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Scientific Instruments For Sale
Color: Brown
Color: Pink
Vintage Rolling Rule English Brass Scientific Instrument, Navigation, circa 1950
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a vintage rolling rule. An English, brass scientific instrument to aid navigation, dating to the mid-20th century, circa 1950.
Attractive period instrument
Displays a desirable aged patina
Solid brass shows mellow golden hues
Used to draw parallel lines on navigation charts
Replete with the Ministry of Defense arrow mark and 160100 patent number
Oak faced box...
Category
Mid-20th Century English Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
French Early 19th Century Gilt Barometer
Located in Stockbridge, GA
French early 19th century gilt barometer.
Category
Early 19th Century French Restauration Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Giltwood
19th Century Parlor Kaleidoscope by C.G. Bush & Co. of Providence, RI
By Charles G. Bush & Co
Located in Nantucket, MA
C.G. Bush & Co. parlor kaleidoscope on a turned mahogany pedestal with splayed legs, the cylindrical body of black colored textured cardstock with ...
Category
Late 19th Century American Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Herbalist Pharmacy Wooden Jars, Italy 1870
Located in Milan, IT
Set of 3 (of nine) big herbalist apothecary wooden jars (garlic bulbs, hop flowers, ginger roots), in the purest Neoclassical style. The surface is finishe...
Category
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Fruitwood
Hughes Telegraph Set Built by Siemens & Halske 19th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
Hughes typewriting telegraph .A Printing Telegraph Set built by Siemens & Halske .This teletyper was invented by David Edward Hughes in 1856.Good condicion overall.Similar telegraph ...
Category
19th Century German Baroque Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Wood
Clitograph level by Jules Lefebvre, Paris
Located in London, GB
Clitograph level by Jules Lefebvre, Paris, France, circa 1870.
Rare tripod mounted model. With original tripod and case.
Steel frame marked: NIVEA...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass, Steel
Art Deco Styled Industrial General Electric Medical Sun Floor Lamp
By Canadian General Electric
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This Art Deco Industrial floor sun lamp was made by General Electric of Canada is approximately 1940, most likely for the medical industry. The lamp is done with a heavy stepped meta...
Category
Mid-20th Century Canadian Art Deco Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal
Ornamental Turning Lathe, No. 1906 by Holtzapffel & Co
Located in New Orleans, LA
An essential tool in the creation and finishing of furniture, this 19th-century English ornamental lathe is an object of beauty in and of itself. The extraordinary machine...
Category
Late 19th Century English Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass, Iron
Galvanometer Antique Measuring Instrument Used for Telegraph Cables 1850 circa
Located in Milan, IT
Vertical mirror galvanometer made in 1850 circa, oak and glass, three adjustable screws at the base. Tool constituted by a magnet bar movable inside a coil and connected to a needle. In the absence of current the needle is positioned vertically while when the coil is crossed by the current it creates a magnetic field that moves the needle. This type of galvanometer was used for measurement of insulation of telegraph cables...
Category
1850s British Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Wood
Antique Foldable Anatomical Brochure Depicting Human Anatomy
Located in Berghuelen, DE
A rare 19ct anatomical brochure illustrating the human anatomy. Very detailed multicoloured depiction of human organs like lung, heart, head and eye. By ...
Category
Early 20th Century German Scientific Instruments
Materials
Wood, Paper
Large Antique Shipwright's Set Square, English, Rosewood, Tool, Victorian, 1880
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a large antique shipwright's set square. An English, rosewood and brass right-angled tool, dating to the Victorian period, circa 1880.
Quality, antique craftsman's tool
Displaying a desirable aged patina
Rosewood stock with brass capping
Square blade shows pleasing weathering commensurate with age
Attractive brass shield with pegged bonding to both sides
Engraved with the names Woates and A. Clarke
This is a fine, large antique set square...
Category
Late 19th Century English Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Botanic Scientific Specimen, Italy 1900
By Paravia
Located in Milan, IT
A botanic didactical specimen, depicting a Vitis Vinifera flower, pale yellow green color made out of papier mache, plaster and wood hand painted. Extremely detailed. Paravia Milano,...
Category
Early 20th Century Italian Scientific Instruments
Materials
Plaster, Wood, Paper
Danish 19th Century Brass Surveying or Level Tool on Tripod
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Surveyors tripod level tool from the late 19th century. The tripod is made of wood and the level is brass. The wood tripod is 39.75in high.
Category
Mid-19th Century Danish Folk Art Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Wunderkammer Geometrical Model, Germany, 1880
Located in Milan, IT
Geometrical model. Fruitwood base is black stained (ebanized wood), over it, a sphere created by geometrical oakwood elements. Overall, another smal...
Category
1880s German Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Rope, Ebony, Oak
19th Century French Paper Mâché Mussel or Clam Anatomy Model by Louis Auzoux
Located in Haarlem, NL
This papier mâché or papier-mâché model on wood of a clam is made in France by the Dr. Louis Auzoux workshop.
The people from Dr. Auzoux's workshop in Paris were the best and most f...
Category
19th Century French Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Wood, Paper
Herbalist Pharmacy Wooden Jars, Italy 1870
Located in Milan, IT
Set of six small herbalist apothecary wooden jars (Ginko leaves, Thistle flowers, Myrtle berries), in the purest Neoclassical style. The surface is finish...
Category
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Fruitwood
18th Century English Mahogany Cased Stick Barometer by Dolland of London
By Dolland
Located in Dublin, IE
An exceptional late 18th century mahogany cased stick barometer by Dolland of London, The mahogany case of a very solid construction and with a superbly made turned mahogany cistern ...
Category
1790s English Georgian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Steel
Edwardian Oak Cased Barograph by Negretti & Zambra, London
Located in Norwich, GB
Negretti & Zambra
Fine Edwardian oak cased barograph with hinged lid, bevelled glass panels and central chart drawer.
Seven vacuum ...
Category
1910s English Edwardian Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
French 18th Century Louis XVI Period Giltwood Barometer Thermometer
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An elegant and extremely decorative French 18th century Louis XVI period giltwood barometer thermometer. The most decorative barometer thermometer retains its original glass pane enc...
Category
18th Century French Louis XVI Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Giltwood
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
Oak Cased Stick Barometer and Thermometer
Located in Cheshire, GB
Late 19th century oak cased stick barometer and thermometer by J Hicks of London with engraved scales contained in oak case having shaped and moulded p...
Category
Late 19th Century British Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Oak
Curiosity Cabinet Naturalism Collection of Shell, Circa 1900
Located in Beuzevillette, FR
Very interesting set of shells collected by an amateur between the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century. The shells are classified by size and age either in ...
Category
Early 20th Century Scientific Instruments
Materials
Shell
Equal Arm Brass Scale with Weights
Located in Houston, TX
This equal arm brass scale is set on a wooden platform with brass weights. The wooden platform has circular cutouts for the weights This piece is functional and beautifully. The wood...
Category
19th Century French Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Salmoiraghi Antique Brass Tacheometer, Surveying Measuring Instrument, 1860
Located in Milan, IT
La Filotecnica Ing A. Salmoiraghi Milan Centesimal tacheometer 133 b normal N. 55858 Catasto Italiano model of the second half of the 19th century, of burnished brass, complete with ...
Category
1860s Italian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Gimballed Brass Boat Compass by Dirigo
Located in Norwell, MA
Gimballed brass boat compass by "Dirigo" of Seattle, Washington. With fleur-de-lis pointing north. Fitted to a birch box with lid. Circa 1975.
Overall Dimensions: 5" H x 8" L x 8"...
Category
1970s American Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Herbalist Pharmacy Wooden Jars, Italy 1870
Located in Milan, IT
Set of 3 (of nine) big herbalist apothecary wooden jars (mint leaves, verbena flowers, viola flowers), in the purest Neoclassical style. The surface is fin...
Category
Late 19th Century Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Fruitwood
Vintage Telescope Tripod, English, Oak, Bronze, Support Stand, 20th Century
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a vintage telescope tripod. An English, oak and bronze support Stand, dating to the mid-20th century, circa 1940.
Displays a desirable aged...
Category
Mid-20th Century English Scientific Instruments
Materials
Bronze
Mid-Century Modern 1950s Dutch Wooden Scientific Molecule Atomic Sculpture Model
Located in Haarlem, NL
Very decorative large vintage 1950s lacquered wooden scale model of a molecule with atoms, probably once used in science class.
This large molecular model consists of 32 atoms (woode...
Category
Mid-20th Century European Mid-Century Modern Scientific Instruments
Materials
Pine
Curiosity Cabinet Naturalism Collection of Shell Circa 1900
Located in Beuzevillette, FR
Very interesting set of shells collected by an amateur between the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century. The shells are classified by size and age either in ...
Category
Early 20th Century Scientific Instruments
Materials
Shell
Charming Vintage Gentleman's Library Telescope
Located in Chicago, IL
A vintage gentleman's library telescope
Not sure exactly of it's age. Estimated Mid Victorian Period ( 1860-1880). Uncertain to maker and origin.
...
Category
Mid-19th Century Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
19th Century Victorian Scale Model Of A Gas Meter, Crystal Palace Expo, c.1851
Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Antique mid-19th Century Victorian very rare cast iron scale model of the original meter used to measure the amount of gas used at the Crystal Palace, in Hyde Park during the Great E...
Category
19th Century British Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Iron
Botanic Scientific Specimen of Spruce, Italy, 1900
By Paravia
Located in Milan, IT
A rare example of a botanical maquette for didactic use by Professor T. Ferraris, depicting a (natural) strobilus and a scale with ovules (about 12 times enlarged) of Spruce (Picea e...
Category
Early 20th Century Italian Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal
English Pocket Globe, London, Circa 1775-1798
By Herman Moll
Located in Milano, IT
Pocket globe
London, between 1775 and 1798
Re-edition of the globe of Hermann Moll (1678-1732) dated 1719
The globe is contained in its original case, which itself is covered in sh...
Category
Late 18th Century English George III Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Shagreen, Paper
Antique 3 Draw Telescope, English, Brass, Leather, Terrestrial, Victorian, 1870
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique 3-draw telescope. An English, brass and leather terrestrial or astronomical refractor, dating to the Victorian period, circa 1870.
...
Category
Mid-19th Century British Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Antique Terrestrial Telescope, English, Single Draw Refractor, NSL, Victorian
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique terrestrial telescope. An English, single drawer refractor with National Service League mark, dating to the Victorian period, circa 1880.
Perfect for bird watch...
Category
Late 19th Century British Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Glass
England Early 1900 Brass Galvanometer Antique Physic Measuring Instrument
By Philip Harris Ltd.
Located in Milan, IT
Moving coil brass galvanometer with three-screw base, instrument signed Philip Harris Ltd Birmingham England n. 19402, made in the early 1900, a tool used as a detector of direct cur...
Category
Early 20th Century British Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Antique English Georgian Fruitwood Inlaid Banjo Wheel Barometer Thermometer
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique English George III fruitwood barometer featuring a banjo shape with open pediment and inliad satinwood sea shell and floral motif. Made by F. Peduze Co. Circa 1780s-1820s. Me...
Category
Late 18th Century Georgian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Fruitwood
Italy Early 1900s Antique Oakwood Abaco Vintage Calculator Tool
Located in Milan, IT
Old abaco of oakwood, with ten horizontal metal parallel rods fixed to the base on which are strung ten balls free to slide in horizontal line. Each row of balls has a different colo...
Category
Early 20th Century Italian Scientific Instruments
Materials
Wood
1870s Vintage Mahogany Barometer Signed Verga Weather Measurement Instrument
Located in Milan, IT
Torricellian antique barometer, complete with thermometer, made of mahogany wood with threads and decorations in other essences, English manufacture, signed Verga Macclesfield of the mid-19th century.
Very good state in perfect working order.
Height 100 cm - 39.37 inches, width 26 cm - 10.23 inches, depth 6 cm - 2.36 inches.
When it was discovered, that changes of atmospheric pressure are connected to changes of weather, barometers became very popular.
For safety during transport the barometer will be shipped emptied of mercury. The mercury will be placed in a sealed container in the package together with the barometer.
Evangelista Torricelli...
Category
Mid-19th Century British Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Mahogany
Anatomic Model for Class, Depicting the Kidneys, Spain 1890
Located in Milan, IT
Anatomic model for class, depicting the kidneys, made out of painted papier maché and mounted over a black painted wooden base. Spain circa 1890.
Category
Late 19th Century Spanish Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Plaster, Wood
Table Magnifier, with Bone Handle, Case in Wood, Italy
Located in Torino, IT
Table magnifier, with bone handle, case in
wood
ORIGIN
Italy
TEMPLATE
Table magnifying lens
MATERIALS
Bone handle, lens, wood
DIMENSIONS
Custody
24.5 x 13 x H 4 cm
...
Category
Early 20th Century Italian Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Antique Kent's Knife Cleaning, Polishing & Sharpening Wheel with Original Labels
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This antique Victorian knife cleaning and sharpening machine was made by Kent's of London England in circa 1880 in the period Victorian style. The machine is composed of two sharpening stones...
Category
Late 19th Century English Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Stone, Metal
Edwardian Cased Oak Barograph with Bevelled Glass Panels
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
An Edwardian cased oak barograph with bevelled glass panels and a central chart drawer. Inscribed ‘Made by Short & Mason London, for A & N C S Westminster’.
A & N C S refers to the Army & Navy Co-operative Society Ltd., an army surplus...
Category
1870s English Edwardian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Glass, Oak
Antique Victorian Nautical Gilt Bronze Clock and Barometer Pair
Located in London, GB
Antique Victorian nautical gilt bronze clock and barometer pair
English, 19th Century
Measures: height 25 cm, width 22 cm, depth 13.5 cm
This elega...
Category
19th Century English Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Agate, Ormolu
German Globe by C. Abel-Klinger, Nuremberg, circa 1860
Located in Milano, IT
Terrestrial globe
Artistic company C. Abel - Klinger
Nuremberg, circa 1860
H cm 31 x 22 cm (12.20 x 8.66 in); sphere 14 cm (5.51 in) in diameter
lb 2.30 (kg 1.04)
State of conservation: good. On the sphere there are slight visible signs of accidental bumping at the poles, as well as on New Guinea and England (vertical and more visible); some ink stains, especially at the South Pole and on the meridian that crosses North America.
The globe is composed of twelve whole gores of printed paper, juxtaposed and glued on a sphere made with a chalky base mixture.
The circle of the meridian, made of brass...
Category
1860s German Other Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Wood, Paper
Murano Cenedese Vetri Glass Bowl
Located in Napa, CA
Murano Cenedese Vetri glass bowl.
Category
20th Century Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal
Vintage Prosthetic Foot
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage authentic prosthetic foot. Interesting piece of medical history. Great vintage condition.
Category
1960s American Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Rubber
German Anatomical Muscular Bust Model
Located in Brooklyn, NY
German, anatomical, plaster model of a cross-section of a bust, depicting the muscular and circulatory systems.
Category
Mid-20th Century German Industrial Scientific Instruments
Materials
Plaster
Early Victorian Walnut with Mother of Pearl Inlayed Stick Barometer
Located in New York, NY
Early Victorian walnut with mother of pearl inlayed stick barometer, 19th century.
Category
Mid-19th Century English Early Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Medical Model by Denoyer Geppert
Located in Cathedral City, CA
Early 20th century wood and fiberglass medical model by Denoyer Geppert.
Category
1940s Modern Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Fiberglass, Wood
Rare and Large Pair of Malby Globes in Fine Original Condition
Located in Lincolnshire, GB
The largest pair of 19th century table globes we have had , at 18' diameter for the globes this pair has ebonised stands. Good original lacquer and colour to the papers. Good makers ...
Category
Mid-19th Century Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Fruitwood
Set of Five Botanical Models of a Plant Embryo, London UK, 1930
Located in Milan, IT
A set of five botanical models depicting in numbered sequence the development of a vegetal embryo. Made out of hand painted plaster, the models are mounted on a wooden base. T. Gerra...
Category
1930s British Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Iron
Barometer Signed Jecker, Paris 1800
Located in Milan, IT
Mahogany wall barometer consisting of a glass tube containing mercury with its reserve.
On the top part a chevron shaped pediment and a screwed brass plate with a small alcohol ther...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Modernist Pius X Weathercock Rooster, Abstract Sculpture, The Netherlands, 1960s
Located in Antwerp, BE
Modernist; Sculpture; The Netherlands; Art; Statue; Abstract; Figurative; Globe; weathercock rooster;
Modernist weathercock rooster, a unique abstract sculpture sourced out of the remarkable Pius...
Category
1960s Dutch Futurist Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Steel
Louis XVI Period Giltwood Barometer
Located in Ross, CA
This beautifully carved Louis XVI barometer follows the designs of Evangelista Torricelli, an Italian physicist who was a student of Galileo and...
Category
Late 18th Century French Louis XVI Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Glass, Giltwood
Smalll Victorian Monocular Field Microscope
Located in Norwich, GB
Small Victorian monocular field microscope
Brass framed monocular field microscope house in it’s original mahogany box with hinged brass carrying...
Category
1890s English Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
UK 1870 Brass Topographic Level, Antique Surveyor Measurement Instrument
Located in Milan, IT
Telescope topographic level of brass, it is an instrument consisting of a telescope fixed parallel to the level, three-spoke base with adjustment screws. English manufacture from the...
Category
1860s British Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Wood Frame Hour Glass or Sand Timer
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Over 20 inches tall, a wonderful wood framed hour glass or sand timer. A compliment to the library, console table, shelves or as a bookend - a great piece t...
Category
20th Century Victorian Scientific Instruments
Materials
Glass, Wood
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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