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Scientific Instruments For Sale
Color: Brown
Color: Pink
English Late 19th Century Large Brass Table Scale and Weights
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A stunning, large brass table scale, made near the turn of the century, England. The scale is no longer operational, but still makes an mighty impact on a space. The scale is made of...
Category
Late 19th Century English Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Marble, Brass, Copper, Iron
Didactic Resin Anatomical Model of an Enlarged Jaw, Germany, 1950s
Located in Milan, IT
Didactic anatomical model of an enlarged jaw, mounted on a wooden board with hooks for hanging. In evidence the circulatory system, the roots of the teeth, and two caries. Made in ha...
Category
1950s German Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Resin, Wood
Nautical Brass Magnetic Compass with Original Box by E. Vion Paris, Early 1900
Located in Milan, IT
Antique and rare magnetic surveying compass, brass with original wooden box, signed E. Vion Paris, early 1900. Very good condition. Height of box cm 32 – inches 12.61.
The firm Vion, that still works today, was established in 1830 in Paris and it has always manufactured navigation equipment, in particular compasses and marine instruments...
Category
Early 20th Century French Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Pocket Globe by Nathaniel Hill, London 1754
Located in Milano, IT
Nathaniel Hill
Pocket globe
London, 1754
The globe is contained in its original case, which itself is covered in shark skin.
There are slight gaps in the original paint on the sphere. The case no longer closes.
The sphere measures 2.6 in (6.8 cm) in diameter whereas the case measures 2.9 in (7.4 cm) in diameter.
lb 0.24 (kg 0.11)
The globe is made up of twelve printed paper gores aligned and glued to the sphere.
In the North Pacific Ocean there is a scroll with the inscription:
A
New
terrestrial
Globe
by
Nath. Hill,
1754.
The celestial globe is depicted on the inside of the box.
On the terrestrial globe much of central and southern Africa is empty. North America bears only the name of some British colonies. It shows California as a peninsula and the northwest coast of America as "unknown parts" (Alaska is not described and is only partially delineated; it would become part of the United States in 1867). The route of Admiral Anson is traced (1740) and the trade winds are indicated by arrows. Australia, still named New Holland (the new name would be introduced in 1829), is part of the west coast. (See Van der Krogt, P., Old Globes in the Netherlands, Utrecht 1984, p. 146 and Van der Krogt, P. - Dekker, E., Globes from the Western World, London 1993, p. 115.)
Nathaniel Hill (London, news from 1746 to 1768) had impeccable professional credentials: he had done his apprenticeship with Richard Cushee, who at the time was carrying out surveying work for John Senex's Surrey map...
Category
1750s English George II Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Shagreen, Paper
Antique English Spring Balance Scale Made by Salter 100 Years Old, Custom Stand
Located in New Orleans, LA
Antique English spring balance scale made by "Salter Co." on custom made stand, 100 years old.
(shown at left in group photo)
Me...
Category
Early 20th Century English Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Antique Yacht Or Boat Binnacle Compass by Polaris
By Polaris
Located in Norwell, MA
Boat compass in binnacle with hinged lid, sidelight, brass hook, etc. Very fine condition. Gimballed compass is by Polaris. Great piece.
Overall dimensions: 11"H x 7"D x 8"L. 5 po...
Category
1890s American Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Vintage 5 Draw Brass Telescope
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage brass 5 draw extendable hand telescope. Comes with original cap to cover glass end and brass eyepiece cover that slides in and out of place. Unusually long telescope at just ...
Category
1970s American Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Antique Wood Nautical British Scale Model of Brig with Three Masts , Early 1900
Located in Milan, IT
Scale model of a brig with three masts, UK early 1900, oak wooden hull, black hull and grey topsides, oak wooden base with turned feet. Very good condition. Measures: Length cm 106, ...
Category
Early 20th Century British Scientific Instruments
Materials
Wood
Antique Optometrist's Set, English, Optical Instrument Case, Victorian, C.1900
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique optometrist's set. An English, mahogany optical instrument case, dating to the late Victorian period, circa 1900.
Offering su...
Category
Late 19th Century British Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Wood
Handcrafted Wooden Mortar and Pestle, Italy
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Wooden footed mortar and pestle hand turned and carved from one piece of dense fruitwood.
Handcrafted by artisan in Italy, hand turned wood Mortar and Pestle...
Category
Late 20th Century Italian Organic Modern Scientific Instruments
Materials
Wood, Fruitwood
Milan 1910/20 F.lli Koristka Antique Microscope Wooden Box with Accessories
Located in Milan, IT
Tri-ocular optical microscope Euskop model, antique scientific instrument of painted brass and chromed steel, with four-magnification turret n. 40122 by Fratelli Koristka, Milano, ci...
Category
1910s Italian Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Early Nineteenth Century French Thuya Wood Thermometer
Located in London, GB
An early 19th century French Thuya wood thermometer, with brass plate inscribed with 'Thermometre par Mouyer Nancy’. The thermometer tube is sat behind a br...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass, Other
Milan 1920/30 Antique Microscope by F.lli Koristka Wooden Box with Accessories
Located in Milan, IT
Optical microscope signed F.lli Koristka Milano n. 42870 produced between 1920/30, of chromed and black painted brass, three-magnification turret, consisting of a stand and a plate w...
Category
1920s Italian Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
19th Century Optician or Optometrist Test Glasses Lens Kit in Cabinet
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
19th Century Optician or Optometrist Test Glasses Lens Kit in Cabinet
This beautiful Mahogany cabinet was used by a traveling optometrists to treat patients in their homes.
Th...
Category
Late 19th Century Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Mahogany
Italian Antique Botanical Model Early 1900s Plaster on Wooden Base
Located in Milan, IT
Botanical model made of painted plaster and mounted on black painted wooden boards of an orthotropic ovule made by prof. T. Ferraris for Vallardi publisher Milan Scientific material, complete with plate with the legend of the names of the various parts of the mushroom, early 1900s. Good condition. Measures: 20.5 x 15.7 cm, height 25.5 cm.
The origins of the publisher Vallardi date back to 1750 when founder Francesco Cesare (1736-1799) acquired a small craft in the heart of old Milan. In the early nineteenth century, the publishing house was noted for the production of works of art, geography and science, including a "Tour of Italy" which took twenty-two printings between 1819 and 1835. The complete works of various maps and directions for travel, including timetables and fares for transportation of the time, can be considered the first modern tourist guide. The firm "Vallardi" was born in 1843 and the company became industrial, with the opening of branches on national scale...
Category
Early 20th Century Italian Scientific Instruments
Materials
Plaster, Wood
Unusual Mesmerizing Hand Built Hypnotic Wheel, by Melvin Powers, 1951
By Marilyn Powers
Located in Buffalo, NY
Melvin Powers is considered the king of hypnosis in this country. His first self published book entitled hypnotism revealed is still in print and first published in 1949, He self pub...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal
XIX Century English Apothecary Set Cabinet Medicines & Perfumery J Hexam Chymist
Located in Milan, IT
English apothecary cabinet dated to the first half of the nineteenth century, mahogany box, brass handle and hinges and complete with key. The cabinet with a rectangular base is form...
Category
19th Century British Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Mahogany
Antique Teaching Model Longitudinal Profile of the Kidney, ca. 1900
Located in Berghuelen, DE
A great antique hand-painted anatomical model of the kidney. Made of papier maché and plaster, mounted on a turned wooden base. Manufactured most probably by SOMSO or PHYWE, Germany ...
Category
Early 20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Scientific Instruments
Materials
Plaster, Wood, Paper
Copper and Brass Fresh Air Diver's Pump with Wood Handle
Located in Norwell, MA
Diver's pump for shallow water use which feeds air to the diver's helmet. Highly polished and lacquered, with wood handled plunger. Handles have been sanded and varnished. Great divi...
Category
1940s American Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Copper
Italian Midcentury Anatomical Educational Torso
Located in Weesp, NL
Educational midcentury Italian anatomical torso produced in the 1940s by Produzione Scientifica Paravia known for its accurate anatomy models.
Measures: H. 67 x W. 34 x D. 26 cm.
...
Category
1940s Italian Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Composition
Late 18th Century Lacquered Brass Table Telescope
Located in New York, NY
Late 18th century lacquered brass table telescope.
Category
Late 18th Century English George III Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Baudot Multiple-Impression Telegraph, c. 1900 Manufactured by J Carpentier Paris
Located in Madrid, ES
Baudot multiple-impression telegraph, c. 1900 Manufactured by J Carpentier Paris,
brass and steel, Grunewald type electric motor mounted upside down.
For the five-bit Baudot code...
Category
Early 20th Century French Art Nouveau Scientific Instruments
Materials
Wood
Antique Teaching Model of the Adipose Spleen, ca. 1900
Located in Berghuelen, DE
A great antique hand-painted anatomical model of the adipose spleen. Made of papier maché and plaster, mounted on a turned wooden base. Manufactured most probably by SOMSO or PHYWE, ...
Category
Early 20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Scientific Instruments
Materials
Plaster, Wood, Paper
Folding Boxwood & Brass Shoe Size Measure, circa 1880
Located in London, GB
A late 19th century folding cobbler's boxwood and brass shoe size measure, for the French market.
With folding heel rest and slinging toe marker, with brass hinge.
Paris point shoe...
Category
Late 19th Century English Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Boxwood
Surveyor's Level or Theodolite by W.F. Stanley, London, in Original Fitted Box
Located in Austin, TX
A fine working English surveyor's theodolite or transit instrument (aka a dumpy level or surveyors level) of brass, No.80148, by W.F. Stanley (Great Turnstile, Holborn, London), circ...
Category
Early 20th Century English Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal, Brass
1930s Italian Medical Sketch of a Campaing to Fight Tuberculosis
Located in Milan, IT
Sketch of a futurist poster, 1930s, ten cents to fight tuberculosis, for the national campaign to inform people about the prevention of this illness. Measures: cm 32 x 42, inches 12....
Category
1930s Italian Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Paper
Early 20th Century Edwardian Travelling Tradesman Salesman's Soap Sampler
Located in Lowestoft, GB
A unusual travelling tradesman's soap display case, early 20th century in age likely Edwardian.
A segmented internal draw hidden via the sliding cover,...
Category
Early 1900s English Edwardian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Natural Fiber, Glass, Pine
Kinora Monochrome Motion Picture Viewer
Located in London, GB
A rare model of a Kinora monochrome motion picture viewer on folding base. Light oak lens holder and base, with the circular Kinora badge, circa 1905.
...
Category
Early 20th Century English Scientific Instruments
Materials
Oak, Paper
Vintage Brewer's Thermometer, Dairy, Scientific Instrument, Zeal of London, 1960
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a vintage brewer's thermometer. An English, cased brew or dairy scientific instrument by GH Zeal of London, dating to the mid-20th century, circa 1960.
Fascinating sheathed thermometer
Displays a desirable aged patina
Wooden case with beveled CAP in dark caramel hues
Long glass...
Category
Mid-20th Century English Scientific Instruments
Materials
Glass
French 18th Century Mortar and Pestle
Located in Atlanta, GA
A sensational 18th century mortar and pestle in iron with its base constructed from a solid block of walnut. A stunning sculpture for any tradition...
Category
Mid-18th Century French Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Iron
Antique English Wood and Brass Postal Scale
Located in Port Chester, NY
A small antique brass and wood postal scale. It stands on an oak base with serpentine edge with attractive bun feet. There are 6 weights which measure 16 oz, 8 oz, 4 oz 2 oz, 1 oz, 1...
Category
Late 19th Century English Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Fassamano Tortoise Antique Eyeglasses French Manufacture XIX century
Located in Milan, IT
Double fassamano eyeglasses (from the French face-en-main), made with a double articulated eyewear, one with lenses and one without, mounted on the upper part, signed Lugene, made of...
Category
1860s French Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Bakelite
Rosewood Watch Holder, Small Pocket Watch Stand with Applied Decoration
Located in Oxfordshire, GB
Rosewood watch holder.
Small pocket watch stand with applied decoration. A must have item for those who have a pocket watch. Not only is the pocke...
Category
1840s English Regency Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Wood
Art Deco Era Weber-Costello 12 Inch Desk World Globe with Turned Wooden Base
By Weber
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This small Art Deco era desk World globe was made by the Weber-Costello Co. of Chicago Heights Illinois of the United States in 1921 in the period Ar...
Category
Early 20th Century American Art Deco Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Antique Oak and Brass Lumber Caliper by William Greenlief
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Turn of the 20th century, oak and handcrafted brass, lumber caliper by William Greenlief used to measure the amount of timber from a tree features a sli...
Category
Early 20th Century American Industrial Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
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
Edwardian Mahogany Cased Barograph by Negretti & Zambra, London
Located in Norwich, GB
Negretti & Zambra
Fine Edwardian mahogany cased barograph with beveled glass panels and central chart drawer.
Seven vacuum chambe...
Category
1910s English Edwardian Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Mahogany
Dutch Carved Wooden Barometer with Horse Motif by Gebroeders Caminada, Rotterdam
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Dutch carved wooden barometer from the late 19th century, with horse motif, signed by Gebroeders Caminada, Rotterdam. Hand carved in the Netherlands...
Category
Late 19th Century Dutch Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Glass, Wood
Log Caliper, Made by William Greenleaf Company, Belmont, MA
By William Greenleaf
Located in Nantucket, MA
A large caliper for calculating the number of board feet a log will yield. The central wood shaft engraved with multiple scales on each of the four sides with a large metal mounted c...
Category
Early 20th Century American Rustic Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal
Eames Office radio for Emerson
Located in Toronto, Ontario
A nice radio design by the Eames office. Model 578A.
Mahogany veneer case with plastic face and dials.
Category
1940s American Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal
1870 Antique Burnished Brass W F Stanley Level Surveyor Measurement Instrument
Located in Milan, IT
Topographic level signed W.F Stanley of burnished brass, from the second half of the 19th century. In excellent condition and complete with original mahogany box with brass hinges an...
Category
1870s British Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Analytical Beam Balance Scientific Scale in Glass Case
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Hand built analytical beam balance scientific scale. The scale is used to measure both solid and liquid masses (10/100g capacity). Highly sensitive silver cylinders dampen the harmon...
Category
1940s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Iron
Edwardian Mahogany Barograph by Hamilton and Inches, Edinburgh
Located in Norwich, GB
Edwardian Mahogany Barograph by Hamilton and Inches, Edinburgh
Edwardian mahogany Barograph housed in a bevelled glass display case with satin...
Category
1910s English Edwardian Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Mahogany
Botanical Model in Enlarged Section of a Moraceae Syconium, Italy, 1930s
Located in Milan, IT
Model in enlarged section of a Moraceae syconium (fig for example is a syconium). The model is made of painted plaster and almost certainly made by Paravia in the 1930s. Measures cm ...
Category
1930s Italian Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Plaster
Antique English Spring Balance Scale Made by Salter 100 Years Old, Custom Stand
Located in New Orleans, LA
Antique English spring balance scale made by "Salter Co." on custom made stand, 100 years old.
(Shown at center in group photo)
...
Category
Early 20th Century English Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
French 19th Century Culinary Scale from Lyon
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A large kitchen / culinary scale made in Lyon, France, circa 1880. This wonderful antique instrument was used to measure various ingredients and product...
Category
19th Century French Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Marble, Brass
Hardwood Ruler for Hudson Engineering NJ by Geiger Bros Newark US, Ca 1920
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a wooden desk ruler promoting the Hudson Engineering Co. who were based in Hoboken, New Jersey, US and produced by Geiger Brothers of Newark New Jersey, in the early 20th cen...
Category
Early 20th Century American Scientific Instruments
Materials
Wood
Late 19th Century Architecture Game Constructions Germany Dr. Richter Rudolstadt
Located in Milan, IT
Architecture game constructions with 56 colored stones inside a wooden box made in the laboratory of Dr. Richter Rudolstadt Thüringe in the late nineteenth century. The box is comple...
Category
1880s German Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Stone
Vintage Mid-Century Modern Hand Turned Wood Mortar and Pestle 1950
Located in Topeka, KS
Handsome Mid-Century Modern mortar and pestle hand turned from one piece of dense wood. It is in wonderful vintage condition. Please see photos, circa 1950-1960.
Whether you need ...
Category
1950s Unknown Mid-Century Modern Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Wood
Stick Barometer Mahogany Board Antique Weather Measuring Instrument J. Ramsden
By Jesse Ramsden
Located in Milan, IT
Stick barometer mounted on a mahogany board complete with vernier reading the variation of atmospheric pressure signed by Jesse Ramsden, end of the 18th century.
Very good condition...
Category
1780s Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Wood
French 19th Century Culinary Scale
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
An antique French counter or grocer scale in ebonized hardwood and mahogany inlay with white marble top, circa 1880. The scale is made of hardwo...
Category
19th Century French Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Marble, Copper
Dairy Balance Scales by Parnall of Bristol
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Dairy balance scales by Parnall of Bristol
Superb large brass and iron dairy balance scales by Parnall of Bristol
This very large and attractive beam balance scale is set on a cast Iron base the central upright column is in brass and it is topped with a very decorative wrought iron finial...
Category
1880s Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Iron
19th Century English Globe by Renowned Cartographers John Newton and Son
Located in Southall, GB
An extremely rare and important 21 inch English globe by renowned cartographers John Newton and Son, one of the most important globe makers of early 19th century England. Representin...
Category
19th Century English Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Hardwood
1980s Spanish Banjo Weather Station w/ Original Glass
Located in Marbella, ES
1980s Spanish wooden banjo weather station, with original glass domes, barometer, hydrometer and thermometer.
Category
Late 20th Century Spanish Scientific Instruments
Materials
Glass, Wood
Antique Scientific Didactic Model of the Yew Seed, Germany made in the Twenties
Located in Milan, IT
Taxus baccata, enlarged and removable didactic model of the yew seed, tree very used as hedge, belonging to the order of the conifers. German manufacture of the twenties made of papi...
Category
1920s German Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Wood
19century English Balancing Scale
By G. None
Located in Tarrytown, NY
19century English balancing scale.
Category
19th Century European Industrial Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Iron
Antique 18th Century French Bronze Scientific Silk-Weighing Instrument 1789-1795
Located in New Orleans, LA
Rare antique 18th century French Lyonnaise bronze scientific Instrument used for weighing Silk, in anchor form, 1789-1795. Made by "J. Berthaud et Cie...
Category
Late 18th Century French Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Bronze
Spanish MCM Instituto L. Torres Quevedo Educational Galvanometer
Located in Mexico City, MX
A 1950s Spanish Mid-Century Modern educational D'Arsonval galvanometer manufactured by the Leonardo Torres Quevedo Institute in Madrid. Model MA 54-04. The wood and glass structure s...
Category
1950s Spanish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Magnets
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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