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Scientific Instruments For Sale
Mid-Century Italian Illuminated Optometric Table, 1960s
Located in Palermo, IT
Mid-Century Italian Illuminated Optometric Table, 1960s Complete and in good condition. Electrical system to be checked.
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Plastic, 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

‘Royal’ Barometer by John Russell, Watchmaker to the Prince Regent
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
This superbly crafted wheel barometer and thermometer has a mahogany case surrounded by twisted brass stringing and central panels of foliate tendrils above Russell’s signature thistle motif in black and gilt verre églomisé. It is surmounted by a brass Prince of Wales feather finial. The long, rectangular thermometer plate is inscribed ‘Thermometers: Beaumar, Fahrenheit, Royal Society of London’, the latter being an early attempt to standardise temperature measurement. The circular dial is inscribed ‘Changeable, Fair, Settled Fair, Much Rain’ and ‘Rain’ and signed across the centre ‘J Russell, Falkirk, Invt et Fecit, Watch Maker to his R.H the Prince Regent’. The reverse has a paper label ‘Russell, Iden Collection Inventory 1896’. Scottish, circa 1815. Provenance: Mr Walter Iden. Published: Percy G. Dawson, The Iden Clock Collection, Woodbridge, 1987. No.125, p.280. These ‘royal barometers’ were so named because John Russell of Falkirk...
Category

1810s Scottish Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal

19century English Balancing Scale
Located in Tarrytown, NY
19century English balancing scale.
Category

19th Century European Industrial Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Iron

Large 1950s Vintage Scientific Anatomical Human 3D Educational Eye Eyeball Model
Located in Lafayette, IN
1950's Vintage scientific human 3d eyeball model. Hand-painted with wonderful original patina!
Category

1950s American Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Rubber

A Large Antique Root Bowl, "Trøys", Scandinavia 1800s
Located in Hønefoss, 30
A unique and large root bowl from Norway, Scandinavia. In Norwegian called "Trøys" A trøys is a vessel used for transporting liquid. It is usually shaped like a bowl with a spout o...
Category

19th Century Norwegian Romantic Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Wood

Antique Pulley Hook in Metal, circa 1940
Located in Barcelona, ES
Metal Pulley Hook, by unknown manufacturer, circa 1940. In original condition, with minor wear consistent with age and use, preserving a beautiful patina. Materials: Metal ...
Category

1940s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal

Sea Fish Saltvandsfisk Rollable Poster Print Wall Chart, Denmark 1960s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
This rare vintage wall chart shows different types of sea fish, which are native to middle Europe. This kind of wall charts are used as teaching material in German schools or diving ...
Category

1960s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Aluminum

1870 Antique Burnished Brass W F Stanley Level Surveyor Measurement Instrument
Located in Milan, IT
Topographic level signed W.F Stanley of burnished brass, from the second half of the 19th century. In excellent condition and complete with original mahogany box with brass hinges an...
Category

1870s British Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

Rococo Style Gilt Bronze Cartel Clock and Barometer
Located in London, GB
In their elaborate use of C-scrolls, putti figures, stylised acanthus leaves and flowers, this clock and barometer are clearly Rococo in their style. The Rococo came into fashion in ...
Category

19th Century French Rococo Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Enamel, Ormolu, Bronze

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

Black Forest Style Carved Walnut Barometer, Germany, ca. 1920
Located in Barntrup, DE
Black Forest style carved walnut barometer, Germany, ca. 1920. An impressive carved walnut barometer with masterfully carved flowers and leaves. A small mirror on the top of the roun...
Category

1920s German Black Forest Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Glass, Mirror, Walnut

Early 19th Century 2 Day Marine Chronometer by James McCabe, No. 199
Located in Lincolnshire, GB
Number 199, a two day marine chronometer by James McCabe, London, beautifully signed and numbered on the dial and movement, and the number on the bottom of the bowl. In a three part ...
Category

Early 19th Century English Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

19th c. Varvill & Son York Moving Filletster Plane circa 1829-1840
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT Solid boxwood carpenter's wood plane with steel and bronze accents. Stamped "Varvill & Sons York" on both sides. CREATOR Varvill & Sons York, England. DATE OF MANUF...
Category

19th Century Industrial Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Bronze

Rare Antique Engraving of Microscopes, 1749
Located in Langweer, NL
Antique print titled 'A true Representation of sveral microscopes with some objects (..)'. Print of various microscopes, illustrating several microscope parts. This print originates ...
Category

18th Century Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Paper

19th Century Dental Tool Kit
Located in London, GB
19th century dental tool kit A rare set of 19th century dental tool kit, all tools are encased in a wooden box with brass latch and lined with a worn red...
Category

19th Century British Georgian Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal

19th c. Carpenter's Molding Wood Plane
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT Antique wooden carpentry plane used to make trim and moldings.Shown with life size hand mold for scale. CREATOR Unknown. DATE OF MANUFACTURE c.1850-1920. MATERI...
Category

19th Century Industrial Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Walnut

Antique Wood Compass Shop Carpenter Tool Decorative Sculpture
Located in Chula Vista, CA
For your consideration, an Antique Wood Compass Shop Carpenter Tool. Dimensions: 33 H x 17 W , 58 open radius ( I can draw a circle up to 154" in diameter) wood is 1 thick Please v...
Category

1960s American American Classical Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Steel

1940s English The Viking Scale & Weights by F. J. Thornton & Co. Ltd.
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
1940s The Viking scale & weights by F.J. Thornton & Co Ltd, Wolverhampton, UK. Cast iron black painted with gilt manufacturer's information & emblem. Brass weight & dry goods holders...
Category

1940s English Industrial Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass, Iron

English Brass Bankers Balance Scale from the 19th Century with Circular Pans
Located in Atlanta, GA
An English brass bankers balance scale from the 19th century. Born in England during the 19th century, this elegant brass bankers scale features a centra...
Category

19th Century English Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

Italian mid-century modern optometric board in wood and white plastic, 1960s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian mid-century modern optometric board in wood and white plastic, 1960s Rectangular-based illuminated table optometric board with structure in wood. On the front there are two w...
Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Wood, Plastic

English Mahogany Banjo Barometer. Circa 1830
Located in Charleston, SC
English mahogany banjo barometer with centered brass finial in scrolled pediment, glass encased thermometer, ebonized reeded mirror, original ...
Category

19th Century British Antique Scientific Instruments

Germany 1950 Didactics Medical Anatomy Enlarged Model of a Human Trachea
By Deutsches Hygiene Museum Dresden
Located in Milan, IT
Didactic anatomical enlarged model of a trachea made in the 1950s, made of hand-colored cellon and mounted on a bakelite base. On a label on the base you read Deutsches Hygiene Museu...
Category

1950s German Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Bakelite

Nice Acupuncture Model Statue Sculpture, Composition on Wood Stand Vintage 1960s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A decorative Acupuncture Model. Some wear with a nice patina. Made of composition, metal and a wooden stand. It is painted in different colors and co...
Category

1960s German Modern Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Composition, Metal

Wall-Mounted Large Weather Station in Art Nouveau Style Carved Walnut Belgium
Located in Verviers, BE
Wall-mounted weather station in carved walnut made in Liege Belgium by G.Tart. High quality mechanism with Jeweled movement barometer and thermometer (in centigrade) Unusual design ...
Category

1910s Belgian Art Nouveau Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Walnut

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

Heavy Wall Glass T Junction Tube for Pyrex, 1930s
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A sculptural junction tube fashioned of laboratory-grade Pyrex glass.
Category

1930s American Industrial Vintage Scientific Instruments

Compensated brass barometric altimeter signed Stanley London from the early 1900s
Located in Milan, IT
Brass compensated barometric altimeter signed Stanley London No. 1581 from the early 1900s. Diameter 7.6 x 3 cm - inches 3x1.2. An altimeter is an instrument for measuring the heig...
Category

Early 20th Century Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

A Victorian anchor and rope barometer by Gray and Keen, Liverpool
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
A Victorian anchor and rope barometer by Gray and Keen, Liverpool. The 10 ¾-inch silvered dial of this walnut barometer is set within the arms of an anchor and a coil of double twisted rope which passes over a ring handle. The dial is inscribed in Spanish and the scale in both Fahrenheit and ‘Beaumur’. It is The trunk inset with a thermometer. Inscribed Gray & Keen, Liverpool on the dial. English and Italian, circa 1860. Height: 37in (94cm) Width: 17in (43cm) Gray and Keen from Liverpool exhibited in the Designers and Manufacturers Hall of the Great Exhibition of 1851. The official catalogue entry reads ‘Wheel barometer, designed for use in naval establishments’ and ‘Gothic wheel barometer’s. For a similar rope twist barometer...
Category

1860s European Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Walnut

20th Century English Theodolite by W.F. Stanley London in Original Wooden Box
By W. F. Stanley
Located in Sofia, BG
20th century English surveyor's theodolite or transit instrument of brass by W.F. Stanley (Optical, Philosophical & Mathematical Instrument Manufacturer, London), circa 1930, in orig...
Category

Early 20th Century English Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

French 18th Century Balance Scale
Located in Round Top, TX
A handsome French 18th century balance scale in iron and brass. The balance mechanism is in iron. The foot and the plates are in brass. The...
Category

18th Century French Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass, Iron

Engine Order Telegraph in the Chadburns Style, England Late 19th Century
Located in Labrit, Landes
Large and exceptional solid bronze ships engine order telegraph Made in the Chadburns style, with orders in french. The bells ring but the mechanism needs to be revised. Shipping: ...
Category

Late 19th Century English Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass, Bronze

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

Mushroom Botanical Scientific Specimen Model Europe, 1950s or older
Located in Nuernberg, DE
This rare vintage model of a botanical scientific specimen depicts a mushroom native to Central Europe. This kind of items are used as teaching material in German schools or as showp...
Category

20th Century Czech Folk Art Scientific Instruments

Materials

Wood, Paper

Rare Charles and Ray Eames Sphere's "Mathematica world of numbers" 1961 Exhibit
Located in Buffalo, NY
Super rare. The spheres in this image are components of one of the exhibits... originally aquired from an IBM employee. Mathematica: A World of Numbers…and Beyond, is the title of...
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Stone

Alnmått (Cubit measure) in iron with gilded details. Baroque, dated 1731
Located in Knivsta, SE
Swedish Alnmått (Cubit measure) in iron with gilded details. Baroque, dated 1731. Provenance: Baron Carl Emanuel Cederström, great collector during the mid-19th Century in Sweden. W...
Category

1730s Swedish Baroque Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Iron

Rare and Large Pair of Malby Globes in Fine Original Condition
Located in Lincolnshire, GB
The largest pair of 19th century table globes we have had , at 18' diameter for the globes this pair has ebonised stands. Good original lacquer and colour to the papers. Good makers ...
Category

Mid-19th Century Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Fruitwood

1930s Italian antique Sketch of a Campaign to Fight Tuberculosis
Located in Milan, IT
Sketch of a futurist poster, 1930’s, campaign against tuberculosis with united strength 10 cents for poor sicks with tuberculosis, for the national campaign to inform people about th...
Category

1930s Italian Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Paper

Large Antique French Neoclassical Brass Scale
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Large Antique French Neoclassical Brass Scale, by Berenger & Co, Lyon France, Circa 1870 A stunning Large Antique French Neoclassical Brass Scale, crafted by the renowned Berenger & Co of Lyon during the mid to late 19th Century. This remarkable brass shop keepers, assay or pharmacist scale...
Category

Late 19th Century French Neoclassical Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

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

Napoleon III Gilt Bronze & Boulle Barometer & Thermometer Gervais Durand
Located in Miami, FL
Exquisite Pair of fine Antique Gilt Bronze Mounted Tortoiseshell Inlaid Ebonized Boulle Marquetry Instruments by Gervais-Maximilien-Eugene Durand. Originals featuring exquisite bronz...
Category

19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Bronze, Brass

18th Century Gold French Gilded Wood Barometer, Antique Parisian Thermometer
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A rare antique finely worked French barometer with lyre shaped crest thermometer above a large hexagonal framed barometer. The Parisian décor piece is m...
Category

Late 18th Century French Empire Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Giltwood

Antique Kendrick & Davis K&D Inverto Staking Jewelry Watch Tool Set
Located in Norwalk, CT
A very unusual Jewelry and watchmakers tool, makes for a great curiosity item for the shelf!
Category

Early 20th Century American Scientific Instruments

Materials

Wood

Zoological Lithograph of Worm Organs 1925 Cardboard by H Aschehoug & Co Norway
Located in Milan, IT
Zoological didactic plate n. 59 lithograph on cardboard made in 1925 depicting enlargements of worm organs. Dybdhals Zoologiske Plancher P.M.Bye & Co Oslo. Made by H Aschehoug & Co. ...
Category

1920s Norwegian Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Paper

Memento Mori by Callum Campbell
Located in Geneve, CH
Memento Mori by Callum Campbell Objects for Self Collection Signed Dimensions  W 3.5 x H 9.3 cm Materials: Brass Finish: Polished Engraved with clients name and date of birth...
Category

2010s Australian Modern Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

Alnmått (Cubit measure) in Birch with a Noble Crown. Gustavian, dated 1783
Located in Knivsta, SE
Rare Alnmått (Cubit measure) made in Birch with a Noble Crown. From the Gustavian period of the late 1700s, roughly corresponding to the Louis XVI period in France, made in Sweden an...
Category

1780s Swedish Gustavian Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

Italy 1939s Sketch Futurist Poster "Day of Two Crosses" Against Tuberculosis
Located in Milan, IT
Sketch of the futurist poster "Day of two crosses, 16th April 1939, XVII", mixed technique of pastel and water-color, for an Italian campaign against tuberculosis, to inform people a...
Category

1930s Italian Futurist Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Paper

Large Antique Victorian Quality Rosewood Banjo Barometer
Located in Suffolk, GB
Large antique Victorian quality rosewood banjo barometer having a quality rosewood banjo shaped case with carved scroll decoration with a thermometer and 10 inch circular silvered di...
Category

19th Century English Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Other

Old Blue Scale Gwarancja Olsztyn, Europe, 1970s
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
A fantastic antique weighing scale with nicely aged blue paint. Made by Gwarancja Factory in Olsztyn, Poland in the late 20th century. It presents...
Category

1970s Polish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal, Iron

Antique Steel and Wood Chisels
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT A set of antique steel and wood chisels with bronze collars. One steel nail punch. CREATOR Stanely. Buck Brothers. E.A. Berg Eskilstuna. DATE OF MANUFACTURE c.1850-1...
Category

19th Century Industrial Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Bronze, Steel

Antique Iron Worker Hand Forged Vintage Tools Set of 9
Located in Chula Vista, CA
collection handmade Iron Blacksmithing Tools- Set of 9 Antique Iron Worker Tools forging metal circa early 1900s tool total 9 25 the longest x 3...
Category

Early 20th Century American Industrial Scientific Instruments

Materials

Iron, Metal

Mushroom Botanical Scientific Specimen Model Europe, 1950s or older
Located in Nuernberg, DE
This rare vintage model of a botanical scientific specimen depicts a mushroom native to Central Europe. This kind of items are used as teaching material in German schools or as showp...
Category

20th Century Czech Folk Art Scientific Instruments

Materials

Wood, Paper

Large Vintage Pantagraph, English, Brass, Scientific Mapping Instrument
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a large vintage pantagraph. An English, brass scientific mapping instrument, dating to the mid-20th century, circa 1950. Fascinating scale and mechanical interest Displays a...
Category

Mid-20th Century English Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

Atomic structure for educational use of carbonic acid Czechoslovakia 1950s.
Located in Milan, IT
Struttura atomica ad uso didattico dell'acido carbonico (H2CO3) in metallo, sfere in bachelite verniciate rosso e nero. Czechoslovakian manufacture of the 1950s. Good condition sign...
Category

1950s Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal

Late 18th Century French Giltwood Barometer
Located in Essex, MA
Period late 18th century giltwood barometer. Original gilding. Carved overall with globe, and navigation instruments. Foliate and neoclassical motifs. Maker signed.
Category

Late 18th Century French Louis XVI Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Giltwood

Rare 19th Century Large Original Painted Lightning Rod on Stand
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Fantastic folky oversized 19th century mustard over copper Lightning rod ball on a professional iron stand. The base is a plank of original work that the...
Category

19th Century American Folk Art Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Copper

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 Weber Costello 12 Inch Globe - Rare Tall Base
Located in Peekskill, NY
I checked the globe and its signed Weber London but could not find a date of printing. This is an 12 inch desk globe is a bit different because of the extra tall decorative stand. I ...
Category

Early 20th Century English Industrial Scientific Instruments

Materials

Bronze

Set of 2 Early 20th Century Metal Feet Heaters
Located in Barcelona, ES
Antique metal feet heaters. Made in Spain by unknown manufacturer, circa 1900. In original condition, with minor wear consistent with age and use, preserving a beautiful patin...
Category

Early 20th Century Spanish Mid-Century Modern Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal

A 19th Century Mahogany Stick Barometer by Keen and Frodsham
Located in Pewsey, GB
A 19th Century Mahogany stick Barometer by Keen and Frodsham, South Castle Street, Liverpool . "Keen and Frodsham" refers to a partnership between renowned clockmaker Henry Frodsha...
Category

Late 19th Century British Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Glass

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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