Scientific Instruments
Scientific Instruments For Sale
Color: Brown
French Louis XVI Style Gilded and Painted Wood Directoire Wall Barometer
Located in Bradenton, FL
19th century French Louis XVI style gilt and painted wood barometer. While not in working order, barometer has that wonderful old 'chippy' peeling patina. The carved wood frame and g...
Category
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Wood
19th Century inlaid mahogany banjo barometer by L Casatelli of Liverpool
Located in Martlesham, GB
19th century inlaid mahogany banjo barometer by L Casatelli of Liverpool, having an architectural top with a central brass finial, the shaped mahogany case having decorative shell in...
Category
1840s British Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Mahogany
Oak Cased Barograph by Negretti & Zambra, London
Located in Norwich, GB
Negretti & Zambra
Fine Edwardian oak cased barograph with bevelled glass panels and central chart drawer.
Ten vacuum chambers linking ...
Category
1920s English Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Oak
Antique Painting with Barometer 19th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
Antique table with barometer
Interesting 19th century painting painted in oil with meteorological reasons on wood and which has a barometer in the center and a thermometer in the up...
Category
1890s Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Fruitwood
Large 1940s Vintage Industrial Apothecary Laboratory Teaching Scale Balance
Located in Lafayette, IN
Rare 1940's vintage large-scale teaching scale/balance. Scale stands a massive 50" tall and was originally used as an instructional scale in a Purdue University lab (hence the large ...
Category
1940s American Industrial Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Steel, Iron
Georgian Terrestrial Pocket Globe by T. Harris and Son, London, 1813
Located in Oxfordshire, United Kingdom
A Rare George III pocket globe by T. Harris and Son, London, 1813. Housed in the original sharkskin case.
A fasinsting and rare item in wonderful condition.
The terrestrial globe inscribed 'New Terrestrial Globe By T.Harris and Sons 1813' rotates on its axes inside a hinged black shagreen case. The concave interior of the case applied with the engraved celestial charts of the Northern and Southern skies and depictatioins of the symbols of Zodiac.
The Harris family — Thomas Harris (d. 1837) and his son William Harris (1797-1846) — were London opticians who also sold and later produced terrestrial and celestial globes. Initially, Thomas Harris was principally an optician and mathematical instrument maker. He was joined, and then succeeded, by William in...
Category
Early 19th Century English George III Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Plaster
Fabulous Quality Early 19th Century Mahogany Stick Barometer by Girolimo of Lo
Located in Martlesham, GB
A fabulous quality early 19th century mahogany stick barometer by Girolimo of London, having an architectural top with a central brass finial, rectangular silvered dial with a glazed and hinged door, the dial itself displays weather notations and has a mercury thermometer...
Category
1810s British Georgian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Mahogany
Antique Victorian Brass & Scottish Agate Postal Scale & Weights, Circa 1865-1870
Located in New Orleans, LA
Antique Victorian Brass and Scottish Agate Postal scale with Weights, Circa 1865-1870.
Category
Late 19th Century English Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Agate, Brass
19th Century Mahogany Banjo Barometer by P Nolfi of Taunton
Located in Martlesham, GB
19th century mahogany banjo barometer by P Nolfi of Taunton, having a swan neck pediment with a central brass finial above a shaped mahogany case decorated with boxwood stringing, th...
Category
1840s British Early Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Mahogany
Early 19th Century Mahogany Stick Barometer by Tagliaue & Torre of 294 Holborn
Located in Martlesham, GB
Early 19th century mahogany stick barometer by Tagliaue & Torre of 294 Holborn, London, having an architectural top with a central brass finial, rectangular silvered dial with a glazed and hinged door, the dial itself displays weather notations and has a mercury thermometer...
Category
1810s British Georgian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Mahogany
Solid Brass Ships Sextant In Box
Located in Norwell, MA
Late Nineteenth Navigators Sextant. T Frame design. Box has label of H.A. Johannesen Compass Adjuster, Fish Dock Rd., Grimsby. Circa 1920. Phone number on...
Category
1920s Norwegian Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Wood
Scarce Early 20th Century French Richard Jules Mahogany Cased Barograph
By Jules Richard
Located in Forney, TX
A rare and interesting French mahogany-cased barograph by Richard Jules. circa 1900
Exquisitely handcrafted in Paris, France, in the early 20th century, this fine weather forecasting scientific instrument is a barometer that records the barometric pressure over time in graphical form, as well as make a continuous recording of atmospheric pressure.
Housed in a high-quality protective wooden case, having hinged lid with original glazed glass panel sides, barograph with centigrade thermometer scale, fitted with eight aneroid capsules stacked in series, cylindrical drum element with graph for data recording and analysis.
Signed, retaining the maker's marks to top and interior. The metal plaque affixed to top reads: "Barometre Enregistreur
Ancene Mon Richard Frères...
Category
Early 20th Century French Belle Époque Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal, Brass
20th Century French Iron, Walnut Spotlight, Cinema Floor Spot Lamp by Clémançon
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A grey-black, vintage Mid-Century Modern French spotlight made of handcrafted lacquered iron, designed and produced by Clémançon in good condition. Th...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal, Iron, Brass
Late 19th French Mahogany & Brass Balance Scale, c.1870
Located in San Francisco, CA
About
A late 19th century balance scale. The body is Mahogany with two brass trays, brass and glass window and bronze inner mechanism. ...
Category
Late 19th Century French Late Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass, Bronze
19th Century Gold French Empire Hexagonal Giltwood Verre Églomisé Barometer
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A gold patinated, antique French hexagonal barometer made of handcrafted giltwood, in good condition. The top part of the Parisian décor piece is enhanced by flower carvings. The glass dial is particularized with Verre Églomisé. The thermometer represent the First French Empire time...
Category
19th Century French Empire Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Giltwood
Italian Renaissance Chrome Armillary
Located in New York, NY
Italian Renaissance-style (20th Century) chrome armillary globe with a rust patina.
Category
20th Century American Renaissance Revival Scientific Instruments
Materials
Chrome
Decorative Telescope with Level, Metal, 20th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
Telescope with decorative level. Metal.
Small decorative telescope with top level and three adjustable legs that also has a compass and bubble levels."
S...
Category
20th Century Unknown Other Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal, Other
Portable Cube Sundial David Beringer circa 1780–1821 Beringer Is Best Known
Located in Madrid, ES
Portable cube sundial David Beringer circa 1780–1821
Beringer is best known for portable wooden sundials with scales printed on paper glued to the wood. These included cube dials an...
Category
1770s Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Fruitwood
Carl Zeiss Stand IV Brass Continental Microscope W/ Case and Slides, circa 1891
By Carl Zeiss
Located in Norwalk, CT
This incredible microscope dates from the late 19th century, during which Carl Zeiss and Edward Abbe were the foremost innovators of revolutionary microscope lens technology. It is a...
Category
1890s German Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
18th Century French Louis XVI Period Gilded Barometer by Evangelista Torricelli
By Evangelista Torricelli
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A gold, large antique French Louis XVI period barometer, signed by Torricelli in gilded wood and of oval shape with original scientific illustrations, in good condition. The detailed wall décor piece is consisting its original glass. Framed with gilt foliate trim and important pediment. Minor fading, due to age. Wear consistent with age and use, circa 1750, France.
The Italian scientist Evangelista Torricelli...
Category
Late 18th Century French Louis XVI Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Giltwood
Paravia Collection 100 Rocks, Educational Material, Italy 1950s
By Paravia
Located in Naples, IT
Collection 100 Rocks, Teaching Material, Italy 1950s
Geology teaching board "Minerals and Rocks" G.B. Paravia Scientific Collection - Turin
The ...
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Rock Crystal
19th Century Artist Pigment Painting Tray, Colourmans Sales Sampler
Located in Lowestoft, GB
A collection of thirty red and white cylindrical card boxes of pigment with decorative descriptive labels. Each container sits within its own section of a well made pine tray. Origin...
Category
Mid-19th Century English Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Natural Fiber, Pine
Curiosité Cabinet 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
Set of 3 Antique Root Bowls, Wabi Sabi Style, Scandinavia, 1800s
Located in Hønefoss, 30
A set of 3 wooden wabi sabi root bowls from Scandinavia, circa 1800s. In good vintage condition showing beautiful patina from age and use. One of the bowls has an old repair.
Mea...
Category
19th Century Swedish Romantic Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Wood
1950s Swiss Chef Food Fruit Vegetable Chopper Switzerland
Located in Chula Vista, CA
1950s Swiss chef food fruit vegetable chopper.
Made in Switzerland, Fruit-vegetable chopper.
Vintage, pre-owned. Patina present. Clear plastic has s...
Category
Mid-20th Century Swiss Mid-Century Modern Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal
Fossilized Horse Leg. Equus Sp., Pleistocene, Florida, USA
Located in Madrid, ES
A fossilized horse leg. Equus sp., Pleistocene, Florida, USA
This set of fossil horse bones dates from an extinct equine. The inter-locking bones are eleg...
Category
15th Century and Earlier Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Bone
18th Century Gold French Gilded Wood Barometer, Antique Parisian Thermometer
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A rare antique finely worked French barometer with lyre shaped crest thermometer above a large hexagonal framed barometer. The Parisian décor piece is m...
Category
Late 18th Century French Empire Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Giltwood
Antique English Mahogany Banjo Barometer, circa 1860
Located in New Orleans, LA
Antique English mahogany banjo barometer, circa 1860.
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Mahogany
Italian Telegraph in Solid Brass, 1880
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Italian Telegraph in solid brass, 1880.
Category
1880s Italian Art Nouveau Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Antique Victorian Quality Mahogany Banjo Barometer by James H Kelly of Glasgow
Located in Suffolk, GB
Antique Victorian quality mahogany banjo barometer by James H Kelly of Glasgow
Having a quality mahogany shaped banjo barometer with scroll shaped carving ci...
Category
1880s Scottish Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Other
1950s Anatomical Teaching Model Of Normal Size Depicting A Hoolow Foot
Located in Milan, IT
Anatomical teaching model of normal size depicting a hollow foot in section showing a strong accentuation of the plantar arch and how the foot rest is mainly on the forefoot and heel...
Category
1950s Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Plastic
19th Century London Knife Sharpener and Cleaner
Located in Brussels, Brussels
Very nice 19th century knife sharpener and cleaner from London Kent.
Very nice object where we can find a ceramic plate with probably the name of th...
Category
19th Century British Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Pine
French Late 19th Century Barometer
By Selon Torricelli
Located in Stockbridge, GA
French late 19th century barometer.
Category
Late 19th Century French Empire Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Bronze
Walnut Cased Barograph by R. Stewart
Located in Cheshire, GB
R. Stewart mahogany-cased Barograph, having five glazed hinged lid, and a drawer below to house the charts. The mechanical eight-day movement is housed in the drum, fitted with a sev...
Category
Early 20th Century British Scientific Instruments
Materials
Glass
19th Century Antique English Georg III Mahogany Barometer
Located in VALENZA, IT
A fine quality example of a mercury wheel barometer. A mahogany case. A wider and deeper case with an opening door for the long scale thermometer with silvered dial.
A silvered engraved dial signed 'J.B.Sala, Holborn'. Circa 1820.
The banjo barometer is also known as the wheel barometer. It was invented by Robert Hooke...
Category
1810s English George III Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Mahogany
1917 Waymouth Cooke Naval Rangefinder Sextant
Located in San Mateo, CA
Naval range finder made by Waymouth-Cooke of London. These were based on the principals of a sextant range finder. They were patented in 1914. The Mark II like this one came out in 1...
Category
1910s English Other Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Aluminum, Brass
Whimshurst Machine by Voltana
Located in London, GB
Whimshurst machine by Voltana, Germany, circa 1920.
With retailers label: Gustave van Begin of Brussels - instruments scientifique Gustave van Begin Bruxelles.
Category
Early 20th Century German Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal
Small Vintage Spirit Level, English, Brass, Instrument, Preston and Sons,
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a small vintage spirit level. An English, rosewood and brass instrument by E. Preston and Sons, dating to the early 20th century, circa 19...
Category
Early 20th Century English Art Deco Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Telescope with Adjustable Wooden Legs and Patinated Brass Hardware
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Telescopes are a terrific decorative addition to any den, library or study. A compliment to any Ralph Lauren, rustic or studious environment, ours has all wooden adjustable legs with...
Category
20th Century Rustic Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Sunshine Recorder by Casella of London
Located in London, GB
A Campbell–Stokes sunshine recorder, attributed to Casella & Co, circa 1910.
Mounted on a later wooden display plinth.
Marked with serial number...
Category
Early 20th Century English Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass, Bronze
1890 Small Antique Nautical Brass Pelorus Boyce-Meyer Pelorus Bronxonville N.Y
Located in Milan, IT
Antique small brass Pelorus, signed Boyce-Meyer Pelorus Bronxonville N.Y., made in the late of the XIX century. It has a sight system with a compass card with eight winds and goniome...
Category
1890s American Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Brass Spyglass Collapsible Telescope with Leather Handle
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A wonderful retracting Spyglass or telescope with leather handle. The piece actually works very well, but is just as nice as a decorative piece. Beautifully crafted and with just the...
Category
Early 20th Century European Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
19th Century Ships Compass From Amsterdam
Located in Norwell, MA
Antique ships compass with interesting Dutch lettering. Spun brass bowl with gimbal. Fitted to a primitive dovetailed box. Circa 1880. With compas...
Category
1880s European Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Fine Vintage Deyrolle Paris Anatomical Model of Human Lungs in Display Case
By Deyrolle
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this lovely vintage French anatomical medical teaching aid of a lung with a plaque reading Anatomie Humaine, Poumons & Coeur made by Deyrolle Paris.
A very good looking and well made piece, hand made in France, there are two descriptive plaques, they read as below, this piece was made by Deyrolle Paris, they are a taxidermy store that has been in the same location since 1831, the brass mount is signed Deyrolle Paris
Plaque 1
ANATOMIE HUMAINE
POUMONS & COEUR
Les Fils D’Emile Deyrolle 46 Rue Du Bac Paris
Plaque 2...
Category
20th Century French Other Scientific Instruments
Materials
Glass, Plastic
Vintage Taper Maker, English, Brass, Shipwright's Woodworking Tool, circa 1950
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a vintage taper maker. An English, brass shipwright's woodworking tool, dating to the mid-20th century, circa 1950.
Midcentury crafting to...
Category
Mid-20th Century English Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
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
Vernier Protractor by Newton & Co of London
Located in London, GB
A mid 19th century brass Vernier protractor by Newton & Co of London.
With two screw in fixing points.
Signed: Newton & Co 3, Fleet St, London
Marked with Broad-Arrow: WD 5679.
Category
Mid-19th Century English Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Large Antique Wooden American Mortar and Pestle
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Large wood antique American mortar and pestle.
Early 19th c. Americana turned wood footed mortar and pestle.
American, late 19th century wooden mortar and pestle...
Category
Early 20th Century Moroccan Folk Art Scientific Instruments
Materials
Wood
Anatomical Model: a Jaw with Teeth, Italy, 1880
Located in Milan, IT
Anatomic model for class depicting a jaw with a teeth, made out of painted papier machè mounted on round black wooden base. Italy 1880 ca.
Category
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Plaster, Fruitwood, Paper
19th Century Dental Tool Kit
Located in London, GB
19th century dental tool kit
A rare set of 19th century dental tool kit, all tools are encased in a wooden box with brass latch and lined with a worn red...
Category
19th Century British Georgian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal
Antique Two-Plate Scale, Wood, Copper and Brass
Located in Houston, TX
Antique two-plate scale, wood, copper and brass, early 1900s. This culinary scale comes with 3 weights. Very decorative for any kitchen decor.
Measur...
Category
Early 20th Century French Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass, Copper, Iron
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 French Scientific Instruments
Materials
Shell
Set of 2 Brass Furniture Leg Embellisher, circa 1930
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
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
1820s George III Mahogany Barometer
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
1816-1829 barometer by Cetti & Co, 25 Red Lion St., Holburn, London. Mahogany with conch shell & rosette inlays. George III period. Not currently working. The original finial is fire...
Category
1820s English George III Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Mahogany, Giltwood
Set of Oak Doctors Scales
Located in Cheshire, GB
Set of doctors scales for C.F Thakray Chemists. The solid oak seat with shaped back alongside cast balance scale. standing on square sports with pull out ...
Category
Early 20th Century British Scientific Instruments
Materials
Oak
English Marine Barometer with Rope Carved Case
Located in Norwell, MA
Early twentieth century library barometer with rope carved case. Great old piece. Fitted with a brass hanging tab. Circa 1920.
Category
1920s English Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
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
Large Antique Solid Brass Library Telescope by Broadhurst, Clarkson and Co
Located in Montreal, QC
Large Antique Solid Brass Library Telescope by Broadhurst, Clarkson and Co
Marked: '' 63 Farringdon Rd London EC. Broadhurst, Clarkson and Co''
Category
1910s British 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.
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