Skip to main content

Scientific Instruments

1,620
5
2
to
177
963
608
1,627
1,623
1,624
684
Scientific Instruments For Sale
Botanical Ceramic Educational Blooming Hazelnut Intersection
By Osterloh Modell
Located in Weesp, NL
Beautiful Mid-Century Modern hand painted ceramic intersection of a blooming Hazelnut, Corylus Avellana. This rare sculptural piece is in great condition as can be seen in the images. Made in Leipzig, German Democratic Republic...
Category

1960s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Ceramic

Beautiful Glass Apothecary Jar - price per piece
Located in Brussels, BE
Cut-glass top and blown glass jar beautiful quality. Multiple available
Category

20th Century European Scientific Instruments

Materials

Blown Glass, Cut Glass

German Art Deco Desk Top Barometer and Weather Station
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
German Art Deco desk top barometer and weather station. German desktop barometer, thermometer and hydrometer. This station is unsigned and made...
Category

20th Century German Art Deco Scientific Instruments

Gold Ceramic Thermometer by Mithé Espelte
Located in Saint-Ouen, IDF
Beautiful wall thermometer in ceramic by Mithé Espelt. Abstract decors with gold glaze and pockets of molten glass Marie Thérèse Espelt, aka. Mithé Espelt (1923-2020) Born in...
Category

1960s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Ceramic

Italy 1939s Sketch Futurist Poster "Day of Two Crosses" Against Tuberculosis
Located in Milan, IT
Sketch of the futurist poster "Day of two crosses, 16th April 1939, XVII", mixed technique of pastel and water-color, for an Italian campaign against tuberculosis, to inform people a...
Category

1930s Italian Futurist Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Paper

Monumental Gilded Iron and Brass Italian Apothecary Scale on Marble Base
Located in New York, NY
This magnificent 19th-century Italian apothecary scale, with dimensions of 27" x 43" x 44", is a testament to the era's exceptional craftsmanship and aesthetic sensibilities. Crafted...
Category

19th Century Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Marble, Bronze, Iron

20th Century Soviet Cold War Anti Aircraft Binoculars c.1950
Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
An impressive set of highly polished Cold War-era anti-aircraft binoculars from the former USSR, crafted in the 20th Century. Accompanied by a sleek and adjustable metal tripod, thes...
Category

1950s Russian Other Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal

Rare 1800s Andrews’ Lunar Tellurian
Located in Peekskill, NY
This is a rare Weber Costello Scientific Globe Tellurian that dates to around 1880. This is a handsome globe made by, "Weber Costello Co. Chicago Heights, Illinois." The globe sits o...
Category

Late 19th Century Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Iron

Antique Weber Costello 12 Inch Globe - Rare Tall Base
Located in Peekskill, NY
I checked the globe and its signed Weber London but could not find a date of printing. This is an 12 inch desk globe is a bit different because of the extra tall decorative stand. I ...
Category

Early 20th Century English Industrial Scientific Instruments

Materials

Bronze

Large 1960's Vintage Scientific Anatomical Human 3D Ear Model
Located in Lafayette, IN
Large 1960's Vintage Scientific Anatomical Human 3D Ear Model. Manufactured by the Nystrom Co. of Chicago, Illinois. Large 17" scale and great patina!
Category

1960s American Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Rubber, Wood

Machine Age Art Deco Doctors or Bathroom Floor Model Scale Weigh Master by Hanso
Located in New York, NY
Great Machine Age, American Art Deco floor scale, Weigh Master by Hanson. The scale is fully functional, it shows cosmetic wear to the paint finish, and th...
Category

1930s American Art Deco Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal

1986 Enorme Telephone Handset by Ettore Sottsass
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A perfectly postmodern telephone handset designed by the Memphis Milano master, Ettore Sottsass, and produced in 1986. The Enorme telephone was the result of a collaboration between...
Category

Late 20th Century Post-Modern Scientific Instruments

Materials

Plastic

Teak and Brass Nautical Ship's Clinometer
Located in Nantucket, MA
A handsome brass and teak ship's clinometer with a black melamine type background. An brass embossed clipper ship at the top. Used to measure the degree of healing on a boat, or on l...
Category

Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

Bronze Sculptural Thermometer, Long Bodied Lady, Artist Signed and Dated 1911
Located in Petaluma, CA
It wasn't easy trying to title this bronze in one sentence. The first thing about it to my eye is the wonderful whimsy displayed. The fact that it's a thermometer just adds to the jo...
Category

1910s American Art Nouveau Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Bronze

Antique Aluminum Teaching Dental Phantom Head Skull on Stand Gold Tooth 1920's
Located in Portland, OR
Antique aluminum dental phantom teaching head model with a gold tooth, 1920's. A wonderful fun sculptural dental phantom, the aluminum head with lower...
Category

1920s German Brutalist Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Aluminum, Gold, Steel

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 Erskine 200 Sterilized Barber Shop Shaving Brush
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Vintage ERSKINE 200 Sterilized Barber Shop SHAVING BRUSH Nylon Bristles Rubber Stamped Sterile 200 4.5 tall x 1.38 diameter Preowned original vintage...
Category

1950s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Nylon, Rubber

Astro tripod mounted telescope by Dollond of London
Located in London, GB
A mid 20th century tripod mounted "Astro" telescope by Dollond of London. 3 inch objective lens. Mounted on a teak tripod. Marked: DOLLOND ASTRO LONDON Chrome and grey finish. I...
Category

Mid-20th Century English Scientific Instruments

Materials

Chrome

Antique English Folding Brass Linen Thread Counter - Magnifying Glass
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

1910s British Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

Cased Map or Chart Magnifying Glass by J P Cutts c.1870
Located in Bath, GB
A wonderful Victorian brass map or charge magnifying glass complete with it's original brass case. The lid of the case is signed by the maker using the anchor trademark together wit...
Category

1870s British Late Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

Antique 19th Century Scottish Mahogany with Satinwood Inlay Barometer.
Located in New Orleans, LA
Antique 19th Century Scottish Mahogany with Satinwood Inlay Barometer.
Category

19th Century Scottish Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Mahogany, Satinwood

Antique 19th C. W & A K Johnston 18" Celestial Library Floor Globe Stand 1879
Located in Portland, OR
A very fine antique Celestial floor globe on stand by W. & A.K. Johnston, 1879. Representation of stars and constellations as they would appear on a sphere (Celestial sphere) of inf...
Category

1870s Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

Brionvega Radiocubo by Zanuso & Sapper, 1960s
Located in Parma, IT
Radiocubo Mod.TS502 produced by Brionvega, designed by Zanuso & Sapper in the 1960s. PVC body in the very rare brick red colour, chromed and black metal finishes, with removable ant...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Plastic

Molecular structure of sodium chloride for educational use Czechoslovakia 1950s
Located in Milan, IT
Molecular structure of sodium chloride (NaCl) for educational use in satin-finished metal painted yellow, bakelite spheres painted green and gray. Czechoslovakian manufacture of th...
Category

1950s Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal

Atomic structure for educational use of carbonic acid Czechoslovakia 1950s.
Located in Milan, IT
Struttura atomica ad uso didattico dell'acido carbonico (H2CO3) in metallo, sfere in bachelite verniciate rosso e nero. Czechoslovakian manufacture of the 1950s. Good condition sign...
Category

1950s Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal

Fairbanks Scale Co American Doctors Scale
Located in Cheshire, GB
Fairbanks doctors scale in black with brass adjustable measuring stick, and cast iron pressure plate. Retaining there original weights. Dimensions: Heig...
Category

Early 20th Century American Scientific Instruments

Materials

Iron

Wall-Mounted Weather Station in Art Nouveau Style Carved Oak 1910s
Located in Verviers, BE
Wall-Mounted Weather Station in Art Nouveau Style Carved Oak 1910s Belgium High quality mechanism with jeweled movement barometer and thermometer (in centigrade) Unusual design wit...
Category

1910s Belgian Art Nouveau Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Oak

Art Deco Nudy Lady Thermometer
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
Celluloid nude lady Art Deco thermometer.
Category

20th Century Art Deco Scientific Instruments

Fine Pair French Abalone & Mother of Pearl Opera Glasses
Located in Bath, GB
A stunning pair of French Opera glasses made from gilded brass, all intact and original. The glasses are clad in alternating Mother of Pearl or Nacre shell and Abalone shell, creati...
Category

1920s French Art Deco Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

Small Antique English Brass Framed Magnifying Glass c.1900
Located in Bath, GB
A small antique English magnifying glass with a polished brass handle and frame. The glass has a good magnification and remains in undamaged condition. Dating to c.1900, it remains...
Category

Early 1900s British Edwardian Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

Vintage Bausch & Lomb Brass Harbormaster 0905 Telescope on Tripod Stand
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Bausch & Lomb Brass 0905 Harbormaster 48" Telescope on Tripod Stand. Circa Mid to Late 20th Century. Measurements: 60" H x 48" W x 32" D.
Category

Mid-20th Century Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

Wall-Mounted Weather Station in Art Nouveau Style Carved Oak By Grand Bazar
Located in Verviers, BE
Wall-Mounted Weather Station in Art Nouveau Style Carved Oak By Grand Bazar 1910s Liege Belgium High quality mechanism with jeweled movement barometer and thermometer (in centigrade...
Category

1910s Belgian Art Nouveau Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Oak

English 20th Century Iron Armillary Held by the Titan Atlas on Stone Pedestal
Located in Atlanta, GA
An English iron armillary depicting Atlas carrying the world from the early 20th century, with carved stone pedestal. Created in England during the 20th century, this armillary featu...
Category

20th Century English Scientific Instruments

Materials

Stone, Iron

18th Century Medical Syringe
Located in London, GB
18th Century Medical Syringe For historical medical use and dating from the 18th century, and certainly from the beginning of the 18th century. This hand-crafted example is made to...
Category

1780s Unknown Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Natural Fiber

Terrestrial globe published by Ernst Schotte & co, Germany 1890.
Located in Milan, IT
Terrestrial globe in watercolored paper, fixed with an inclined axis through a small brass arm, mounted on a black turned fruit wood base. Published by Ernst Schotte & Co. Berlin, Ge...
Category

Late 19th Century German Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

Rudder-shaped aneroid barometer with 8 brass ankles from the 1950s
Located in Milan, IT
Barometer turned wooden aneroid in the shape of a rudder with 8 turned brass ankles. West Germany manufacture for the British market 1950s. Bon état. Working order. Diameter cm 2...
Category

1950s Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Wood

Chrome-plated brass and leather telescope signed W. OTTWAY from the first war 1915
Located in Milan, IT
Chrome-plated brass and leather telescope signed W. OTTWAY & Co Ltd Ealing London A49 in use by British Army officers during World War I. Single-length focus, focal diameter cm 3...
Category

1910s Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

Terrestrial globe, Italy 1940.
Located in Milan, IT
Terrestrial globe, physical and political, in paper mache on a round metal base. Cartographic design G. Pugno, lithographic typography C. Brandoni. Italian globe laboratory, Turin, I...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal

Large 1920's Globe on Wood Base
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Large Vintage Globe on Wood Base, circa 1920's Decorate an office or a desk with this beautifully preserved antique globe. Crafted in Europe, circa 1920's this piece is mounted on a...
Category

1920s European Biedermeier Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

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

Edmé Beauchêne disarticulated human skull with museum provenance, France
Located in Leuven , BE
Edmé François Chauvot de Beauchêne (1780, Île-de-France – 1830, Paris), was a French physician, surgeon and anatomist. He was Chief of l'hopital Saint-Antoine Paris, the Deputy Chief...
Category

19th Century French Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

Nautical Double Gauge Bubble Clinometer on Teak Back Plate by Conn. Valley Ind.
Located in Nantucket, MA
A double gauge bubble clinometer with precision glass tubing and nickel face mounted on a teak back plate. These tilt gauges were used on vessels to measure the angular slant of the ...
Category

Late 20th Century North American Industrial Scientific Instruments

Materials

Chrome

Spectacular Memento Mori Vanitas from the 19th Century - Italy
Located in Madrid, ES
This striking Memento Mori Vanitas serves as a captivating reflection piece from the 19th century Italy, presenting a profound contemplation on the fleeting nature of life and the fu...
Category

1880s Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Plaster

French Restauration Period Cast Brass Double Scale & Weights, ca. 1825
Located in Atlanta, GA
In complete and original condition and retaining bright patina this set of scales has a main scale and a smaller upper scale, both supported by dolphin forms hanging on a reeded stan...
Category

1820s French Restauration Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

1970's Vintage Olivetti Lettera 35 Typewriter
Located in San Carlos, CA
Beautiful vintage 1970's Olivetti Lettera 35 typewriter, made in Italy. This typewriter comes with a very cool vintage Olivetti shoulder bag. This typewriter is in very good cosmeti...
Category

1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal

Bronze mortar, Veneto, 16th century
Located in Brescia, IT
Bronze mortar, Veneto, 16th century Lost-wax cast bronze mortar with body outlined by parallel and succeeding frames delineating its circumference. On the two faces, in a central p...
Category

16th Century Italian Renaissance Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Bronze

Vintage Polaroid SX-70 Tan Land Camera by Henry Dreyfuss
Located in Wallkill, NY
A very nice Polaroid SX - 70 camera, developed by Edwin Land and Richard Wareham, designed by Henry Dreyfuss Associates. This was state of the art and re...
Category

1970s American Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Stainless Steel

Brass Framed Monumental Sized Magnifying Glass with Natural Horn Handle
Located in Savannah, GA
This monumental sized horn handled magnifying glass with brass framework and stem, is of heavy weight and fine quality. The horn is quite substantial and supports this very large gla...
Category

Early 1900s German Black Forest Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

Campbell–Stokes sunshine recorder by Casella & Co of London
Located in London, GB
A mid twentieth century Campbell–Stokes sunshine recorder, by Casella & Co, London. Pattern: Mk III C 45- 65 (latitudes 45° – 65°, North or South). 4 inch glass sphere. Serial numb...
Category

Mid-20th Century English Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass, Bronze

Italian Artist's Mannequin from the 19th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
This elegant Italian artist's mannequin from approximately 1900 is a beautiful representation of craftsmanship from the 19th century. Crafted from solid fruitwood, it stands as a tes...
Category

Early 1900s Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Fruitwood

Italian Artist's Mannequin from the 19th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
This elegant Italian artist's mannequin from approximately 1900 is a beautiful representation of craftsmanship from the 19th century. Crafted from solid fruitwood, it stands as a tes...
Category

Early 1900s Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Fruitwood

Antique Victorian Quality Rosewood Inlaid Banjo Barometer
Located in Suffolk, GB
Antique Victorian quality rosewood inlaid banjo barometer having a quality attractive banjo shaped rosewood case with superb satinwood marquetry inlay and a carved top, porcelain the...
Category

1880s English Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Rosewood

Italian Artist's Mannequin from the 19th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
This elegant Italian artist's mannequin from approximately 1900 is a beautiful representation of craftsmanship from the 19th century. Crafted from solid fruitwood, it stands as a tes...
Category

Early 1900s Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Fruitwood

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

Sailing ship's pulley fiddle block
Located in London, GB
An early 19th century Naval oak fiddle pulley block, with two wood sheaves. Marked with Roman Numerals: XXVIIII In sailing, a block is a single or multiple pulley. One or a number ...
Category

Early 19th Century English Industrial Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Oak

Solid Brass Ships Telephone On Pedesta
Located in Norwell, MA
Highly polished brass ships telephone on pedestal. Meticulously polished andl lacquered head by Hose-McCann Telephone Co, Inc., Brooklyn New York. Type A, model WTP, with phone insid...
Category

1920s North American Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

Vintage Specimen Collector's Chest of Drawers, French, Walnut Desk Box, Art Deco
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a vintage specimen collector's chest of drawers. A French, solid walnut four drawer executive desk box, dating to the Art Deco period, circa 1930. Exceptional figuring and f...
Category

Early 20th Century French Art Deco Scientific Instruments

Materials

Walnut

U.S. Army officer's pocket compass during WW1 signed WITTNAUER
Located in Milan, IT
U.S. Army officer's pocket compass during World War I made of chrome-plated brass in the shape of an onion clock, signed WITTNAUER. The compass is equipped with a snap-lock cover wi...
Category

1910s Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

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 All