located in Milan, IT
Apothecary traveling scale entirely demountable. All the pieces fits inside the front drawer. Oak wood box, brass elements and glasses. Glass protection sides. France 1880.
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Ships Compass by John Hand of Philadelphia
Located in Norwell, MA
Wing bridge compass from a United States Navy vessel. The gray military paint has been stripped and the entire binnacle and compass have been meticulously polished and lacquered. The...
Category
1940s North American Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Mother of Pearl Opera Glasses by Colmont Paris
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
A gorgeous pair of antique Mother-of-Pearl opera or theatre glasses, by renowned maker 'Colmont Paris'. Constructed from brass, with inlaid panels of i...
Category
19th Century French Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
18th Century Parisian Giltwood Barometer Thermometer
Located in Dallas, TX
This lovely giltwood barometer and thermometer was hand-carved during the Louis XVI period in Paris, France. During the late 1700’s, barometers were typically only owned by wealthy f...
Category
Late 18th Century French Louis XVI Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Iron
20th Century English Polished Observation Binoculars By Ross, c.1940
By Ross
Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
A rare set of 10 x 70 binoculars manufactured during WWII by Ross. They have been expertly cleaned and hand polished. With a magnification of 10 (magnification) x 70 (aperture), and ...
Category
20th Century British Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass, Chrome
Natural specimen: children verme, Italy 1900.
Located in Milan, IT
An example of natural specimen of Ascaris Lumbricoides. Children verme, preserved in formaldehyde and sealed on glass container. Italy circa 1900.
Category
Early 20th Century Italian Scientific Instruments
Materials
Glass
Glass Pharmacy Wound Syringe in Beech Case by Wm Toogood Ltd
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Glass Pharmacy Wound Syringe in Beech Case by Wm Toogood Ltd
The Glass Syringe comes in its original turned Beech case and has the Pharmacy label on the front
The box is 9” long and...
Category
19th Century Industrial Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Beech
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
A precision brass scale, France 1880.
Located in Milan, IT
Precision scale made out on brass. France circa 1880.
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
1986 Gray and Black Enorme Telephone by Ettore Sottsass for Enorme
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A perfectly postmodern telephone designed by the Memphis Milano master, Ettore Sottsass, and produced in 1986. The Enorme phone was produced in another color way but this is the much rarer gray and black version. The Enorme telephone was the result of a collaboration between Sottsass and David Kelley, founder of the design firm IDEO. Sottsass created the conceptual design, and Kelley and his team were responsible for the engineering and detail design. To produce the telephone, the two formed the Enorme Corporation with Jean Pigozzi. Examples of this phone design are found in the collections of The Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Museum of Modern Art, RISD Museum, and the Los Angeles County Museum.
In good vintage condition with wear consistent with age and use. Works great! Molded manufacturer's mark on handset and base: "Designed by Ettore Sottsass Enorme...
Category
Late 20th Century Post-Modern Scientific Instruments
Materials
Plastic
J H Steward Lord Bury Brass Telescopwe with Leather Case London Ca. 1870
By steward
Located in Los Angeles, CA
J H Steward Brass Telescope. The Lord Bury Telescope comes with a leather case. The brass and leather both. are very patinated. Not only is the brass tarnished, but there are a f...
Category
19th Century British Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Vintage French Hour Sand Glass in Pewter
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
French Pewter and Sand 15 Minutes Hour Glass
Category
1920s French Folk Art Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Pewter
An apothecary bronze mortar and pestle, England 1800.
Located in Milan, IT
Bronze Apothecary mortar, fitted with mortar pestle. England early 19th century.
Category
Early 19th Century English Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Bronze
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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