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Scientific Instruments For Sale
1940s Antique Surveyors Wood Tripod Base
Located in Chula Vista, CA
AMBIANIC presents
Vintage Solid Wood Tripod Surveyor Camera Base
Decorative item
44 h x 19 w x 20 d
Preowned unrestored
Refer to images
Category
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Scientific Instruments
Materials
Wood
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
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
Swid Powell Magnifying Glass in Original Box
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Stunning Richard Meier designed magnifying glass for Swid Powerll, having ebony wood handle, silver plate and glass, plus original sleeve and box.
Category
1980s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Silver Plate
Machine Age bakelight Ribbonaire Fan Designed by W.O. Langille for Singer, 1931
By Singer Sewing Machine Co., W. O. Langille
Located in Buffalo, NY
Ribbonaire Bakelite Electric Fan designed by W.O. Langille in 1931 for the Singer Sewing Machine Company. Aerodynamic Design that pivots front to back to angle the breeze. Unique des...
Category
1930s American Art Deco Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Fabric, Bakelite
Surgical instrument: forceps, late 19th century, United States 1900.
Located in Milan, IT
A surgical instrument from the late 19th early 20th century. An iron tong. SS White Maker, H.C. distributor Kern. American manufacturing. Philadelphia, United States circa 1900.
Category
Early 20th Century American Scientific Instruments
Materials
Iron
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
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
British Admiralty Mark III Clinometer
Located in Norwell, MA
Clinometer inspectors forty five degree mark III admiralty pattern instrument. Made by E.R. Watts & Son, London. No 23374. Fitted to a mahogany case with leather strap. 5" H x 13" W ...
Category
1950s Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Keuffel and Esser Land Leveling Surveyor's Surveying Rod
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Vintage surveyors rod with a circular target from Keuffel and Esser. This type of instrument is used in land surveying to to measure elevations. The red and white circular target is ...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Industrial Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal
Spyglass round section brass and leather focus 3 extensions 1850
Located in Milan, IT
Round-section brass telescope with leather-covered handle and three-extension focus, complete with sunshade extension and dust cover tabs. English manufacture of the mid-19th centur...
Category
Mid-19th Century Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Brass Boat Compass in Varnished Wood Box
Located in Norwell, MA
Classic early 20th century boat compass by American Maker. The gimballed compass has been meticulously polished and lacquered. This classic marine instrument is fitted to its origina...
Category
1940s North American Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Bow-Front Marine Barometer by John Dollond
By Dollond, London
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
A bow-front marine barometer by John Dollond It is of slender cylindrical form with a silvered register plate enclosed by a hinged thermometer flap an...
Category
1820s English Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Oversized Industrial Pyrex Glass Bell Jar With Large Side Arm
By Pyrex
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This oversized Industrial Pyrex glass bell jar is certainly a unique and an impressive art object. At 29" height and 20.5" diameter this bell jar, dome, clouche can be used any way y...
Category
Early 20th Century American Industrial Scientific Instruments
Materials
Glass
Monumental 19th C French Brass Butcher’s Scale w Bulls Head & Quad Weighing Pans
Located in New York, NY
Massive 19th Century French Brass Butcher’s Scale with Bull Head
A striking and rare 19th century French butcher's balance scale, crafted entirely in polished brass. This monumental ...
Category
19th Century French Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
1960s Bathroom Scale by Hanson in Lemon Yellow Lime Green Dot Mid-Century Mod
Located in Hyattsville, MD
Very hard to find Psychedelic Era bathroom scale in wonderful condition, for decor or gentle uses. In the manner of a Verner Panton or a Josef Albers de...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Plastic
$396 Sale Price
20% Off
Eclectic Dutch Barometer With Thermometer From the Early 20th Century
Located in Opole, PL
Eclectic Dutch Barometer With Thermometer From the Early 20th Century
An original barometer and thermometer set in an oak wood frame. The thermometer ...
Category
Early 20th Century Dutch Art Deco Scientific Instruments
Materials
Wood, Oak
$372 Sale Price
20% Off
Walnut Cased Barograph
Located in Cheshire, GB
Walnut Cased Barograph, having five glazed removable lid. The mechanical eight-day movement is housed in the drum, fitted with a seven-day chart that covers one full rotation of the ...
Category
Early 20th Century British Scientific Instruments
Materials
Walnut
$1,993 Sale Price
46% Off
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
A pharmacy mushroom model: Boletus Chrysenteron, Italy 1950.
Located in Milan, IT
A pharmacy model of a specimen of Boletus Chrysenteron mushroom, made in painted plaster, on a green oval-shaped plaster base with moss and hay. Italy circa 1950.
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Scientific Instruments
Materials
Plaster
Anatomical model: an external and inner ear, Germany early 20th century.
Located in Milan, IT
Anatomical model for class, depicting an external and inner ear, made out of painted papier plaster, mounted on a black painted plaster rectangular base. Sold from Paravia, Italy, to...
Category
Early 20th Century German Scientific Instruments
Materials
Plaster
Antique Chemist's Mortar & Pestle, English Brass Apothecary Aid, Victorian, 1850
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique chemist's mortar and pestle. An English, brass apothecary aid, dating to the Victorian period, circa 1850.
Graced with a bright appearance and pleasingly tactile...
Category
Mid-19th Century British Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Louis XVI Octagonal Giltwood Barometer-Thermometer with Lyre Crest (c. 1780)
Located in New York, NY
Louis XVI Giltwood Barometer-Thermometer, French, late 18th Century, made by Duvaldestin in Dijon, France
Elegantly carved from limewood and water-gilt in burnished and matte gold, t...
Category
18th Century French Louis XVI Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Glass, Wood
A bleeding set signed Blackwell, England 1850.
Located in Milan, IT
Travelling mahogany case set for bleeding, brass apparatuses for bleeding and glass cups. Signed Blackwell London, 1850 ca.
Category
Mid-19th Century English Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Bavarian Pharmacy Balance
Located in New Orleans, LA
This amazing and extremely rare Bavarian Biedermeier-period pharmacy balance stand would have been at home at any apothecary’s shop during the mid-19th century. Crafted of walnut with bold giltwood accents, this stand holds eight separate sets of balances with brass beams and pointers, and weighing pans made of Horn, brass and porcelain. The balances measure out varying sizes; the largest is capable of measuring up to 500 grams, while smallest weighs up to 5 grams. Such balances would have been essential tools in the practice of compounding, or creating customized medications to suit a specific patient's needs. The delicate porcelain scales even indicate what they were used to weigh: one set is marked “Jodoform,” or iodoform, a disinfectant and antiseptic once used to treat wounds, and the other is marked “Venena,” which is Latin for “poisons.” Each scale also exhibits stamps indicating that they have been tested for accuracy. It is extremely rare to find such a large array of scales, especially those in such wonderful condition, in one collection. This intriguing piece is a must for any medical antiques enthusiast.
The units of measurement in which apothecaries worked were often minute: grains, scruples, drams and ounces. As they were typically used to measure very small amounts of ingredients, apothecary and analytical balances...
Category
19th Century Balkan Biedermeier Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
$64,500
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
Antique Victorian Quality Mahogany Banjo Barometer by James H Kelly of Glasgow
Located in Suffolk, GB
Antique Victorian quality mahogany banjo barometer by James H Kelly of Glasgow
Having a quality mahogany shaped banjo barometer with scroll shaped carving circular silvered engrave...
Category
19th Century Scottish Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Other
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
Swiss Enamel and Gold Telescope
Located in New Orleans, LA
Swiss Enamel and Gold Telescope
Circa 1820
This extraordinary telescope exemplifies a rare union of 19th-century Swiss scientific innovation and artis...
Category
19th Century Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal, Gold, Enamel
Botanic Modelof a Primrose Flower, Paravia, Italy, 1940
Located in Milan, IT
A botanical maquette for didactic use, depicting a flower of Primrose, Acaulis, Primulaceae. Made of metal, paper, plaster, galalith and wood. Extremely detailed. Paravia, Milan, Ita...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal
Antique Art Deco Sterling Silver and Bakelite Telephone Child's Toy Baby Rattle
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This antique figural telephone child's baby rattle is presumed to have been made in the United States in circa 1930 in the period Art Deco style. The toy rattle is composed of a mold...
Category
Early 20th Century American Art Deco Scientific Instruments
Materials
Sterling Silver
Anatomical Model of Human Eye Papier-maché, Scientific Collectables, Dr.Auzoux
Located in Leuven , BE
Anatomical cut of one eye, composition in natural painted papier-maché, with numbered labels on the different elements / the opening eyeball to cover the removable pute. Pen annotati...
Category
19th Century French Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Paper, Plaster
Antique W.& T. Avery English Victorian Brass & Porcelain Balance Beam Scale
By W & T Avery
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Please message us with your zip code to request a more reasonable domestic U.S. shipping quote.
Antique W.& T. Avery English Victorian Brass, Cast Iron & Porcelain Balance Beam Scal...
Category
Late 19th Century Unknown Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass, Iron
Antique English Gothic Arts & Crafts Hand Wrought Iron Balance Beam Scale
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique English Gothic Arts & Crafts Hand Wrought Iron Balance Beam Scale. Circa Mid 19th Century. Measurements: 31" H x 29" W x 11.25" D. Plate approx 11.25" Diameter. Base 7x5.
Category
Mid-19th Century Unknown Gothic Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Wrought Iron
Antique English Victorian Brass Postal Scale, Circa 1880-1890.
Located in New Orleans, LA
Antique English Victorian Brass Postal Scale, Circa 1880-1890.
Category
Late 19th Century English Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
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
English Marine Barometer with Rope Carved Case
Located in Norwell, MA
Early twentieth century library barometer with rope carved case. Great old piece. Fitted with a brass hanging tab. Circa 1920.
Category
1920s English Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
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
A glass and vulcanite syringe, London 1880.
Located in Milan, IT
An end of the 19th-Century medical’s instrument. A glass and vulcanite syringe. London, UK circa 1880.
Category
Late 19th Century British Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Glass
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
Cast Iron Personal Weighing Scales by JARASO
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Cast Iron Personal Weighing Scales by JARASO
Quirky scales to keep your weight personal, the weight registered by the scales can only be correctly vie...
Category
Early 20th Century 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
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
Early 20th Century Brass Electric Fan, by Frost & Co
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Early 20th century brass electric fan, by Frost & Co
A very stylish good looking piece, with aluminium blades and metal cage
This piece looks to be...
Category
Early 20th Century Industrial Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal
Scale with weights. Iron. Widow of José Menaya, Valencia (Spain), 19th c.
Located in Madrid, ES
Scale with weights. Iron. Widow of José Menaya, Valencia (Spain), around the second half of the 19th century.
Iron scale made up of a swinging arm with a structure at each end from...
Category
Late 19th Century Spanish Neoclassical Revival Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Other, Iron
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
Botanic Model of a Red Grape Flower, Paravia, Italy, 1940
Located in Milan, IT
A botanical maquette for didactic use, depicting a red Grape flower, Vitis Vinifera, Anipelidee. Made of metal, paper, plaster, galalith and wood. Extremely detailed. Paravia, Milan,...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal
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
Italian Bronze Mortar and Pestle, Original Patina, Italy, Pharmacy or Herbalist
Located in Roma, IT
Antique bronze mortar. Handmade with pestle. Original patina
Italian bronze mortar and pestle
Measures: Pestle height 7.5 in.
Category
Mid-19th Century European Grand Tour Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Bronze
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
Large Early 20th Century King Edward vii W & T Avery Beam Scale
By W & T Avery
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
Large antique wrought iron and brass beam weight balance scale by W and T Avery Ltd. of Soho foundry Birmingham, England. Lovely black transfer on a por...
Category
Early 20th Century English Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass, Wrought Iron
Antique Surveyor's Circumcompendium Signed Brand Frères, 1850-1880
Located in Bilzen, BE
"Antique Surveyor's Circumcompendium Signed Brand Frères, 1850-1880"
Description: Antique Surveying Circumferentor by Brand Frères
Brand Frères, Optic...
Category
Mid-19th Century Belgian Other Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Botanic Model of Solarum Tuberosum Flower, Paravia, Italy, 1940
Located in Milan, IT
A botanic didactical model, depicting a Solarum Tuberosum flower, pale pink color, made out of papier machè, plaster and wood, hand painted. Extremely detailed. Paravia, Milan, Italy...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Scientific Instruments
Materials
Plaster, Wood
Olivetti Divisumma 18, designed by Mario Bellini, 1973
Located in Firenze, IT
The Divisumma 18 is a portable electronic calculator made by Olivetti in 1973 through which the company entered the portable electronics market.
Thanks to the design of Mario Bellin...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Plastic, Rubber
Midcentury Lucite Hourglass Sand Timer Sculpture After Charles Hollis Jones 1970
Located in Roma, IT
Amazing midcentury hourglass in bubble lucite with straight external lines. This fantastic item was produced in Italy during the 1970s in the manner of Charles Hollis Jones.
The 15-minute sand timer...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Scientific Instruments
Materials
Lucite
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
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
Bronze Weight, 18th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
Weight of the 18th century. Bronze.
Bronze weight, incomplete, with the container glass and two of the smallest, all decorated in cold with incised and...
Category
18th Century European Neoclassical Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Bronze
Antique the Vetter Co Ideal Planetarium Model 1930s in Original Case
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique The Vetter Co. Ideal Planetarium Model 1930s in original case. Item features an original metal case, brass and metal construction, original label, very nice antique item...
Category
Early 20th Century Art Deco Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Ship's Binnacle by Baker Lyman of New Orleans, Louisiana
Located in Norwell, MA
Ship's binnacle with maker's plate from Baker Lyman Company of New Orleans, Louisiana. Wonderfully restored binnacle with gimballed compass and interior lighting.
Overall dimensio...
Category
1930s American Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal
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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Library Telescope
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Antique Microscope Slide
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Opera Glasses Mother Of Pearl
Optician Sign
Stanley Tool
Surveyors Level
Torricelli Barometer
Antique Butcher Hook
Antique Cast Iron Weighing Scales
Antique Medical Box
Antique Medical Devices
Antique Metal Wood Planes
Antique Syringes
Antique Wooden Grinder
Avery Scales
German Sundial