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Scientific Instruments For Sale
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
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
Regency Lane’s Pocket Globe, Dated 1818
By Lane's
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
A 3 ½ inch Regency Lane’s pocket globe, dated 1818, the terrestrial globe with the seas in light green and the land masses outlined in darker green, contained within a hinged black shagreen case, the concave interior of the case applied with the engraved celestial charts...
Category
1810s English Regency Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Wood
French 19th Century Iron Pharmaceutical Corker
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
An interesting part of 19th century history is brought back to life with this rare French cast iron pharmaceutical bottle corker circa 1870. We a...
Category
19th Century French Industrial Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Iron
1917 Waymouth Cooke Naval Rangefinder Sextant
Located in San Mateo, CA
Naval range finder made by Waymouth-Cooke of London. These were based on the principals of a sextant range finder. They were patented in 1914. The Mark II like this one came out in 1...
Category
1910s English Other Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Aluminum, Brass
German 1900s Antique Ear Trumpet medical instrument Made of Ebonite and Rubber
Located in Milan, IT
Ear trumpet, bell and earphone of ebonite and extension of rubber, German medical instrument, manufacture of the early 1900s. Measures: Length 10 cm, 3.9 i...
Category
Early 20th Century German Scientific Instruments
Materials
Rubber
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
18th Century Silver Butterfield Dial By Langlois Paris
By Pierre Langlois
Located in Lincolnshire, GB
A fine example of a silver Butterfield type sundial in the original green shagreen case. The finely engraved dial has Premier cadran (first dial) engraved with the city names and lat...
Category
Mid-18th Century French Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Silver
Large Set of 8 Vintage Lab Sieves, English, Brass, Stacking, Scientific, C.1965
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a large set of 8 vintage laboratory sieves. An English, brass stacking scientific apparatus, dating to the mid 20th century, circa 1965.
Fascinating set with superb period a...
Category
Mid-20th Century British Mid-Century Modern Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
George III Mahogany Mercury Stick Barometer by Henry Andrews, Royston
Located in Norwich, GB
George III stick barometer in a finely figured mahogany case with canted corners and architectural pediment surmounted by a central ivory finial. Exposed mercury tube with bulb ciste...
Category
Early 1800s English George III Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Mahogany
Emile Deyrolle 19th Century Plaster, Wire and Wood Didactic Germination Models
Located in Buffalo, NY
Les Fils D'Emile Deyrolle, Paris. Extremely rare set of five 19th century French painted plaster, wire and wood Didactic models depicting progression, Anatomie Vegetalf, beautifully ...
Category
19th Century French Folk Art Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Wire
Pair of Antique Customs & Excise Measures, English, Etched Glass Beakers C.1920
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a pair of antique Customs & Excise measures. An English, etched glass governmental beaker set, dating to the early 20th century, circa 1920. A rare and intriguing example of ...
Category
1920s British Other Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Glass
Oak Barograph by C P Goerz
Located in Cheshire, GB
Art Deco barograph by C P Goerz. The oak and plated metal Barograph encase with rounded ends. The mechanical eight-day movement is housed in the drum, fi...
Category
Early 20th Century German Scientific Instruments
Materials
Oak
Transparent blown glass laboratory retort from the early 19th century.
Located in Milan, IT
An early 19th-century transparent blown glass laboratory retort used for distillation, it has a pyriform body and long neck bent downward that gradually narrows toward the mouth.
Bo...
Category
1820s Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Glass
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
18th Century Stick Barometer by Nairne London
Located in Lincolnshire, GB
An elegant 18th century satinwood and ebony stick barometer by Edward Nairne, London.
Nairne was a famous 18th century scientific instrument and barometer...
Category
18th Century English Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Ebony, Satinwood
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
Vintage Fairbanks Scales Wrought Iron and Brass Scale with Weights
Located in San Francisco, CA
Vintage wrought iron and brass scale with weights is made in the United States by Fairbanks Scales, one of the nation's oldest industrial manufacturing...
Category
Early 20th Century North American Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass, Wrought Iron
Barigo Germany barometer fine design in years '70
Located in Biella, IT
Barigo Germany rare barometer design in years '70 with old label of the price in disappeared italian coin "lire"
very elegant and fine design for this interesting object
Category
1970s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Miele Vintage Vacuum Cleaner, Type E10
Located in Budapest, HU
Torpedo shaped vacuum cleaner in good condition.
Category
1950s German Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Aluminum
19th Century Artist Pigment Painting Tray, Colourmans Sales Sampler
Located in Lowestoft, GB
A collection of thirty red and white cylindrical card boxes of pigment with decorative descriptive labels. Each container sits within its own section of a well made pine tray. Origin...
Category
Mid-19th Century English Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Natural Fiber, Pine
19th Century Wooden Barometer Signed Burlinson Ripon Antique Instrument Weather
Located in Milan, IT
Wooden barometer signed Burlinson Ripon made in the mid 19th century. Silver-plated brass dial engraved with weather indications and the name of the m...
Category
1850s British Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Wood
Antique Italian Nautical Graphometer with its Original Wooden Box Genoa, 1940s
By CAIM, Genova 1
Located in Milan, IT
Brass, copper and lead graphometer complete with the original wooden box signed CAIM Genova Via S. Sabina two of the 1940s. Measures of box 28 x 29 cm H 24. CAIM Genoa was company ac...
Category
1940s Italian Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
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
Antique German aneroid barometer from the early 1900s made of turned marble.
Located in Milan, IT
Antique German aneroid barometer from the early 1900s made of turned marble, brass, and glass.
Good state. Working order.
Diameter cm 17 - inches 6.7, thickness cm 5- inches 1.9...
Category
1910s Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Marble
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
Tripod Apothecary Skillet Late 17th-Early 18th Century, England
Located in Brussels, Brussels
Apothecary tripod skillet from the end of the 17th century beginning of the 18th century From England.
The skillet is in superb condition and has not undergone any restorations.
Br...
Category
Early 18th Century British Georgian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Bronze
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
French Late 19th Century Louis XVI St. Giltwood Barometer
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A very handsome and decorative French late 19th century Louis XVI st. giltwood barometer. Fine carvings of scrolls and foliate throughout with a lyre shape above the painted barometer...
Category
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Giltwood
Antique 20th Century English Solid Silver Magnifying Glass, Chester c.1916
Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Antique early-20th Century English solid silver magnifying glass, of large size, with plain silver mounts and a smooth handle. An ideal desk accessory or for the household, perfect f...
Category
20th Century British Other Scientific Instruments
Materials
Silver
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
Large Antique Wooden American Mortar and Pestle
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Large wood antique American mortar and pestle.
Early 19th c. Americana turned wood footed mortar and pestle.
American, late 19th century wooden mortar and pestle...
Category
Early 20th Century Moroccan Folk Art Scientific Instruments
Materials
Wood
Antique Albertus Seba Pair 18th Century Hand-Colored Engravings Butterfly
Located in Washington, DC
Rare pair of original hand-colored prints from Sir Albertus Seba's cabinet of natural curiosities. Prints come from published volumes in Amste...
Category
Mid-18th Century Dutch Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Paper
Carl Zeiss binocular Design Collection 8x56B T*P* Black Forest
By Carl Zeiss
Located in Delft, NL
Carl Zeiss binocular Design Collection 8x56B T*P* Black Forest, Germany
Zeiss 8x56B T*P* Black Forest Edition binocular, model number 525661
Made of shock-absorbing, non-slip and ru...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary German Scientific Instruments
Materials
Rubber
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
17th century apothecary's ivory mortar and pestle - Germany
Located in Bruxelles, BE
large 17th century turned apothecary's ivory mortar and pestle
Germany
17th century
Cites certificate number IT/CE/2023/MI/01110
18,6 x 7 cm ; pestl...
Category
17th Century German Renaissance Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Ivory
Vintage Anatomical Pull Down Chart 'Osteology, GH Michel Company
By G.H. Michel Company
Located in Buffalo, NY
Vintage Anatomical Pull Down Chart 'OSTEOLOGY ,GH Michel Company,Black background,amazing color contrast.Beautifully screened printed,linen backed.S...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Linen, Paper
Decorative Alidade, Metal, 20th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
It has a cover to protect the lens made of the same gold metal in which the rest of the instrument is made. The lines, pure and clean, are the protagonists, and make it a great opti...
Category
20th Century Unknown Other Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal, Other
Late 19th Century Scientific "Cyclo-Stormograph" by Short & Mason Tycos
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fabulous and appears to be completely intact. Short & Mason Tycos Cyclo-Stormograph under beveled glass & mahogany with a drawer which contains extra graph paper, tiny key and origin...
Category
Early 1900s English Industrial Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal
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
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
Gucci attributed to Rare Barometer and Clock Year 1960 Vintage Design
By Paolo Gucci
Located in Biella, IT
attributed to Gucci rare barometer and clock year 1960 vintage design. Measure h 17 inches x L12" x deep 3".
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal, Brass
Hand Carved Coquille Nut Egg Box 19th Century Flea Trap Pomander Needle Case
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A beautiful hand carved coquille nut egg box. Beautiful carving, great patina, unscrews at center to open.
The original use was a flea trap, things were d...
Category
1880s English Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Wood
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
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 show...
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Wood, Paint
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
Antique Brass Ashtray Advertising a Philadelphia Dealer in Artificial Human Eyes
Located in Philadelphia, PA
An odd obscura collectible in the form of a rare, antique brass advertising ashtray.
The ashtray is engraved with "H.E. Baldwin - Philadelphia / A...
Category
19th Century American Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
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
George III Oversized Magnifying Glass Late Circa 1790
Located in Bishop's Stortford, GB
George III Oversized Magnifying Glass Late Circa 1790. Comprised of a turned mahogany surround holding 20 cm lens with a turned mahogany handle connected by a generous brass ferrule ...
Category
Late 18th Century European George III Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Vintage Electric Company Meter Lamp
Located in Hanover, MA
This is a wonderful piece of suburban folk art and mid-century Americana. It is a vintage 'bench made' table lamp incorporating an actual working electric company meter. When the l...
Category
1920s American Art Deco Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Antique Brass Scottish Surveyor's Compass in Fitted Wooden Box
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This antique surveyor's compass originates from Scotland and dates to approximately 1880 and made in the period Victorian style. The compass case is composed of solid brass with a me...
Category
Late 19th Century Scottish Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal, Brass
Still, Copper, Iron, 19th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
Still with flared copper body, cap on the top with the usual piece on these objects and a simple support to place the appliance on the fire. It has four iron handles to move it. This...
Category
19th Century European Neoclassical Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Copper, Iron
French 19th Century Barometer
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
French 19th painted and gold gilt barometer and thermometer. It is a recognizable ‘banjo’ shaped scientific instrument with all the carved details in gold ...
Category
19th Century French Other Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Glass, Paint, Giltwood, Wood
English wall barometer with a square shape made of oak from the 1940s
Located in Milan, IT
Square-shaped English aneroid wall barometer made of oak wood from the 1940s. Good working condition.
Measures cm19x5x19 - inches 7.5x1.9x7.5.
The last photo is the gift box.
This i...
Category
Mid-20th Century Scientific Instruments
Materials
Wood
Early 19th Century Butchers Steelyard for Weighing Scale
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Early 19th Century Butchers Steelyard for weighing scale
A good original industrial piece, the balance has blacksmith made sliding hook for adjustme...
Category
Early 19th Century Georgian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Iron
19th Century Old Study Camera in Oak Wood with Height Adjustable and Brake
Located in Miami, FL
Amazing late 19th century French oak camera from Spain.
Made in oak and gold metal and in its color.
Beautiful piece of decoration.
Measures: Adjustable height 55.11in-66.92in.
Category
Late 19th Century Spanish Art Deco Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal
Domestic Medicine Chest by Thompson & Capper
By Thompson & Capper
Located in New Orleans, LA
An invaluable addition to the 19th century home, this domestic medicine chest contained nearly everything needed to nurse a member of the house...
Category
19th Century English Other Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
19th Century Grey-Brown Italian Oversized Marble Mortar & Pestle, Antique Décor
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Early 19th Century, a set of an oversized mortar made of hand crafted white marble with a wooden Oakwood pestle, in good condition. This fun set was on display in a pharmacy in Milan...
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Marble
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.