Scientific Instruments
Scientific Instruments For Sale
Color: Brown
19th Century French Napoleon III Walnut and Brass Scale with Set of Weights
Located in Dallas, TX
This Classic, antique scale with original plates was created in Dijon France, circa 1870. Rectangular in shape, the fruit wood scale embellished with marquetry fillet decor, features the original removable brass plateaus...
Category
Late 19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Antique Print of an Anatomy Display with a Human Skeleton, 1686
Located in Langweer, NL
Description: Antique print, titled: 'To Ralph Macro of Clapton (…)'
This original old antique print shows people at an anatomy display with a human skeleton, ecorche, male body. ...
Category
1680s Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Paper
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
1870s Genitourinary Instruments of Bougies Oak Box Antique Medical Device
Located in Milan, IT
Set of genitourinary instruments of Bougies, medical instruments placed in a box made of oak, made second half of the nineteenth century. Box measures 5.5x14.1x2.4 inches. On the low...
Category
1870s Italian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal
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
Surgical Instruments Set, Signed Galante, Paris, 1870
Located in Milan, IT
An oak wood case with a complete surgery set of 8 surgical instruments made on steel, with black horn handles and rosewood, signed H. Galante & fi...
Category
1870s French Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Steel
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
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
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
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
Super Rare 1880s Spoon Top Conformatore
Located in Peekskill, NY
This is a wonderful example of 1800s inventiveness. We believe this is American made and ie signed and dated 1888. This is only the second example we have ever found. We will only se...
Category
Late 19th Century American Industrial Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Steel
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
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
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
18th Century French Louis XVI Giltwood Barometer
Located in Sheffield, MA
A stunningly beautiful 18th century French gold gilt barometer is a weather instrument with mercury-filled glass thermometer still in working order...
Category
1790s French Louis XVI Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Wood
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Barometer Regulates and Base in Semi-Precious Stone Representing a Cello Player
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Barometer regulates and base in semi-precious stone representing a Cello player in antique.
Measures: H 20cm, W 10cm.
Category
19th Century French Louis XV Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal
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
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
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
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 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
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
George III Banjo Mahogany Barometer by R. Taylor, Chepstow, England c. 1820
By R. Taylow
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Four-dial Barometer/Thermometer in Mahogany, dating from the George III period, and English in origin. Signed at the base "R. Taylor Chepstow". The barometer with swan neck pedim...
Category
Early 19th Century English George III Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
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
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
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
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
Swiss Hand Carved Black Forest Figure of a Fox with Thermometer, circa 1880
Located in Banner Elk, NC
Swiss hand-carved Black Forest figure of a fox with thermometer, Brienz, Switzerland, circa 1880 in linden wood, with the original antique thermometer...
Category
1880s Swiss Black Forest Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Wood
Spanish Vintage Wooden Shoe Last, circa 1940
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Vintage wooden shoe last.
By unknown manufacturer from Spain, circa 1940.
In original condition, with minor wear consistent with age and u...
Category
1940s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage 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
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
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
Oak Barograph by C P Goerz
Located in Cheshire, GB
Art Deco barograph by C P Goerz. The oak and plated metal Barograph encase with rounded ends. The mechanical eight-day movement is housed in the drum, fi...
Category
Early 20th Century German Scientific Instruments
Materials
Oak
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
Teak and Iron Ship's Nautical Clinometer, Midcentury, French
Located in Nantucket, MA
A ship's clinometer of teak and iron with original paint. Used to measure the degree of healing on a boat, or on larger boats to weigh the distribution of cargo to be sure the ballas...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Industrial 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
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
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
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
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
Dutch 19th Century Carved Wooden Barometer
Located in Delft, NL
A Dutch carved wooden barometer with copper and facet cut glass housing.
The carved wood has a scene of fruits and scrolls
A barometer is a scien...
Category
Late 19th Century Dutch Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Wood
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
English Antique George II Mahogany Stick Barometer by Polti of Exeter
By C. Polti
Located in Devon, GB
A rare George II period mahogany stick barometer with finely carved cistern cover and surround to partly conceal the mercury tube. Most unusually the signed register plate is made of...
Category
Mid-18th Century English George II Antique 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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Wwii German Binoculars
Optician Sign
Stick Barometer
Folding Camera
Antique Stick Barometers
Vintage Glass Barometer
Vintage French Barometer
French Mercury Barometer
German Telescope
Antique Wooden Gears
Antique Wooden Gear