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Scientific Instruments For Sale
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
Vintage WESCO Oil Can
Located in Oxfordshire, GB
Vintage Metal Oil Can.
An automotive oil can made by Wesco, Birmingham. A fantastic piece of vintage motoring ephemera, the perfect gift for the motoring enthusiast. Who would have t...
Category
Early 20th Century British Industrial Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal
19th Century Victorian Scale Model Of A Gas Meter, Crystal Palace Expo, c.1851
Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Antique mid-19th Century Victorian very rare cast iron scale model of the original meter used to measure the amount of gas used at the Crystal Palace, in Hyde Park during the Great E...
Category
19th Century British Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Iron
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
Barometer L'Ingr. Chevallier Opticien du Roi Place du Pont Neuf No. 15 Paris
Located in Milan, IT
Torricellian mercury barometer in mahogany wood, complete with rare spiral alcohol thermometer resting on elegant brass frame of leaves and flowers from lost-wax casting with tempera...
Category
Mid-19th Century Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Wood
Antique Roman Bronze Rare Architects Geometrical Compass/Divider 3.AD
Located in Doha, QA
Extremely rare and one of a kind ancient Roman bronze geometrical compass/divider. It is in an excellent condition for its age. The Compass is displayed on a dark marble block with a...
Category
15th Century and Earlier Italian Classical Roman Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Stone, Bronze
19th Century Mary & David Livingston Memorial Relic Heart Buried Beneath 1896
Located in Lowestoft, GB
A very odd Victorian collection of curiosity, a section of the tree that the Scottish physician, congregationalist and pioneer Christian missionary David Livingston was buried under ...
Category
Mid-19th Century Zambian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Hardwood, Natural Fiber, Glass
Louis XVI Style Giltwood Thermometer/ Barometer
Located in Montreal, QC
The Louis XVI style giltwood case with ribboned crest flanked by trailing garlands above the wood cased painted wheel barometer
Category
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Giltwood, Glass
French Late 19th Century Barometer
By Selon Torricelli
Located in Stockbridge, GA
French late 19th century barometer.
Category
Late 19th Century French Empire Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Bronze
Terrestrial Globe Ludwig Julius Heymann, Circa 1880
Located in Madrid, ES
Terrestrial Globe Ludwig Julius Heymann, Circa 1880
Globe 10 cm in diameter with a marble base held by metal putty. Nineteenth century. Dimensions: 46 cm high 7.14 cm diameter
Category
1880s Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Marble
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
Antique 2 French Electro Therapy Devices "Institut Electrotherapy" Dated 1905
Located in London, GB
Of scientific interest two French Electrotherapy devices, both wih plaques to the tops stamped "Institut Electrotherapy, 27 Rue Godot de Mauroy, Paris"
Complete with original instru...
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Other
French 19th Century Culinary Scale from Lyon
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A large kitchen / culinary scale made in Lyon, France, circa 1880. This wonderful antique instrument was used to measure various ingredients and product...
Category
19th Century French Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Marble, Brass
Antique Microscope in Original Box, circa 1900
Located in Greven, DE
Antique travel microscope in unrestored found condition. The brass should be polished and the glasses cleaned.
All parts appear to be complete, no guarantee, see photos.
Category
Early 20th Century French Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
1860s Torricellian Barometer Oak Wood Negretti & Zambra Old Weather Instrument
Located in Milan, IT
Torricellian barometer of oak wood, signed Negretti & Zambra London from the second half of the 19th century, complete with reading vernier for checking the pressure variation and thermometer.
Height 98 cm - 10.6 inches, width 27 cm - 38.5 inches, depth/thickness 5 cm - 1.96 inches.
Very good condition, fully functional.
For safety during transport the barometer will be shipped emptied of mercury. The mercury will be placed in a sealed container in the package together with the barometer.
When it was discovered, that changes of atmospheric pressure are connected to changes of weather, barometers became very popular.
Evangelista Torricelli...
Category
1860s British Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Oak
Carved oak wall hanging Banjo barometer
Located in Cheshire, GB
Carved oak barometer, the shaped carved oak frame with rectangular thermometer encased by glass. Above the silvered dial with silvered bezel, flanked by crisp scrolling carved decora...
Category
Early 20th Century British Scientific Instruments
Materials
Oak
Antique 19th Century French Gilt Barometer.
Located in New Orleans, LA
Antique 19th Century French Gilt Barometer.
Category
19th Century French Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Glass, Wood
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
Antique George III Quality Mahogany Inlaid Banjo Barometer
Located in Suffolk, GB
Antique George III quality mahogany inlaid banjo barometer having a swan neck top, quality mahogany case with inlaid satinwood shells brass bezel engraved silvered dial original hand...
Category
19th Century English George III Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Other
1940s Antique Wood Clamps Rustic Carpentry Tool
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Antique Wood Clamps
Prior use to build boats
Largest 63 long x 5.25 d x 1.25 w Short 48 long x 5 w x 1.5
Original vintage-Refer to listed images.
Category
Mid-20th Century Rustic Scientific Instruments
Materials
Wood
Fassamano French Tortoise Antique Eyeglasses Second Half 19th Century
Located in Milan, IT
Fassamano (from the French face-a-main) eyeglasses with handle that turns into a case shaped like the lenses; dark tortoise eyeglasses, oval lenses...
Category
1860s French Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Bakelite
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
Georgian Travelling Field Surgeons Box
Located in Northampton, GB
Fully Equipped Field Surgeons Box
From our Boxes collection, we are delighted to offer this Antique Travelling Field Surgeons Box. The Surgeons Box made from Mahogany with brass banded strapping vertically around the exterior with a shield shaped vacant initial plaque and matching escutcheon. The interior of the box is lined in a deep purple/red felt and contains the original partitioned field surgeons equipment including bone saws...
Category
Early 19th Century English William IV Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Antique Brass Plumber's Blowtorch c.1900, Made in England
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT
An antique brass Heathware No: 66 English plumber's blowtorch with a Bakelite handle. Original sticker.
Shown with life size hand model for scale.
CREATOR Heathware Pr...
Category
Early 20th Century Swedish Industrial Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
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
French Late 18th Ormolu and Sèvres Porcelain Barometer, Signed Giroux
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An most elegant and extremely high quality French late 18th/ beginning of the 19th century, ormolu and Sèvres porcelain barometer, signed Giroux. The barometer has a central bottom a...
Category
18th Century French Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Ormolu
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
Milan 1910/20 F.lli Koristka Antique Microscope Wooden Box with Accessories
Located in Milan, IT
Tri-ocular optical microscope Euskop model, antique scientific instrument of painted brass and chromed steel, with four-magnification turret n. 40122 by Fratelli Koristka, Milano, ci...
Category
1910s Italian Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Quality Antique Victorian Burr Walnut Carved Banjo Barometer
Located in Suffolk, GB
Quality antique Victorian burr walnut carved banjo barometer having a quality burr walnut carved shaped case with a 10 inch silvered engraved dial, original hands, thermometer and a ...
Category
19th Century English Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Walnut
Milan 1920/30 Antique Microscope by F.lli Koristka Wooden Box with Accessories
Located in Milan, IT
Optical microscope signed F.lli Koristka Milano n. 42870 produced between 1920/30, of chromed and black painted brass, three-magnification turret, consisting of a stand and a plate w...
Category
1920s Italian Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Antique Pharmacist's Medicine Cup, English, Glass, Apothecary Measure, Victorian
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique pharmacist's medicine cup. An English, glass and leather apothecary measure, dating to the Victorian period, circa 19000.
A fa...
Category
Late 19th Century British Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Glass
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 Victorian Ebonized Telescope
Located in Queens, NY
English Victorian ebonzied metal and brass trim telescope on adjustable dark stained tripod base (signed: WOOD, late ABRAHAM & CO, LIVERPOOL)
Category
Late 19th Century British Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Set of 19th Century Dental Hygiene Tools
Located in London, GB
A set of 19th century dental hygiene tools.
A set of 19th century dental hygiene tools, encased in a faux leather red box with brass latch and lined with a worn green velour Material. Its original mirror is still in place with folding back velour cover.
Size of inches: H 0.75” x W 2.75” x D 2.5
Completely solid in structure and form, with natural wear and patination across all surfaces due to age. In overall presentable condition considering its age and years of use. The tools are worn on the edges, god knows how many mouths its been in.
The House of Antiques...
Category
Early 1900s British Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal
Victorian Marquetry Wall Barometer and Thermometer
Located in London, GB
Victorian marquetry wall barometer and thermometer.
English, 19th century
Measures: height 98cm, width 25cm, depth 7cm.
This elegant piece is a fin...
Category
19th Century English Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Wood
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
Antique Apothecary Mortar & Pestle, English, Bronze, Chemist Shop Aid, Georgian
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique apothecary mortar and pestle. An English, bronze chemist's shop aid, dating to the Georgian period, circa 1800.
Quality Georgian apothecary aid with superb finis...
Category
Late 18th Century British Georgian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Bronze
Old Suspended Balance Scale in Brass
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Decorative 1950s balance scale in Apothecary style. Its made from solid brass and comes with two brass weights and a leather suspension strop.
Measurements: H/L: 75 cm (suspended),...
Category
1950s European Mid-Century Modern Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
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
A Wellington commemorative barometer retailed by Wehrle and Steuert
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
This carved giltwood barometer is in the form of a military trophy of arms surmounted by a ducal coronet. It comprises a sword hilt, cannon barrels and standards surrounding a portr...
Category
1850s English Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Giltwood
1986 Enorme Telephone by Ettore Sottsass for Enorme
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A perfectly postmodern telephone designed by the Memphis Milano master, Ettore Sottsass, and produced in 1986. The Enorme telephone was the result of ...
Category
Late 20th Century Post-Modern Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal
French Early 19th Century Gilt Barometer
Located in Stockbridge, GA
French early 19th century gilt barometer.
Category
Early 19th Century French Restauration Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Giltwood
Brass and Bakelite telescopic acoustic cornet England early 1900s
Located in Milan, IT
Telescopic acoustic cornet made of brass and Bakelite , English manufacture of the early 1900s.
The principle of its operation is based on the reflection of sound on the inner walls,...
Category
Early 1900s Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
19th Century thermometer in original case
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
19th century thermometer in original case circa 1890.
Fine quality thermometer which measures between -45 degrees centigrade and +50. In fully working condition, complete in its ori...
Category
Late 19th Century Swedish Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Glass, Paper
Antique Victorian Brass & Scottish Agate Postal Scale & Weights, Circa 1865-1870
Located in New Orleans, LA
Antique Victorian Brass and Scottish Agate Postal scale with Weights, Circa 1865-1870.
Category
Late 19th Century English Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Agate, Brass
Very Rare Wind Vane Dial in the Manner of Whitehurst
Located in Lincolnshire, GB
A George III period carved mahogany wind vane dial. The silvered engraved dial with all the points of a compass housed in the finely carved mahogany frame, ...
Category
Late 18th Century English Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Glass, Mahogany
A Boxed Sikes Hydrometer by Riddels Limited, Belfast
By Riddels Limited
Located in Austin, TX
A boxed hydrometer (Serial No. 16234) with all parts, includes thermometer, ten weights and float, in a fitted wooden case.
Top plate marked: "Sikes' Hydrometer, Riddels Limited. Be...
Category
19th Century British Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass, Copper
French 19th Century Louis XIV St. Ormolu And Patinated Bronze Barometer
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A most impressive French 19th century Louis XIV st. Ormolu and patinated Bronze barometer, after Torricelli. The circular patinated bronze face has the eight enameled plaques depicti...
Category
19th Century French Louis XIV Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
18th Century Italian Bronze Pestle for a Mortar, 9 Inches Long
Located in Stamford, CT
If you've got the mortar, I have the pestle! There are so many mortars out there, and so few pestles. It's nice to have both. Here is your opportunity to marry this large scale pestl...
Category
18th Century Italian Baroque Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Bronze
Old Japanese Yagen Iron Mortar Grinder Crushing Tool
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Old Japanese Yagen Iron Mortar Grinder Crushing Tool
Tool used to grind medicine
7 h x 5.5 w x 21.75
Unrestored Worn Aged Vintage Distressed Condition.
Review images please.
Category
1890s Japanese Anglo-Japanese Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Iron
Brushed Aluminum Industrial Hourglass on Stand
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Modern industrial brushed aluminum hourglass - in the style of Bauhaus industrial - German, Berlin.
An interesting contrast of blown glass and heavy industrial material gives this...
Category
20th Century Modern Scientific Instruments
Materials
Aluminum
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
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
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 beautifu...
Category
Early 20th Century Spanish Mid-Century Modern Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal
Table or wall-mounted barometer station made of wood glass and brass 1950s
Located in Milan, IT
Desktop or wall-mounted barometer station made of wood, glass and brass signed Forster from the 1950s, consisting of aneroid barometer and thermometer with centigrade scale.
Goo...
Category
1950s Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Wood
Large copper & brass funnel
Located in London, GB
A large late 19th century copper and brass funnel.
From Wiltshire County, England.
Category
Late 19th Century English Industrial Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass, Copper
19th Century English Globe by Renowned Cartographers John Newton and Son
Located in Southall, GB
An extremely rare and important 21 inch English globe by renowned cartographers John Newton and Son, one of the most important globe makers of early 19th century England. Representin...
Category
19th Century English Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Hardwood
Louis XVI Style Dore Bronze Thermometer, Circa 1880
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Circa 1880, Louis XVI Style Dore Bronze Thermometer. In beautiful shape.
Category
Early 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Bronze
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.