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Scientific Instruments For Sale
French Antique Contin Typewriter from the, 1940s
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
French antique Contin Typewriter from the 1940s
This is a Contin Continsouza Paris, Modèle A n 24 - 1940s, the typewriter is good tidy condition, as a show piece, it all seems to...
Category
Early 20th Century Industrial Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal
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
English Brass & Leather Hand Held Telescope
Located in Queens, NY
English (19th Century) brass and leather hand held telescope
Category
19th Century British Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
A Brendel botanic model: Taxus-Yew, Germany 1900.
Located in Milan, IT
A rare botanical model of the Brendel, Taxus N.40a female (Coniferae), Badger. The round base in ebonized wood holds three models: an example of a male Sporophile, a female Aril enla...
Category
Early 20th Century German 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
Antique Ross Telescope, English, 3 Draw, Terrestrial Refractor, Early 20th, 1920
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique Ross of London telescope. An English, brass three draw terrestrial refractor, dating to the early 20th century, circa 1920.
Perfect for bird watching, landscape...
Category
Early 20th Century British Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Sailing ship's pulley fiddle block
Located in London, GB
An early 19th century Naval oak fiddle pulley block, with two wood sheaves.
Marked with Roman Numerals: XXVIIII
In sailing, a block is a single or multiple pulley. One or a number ...
Category
Early 19th Century English Industrial Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Oak
Gucci Rare Stationery Set
By Gucci
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
French Antique Petite Draw Telescope in Brass and Wood
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
An antique French single draw telescope. Petite in size, its main barrel is covered with wonderful dark, veneer fruit wood, while the fixings and...
Category
19th Century French Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Ornamental Turning Lathe, No. 1906 by Holtzapffel & Co
Located in New Orleans, LA
An essential tool in the creation and finishing of furniture, this 19th-century English ornamental lathe is an object of beauty in and of itself. The extraordinary machine...
Category
Late 19th Century English Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass, Iron
Art Deco Table or Desk Top Brass Mounted 7" Double Convex Magnifying Glass
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Art Deco desk/table top adjustable magnifying glass. A 7" diameter double convex lens in an open topped brass frame suspended between two vertical posts rising from a stepped two-tie...
Category
Early 20th Century American Art Deco Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Olivetti lettera DL by Sottsass Ettore design in years '70
Located in Biella, IT
Olivetti lettera DL by Sottsass Ettore design in years '70 working
very good vintage with her original box
Category
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal
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
19th C Pair of Large Optical Experimental Scientific Mirrors Concave & Convex
Located in Lowestoft, GB
A large pair of scientific optical mirrors, one concave the other convex.
These where used in studies of optical sciences and in particular the study of the properties of light r...
Category
Late 19th Century English Late Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
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
Victorian Bronze Imperial Standard Bushel Measure
Located in Essex, MA
Impressively large bushel measure for the County Of Gloucester, England. Inscribed
"Imperial Standard Bushel". "County Of Gloucester". Made by Bate of London. Dated 1853 and 1834. ...
Category
1850s English Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Bronze
Telescope with original leather case from World War II, English circa 1940
Located in Central England, GB
This fine example of a World War II military spotting telescope is the type issued to a British army sniper, who would have used it to locate an enemy sniper in a hidden position.
T...
Category
Mid-20th Century British Other Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Set of Victorian Brass Beam Scales
Located in Altrincham, GB
Set of Victorian Brass Beam Scales, complete with pans and nest of weights - Williams & Sons - Cannon St. London - 21"w x 12"d x 27"h
Category
Mid-19th Century English Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
20th Century Japanese Pair Of Naval Bridge "Big Eye" Binoculars By Nikon c.1940
By Nikon
Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
A rare 20th Century set of Japanese naval bridge “big eye“ binoculars by Nikon manufactured during WWII by Tokyo Kogaku Kikai (Tokyo Optical Company). They have been expertly cleaned...
Category
20th Century Japanese Other Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal
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
A small telescope in paper, glass and snakewood. Golden decoration. France 1780.
Located in Milan, IT
A small pocket telescope with one extension, lens holder and ring in amoretto wood (Brosimum Guianense); objective holder body in green painted and pressed cardboard with rich decora...
Category
1870s French Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Shagreen, Wood
Large School Teaching Display Anthill of the Red Wood Ant
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Large School Teaching Display Anthill of the Red Wood Ant
A vintage school teaching glass display of the anthill of the red wood ant. It shows the hill and inhabitants thereof, the ...
Category
1950s German Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Glass, Wood
Quality Antique Victorian Brass Scales
Located in Suffolk, GB
Quality antique Victorian brass scales having a quality set of brass scales with 2 circular brass pans standing on a brass tripod base
Quaint examples in...
Category
19th Century English Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
$876 Sale Price
25% Off
Tellurium mechanical/electrical model of the solar system Phiwe Italian 1950s
Located in Milan, IT
Tellurium, i.e., mechanical/electrical model representative of the solar system, made of metal with green and gray hammered paint, lithographed tin globe, plastic Moon, and metal bas...
Category
1950s Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal
An old ophtalmology device, Italy 1950.
Located in Milan, IT
An old Italian ophthalmological device with a table with backlit letters, to test eyesight. Sbisa, company founded in Florence in 1869. Case in wood and glass. The electrical system ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Scientific Instruments
Materials
Glass, Wood
Educational Mechanical Model in Bronze and Wood – 19th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
Rare and fascinating educational mechanical model dating from the 19th century, made of bronze and mounted on a fine wood base. This type of object was used for educational purposes,...
Category
19th Century Other Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Bronze
Set of Six Old Pharmacy Glass Bottles, Germany around 1900
Located in Vienna, AT
Set of Six Old Pharmacy glass bottles, made in Germany around 1900.
5 bottles from Jena (Schott and Gen Jena) and 1 Wirag laboratory glass.
The logo ...
Category
Early 20th Century German Scientific Instruments
Materials
Glass
Vintage Telescope Tripod, English, Oak, Bronze, Support Stand, 20th Century
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a vintage telescope tripod. An English, oak and bronze support Stand, dating to the mid-20th century, circa 1940.
Displays a desirable aged...
Category
Mid-20th Century English Scientific Instruments
Materials
Bronze
Miele Vintage Vacuum Cleaner, Type E10
Located in Budapest, Budapest
Torpedo shaped vacuum cleaner in good condition.
Category
1950s German Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Aluminum
Pigeon Timer By German Maker In Oak Case
Located in Norwell, MA
Oak cased pigeon timer with clock face that is marked made in Germany. 7 jewel clock by Benzing. Keu is present. Varnished oak dove tailed box. Everyone...
Category
1930s European Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Wood
18th Century mahogany and brass telescope by Nairne & Blunt of London
Located in Martlesham, GB
18th Century mahogany and brass telescope by Nairne & Blunt of London, having a mahogany barrel with a thumb wheel to the side of the main barrel, supported on a solid brass tripod s...
Category
1780s British Georgian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Mahogany
French 19th Century Louis XV Style Kingwood and Ormolu Barometer/Thermometer
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A stunning and extremely high quality French 19th century Louis XV st. kingwood and ormolu barometer/thermometer, signed F. Linke. The barometer is centered by a fine richly chased f...
Category
19th Century French Louis XV Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Ormolu
Vintage Factory Barometer, English, Oak, Banjo, Official, Factory Act 1937
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a vintage factory barometer. An English, oak banjo barometer, officially marked in compliance with the Factory Act 1937 and dating to circa 1940.
Select oak displays fine ...
Category
Mid-20th Century English Victorian Scientific Instruments
Materials
Glass, Oak
Set of Nine 19th C English Victorian Treen Ware Boxwood Medicine Bottle Holders
Located in Haarlem, NL
A set of nine 19th century Victorian treen turned boxwood medicine bottle holders.
These containers were used for protecting delicate items such as glass apothecary bottles, perfume bottles, syringes, powder, ointment bottles, thermometers and other medical or vanity items.
In two of the containers are glass bottles.
Measurements:
Large 18.5cm high, 8.5cm diameter, empty
Large 18cm high, 8cm diameter, empty
Medium 14.5cm high, 5.5cm diameter, glass bottle without stopper (wood chipped)
Medium 13cm high, 6cm diameter, empty (crack in wood)
Medium 12cm high, 5cm diameter, perfumed oil in glass bottle
Medium 11cm high, 5cm diameter, empty
Small 10cm high, 4cm diameter, talcum powder...
Category
Mid-19th Century British Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Glass, Boxwood
$2,360 Sale Price / set
20% Off
Sundial with Compass and Case, Bronze, Bion, Nicholas, Paris, 18th Century
By Nicholas Bion
Located in Madrid, ES
Sundial with compass and case. Bronze. BION, Nicholas. Paris, 18th century.
Polygonal sundial with a bird-shaped gnomon and engraved triangular piece, which presents, on one side, ...
Category
18th Century French Neoclassical Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Bronze, Other
17th Century Lantern Alarm Clock by Johannes Quelch, Oxford
Located in Oxfordshire, United Kingdom
An English 17th century lantern clock made of brass and iron, circa 1665-1670. The clock consists of going and striking trains, as well as a...
Category
17th Century British Baroque Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
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 Scientific Instruments
Materials
Shell
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
19th Century Set of 3 Victorian Set Squares
Located in High Point, NC
This is a set of three antique shipwright's set squares. The squares are made from oak and have brass caps. They are right-angled tools, dating to the Victorian period, circa 1880. ...
Category
19th Century English Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
French 19th Century Bronze Wall Thermometer Attrib. to François Linke
Located in North Miami, FL
Original 19th Century wall mounted thermometer measuring in centigrade in the Louis XVI style. All bronze and very elegant thermometer attributed to François Linke. All weather m...
Category
Early 20th Century French Louis XVI Scientific Instruments
Materials
Bronze
Wall-Mounted Weather Station in Art Nouveau Style Carved Oak By R. Krengel 1910s
Located in Verviers, BE
Wall-Mounted Weather Station in Art Nouveau Style Carved Oak By R. Krengel 1910s Eupen Belgium
High quality mechanism with jeweled movement barometer and thermometer (in centigrade)...
Category
1910s Belgian Art Nouveau Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Oak
Phantom Dental Training Simulator on Custom Steel Stand
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT
A phantom dental training simulator used in dental school with removable rubber shroud. Mounted on a custom steel stand. The aluminum jaws have a magnetic quick disconnect sys...
Category
Late 20th Century Industrial Scientific Instruments
Materials
Aluminum, Steel
$825 Sale Price
44% Off
Antique Teaching Aid - Median Incision of the Human Head by PHYWE
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Teaching Aid - Median Incision of the Human Head by PHYWE
A great antique hand-painted and hand lettered anatomical model. A median incision of the head for class. It is mad...
Category
Early 20th Century German Other Scientific Instruments
Materials
Plaster, Wood
Russian Electromechanical Wheel-Based Cipher Machine Fialka M 125
Located in Madrid, ES
M-125 Fialka-electromechanical wheel-based cipher machine
USSR rotor-based cipher machine
M-125, codename Fialka (Russian: ??????), was an el...
Category
1950s Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal
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...
Category
Late 19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
English Victorian Postal Scales with Brass Weights
Located in Queens, NY
"English Victorian postal scales with brass weights consisting of two-4lb weights and a 2lb weight on a oak base (signed: S. MORDAN & CO LONDON)
Some minor chipping to the veneer of...
Category
Late 19th Century British Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal
French Hand Carved Wooden Armillary
Located in Dallas, TX
A rare and visually captivating French hand carved armillary sphere, dating to around 1900. Crafted entirely of wood and meticulously hand painted, this antique scientific model...
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Wood, Paint
Travel pharmacy in mahogany wood and brass, England 1790.
Located in Milan, IT
Travel pharmacy. Box in Mogano Sipo ( Entandrophragma utile ) wood and brass with recessed handles on both sides and a drawer on the front. The upper level opens, inside it there are...
Category
Late 18th Century English Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Solid Brass Ships Telephone On Pedesta
Located in Norwell, MA
Highly polished brass ships telephone on pedestal. Meticulously polished andl lacquered head by Hose-McCann Telephone Co, Inc., Brooklyn New York. Type A, model WTP, with phone insid...
Category
1920s North American Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
1950 Film 16mm Camera, SOM Berthiot, France
Located in Miami, FL
Société d'Optique et de Mécanique Berthiot (SOM Berthiot) was a French manufacturer of optics and photographic lenses. They produced C and D mount motion picture lenses for professio...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Scientific Instruments
Antique Teaching Model Stages of the Appendix, Ca. 1900
Located in Berghuelen, DE
A great antique hand-painted anatomical model of the appendix in different stages. It is made of plaster and mounted on a wooden base. Manufactured most probably by SOMSO or PHYWE, G...
Category
Early 20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Scientific Instruments
Materials
Plaster, Wood, Paper
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
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
Anatomical model for class: an animal intestine, Italy 1890.
Located in Milan, IT
Anatomic model for class, didactic purpuse, depicting an animal’s intestine, made out of painted paper machè. Italy end of 19th century.
Category
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Paper
Vintage Reichert Austria Microscope 241 653 in Wooden Box with Accessories
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Reichert Austria Microscope Number 241 653 in Wooden Box with Accessories as Pictured. Circa Late 20th Century. Measurements: Box: 14.5" H x 9" W x 10.5" D.
Category
Late 20th Century Art Deco Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal
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
$2,178
Carved oak wall hanging Banjo barometer
Located in Cheshire, GB
Carved oak barometer, the shaped carved oak frame with rectangular thermometer encased by glass. Above the enamelled dial with brass bezel, flanked by crisp scrolling carved decorati...
Category
Early 20th Century British Scientific Instruments
Materials
Oak
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
Torricellian mahogany barometer signed Corton Lincoln mid-19th cent.
Located in Milan, IT
Torricellian mercury barometer in mahogany wood, signed Corton
Lincoln of the mid 19th cent. complete with reading nonius for checking pressure variation, alcohol thermometer, hyg...
Category
Mid-19th Century Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Wood
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
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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Used Stanley Tools
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W And T Avery Scales Antique
Wooden Instrument Case
16th Century Bronze Mortar
19Th Century Antique Cameras
3 Draw Brass Telescope
Anatomical Wax
Antique Brass Ruler
Antique Brass Scoop
Antique Brass Sundials
Antique Magnetic Compass
Antique Monocular