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Scientific Instruments For Sale
A pharmacy mushroom model: Rhodocollybia Butyracea, Italy 1950.
Located in Milan, IT
A pharmacy model of a specimen of Rhodocollybia Butyracea 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
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
Vintage American Brass Gooseneck Magnifying Glass, circa 20th Century
Located in Napa, CA
Freestanding vintage gooseneck magnifying glass on a scalloped black metal base.
Metal with brass finish; a few dents; wear according to...
Category
20th Century Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal
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
Set of 2 Didactic Dr. Auzoux Molding, Internal Organs + Starfish Transversal Cut
Located in Leuven , BE
Moldings labeled "Auzoux 9 rue de l'Ecole de Médecine Paris 6e".
Dimensions:
Internal organs 54 x 36
Starfish 42 x 43.5.
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Plaster
Antique 20th Century French Solid Gold & Sapphire Retractable Pencil c.1900
Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Antique 20th Century possibly French 14ct gold retractible pencil. Designed to be attached to a key chain or as a pendant, this pencil features a blue cabochon sapphire decorative ti...
Category
Early 1900s French Other Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Multi-gemstone, Gold
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
Mid-Century Modern British Ilford Selo Photography Film Store Display
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This store display was made for the English film manufacturer, Ilford to advertise their Selo film line during the 1960s in the period Mid-Century Modern style. The frame of the disp...
Category
Mid-20th Century English Mid-Century Modern Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal
1930s Hand-carved Pharmacy Stone Mortar
Located in Marbella, ES
1930s Hand-carved Pharmacy Stone Mortar
Category
Early 20th Century Spanish Scientific Instruments
Materials
Stone
17th Century Spanish Talavera Pharmacy Jar in Blue Glazed Ceramic
Located in Marbella, ES
17th century Spanish Talavera pharmacy jar in blue glazed ceramic.
Category
17th Century Spanish Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Ceramic
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
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
16th century Spanish Bronze Mortar with Letters M on the Sides
Located in Marbella, ES
16th century Spanish Bronze Mortar with Letters M on the Sides
Category
16th Century Spanish Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Bronze
18th Century French Barometer in Giltwood Frame
Located in Buchanan, MI
18th century French barometer in giltwood frame.
Category
19th Century French Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Giltwood, Glass
Antique Glass Display Dome
Located in Norwalk, CT
A wonderful glass display dome great to keep sculpture or collections safe and look more interesting than just on a shelf.
Category
Early 20th Century American Late Victorian Scientific Instruments
Materials
Glass
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
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
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
Antique French Ormolu Barometer
Located in Sandwich, MA
Wonderful antique French mercury barometer. Louis XVI ormolu style with elaborate cast bronze leaves and polychrome paint. Features a large squirrel tail thermometer and decorative s...
Category
Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Bronze
Nautical Log in Its Wooden Box to Measure Boats Speed Walker Early 1900s
Located in Milan, IT
Log of brass signed Walker’s Excelsior IV Patent Log, For Yacht, Motor Launches and Fishing Craft from the early 1900s.
It is an ancient nautical instrumen...
Category
Early 20th Century British Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Induction electrification demonstrator instrument, Italy 1920.
Located in Milan, IT
Induction electrification demonstrator instrument. By putting two electrically neutral spheres in contact with each other, when a charged wand is approached, it is possible to notice...
Category
1920s Italian Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Gold, Brass
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
Italian Artist's Mannequin from the 19th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
This elegant Italian artist's mannequin from approximately 1900 is a beautiful representation of craftsmanship from the 19th century. Crafted from solid fruitwood, it stands as a tes...
Category
Early 1900s Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Fruitwood
Antique 18th Century Trebuchet, Money Changer's Balance, With Its Weights
Located in Bilzen, BE
Wooden trebuchet with its weights.
These kind of scales were used by money changers to weigh golden coins in those days to avoid fraud
18th Century
The box measures 18 cm X 8.7 cm ...
Category
18th Century German Industrial Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass, Wrought Iron
Antique George III Quality Mahogany Shell Inlaid Banjo Barometer
Located in Suffolk, GB
Antique George III quality mahogany shell inlaid banjo barometer having a quality mahogany banjo shaped case with satinwood shell inlay, brass bezel, silvered engraved dial, original...
Category
19th Century English George III Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Other
Victorian Lightening Rod
Located in San Diego, CA
A very nice Victorian lightning rod made of a wrought iron tripod base and a slender copper rod pole with original glass ball, circa 1920s. The piece is in good vintage condition wit...
Category
Early 20th Century American Scientific Instruments
Materials
Copper
$380 Sale Price
20% Off
17th Century Tripod Apothecary Skillet Dated 1698 from The Ward Rvmens Family
Located in Brussels, Brussels
17th century tripod apothecary skillet dated 1698 by Ward Rymens.
The skillet is in superb condition and has had a restoration on one of the feet.
bronze with a very beautiful patina.
Category
17th Century British Georgian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Bronze
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
$5,371 / set
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
Junction Tube for Pyrex, 1930s
Located in Sagaponack, NY
Sculptural junction tube made of laboratory-grade Pyrex glass.
Category
20th Century American Scientific Instruments
Materials
Glass
A pharmacy mushroom model: Morchella Rotunda, Italy 1950.
Located in Milan, IT
A pharmacy model of a specimen of Morchella Rotunda 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
large apothecary's ivory mortar - 17th century
Located in Bruxelles, BE
Large apothecary's ivory mortar
Indo-Portuguese
17th century
16,7 x 10,4 cm
Cites certificate number 2022/BE01446/CE
Category
17th Century Indian Renaissance Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Ivory
Compass with Pocket Sundial, with Case, Bronze, Butterfield, Michael '1635-1724'
Located in Madrid, ES
Compass with pocket sundial, with case. Bronze. BUTTERFIELD, Michael (1635-1724). Paris, circa 1700.
Pocket sundial made of engraved metal, with a gno...
Category
Early 18th Century French Neoclassical Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal, Bronze, Other
A GERMAN ANATOMICAL MODEL OF a PREGNANT WOMAN STEPHEN ZICK
Located in Madrid, ES
A GERMAN ANATOMICAL MODEL OF A PREGNANT WOMAN STEPHEN ZICK
The woman with articulated arms, removable torso revealing internal organs, lying on a couch with cushion incised and modelled with simulated lace.On a later wood box.
Stephen Zick was one of a dynasty of carvers active from the late 16th to the 18th century in Nuremberg, . Such models, as well as carved skulls, were conceived as teaching tools and were inspired by the drawings of Andrea Vesalius...
Category
Early 18th Century Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Wood
Antique Painted Red Cast Iron Scale
Located in Centennial, CO
A charming cast iron antique early 1900s scale with original red paint and a large brass tray. The weight is fixed, moving from side to side. The red paint...
Category
Early 20th Century American Rustic Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass, Iron
Ebonite brass and paper mache slide rule designed by G. Fuller Belfast
Located in Milan, IT
Antique ebonite, brass and papier-mâché, spiral-shaped slide rule designed by George Fuller of Belfast, professor of engineering at Queen's University of London in 1878, made by STAN...
Category
Early 20th Century Scientific Instruments
Materials
Wood
Paravia Applied Electricity Original Components Cassette - Italy - 1960s
By Paravia
Located in Milano, IT
Paravia, scientific instruments, vintage educational kit, 1960s, Norstedts, magnetism, optics, thermology, mechanics, applied electricity, top vintage lab, educational set, experimen...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Scientific Instruments
Materials
Magnets
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
Render by Callum Campbell
Located in Geneve, CH
Render by Callum Campbell
Objects for self-collection
Signed and numbered
Dimensions: W 24 x D 8.8 H 36 cm
Materials: Brass, stainless steel
Finish: Polished
Physical appearance...
Category
2010s Australian Modern Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass, Stainless Steel
$4,858 / item
A pharmacy mushroom model: Cortinarius Violaceus, Italy 1950.
Located in Milan, IT
A pharmacy model of a specimen of Cortinarius Violaceus 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
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
18th Century French Louis XVI Carved Giltwood Wall Barometer & Thermometer
Located in Dallas, TX
Decorate a wall with this elegant, antique barometer with attached thermometer. Crafted in Paris, France, circa 1760 and hexagonal in shape, the scientific instrument features its or...
Category
Late 18th Century French Louis XVI Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Glass, Giltwood, Parchment Paper
Antique George III Quality Mahogany Banjo Barometer
Located in Suffolk, GB
Antique George III quality mahogany banjo barometer having a quality mahogany shaped case with a swan neck pediment and satinwood stringing, circular silvered engraved dial with orig...
Category
Early 1800s English George III Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Mahogany
Set of Two Rustic Wooden Spools of Thread, circa 1930
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Rustic wooden spools of thread, by unknown manufacturer from Spain, circa 1930.
In original condition, with minor wear consistent with age and use, pre...
Category
1930s Spanish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Wood
Brass and glass dial manometer, 1930s fluid measuring instrument
Located in Milan, IT
A brass and glass dial manometer, this is an instrument for measuring the relative pressure of fluids, consisting of a hand that rotates on a circular graduated scale from 0 to 100....
Category
1930s Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Curiosity Cabinet Naturalism Collection of Shells 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
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 French Scientific Instruments
Materials
Shell
Oak Cased Barograph by Negretti & Zambra, London
Located in Norwich, GB
Negretti & Zambra
Fine Edwardian oak cased barograph with bevelled glass panels and central chart drawer.
Ten vacuum chambers linking ...
Category
1920s English Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Oak
Important Georgian Mahogany Mercury Stick Barometer by Stott, Dumfries
Located in Norwich, GB
Fine Georgian mahogany bow fronted stick barometer. Bow fronted glass set in front of the silvered register plate with sliding vernier controlled by an ivory turned knob. Concertina ...
Category
1790s English Georgian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Mahogany, Ivory
Italian Artist's Mannequin from the 19th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
This elegant Italian artist's mannequin from approximately 1900 is a beautiful representation of craftsmanship from the 19th century. Crafted from solid fruitwood, it stands as a tes...
Category
Early 1900s Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Fruitwood
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
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
Anatomical model for class, depicting the kidneys, Spain 1890.
Located in Milan, IT
Anatomic model for schools, for educational use, depicting the kidneys, made out of painted papier maché and mounted over a black painted fruitwood base. Spain circa 1890.
Category
Late 19th Century Spanish Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Fruitwood
Antique Victorian Quality Carved Oak Banjo Barometer
Located in Suffolk, GB
Antique Victorian quality carved oak banjo barometer having a quality carved oak shaped case with a brass bezel, porcelain dial with original hands and a thermometer
An attractiv...
Category
19th Century English Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Oak
Art Deco Oak Cased Barograph, Winter & Sin, Newcastle
Located in Norwich, GB
Art Deco Barograph, Winter & Sons, Newcastle
Art Deco barograph housed in an oak bevelled glass display case standing on a raised, moulded plinth with pad feet.
Six vacuum chambers ...
Category
1920s English Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Oak
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
Early XX Century Metal Scythe Sharpener
Located in Barcelona, ES
Antique metal scythe sharpener farming tool. Made in Spain by unknown manufacturer. In original condition, with minor wear consistent with age and use, preserving a beautiful ...
Category
Early 20th Century Spanish Mid-Century Modern Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal
19th Century Optician or Optometrist Test Glasses Lens Kit in Cabinet
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
19th Century Optician or Optometrist Test Glasses Lens Kit in Cabinet
This beautiful Mahogany cabinet was used by a traveling optometrists to treat patients in their homes.
Th...
Category
Late 19th Century Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Mahogany
Lithographic print on paper depicting the muscular system of a neck, France 1850
Located in Milan, IT
An anatomical lithographic print on paper, depicting a cross section of the muscular system of the neck. Black lacquered fir wood frame with golden ramin wood batting...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Glass, Wood, Paper
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
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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