Scientific Instruments
to
154
919
591
1,548
5
3
141
138
136
52
44
35
28
23
15
15
15
7
6
6
4
3
1
1
133
595
820
8
384
288
61
26
43
36
37
33
52
36
23
10
893
665
436
253
147
1,097
380
266
240
177
1,556
1,552
1,553
8
5
4
4
4
Scientific Instruments For Sale
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
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
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
IBM computer mod.5160 prod.1983
By IBM
Located in Taranto, IT
IBM computer mod.5160 prod.1983
Computer from the historic IBM model 5160, production year dj 1983.
Present within the General Catalogue of Cultural Heritage and at the Home Comp...
Category
1980s Italian Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Plastic
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
Antique Toledo 8400A American Art Deco Green Enameled Porcelain Penny Coin Scale
By Toledo Scale Company
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
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
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
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
$188 Sale Price
79% Off
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
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
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
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
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
Exquisite Pair French Enamel Opera Glasses c.1920
Located in Bath, GB
A truly superb pair of blue enamel opera glasses with intricate inlay and polished Mother of Pearl trim.
The metalware retains it's original gilding. They have a telescopic lorgnet...
Category
1920s French Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass, Enamel
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
Antique English Mahogany Cased Compass by Stanley, London
By Stanley & Co., London 1
Located in Bath, GB
A very handsome Victorian military explorer's compass dating to around 1840 / 1860 set in a hinged mahogany block measuring 2" square.
The compass has a shapely blued-steel needle (...
Category
1850s British Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Wood
Wood and glass wall barometer station signed Lufft 1950s
Located in Milan, IT
Table or wall-mounted wood and glass barometer station signed Lufft from the 1950s, made for the Italian market and consisting of aneroid barometer, thermometer and hygrometer.
Buono...
Category
1950s Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Wood
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
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
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
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
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
19th Century Wooden English Barometer Antique Forecast Weather Instrument
Located in Milan, IT
Wooden barometer measuring instrument English manufacture made in the mid 19th century, silver-plated brass dial engraved with meteorological indicati...
Category
1850s British Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Wood
Fine Brass Cased Pocket Compass by Short & Mason Ltd., London c.1910
Located in Bath, GB
A very fine English brass cased compass, professionally cleaned and polished restoring it to it's former glory. The face signed Short & Mason / London together with the brand name "...
Category
1910s British Edwardian Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
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
Leonard Bailey Wooden Block Plane Tool, United States, Early 20th Century
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
Leonard Bailey Wooden Block Plane Tool, United States, Early 20th Century.
Category
20th Century American Industrial Scientific Instruments
Materials
Steel
$440 Sale Price
20% Off
Fine Pair Antique Mother of Pearl Opera Glasses by LeMaire, Paris c.1910
Located in Bath, GB
A very fine pair of Edwardian opera glasses made from Mother of Pearl and the polished brass; made by the creme de la creme of makers, LeMaire of Paris.
Both Mother of Pearl eye pie...
Category
Early 20th Century French Edwardian Scientific Instruments
Materials
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
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
Important Utah/MIT Dextrous Hand Robotic Prototype
Located in Peekskill, NY
This is one of two early examples of this ground breaking experimental robotic hand. Its known as the Dextrous Hand and was designed at MIT in Utah and built by Sarcos Inc. and is si...
Category
20th Century American Industrial Scientific Instruments
Materials
Aluminum
19th Century Mahogany Barometer F Somalvico Antique Weather Measuring Instrument
Located in Milan, IT
Barometer complete with clock signed F. Somalvico N ° 11 Brook Str. Holborn London datable between 1810 and 1820. Finely crafted mahogany wood case with cedar wood edges. Large silve...
Category
1810s British Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Mahogany
Vintage Military Terrestrial Telescope, Canadian, Officer Of The Watch, CKC, WW2
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a vintage military terrestrial telescope. A Canadian, chromed brass naval Officer of the Watch refractor by the Canadian Kodak Company, dating to the WWII period, circa 1940...
Category
Early 20th Century Canadian Mid-Century Modern Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Large Arts & Crafts Hand-Carved Nutwood Barometer with Thermometer, Early 1900s
Located in Lisse, NL
This rare and decorative early 20th-century Arts & Crafts wall barometer and thermometer is a striking testament to Dutch craftsmanship. Hand-carved from a single solid piece of rich...
Category
Early 20th Century European Arts and Crafts Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal, Brass
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
Large Mid-Century Italian Giorgio Armani Eye Glasses Factice Shop Display Piece
Located in Nuernberg, DE
This is a rare and unique item! The Armani Eyeglasses Factic for display in a shop comes with its original cardboard packaging and is made of metal a...
Category
1980s Italian Modern Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal
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
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 Pair of Cased Binoculars, English, Brass, Optical Instrument, Victorian
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique pair of cased binoculars. An English, enamel brass optical instrument, dating to the Victorian period, circa 1900.
Appealing weathering and presented in an attrac...
Category
Early 20th Century British Late Victorian Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
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
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
Antique Trade Scale Brass and Painted Cast Iron, France, circa 1880
Located in Labrit, Landes
This trade scale was made in the late 19th century in France. It was a scale used by traders for retail.
Brass and painted cast-iron
Patina and signs of use which make this antique o...
Category
Late 19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass, Iron
Vintage Mother of Pearl Opera Glasses
Located in Tampa, FL
A glam throwback to evenings at the theatre—these vintage opera glasses by TASCO are as chic as they are collectible. Likely dating to the 1970s, this pair features a luminous mother...
Category
1980s Japanese Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
English Mahogany Fitted Portable Pharmacy or Apothecary with Numerous Components
Located in San Francisco, CA
A fine and large English mahogany and brass fitted portable apothecary or medical case containing numerous original bottles, a scale, literature and other accessories. The piece is f...
Category
Late 19th Century English Regency 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
Antique Doctors Standing Scale with Sliding Weights
Located in Peekskill, NY
This is a beautiful antique FAIRBANKS Industrial stand up doctors' scale. It has a height indicator and a movable weights made in solid brass. This is all original and still shows th...
Category
Early 20th Century Scientific Instruments
Materials
Iron
Antique Technical Drawing Set, German, Architect, Cartography, Wichmann
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique technical drawing set. A German, architect's or cartographer's instrument case by Wichmann, dating to the early 20th c...
Category
Early 20th Century German Edwardian Scientific Instruments
Materials
Nickel
Solid Brass Plumb Bob with Twine c.1940
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT
Solid brass plumb bob.
CREATOR Gammon Reel Co.
DATE OF MANUFACTURE c.1940-1950.
MATERIALS AND TECHNIQUES Solid Brass, Plastic.
CONDITION Good. Wear consisten...
Category
19th Century Industrial Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Antique Rosewood and Mahogany Putty Knives
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT
A set of antique putty knives with Rosewood, Mahogany and brass handles.
CREATOR Embee, Red Devil
DATE OF MANUFACTURE c.1920-1950.
MATERIALS AND TECHNIQUES Steel...
Category
Early 20th Century Industrial Scientific Instruments
Materials
Steel
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
Vintage Doctor’s Beam Scale – 1930-1940
Located in LA FERTÉ-SOUS-JOUARRE, FR
Exceptional Medical Balance Scale – A Collector’s Piece
A stunning vintage doctor’s beam scale, originally used in medical offices and pharmacies during the 1930s-1940s. This precis...
Category
1920s French Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Iron
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
Early 19th Century French Barometer
Located in Charlottesville, VA
This elegant 19th-century French barometer is a beautifully crafted antique weather instrument housed in an octagonal giltwood frame. The a...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Giltwood, Paint
Antique Ship's Bulkhead Barometer, English, Maritime Instrument, Edwardian, 1910
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique ship's bulkhead barometer. An English, brass and oak maritime weather instrument, dating to the Edwardian period, circa 1910.
...
Category
Early 20th Century British Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Vintage Westinghouse Shortwave Radio in French Polished Mahogany Case
Located in San Francisco, CA
A handsome Westinghouse combination shortwave radio, the French polished mahogany case housing a tube movement with multiple radio settings, made and s...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Modern Scientific Instruments
Materials
Mahogany
$683 Sale Price
29% Off
Five 19th C. French Bronze Metric (Apothecary ) Weights, Original Wooden Block
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Set of 5 Antique French Bronze (Apothecary) Metric Weights with Original Wooden Block, Circa 1880
A handsome and authentic set of 19th-century French bronze metric weights, housed i...
Category
Late 19th Century French Industrial Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Bronze
Induction Coil or Sled Antique Scientific Instrument by Du Bois Reymond 1870
Located in Milan, IT
Induction coil by Du Bois Reymond, also known as Sled of the Du Bois Reymond system designed around 1870 during electrophysiology studies by Emil Du Boi...
Category
1870s Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
19th Century Dentist's Treadle Drill, by Ss White Dental Manufacturing Co.
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
S.S. White Dental Manufacturing Company Treadle Drill, Operational *
USA, circa late 19th century
*Operational means, when the foot pedal is engaged the engine wheel turns, there are no attachments to test, we do not know if the mechanism will do anything more than spin the 'wheel engine'
An intact, very complete (except for drill attachments ) antique dental...
Category
Late 19th Century American Industrial Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Iron, Steel
$1,516 Sale Price
20% Off
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.