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Scientific Instruments

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Scientific Instruments For Sale
Period: 20th Century
Period: 21st Century and Contemporary
19th Century Bronze and Lead Weight in its Interior of Seven Pounds
Located in Marbella, ES
19th Century Bronze and Lead Weight in its Interior of Seven Pounds
Category

Late 20th Century English 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

Spanish, Bronze Balance Scale with Green Painted Wooden Stand
Located in Marbella, ES
Spanish bronze balance scale with green painted wooden stand.
Category

Mid-20th Century Spanish Scientific Instruments

Materials

Bronze

20th Century French Wooden Floor Abacus
Located in High Point, NC
A wooden abacus created in 20th century France. A symbol of antiquated mathematical processes, this seemingly simple stack of slidable wooden beads can be used for subtraction, addit...
Category

20th Century French French Provincial Scientific Instruments

Materials

Wood

Spanish MCM Instituto L. Torres Quevedo Educational Galvanometer
Located in Mexico City, MX
A 1950s Spanish Mid-Century Modern educational D'Arsonval galvanometer manufactured by the Leonardo Torres Quevedo Institute in Madrid. Model MA 54-04. The wood and glass structure s...
Category

1950s Spanish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Magnets

Pharmacy Height Measure Stand, Pitch Pine Measuring Stick or Somastometre
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Pharmacy Height Measure Stand, Pitch Pine Measuring Stick or Somastometre Once these along with scales were common place in Doctors Surgeries, Chemist S...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Scientific Instruments

West German Unisex Anatomical Model, circa 1950
Located in Faversham, GB
A complete West German unisex anatomical figure of a head and torso with removal organs. Hand painted and in excellent condition. German, circa 1950...
Category

20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Scientific Instruments

Materials

Plastic, Acrylic

20th Century British Solid Silver Magnifying Glass & Ruler, Asprey, c.1929
Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Antique early-20th Century British solid silver magnifying glass & ruler, with engraved silver mounts and a handle terminating with a finger loop. Hallmarked English silver (925 stan...
Category

20th Century English Scientific Instruments

Materials

Silver

Murano Cenedese Vetri Glass Bowl
Located in Napa, CA
Murano Cenedese Vetri glass bowl.  
Category

20th Century Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal

Mid-Century Personal Weight, Luxa/Vista Semily, 1980's
Located in Praha, CZ
Made in czechoslovakia. Made of Metal,Plastic. Fully Functional. Good original condition.
Category

1980s Czech Mid-Century Modern Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal

Measuring Stand
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This French early wooden measuring stand is a marvelous blend of utility and minimalistic design. The slender vertical post, supported by a sturdy base...
Category

Early 1900s French Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal

Vintage Ball and Stick Molecular Model of Benzene
Located in Napa, CA
Vintage ball and stick molecular model depicting elemental structure of Benzene, circa 1950s.
Category

20th Century Scientific Instruments

Modernist Pius X Weathercock Rooster, Abstract Sculpture, The Netherlands, 1960s
Located in Antwerp, BE
Modernist; Sculpture; The Netherlands; Art; Statue; Abstract; Figurative; Globe; weathercock rooster; Modernist weathercock rooster, a unique abstract sculpture sourced out of the remarkable Pius...
Category

1960s Dutch Futurist Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Steel

A pharmacy mushroom model: Agaricus Bisporus Imach, Italy 1950.
Located in Milan, IT
A pharmacy model of a specimen of Agaricus Bisporus Imbach 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

A pharmacy mushroom model: Chanterle Raku, Italy 1950.
Located in Milan, IT
A pharmacy model of a specimen of Chanterle Raku 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

1970s Pair of Hand Painted Ceramic Vases with Heraldic Coats of Arms
Located in Marbella, ES
Set of two glazed ceramic vases decorated with heraldic motifs and rural landscapes, hand-painted in blue tones. Each piece features a coat of arms with crown, accompanied by scenes ...
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Scientific Instruments

Materials

Ceramic

Antique Mobil Dentist Rinsing Sink Stainless Steel, Belge
Located in Mortsel, BE
Elevate your space with this Antique Dentist Rinsing Sink crafted from stainless steel, showcasing Belgian craftsmanship. This unique piece is a testament to the bygone era of dentis...
Category

Mid-20th Century Belgian Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal, Steel

A botanic model of inflorescence, the Simple Umbrella, Italy 1930
Located in Milan, IT
A rare botanical schematic model by Prof. T. Ferraris, didactic use, of a type of inflorescence specimen, the Simple Umbrella, made with hand-painted p...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Scientific Instruments

Materials

Plaster, Wood, Paper

Botanic Model of Inflorescence, the Raceme or Cluster, Italy, 1930
Located in Milan, IT
A rare botanical schematic model by Prof. T. Ferraris, didactic use, of a type of inflorescence specimen, the Raceme or cluster, made with hand-painted...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Scientific Instruments

Materials

Plaster, Wood, Paper

Industrial Electrical Conducting Sphere
Located in Sagaponack, NY
Large physcis classroom instrument that would originally been used for demonstrating the charge of an object through induction. Orb is mounted on a metal stand.
Category

21st Century and Contemporary 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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