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Scientific Instruments For Sale
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
1940s Plaster Anatomical Heart Model on Wood Stand
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Instructional, anatomical, plaster, heart model on 7" diameter wood base, circa 1940s.
Category
Mid-20th Century American Industrial Scientific Instruments
Materials
Plaster, Wood
Early 20th Century Medical Curios Gold Teeth Dentures
Located in Lowestoft, GB
A collection of human gold teeth, with two having their original metal pegs.
Most gold teeth are of a particularly high carrot, and these are heavy to hold. Tarnished and untouched,...
Category
Early 20th Century English Scientific Instruments
Materials
Gold
Antique English Mahogany Banjo Barometer, circa 1860
Located in New Orleans, LA
Antique English mahogany banjo barometer, circa 1860.
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Mahogany
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
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
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
Triangular Vintage White Opaline Art Glass and Brass Kaleidoscope
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Vintage Art Glass and Brass Kaleidoscope.
This white opaline kaleidoscope has triangular form and has a rotating blue glass ball for amazing effects.
Category
20th Century American Modern Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Recording Copper Rain Gauge by Casella & Co of London
By Casella
Located in London, GB
An 8" diameter recording copper rain gauge by C F Casella & Co of London.
With an internal 24 hour "Gluck" barometer recorder.
Height:63 cm.
Diameter: 28 ...
Category
Mid-20th Century English Scientific Instruments
Materials
Copper
$1,972 Sale Price
20% Off
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
$1,232 / item
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, Wood, Giltwood, Paint
19th c. I. Hick Carpentry Molding Plane
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT
Antique wooden carpentry plane used to make trim and moldings. Stamped "I. Hick' on the side. Shown with life size hand mold for scale.
CREATOR Unknown.
DATE OF MANU...
Category
19th Century Industrial Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Walnut
$75 Sale Price
21% Off
Antique American Iron Balance Weighing Scale with Weights
Located in Queens, NY
"American (early 20th Century) balance weighing scale Set on a concave rectangular cast iron beveled base with twist mid-section topped by a pointed finial. One chain beam balance fi...
Category
Early 20th Century American American Colonial Scientific Instruments
Materials
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
Antique Pestle & Mortar Set, English, Brass, Chemist Shop Instrument, Victorian
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique pestle and mortar set. An English, brass chemist shop instrument, dating to the early Victorian period, circa 1850.
Dashing Victori...
Category
Mid-19th Century British Early Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
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
19th c. Varville & Son Plow Plane c.1870-1900
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT
Solid wood carpenter's wood plane with steel and bronze accents. Stamped on both sides.
CREATOR Varville & Son, York, UK.
DATE OF MANUFACTURE c.1870-1900.
MATE...
Category
19th Century Industrial Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Bronze, Steel
British Admiralty Pattern Clinometer Inspectors Level
Located in Norwell, MA
World War II Bristish inspectors Mark III admiralty pattern clinometer by Watts and Son, London, England. The heavy brass relic is in a fitted hardwood case. The instrument consists ...
Category
1940s European Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
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
Antique Tricycle
Located in Napa, CA
Category
20th Century Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal
$2,000
Set of Four Vintage Weights, circa 1920
Located in Barcelona, ES
Set of four vintage weights: 5, 2, 1 and a half kilograms. By unknown manufacturer, circa 1920. In original condition, with minor wear consistent with ...
Category
1920s European Mid-Century Modern Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal
Zoological Lithograph Rodents 1912 on Cardboard by H Aschehoug & Co, Norway
Located in Milan, IT
Zoological didactic plate n. 19 lithograph on cardboard made in 1912 depicting rodents. Dybdhals Zoologiske Plancher P.M.Bye & Co Oslo. Made by H Aschehoug & Co. Good condition. Meas...
Category
1910s Norwegian Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Paper
Boxwood Tailor's and Dressmaker's Square by John T Johnson of Birmingham
Located in London, GB
A boxwood 24 x 18 inch tailor's and dressmaker's square, by John T Johnson of Birmingham, circa 1900.
Marked: JOHN T. JOHNSON - UNION PASSAGE. BIRMm.
Category
Late 19th Century English Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Boxwood
1880s Iron And Brass Balancing Scale
Located in Tarrytown, NY
1880s iron and brass balancing scale.
Category
1880s Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass, Iron
1880s French Carved Wood Barometer
Located in Tarrytown, NY
1880s French carved wood barometer. Does not work.
Category
1880s Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Wood
Zoological Lithograph of Coelenterates 1912 Cardboard by H Aschehoug & Co Norway
Located in Milan, IT
Zoological didactic plate n. 63 lithograph on cardboard made in 1912 depicting the family of coelenterates with jellyfish, coral and sea anemone. Dybdhals Zoologiske Plancher P.M.Bye...
Category
1910s Norwegian Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Paper
Ceramic Thermometer by Mithé Espelte with Flower Motif
By Mithé Espelt
Located in Saint-Ouen, IDF
Wall thermometer in ceramic by Mithé Espelt. Typical flower decor with the numeral indication of the temperature.
Marie Thérèse Espelt, aka. Mithé Espelt (1923-2020)
Born in the...
Category
1960s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Ceramic
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
Walnut, Large Wooden Screw of a Wine Press, a Wooden Sculpture, Italy 1900s
Located in Roma, IT
Large wooden screw of a wine press, Italy, 1900s.
A walnut sculpture. Really nice.
Category
20th Century Italian Grand Tour Scientific Instruments
Materials
Wood, Walnut
The Astronomer Unique Historical Folk Art Painting Signed 1918
Located in South Burlington, VT
Unique Historical Work of Art Dated 1918 "L' Astronome (The Astronomer) by Fedinant Roybet.
This is an original and one-of-a-kind artistic presentation- a superb pyrography incis...
Category
Early 20th Century French Scientific Instruments
Materials
Wood
$716 Sale Price
20% Off
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
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
Inlaid Mahogany Barometer, with Silvered Dial, Signed Vecchio & Co
Located in London, GB
An early 19th century inlaid mahogany barometer, with 8" silvered dial, signed Vecchio & Co, Shaftsbury, and red alcohol thermometer.
Thermometer scale in degrees Fahrenheit, and ...
Category
Early 19th Century English Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Mahogany
Large 1920's Vintage Scientific Anatomical Human 3D Educational Ear Model
Located in Lafayette, IN
Large 1920's Vintage scientific anatomical human 3D ear model. Large 16" scale and wonderful antique patina!
Category
1920s American Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Rubber, Wood
$250 Sale Price
74% Off
Louis XV Period Gilded Barometer with Thermometer
Located in Pembroke, MA
An elegant French gilded wood barometer with thermometer (period Louis XV, Circa 1760). Barometer has been fitted with a new mercury tube, ...
Category
18th Century and Earlier French Louis XV Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Giltwood, Glass
Anatomical Wall Chart Depicting the Human Lymphatic and Blood Vessels
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Anatomical Wall Chart Depicting the Human Lymphatic and Blood Vessels
A rare 19-carat anatomical wall chart depicting the human lymphatic and blood ve...
Category
Early 20th Century German Victorian Scientific Instruments
Materials
Paper
Microscope cloth counting glass by Casartelli
Located in London, GB
Microscope cloth counting glass by J. Casartelli & Son of Manchester. Circa 1910.
In original black leather case with satin and velvet lining.
Marked: J. CASARTELLI & SON SALFORD.6...
Category
Early 20th Century English Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Walter Bosse Cow Figurine Table Thermometer by Herta Baller, Austria, 1950s
Located in Vienna, AT
A charming sculptural Austrian midcentury desk thermometer, displaying a cow with a lantern-shaped thermometer. A humorous design by Walter Bosse, executed by Hertha Baller Austria i...
Category
Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Mid-Century Georgian Style German Wall Barometer
Located in Germantown, MD
A 1960s decorative Georgian Style wall Barometer from West Germany. 28" tall.
Category
Mid-20th Century German Georgian Scientific Instruments
Materials
Wood
$746 Sale Price
25% Off
Antique Dazey Commercial Industrial Churn or Mixer with Toleware Decoration USA
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This antique commercial churn or mixer was made by the Dazey Manufacturing Company of St. Louis in approximately 1920 in a period Art Deco style. The frame and gear mechanism of the ...
Category
Early 20th Century American Art Deco Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal
National Geographic Atlas of the World, Eighth Edition Hardcover Book
Located in North Hollywood, CA
National Geographic Atlas of the World, Eighth Edition
National Geographic
This is a beautiful large library or hardcover coffee table book.
Title: National Geographic Atlas of th...
Category
Early 2000s Maltese Mid-Century Modern Scientific Instruments
Materials
Paper
Wall-Mounted Weather Station in Rococo Style Carved Walnut, 1910s
By A. de Lambert
Located in Verviers, BE
Wall-mounted weather station in carved walnut made in Belgium by A. de Lambert. High quality mechanism with jeweled movement barometer and thermometer (in centigrade)
Unusual design...
Category
1910s Belgian Rococo Revival Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Walnut
Antique Apothecary Mortar and Pestle, English, Bronze, Beech, Chemist, Victorian
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique apothecary mortar and pestle. An English, bronze and beech chemist's aid, dating to the Victorian period and later, ci...
Category
Late 19th Century British Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Bronze
WWI brass Carl Zeiss Jena "Fussartillerie" artillery compass
Located in London, GB
A WWI brass Carl Zeiss Jena "Fussartillerie" artillery compass.
3¾ inch dial marked with N W S points, the Carl Zeiss Jena logo, and B.R. 565 FUSSARTILLERIE.
Compass ring marked ...
Category
Early 20th Century German Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass, Bronze
$986 Sale Price
20% Off
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 Spa Belgium by Valentine Engel
High quality mechanism with Jeweled movement barometer and thermometer (in centigrade)
Unusual de...
Category
1910s Belgian Art Nouveau Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Walnut
Vintage Bottle Capper Wine Corker Hand Press Cork
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Vintage Wine Bottle Cork Press Manual
Rustic Farmhouse
22.5 h x 4 w x 10 d
Preowned original vintage, refer to images listed.
Category
Early 20th Century Rustic Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal
1930s Italian Medical Sketch of a Campaing to Fight Tuberculosis
Located in Milan, IT
Sketch of a futurist poster, 1930s, ten cents to fight tuberculosis, for the national campaign to inform people about the prevention of this illness. Measures: cm 32 x 42, inches 12....
Category
1930s Italian Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Paper
Solid Brass Case Inspectors Clinometer Mark I
Located in Norwell, MA
British Admiralty Mark I clinometer in a varnished wood box by E.R. Watts & Son, London, 1937. This instrument provides a highly accurate reading in degrees from dead level to 45 deg...
Category
1930s European Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Italian Midcentury Anatomical Educational Torso
Located in Weesp, NL
Educational midcentury Italian anatomical torso produced in the 1940s by Produzione Scientifica Paravia known for its accurate anatomy models.
Measures: H. 67 x W. 34 x D. 26 cm.
...
Category
1940s Italian Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Composition
1963s Italy Vallardi Box With 6 Wooden Geometric Solids Scientific Instrument
Located in Milan, IT
Box containing 6 dismounplate geometric solids of oak wood, height 20 cm, in their original wooden box complete with illustrative leaflet for calculating surfaces and volumes. Made for educational purposes for schools by Antonio Vallardi publisher in 1963. Box cm 24 x 40 H 12 cm.
The origins of the publisher Vallardi date back to 1750 when founder Francesco Cesare (1736-1799) acquired a small craft in the heart of old Milan. In the early nineteenth century, the publishing house was noted for the production of works of art, geography and science, including a "Tour of Italy" which took twenty-two printings between 1819 and 1835. The complete works of various maps and directions for travel, including timetables and fares for transportation of the time, can be considered the first modern tourist guide. The firm "Vallardi" was born in 1843 and the company became industrial, with the opening of branches on national...
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Oak
Vintage Erskine Barber Shop Shaving Brush Tool
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Vintage ERSKINE 200 Sterilized Barber Shop SHAVING BRUSH Nylon Bristles
Rubber Stamped Sterile 200
4.5 tall x 1.38 diameter
Preowned original vintage...
Category
1950s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Nylon, Rubber
Wooden and Brass Square Faced Magnifying Glass with Nautical Symbol
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A unique Hand crafted magnifying glass from the 20th Century. The viewing glass is square with a brass frame and brass nautical symbol inlayed at the handle which also displays a br...
Category
20th Century American Classical Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Unusual Early American Quack Medicine Thompson-Plaster Electric Cabinet
Located in Forney, TX
A rare and most unusual Thompson-Plaster electrical cabinet, by Physician's Specialty Company, Leesburg, Virginia, United States.
The historic turn of the late 19th / early 20th century quack medicine machine used a violent ray electrotherapy apparatus as a cure-all, claiming to cure numerous ailments, cancers, and more.
Featuring the original oak framed glazed glass-covered marble top for use with 'medical' instruments, atop quartersawn oak chest fitted with three graduated drawers, opening to reveal various associated equipment and supplies, including blown glass evacuated tube implements of varying shapes and for different therapeutic uses. High-quality solid wood case, rising on castors. Signed, retaining the original manufacturer plaque. Museum quality.
Provenance / Acquisition:
Reportedly purchased by Dr. Slaughter, of Goldthwaite, Texas, May, 1903.
Acquired from highly reputable auction house, Austin Auction Gallery, established 1983, Austin, Texas. Day 2 of 3, Important Estates catalog. 2021
Similar examples can be found in select museum collections and exhibitions, including Loudoun Museum, Leesburg, Virginia. Holmes Medical Museum, Foley, Alabama.
Dimensions: (approx)
40.75" High, 26" Wide, 17.5" Deep
Condition:
Excellent original antique condition. Museum quality. Unknown if complete. Wear consistent with age and use.
A scarce example of medical quackery...
Category
Early 20th Century American Scientific Instruments
Materials
Marble
Zoological Lithograph of Ungulates 1912 on Cardboard by H Aschehoug & Co Norway
Located in Milan, IT
Zoological didactic plate n. 29 lithograph on cardboard made in 1912 depicting the digestive system of the ungulates; the plate depicts 4 different ty...
Category
1910s Norwegian Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Paper
Fairbanks Scale Co American Doctors Scale
Located in Cheshire, GB
Fairbanks doctors scale in black with brass adjustable measuring stick, and cast iron pressure plate. Retaining there original weights.
Dimensions:
Heig...
Category
Early 20th Century American Scientific Instruments
Materials
Iron
$1,972 Sale Price
36% Off
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
Anatomical model for class: an animal intestine, Italy 1890.
Located in Milan, IT
Anatomic model for class, didactic purpuse, depicting an animal’s intestine, made out of painted paper machè. Italy end of 19th century.
Category
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Paper
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
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
Double Sided Standing Dutch Chalk Board
Located in Stamford, CT
A very large 1900-1910 century chalk board from the Netherlands. The solid wood stand is substantial and easy to move on its antique casters. Great in a kid's room, a restaurant, or ...
Category
Early 20th Century Dutch Scientific Instruments
Materials
Wood
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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Antique Syringes
Antique Wooden Grinder
Avery Scales
German Sundial