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Scientific Instruments For Sale
Period: 19th Century
Period: 1910s
Antique stereoscopic table for brothels, Germany, late 19th century.
Located in Milan, IT
Antique stereoscopic table viewer used in brothels, to view erotic images printed on paper for a fee. This device consists of a parallelepiped in fruit wood painted black, with the s...
Category
Late 19th Century German Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal, Brass
An anatomical plaster model of the section of the head, Austria 1870.
Located in Milan, IT
An anatomical model of the section of the head, cast out of plaster, signed “ K.K.S.T.G.S.C.H Innsbruck, in a very good condition and with original patina. Anatomical study purpose. ...
Category
Late 19th Century Austrian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Plaster
19th Century Frankstein Wall Art Throw Switch Slate Brass New Haven Mfg Co
Located in Hyattsville, MD
Bolt it on the wall for decor on set on a table for conversation. A large example by New Haven Manufacturing Co. of Connecticut, c.1890s.
L 14.5 x W 5.5 x Thk 3 in
Category
1890s American Industrial Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Slate, Brass
Anatomical Print on Paper, Depicting a Fetus Skeleton, France, 19th Century
Located in Milan, IT
A rare couple of French anatomical lithographs of the fetus skeleton, in a vintage metal frame. Great quality and artistic composition.
Printe...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal
Bronze Sculptural Thermometer, Long Bodied Lady, Artist Signed and Dated 1911
Located in Petaluma, CA
It wasn't easy trying to title this bronze in one sentence. The first thing about it to my eye is the wonderful whimsy displayed. The fact that it's a thermometer just adds to the jo...
Category
1910s American Art Nouveau Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Bronze
A travel aphotecary with oak wood box, England 1880.
Located in Milan, IT
Small travel apothecary with oak wood box, glass containers inside and bone spoon. England circa 1880.
Category
Late 19th Century English Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Glass, Wood
English Mahogany Banjo Barometer. Circa 1830
Located in Charleston, SC
English mahogany banjo barometer with centered brass finial in scrolled pediment, glass encased thermometer, ebonized reeded mirror, original ...
Category
19th Century British Antique Scientific Instruments
Antique European Enameled Postal Scale with Brass
Located in Miami, FL
Antique European Enameled Postal Scale with Brass, this desk top pendulum scale is a quirky and fun addition to your collection of antique scales. Bought from a collector, it’s made ...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal, Brass, Enamel
Carved Wooden Antique French Barometer with Thermometer, Number 9432 1910s
By Black Forest
Located in Verviers, BE
Carved wooden antique French barometer with thermometer
Unusual antique carved wooden barometer in a lovely carved case, working order.
Number 9432
...
Category
1910s French Art Nouveau Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Fruitwood
Wooden box containing a travel surgical set, signed Galante, Paris 1870.
Located in Milan, IT
Oak wood box, containing a set of 8 iron surgical instruments, equipped with black horn and rosewood handles. Signed H.Galante & fils. Paris, France circa 1870.
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Iron
Large Impressive 1800s Kalidoscope
Located in Peekskill, NY
This scope is unsigned and was acquired from a European collector. It could be American but I'm guessing its not. The eyepiece and turning mechanism are brass. The tube is canvas wra...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Industrial Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Fruitwood
Brass aneroid table and wall barometer England late 19th century.
Located in Milan, IT
Brass aneroid or holosteric barometer, table and wall-mounted, late 19th-century English manufacture.
Good condition, signs of use fully functional.
Measurements cm 5x12.5 - 1.9x4....
Category
Late 19th Century Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
19th Century Pocket Telescope Gilt Brass And Faux Tortoiseshell Spyglass
Located in Norwich, GB
19th Century pocket telescope gilt brass and faux tortoiseshell spyglass, each friction fitting is tapering and collapsible with millegrain edges.
In good condition, showing some li...
Category
Mid-19th Century Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Antique English Victorian Brass Postal Scale, Circa 1870-1880.
Located in New Orleans, LA
Handsome Antique English Victorian Brass Postal Scale, Circa 1870-1880.
Category
Late 19th Century English Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
19th C. Scientific Optical Mirror in Black Hardwood Frame on Tripod Brass Stand
Located in Haarlem, NL
A large 19th Century scientific optical mirror in round blackened hardwood frame on brass articulated tripod stand. The mirror looks concave or convex shaped, but if you look closely...
Category
19th Century British Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
$1,000 Sale Price
20% Off
Ernst Plank Steam Engine
Located in Madrid, ES
The Ernst Plank steam engine is a fascinating and remarkable piece, especially the Union model with dimensions of 43x14x14 cm. Manufactured by the Ernst Plank brand, this steam engin...
Category
Late 19th Century Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Copper
$1,719 Sale Price
20% Off
19th Century English Cased Drawing Set Length of Longest Tool
Located in Buchanan, MI
An 19th century English cased drawing set length of longest tool. Measures: 6 1/4 inches.
Category
19th Century English Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
French Louis XVI Style Gilded and Painted Wood Barometer from the Early 1800s
Located in Atlanta, GA
This French Louis XVI style barometer and thermometer features an exquisite carved giltwood crest with delicate foliage motifs. Below the crest, the thermometer, encompassed in a black painted body, sits atop the round barometer...
Category
Early 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Glass, Wood
A 19th-Century dental elevator.
Located in Milan, IT
A dental instrument. A 19th-Century iron elevator. A baluster-turned shank with double claw, fitted with a horn handle and screwdriver. British manufacturer. London circa 1850.
Category
Early 19th Century English Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Iron
American Mahogany and Brass Ship Binnacle, Riggs & Brothers, Phila. Circa 1880
By Riggs & Brothers
Located in Charleston, SC
American mahogany ship binnacle with a brass-mounted dome helmet, internal dry compass by Ritchie of Boston, flanking removable burners with the original fonts and resting on an octa...
Category
1880s American American Empire Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
End 19th Century Antique Magnetic Topographic Compass Made in Brass and Oak
Located in Milan, IT
Magnetic topographic compass, of oak and brass; instrument consisting of a magnetized needle free to rotate on a horizontal plane, marking with the tip of the needle the direction of magnetic north, compass card with eight winds complete with goniometric circle divided into 360 °, complete with the compass needle lock. Italian manufacture of the late 19th century. Very good condition. Measure 3.1x3.1 height 1.
Shipping is insured by Lloyd's London; our gift box is free (look at the last picture).
The invention of the compass is mysterious but it is well known that magnetite was discovered in Magnesia, a city of Asia Minor. We can find the first indications about the use in Europe of the magnetic force for orientation at the end of the XII century...
Category
1890s Italian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Oak
19th Century Bismuthinite Mineral Natural History Specimen Curio
Located in Lowestoft, GB
A lustrous silver Bismuthinite specimen, housed in its original glass and turned ebonised display bubble.
Bismuth also known as "white mass" It is a post-transition metal and one o...
Category
19th Century English Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Natural Fiber, Blown Glass, Pine
French Rococo Style Gilt Bronze Clock and Barometer by Charpentier
Located in London, GB
Designed in the French Rococo style, this clock and barometer set have been beautifully ornamented with scrolling foliate gilt bronze forms. The two are diamond shaped, with symmetri...
Category
Late 19th Century French Rococo Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Enamel, Ormolu, Bronze
Antique Napoleon III Parisian Giltwood Barometer, "Bodeur a Paris", Circa 1830
Located in Dallas, TX
Napoleon III style, sometimes referred to as The Second Empire style, was greatly influenced by the Neoclassical aspects of the Louis XVI period. This giltwood barometer from Paris w...
Category
1830s French Napoleon III Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Glass, Wood, Giltwood
French Late 19th Century Louis XVI St. Giltwood Barometer
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A very handsome and decorative French late 19th century Louis XVI st. giltwood barometer. Fine carvings of scrolls and foliate throughout with a lyre shape above the painted barometer...
Category
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Giltwood
19th Century Grand Tour Antique Handmade Bronze Mortar with Pestle
Located in Roma, IT
19th-century grand tour antique handmade bronze mortar with pestle. This fantastic piece has an original patina.
The pestle is 9.05 inc high wit...
Category
Mid-19th Century European Grand Tour Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Bronze
Antique German aneroid barometer from the early 1900s made of turned marble.
Located in Milan, IT
Antique German aneroid barometer from the early 1900s made of turned marble, brass, and glass.
Good state. Working order.
Diameter cm 17 - inches 6.7, thickness cm 5- inches 1.9...
Category
1910s Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Marble
Holland Circle by Baumann and Kinzelbach
Located in New Orleans, LA
This intriguing item is almost certainly a Holland Circle by German scientific instrument makers Baumann & Kinzelbach. The Holland Circle, sometimes referred to as a Dutch Circle, was used in land surveying and is a precursor to the theodolite, an optical instrument for measuring angles. Baumann and Kinzelbach were based in Stuttgart, Germany, and in addition to crafting surveying instruments...
Category
19th Century German Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Bronze
Brass Pivoting Bullseye Magnifying Glass / Lens on Stand c.1915
Located in Bath, GB
A handsome antique English magnifying glass / bullseye lens on stand which pivots on a ball and socket fitting, moving around with ease.
Dating to c.1915, it remains in excellent co...
Category
1910s British Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Mechanical solar system with Sun, Mercury, Venus, Earth, Moon and Mars 1870
Located in Milan, IT
Tellurium or representative and demonstrative mechanical model of the solar system composed of the Sun, Mercury, Venus, Earth, Moon and Mars, realized by the Prague geographer and ...
Category
1870s Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal
English Brass Urn & Marble Base Scale . Circa 1815
Located in Charleston, SC
English brass scale with centered urn , feather pointer , brass pans, marble base , and terminating on brass ball feet. All original . Early 19t...
Category
1810s English George III Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Marble, Brass
19th Century Antique Bow Front Barometer by J. Somalvico & Co of London
Located in Devon, GB
A good William IV period rosewood and mother-of-pearl bow fronted stick barometer with its original bowed glass thermometer by this fine London make...
Category
19th Century English William IV Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Rosewood
19th Century Grey-Brown Italian Oversized Marble Mortar & Pestle, Antique Décor
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Early 19th Century, a set of an oversized mortar made of hand crafted white marble with a wooden Oakwood pestle, in good condition. This fun set was on display in a pharmacy in Milan...
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Marble
19th Century French Giltwood Barometer
Located in Richmond, VA
19th Century French giltwood barometer with working thermometer. Well executed carvings of scrolls, swags and bounty all finished in gold gil...
Category
19th Century French Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Giltwood
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
Antique Brass Scottish Surveyor's Compass in Fitted Wooden Box
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This antique surveyor's compass originates from Scotland and dates to approximately 1880 and made in the period Victorian style. The compass case is composed of solid brass with a me...
Category
Late 19th Century Scottish Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal, Brass
Wooden compass box with rosewood veneer circa 1870s
Located in Milan, IT
Box of compasses wood with rosewood veneer from the second mid-19th century, complete with key. In the center of the lid a rhombus-shaped brass medallion is engraved with the name...
Category
1870s Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
French Planetary Clock InGided Brass And Marble Planetarium Tellurium
Located in Madrid, ES
French Planetary Clock In Golden Brass And Tellurium Marble, Planetarium
Rare French planetary from the 19th century in brass and Royal Red marble base...
Category
Late 19th Century Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Marble
$17,827 Sale Price
20% Off
A terrestral globe signed J. Lebegue & C, Paris France 1880.
Located in Milan, IT
A Medium-sized terrestrial globe, made of papier-mâché, finished with pastille and completed by the application of paper spindles imprinted with intaglio printing. Color touch-ups. F...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Fruitwood
Set of a Barometer and a Clock, 19th Century
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Set of a barometer and a clock, 19th century
Set of a barometer and a clock in carved wood, from the 19th century, Louis XVI style, Napoleon III period, great decoration.
The mechanism of the clock is missing, but it is possible on request to put an old clock...
Category
1870s European Louis XVI Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Wood
$5,354 / set
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
Botanic Model Brendel, Germany, 1890
Located in Milan, IT
A rare botanical model of the Brendel, Triticum Vulgare N.11A (Gramineae). The round base in ebonized wood holds the botanical model which reveals the fl...
Category
Late 19th Century German Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Plaster, Wood
18th Century Louis XVI Giltwood Wall Barometer
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A beautifully carved and giltwood 18th century Louis XVI wall barometer having its original mercury tube and mechanism but presently with the mercury missing.
Category
Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Giltwood
Small gilded bronze mortar and pestle, Italy
Located in Cuneo, Italy (CN)
Small antique mortar with original pestle, chiseled in gilded bronze with period decorations, antique pharmacy mortar, used for potions and medicines, beautiful gift idea or to use i...
Category
19th Century Italian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
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
A botanic model of a pale pink tulip, Brendel, Germany 1880.
Located in Milan, IT
A rare Brendel botanical model of Tulipa gesneriana, the Tulip N.200 (Liliaceae), light pink color. The wooden ebonized round base holds the model which opens revealing the flower. T...
Category
Late 19th Century German Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Wood
End 19th Century Ophthalmic Steel Surgery kitJ. Weiss & Son and Dixey England
Located in Milan, IT
Ophthalmic steel surgery kit, signed J. Weiss & Son Ltd London and Dixey England, made in the end of XIX century circa, placed in its original wooden box covered with leather, red ve...
Category
Late 19th Century Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Steel
Early 19th Century Antique George III Mahogany Stick Barometer by Cremonino
Located in Devon, GB
A fine and well-proportioned early 19th century figured mahogany barometer signed ‘Cremonino, Fecit.’
This barometer has a broken arch pediment above a flush-glass door, enclosing ...
Category
Early 19th Century English George III Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Mahogany
19th Century French Bronze and Cloisonne Wall Barometer and Letter Holder
Located in Dallas, TX
Accessorize an office or study with this elegant antique barometer. Crafted in France circa 1850, the scientific instrument with hunt motifs throughout, features deer, bird and a let...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Multi-gemstone, Bronze
American Victorian Walnut Cased Standing Magnifying Glass
Located in Hudson, NY
This large American Victorian standing magnifying glass is encased in a carved and turned walnut frame and is adjustable to height with a wooden screw set device. Made circa 1880 the...
Category
Late 19th Century American Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Glass, Walnut
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 Neoclassical Style Gilt Bronze Cartel Clock and Barometer by Dasson
Located in London, GB
This fine set comprises a cartel clock and barometer, each of which are crafted entirely in gilt bronze. The clock and barometer cases are identical, and take the form of a lyre. The...
Category
19th Century French Neoclassical Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Enamel, Ormolu, Bronze
Antique Cased Optometrist's Set, English, Optical Instrument, Boxed, Victorian
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique cased optometrist's set. An English, mahogany optical instrument box, dating to the late Victorian period, circa 1900.
Fine display ...
Category
Late 19th Century British Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Wood
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
Torricellian barometer French manufacture from the second half of the 19th century
Located in Milan, IT
Torricellian mercury barometer, French manufacture from the second half of the 19th century, made of mahogany veneer wood with cedar wood edge threading complete with rare thermomet...
Category
1870s Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Wood
Antique Trade Scale Brass and Cast Iron, France, circa 1880
Located in Labrit, Landes
This trade scale was made in the late 19th century in France; It was a scale used by traders for retail
Brass and Cast-Iron
Patina and signs of use which ma...
Category
Late 19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Iron, Brass
Rare French Childs Leather Surgical Spinal Corset
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
We have two medical items here, they both date from the mid-19th century, the full upper body corset is a child’s size, it is formed in leather with nick...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Steampunk Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Leather
Brass pantograph by Thomas Dunn of Edinburgh, circa 1845
Located in London, GB
An oak cased brass pantograph by Thomas Dunn of 50 North Hanover Street, Edinburgh. Circa 1845.
Numbered: 402
Interior of the case has trade label: THOMAS DUNN, OPTICIAN, MATHEMATI...
Category
Mid-19th Century Scottish Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Antique Trade Scale Brass and Painted Cast Iron, France, circa 1880
Located in Labrit, Landes
This trade scale was made in the late 19th century in France. It was a scale used by traders for retail.
Brass and painted cast-iron
Patina and signs of use which make this antique o...
Category
Late 19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass, Iron
Collection of French Opaline Apothecary Jars
Located in Copenhagen, K
Collection of 20 opaline apothecary jars from the 19th century.
Collection consists of 14 larger jars and 6 smaller jars.
Category
19th Century French Empire Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Opaline Glass
$135 / item
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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