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Scientific Instruments For Sale
Pair of Vintage Montblanc Meisterstruck & Starwalker Pens with Boxes & Papers
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This pair of vintage rollerball pens were made by the well known Montblanc factory of Germany in approximately 1990 in their classic modern style. theiThe black cased pen from this grouping is their "Meisterstruck" model with a clear tip on the cap, and a gold band around the center of the barrel with "MONTBLANC" and "MEISTERSTRUCK" in block letters. The other pen of this group with the brushed metal case is their "Starwalker" model. Both pens come with thier original fitted boxes, and we have one outer box and some paperwork. Both of these Montblanc rollerball pens...
Category

Late 20th Century German Modern Scientific Instruments

Materials

Stainless Steel

Gucci Rare Stationery Set
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Rare Gucci stationery set with a triangular ruler and pencil in original burgundy case / Made in Italy Length: 14 inches, depth: 9.25, height: 1.5 inches 1 available in stock in Ital...
Category

20th Century Italian Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal

Gucci Rare Stationery Set
Gucci Rare Stationery Set
$280 Sale Price
30% Off
Pair of Neoclassical Apothecary Jars by Maison A Collin Porcelaines & Cristaux
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Pair of Neoclassical Apothecary Jars by Maison A Collin Porcelaines & Cristaux France, Circa 1870s Signed : Maison A Collin Porcelaines & Cristaux a Collin paris 90 Rue de Rivoli We...
Category

19th Century French Neoclassical Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Porcelain

Universal Microscope by R & J Beck of London, 1867.
Located in London, GB
Universal Microscope by R & J Beck of London, 1867. Serial number: 4757. Circular base marked: UNIVERSAL MICROSCOPE - R & J BECK LONDON In original fitted ca...
Category

Mid-19th Century English Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

Keuffel & Esser Co Survey Transit Tripod Stand with Case Stick and Accessories
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique Keuffel & Esser Co Survey Transit on Tripod Stand with Original Oak Wood Case and Accessories Pictured including Telescoping Surveying Stick. Circa Early 20th Century. Measur...
Category

Early 20th Century Unknown Art Deco Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal

Botanical Model in Enlarged Section of a Moraceae Syconium, Italy, 1930s
Located in Milan, IT
Model in enlarged section of the Moraceae syconium (fig for example is a sicon). The model is made of painted plaster and almost certainly made by Paravia in the 1930s. Measures cm 3...
Category

1930s Italian Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Plaster

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, Brass, Iron

19th Century French Émile Deyrolle Anatomical Lithograph Poster
Located in London, GB
Émile Deyrolle Anatomical poster A wonderfully rare and decorative curio medical French (Paris) original lithograph on board anatomical poster in ...
Category

1880s French Early Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Paper

French 19th Century Culinary Scale
By Trussant & Cie
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

Antique Telescope, English, Silvered Brass, Dennis of London, Victorian
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a long antique telescope. An English, silvered brass single draw refractor by Dennis of London, dating to the early Victorian period and later, circa 1850. Perfect for bird watching, landscape appreciation, wildlife, or maritime observation. Equally suitable for observing the night sky. Superior length telescope with appealing finish and personal inscription Displaying a desirable aged patina throughout Silvered brass presents bright, reflective tones Bright objective with large 55mm diameter — some marks to lens edge Front element protected by sliding sun shade Removable dust cover encloses the element when not in use Primary barrel dressed distinctively in a later, quality faux crocodile cover...
Category

Mid-19th Century British Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

Antique American Iron Balance Weighing Scale with Weights
Located in Queens, NY
"American (early 20th Century) balance weighing scale Set on a concave rectangular cast iron beveled base with twist mid-section topped by a pointed finial. One chain beam balance fi...
Category

Early 20th Century American American Colonial Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

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

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

1970s Vintage Sculptural Magnifying Lens Glass
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Sculptural magnifying lens glass 7.38 w x 1.5 d x 6 h Unrestored vintage condition Refer to images.
Category

Late 20th Century Mid-Century Modern Scientific Instruments

Materials

Glass

Antique Barometer Altimeter, English, Explorer's Instrument, Hicks, Victorian
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique pocket barometer altimeter. An English, oak cased explorer's instrument by Hicks of London, dating to the late Victorian pe...
Category

Late 19th Century British Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Oak

Antique Brass Plumber's Blowtorch c.1900, Made in Sweden
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT An antique solid brass plumber's blowtorch with a perforated handle. Stamped "Primus Sweden". Shown with life size hand model for scale. CREATOR AB Bacho, Stockholm, S...
Category

Early 20th Century Swedish Industrial Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass, Metal

Art Deco Magnifying Glass in Mother of Pearl and Silver Plate 1930s
Located in Meer, VAN
Art Deco Magnifying Glass in Mother of Pearl and Silver Plate 1930s Sometimes, the only quality an item really needs is beauty - and this art deco magnifying glass has it all. Age, ...
Category

Early 20th Century European Art Deco Scientific Instruments

Materials

Silver Plate

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

19th c. Giltwood Barometer
Located in New Orleans, LA
Carved and Giltwood Louis XVI Style Barometer
Category

19th Century French Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Giltwood

Zoological Lithograph Water Predators 1912 Cardboard by H Aschehoug & Co Norway
Located in Milan, IT
Zoological didactic plate n. 21 lithograph on cardboard made in 1912 depicting water predators. Dybdhals Zoologiske Plancher P.M.Bye & Co Oslo. Made by H Aschehoug & Co. Good conditi...
Category

1910s Norwegian Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Paper

Antique Pluviometer Set, English, Copper, Meteorological, Rain Gauge, Victorian
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique pluviometer set. An English, copper and glass meteorological rain gauge, dating to the Victorian period and later, circa 1900. ...
Category

Late 19th Century British Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Copper

Monumental floor standing brass Butcher scale
Located in Cheshire, GB
A large set of floor standing brass balance scales and graduated weights with bullhead terminal above the circular column, to the platform base with fourteen graduated compartments f...
Category

Early 20th Century British Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

Vintage Anatomical Model, Man and Woman, 80s 90s Curiosity
Located in Greven, DE
Exceptional Human Anatomy Model from the 80s, 90s. Male and Female Figures on a black stand. The outer casting, such as the individual intestines a...
Category

20th Century Unknown Scientific Instruments

Materials

Plastic

20th Century English Scale
Located in Atlanta, GA
This 20th-century English scale is a captivating piece of industrial design and functional history. Crafted from cast iron with a sturdy base and a brass beam, this scale embodies du...
Category

20th Century English Industrial Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass, Stainless Steel, Iron

Refractor telescope by François Can, 81 Quai de l'Hôpital, Lyon
Located in London, GB
2 ¾ inch refractor telescope by François Can, 81 Quai de l'Hôpital, Lyon. Circa 1835. Mounted on a cast iron stand with adjustable height, folding tripod feet, and castors. 2 ¾ inc...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass, Iron

Estate American Surveyor's Transit Level in Original Fitted Oak Box, 1930s-1940s
Located in New Orleans, LA
Estate American surveyor's transit level in original fitted oak box and signed "BOSTROM- BRODY mf6, Atlanta GA.", circa 1930-1940s. Model #4, Serial #47....
Category

Mid-20th Century American Scientific Instruments

Materials

Oak

Small herbalist pharmacy wooden jars, Italy 1870.
Located in Milan, IT
Set of two small wooden herbalist's apothecary vases (Thistle flowers, Myrtle berries) in the purest neoclassical style. The surface is finished with cream-white pastiglia with saffr...
Category

Late 19th Century Italian Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Wood

Antique English Brass-Mounted Rosewood Complete Apothecary Case, Circa 1880.
Located in New Orleans, LA
Rare complete antique English London-made apothecary case, circa 1880. Rosewood with Brass Mounts.
Category

Late 19th Century English Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

Early 20th Century Anatomical Plaster Medical Torso Figure
Located in London, GB
Early 20th century anatomical plaster medical torso figure This early 20th century life size anatomical medical torso would have originally been used as...
Category

1950s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Plaster

Wall-Mounted Large Weather Station in Art Nouveau Style Carved Walnut Belgium
Located in Verviers, BE
Art Deco Style Barometer with Mercury Thermometer Weather Station Antique Decorative Cherrywood Wall Barometer Austria 1920s Please don't hesitate to get in touch with any further q...
Category

1920s Austrian Art Deco Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

19th c. Bronze, Rosewood and Ebony Try Squares c.1850-1890
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT Collection of six 19th century try squares with bronze, Ebony, Rosewood, and steel handles. The Halsted & Ackerman is a rare combination square with a pop out bevel from the b...
Category

19th Century Industrial Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal, Bronze, Steel

Floor Standing Telescope by Piet G. Meesters
Located in Vlimmeren, BE
This beautiful floor standing telescope, 60mm f/15 NEDOPTIFA, dates from the 1930s and was made by Piet G. Meesters. One of the most famous Dutch amateur astronomers of the last cent...
Category

1930s Dutch Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass, Iron

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

Anatomical model for class: a heart, France 1890.
Located in Milan, IT
Anatomical model for class, depicting an animal’s heart, made out of painted papier mache. Ebonized wooden base, square shape. France circa 1890.
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Wood

Brass Boat Compass in Varnished Wood Box
Located in Norwell, MA
Classic early twentieth century boat compass by American Maker. The gimballed compass has been meticulously polished and lacquered. This classic marine instrument is fitted to its or...
Category

1940s Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

Napoleon lll Style Wood Marble Scale
Located in Guaynabo, PR
This is a Napoleon lll Style Scale. It depicts a rectangular wood case with brown marble top. There is one “X” shaped holder at each side of the mar...
Category

Early 20th Century Unknown Napoleon III Scientific Instruments

Materials

Marble, Brass

Antique Rolling Parallel Rule, English, Brass, Scientific Instrument, Edwardian
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique rolling parallel rule. An English, brass scientific instrument to aid navigation, dating to the Edwardian period, circa 1910. Attractive period instrument withi...
Category

Early 20th Century British Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

Polished Oak Barograph and Barometer by Negretti & Zambra, London
Located in Norwich, GB
Edwardian polished oak cased barograph with bevelled glass panels. Brass base plate stamped ‘Regent, Jewelled movement supporting the ten vacuum chambers linking the ink pen pointer ...
Category

1930s English Edwardian Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

Gimballed Brass Boat Compass by Dirigo
Located in Norwell, MA
Gimballed brass boat compass by "Dirigo" of Seattle, Washington. With fleur-de-lis pointing north. Fitted to a birch box with lid. Circa 1975. Overall Dimensions: 5" H x 8" L x 8"...
Category

1970s American Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

Rare paradoxical planetarium of Jupiter and the Medici satellites, France 1840.
Located in Milan, IT
This rare paradoxical planetarium demonstrates the rotation and revolution motion of the system of the planet Jupiter and the Medici satellites. The base is made of ebonized fruit wo...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

Large Antique Officer of the Watch Telescope, English, Negretti and Zambra, 1880
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a large antique 'officer of the watch' telescope. An English, single draw refractor for terrestrial or astronomical use by Negretti and Zambra of London, dating to the late V...
Category

Late 19th Century British Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal

Large Kodak Folding No. 3A Camera with Mahogany Inlay c.1910
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT A large Eastman Kodak No. 3A folding camera with red bellows and Mahogany inlay. The body is wrapped in leather with chrome and brass accents. The camera folds to 2.5 inches. ...
Category

Early 20th Century Industrial Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal, Brass, Chrome

Mid-Century French Louis XV Carved Giltwood Wall Barometer
Located in Dallas, TX
This elegant, antique Louis XV barometer was crafted in Paris, France, circa 1960. Square in shape, the wall piece features the original hand painte...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Louis XV Scientific Instruments

Materials

Giltwood

Pair of Louis XVI Ormulu Wall Clocks & Barometers
Located in Queens, NY
Pair of French Louis XVI-style (Mid-19th Century) ormolu wall clock and barometer set each of banjo form with Apollo mask above putti and ...
Category

19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal, Ormolu

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

System walking stick, a telescope, England 1880.
Located in Milan, IT
Gadget-System stick. The tip is made of iron and brass, high and decorated by a series of thin circles. The shaft is made entirely of painted brass and constructed to emulate a bambo...
Category

Late 19th Century English Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass, Iron

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

French Baker's Scale
Located in Houston, TX
French Baker's scale. This antique cast iron baker's scale includes original weights. Great Kitchen Accessory!
Category

1920s French Art Deco Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Iron

Terrestrial Table Globe by Félix Delamarche, Paris, 1821
By Félix Delamarche
Located in Milano, IT
Terrestrial table globe Félix Delamarche Paris, 1821 It measures 20.47 in height, Ø max 14.17 in; the sphere Ø 9.44 in (h 52 cm x Ø max 36.5 cm; the sphere Ø 24 cm) Wood, printed...
Category

1820s French Restauration Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal

RARE SUITE OF ORIGINAL NATURAL HiSTORY MUSEUM CASED IN PERSPEX SPECIMENS
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for this amazing suite of original natural history museum cased specimens A very rare find, these are old examples and some very interesting pieces, the list is as follows 1:- POM 17615 PINGUICULA 2:- POM 17600 VENUS FLYTRAP...
Category

20th Century English Victorian Scientific Instruments

Materials

Plastic

Early 19th Century Negretti and Zambra Bakelite Weather Forecaster
Located in Norwich, GB
19th century Negretti and Zambra Bakelite Weather Forecaster. Housed in a black metal case with a cream coloured bakelite front plate. The dial with barometer scale, hand turned indicator and a secondary dial operated by the side lever to set the wind direction...
Category

1910s English Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Bakelite

Large Dryad Wooden Paper Guillotine
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Large dryad wooden paper Guillotine Well used and still working well, the makers name is in the centre of the front, all in good used condition, ...
Category

Early 20th Century International Style Scientific Instruments

Materials

Beech

Library Terrestrial Globe On Stand, Late 19th Early 20th Century
Located in MARSEILLE, FR
Large terrestrial globe in papier maché and plaster, fixed in its wooden basket: the spindles are painted with the continents (decoratively), the complete meridian is in brass; the h...
Category

Late 19th Century Italian Renaissance Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Wood, Paper

Globemaster Brass & Bronzed Metal Floor Globe by Replogle 20thC
Located in Big Flats, NY
A globemaster floor globe by Replogle offers globe on brass and bronzed metal base having swivel carriage on column with circular foot, 20th c...
Category

20th Century American Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal, Brass

Rare Charles and Ray Eames Sphere's "Mathematica world of numbers" 1961 Exhibit
Located in Buffalo, NY
Super rare. The spheres in this image are components of one of the exhibits... originally aquired from an IBM employee. Mathematica: A World of Numbers…and Beyond, is the title of...
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Stone

19th Century Botanic Model by Robert Brendel - Barley
Located in Berghuelen, DE
19th Century Botanic Model by Robert Brendel - Barley A rare antique botanical model manufactured by the famous Robert Brendel manufactory for botanicals models around 1900. Highly ...
Category

Early 20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Scientific Instruments

Materials

Plaster, Wood, Paper

Vintage Oil Can
Located in Oxfordshire, GB
Vintage Copper Force Feed Oil Can. An automotive tin oil can. A fantastic piece of vintage motoring ephemera, the perfect gift for the motoring enthusiast. Who would have thought the...
Category

20th Century British Industrial Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal

1911, The Lady Claire Dress Form, Very Rare
Located in Peekskill, NY
I've had an example of this dress form in my personal collection. It's an amazing piece of engineering and one of my favorite items... something I decided to never sell it. The Lady Claire...
Category

Early 20th Century American Industrial Scientific Instruments

Materials

Iron

Early 20th Century Teaching Aid Human Torso Model
Located in London, GB
Early 20th Century Teaching Aid Human Torso Model Mounted onto a newer looking wooden plaque this early example of a plaster and natural human fibre model would likely have been use...
Category

1940s Unknown Mid-Century Modern Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Bone, Plaster

19th Century, Compass and Sundial Together
Located in Miami, FL
19th century, compass and sundial together.
Category

Late 19th Century French Baroque Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Wood

Vintage, New and Antique Scientific Instruments

Decorating with vintage, new and antique scientific instruments, as well as other authentic collectibles and curiosities that can be found on 1stDibs, presents an opportunity to create a unique, natural history museum-like atmosphere in your home that can provoke conversation as often as it pays tribute to how far we’ve come in understanding our world.

The Age of Discovery (or the Age of Exploration) refers to a period during the 15th to 18th centuries that saw Europeans taking to the high seas to explore, trade and conquer various regions of the world. What we know about geography, the advancement of sea vessels and the development of scientific instruments all broadened significantly during this time.

With every new finding about our world, scientists invented tools to measure and record. While many of these objects are now obsolete, they are essentially works of art and have a rich history. Scientific instruments of a bygone era represent how far science and technology have advanced.

If you’re interested in introducing antique scientific instruments and tools to your decor to add contrast or draw attention to otherwise unexplored corners of your living room or dining room, there are many options to consider as far as textures and colors go. Like any curious decorative object that draws attention to your home library or mantel, vintage scientific instruments will likely add spirit to any conversation that might take place over cocktails or dinner.

Create an intriguing focal point with Georgian scientific instruments, such as stick barometers with mahogany cases or lacquered brass telescopes. These items stem from an era named for the monarchies of the four King Georges, who ruled England in succession starting in 1714 (plus King William’s reign, which lasted until 1837). Just as there was beautiful jewelry produced during the period that today is coveted by collectors, there is much to be found in the collectibles and curiosities realm too.

Mid-century modern scientific instruments also capture a period of rapid progress, representing groundbreaking discoveries that defined the 20th century. Wouldn’t antique anatomical models of the 1950s pair well with your eye-catching abstract paintings, George Nelson clock or Florence Knoll sofa?

Whether you’re looking for a way to showcase your passion for chemistry or aviation or are making room in your foyer for a breathtaking industrial-style electronic time tower manufactured by Patek Philippe, 1stDibs offers a collection of vintage, new and antique scientific instruments that includes topographic tools, laboratory equipment and more.

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