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Scientific Instruments For Sale
Antique American Ransom & Randolph # 65 Carved Oak Dental Cabinet Toledo OH 1900
Located in Portland, OR
Antique American carved oak dental cabinet manufactured by The Ransom & Randolph C., Toledo Ohio, Circa 1899. Arguably one of the best dental cabinets ever made, with so many unique features (and forgive the pun) cutting edge technology of the late 19th century. This cabinet was patented in 1899 and made of solid quarter sawn oak throughout, with carved accents above the beveled shaped mirror and carved & pierced brackets to the base with turned ribbed column supports. The cabinet has a removable travel drawer case for making house calls, to the top of the case is a brass carrying handle and a brass plaque with the manufacturers name and "Patent applied for", making this one of the earliest manufactured of this model. The cabinet has paneled sides and a paneled back, the front is fitted with cupboard with two adjustable swing out arms with revolving circular trays. Below, the cabinet is fitted with serpentine shaped drawers to the front, a lift up mirror to the top right hand-side enclosing a stepped...
Category

1890s American American Craftsman Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Mirror, Oak

Antique World Globe From Fleet Street London 1923 on Wooden Stand
Located in Reading, Berkshire
Antique Terrestrial Geographia of Fleet Street London 12"inch World Globe on handcrafted Wooden Three Legged Base 1923 Made 55 Fleet Street, London Beautiful desktop globe, showcas...
Category

1920s British Art Deco Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Wood, Paper

Late Midcentury Modern Realistic Weather Radio Cube
Located in Chula Vista, CA
AMBIANIC presents Weather Radio WeatheRadio Deskube TW Weather NOAA Radio 12-181B Radio Shack Tandy Very minimal and modernist with touch of 70s woodgrain ...
Category

Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Scientific Instruments

Materials

Plastic

Decorative Blue Marianne Brandt Avantgarde Bauhaus Letter Scale, 1930s, Germany
Located in Vienna, AT
An iconic light-blue sheet metal postal letter scale from the1930s in blue, designed by Marianne Brandt, executed by Ruppel Werke, Ruppelwerk in Gotha, G...
Category

1930s German Bauhaus Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal, Iron, Sheet Metal

Machine Age Art Deco Doctors or Bathroom Floor Model Scale Weigh Master by Hanso
Located in New York, NY
Great Machine Age, American Art Deco floor scale, Weigh Master by Hanson. The scale is fully functional, it shows cosmetic wear to the paint finish, and th...
Category

1930s American Art Deco Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal

Antique Eastman Kodak "No. 2 Folding Pocket Brownie" Camera c.1909
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT An original "No. 2 Folding Pocket Brownie" camera with leather wrapped body, brass and chrome accents. Autographic film window in back with iron stylus for writing notes dir...
Category

Early 20th Century Art Deco Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal, Brass, Chrome

Antique 3 Draw Telescope, English Brass, Terrestrial Instrument, Victorian, 1880
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
Perfect for bird watching, landscape appreciation, wildlife, or maritime observation. Equally suitable for observing the night sky. This is an antique 3-draw telescope. An English, ...
Category

1880s British Late Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

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

Midcentury French Anatomical Medical Teaching Display, circa 1950
Located in San Francisco, CA
About A midcentury French anatomical medical teaching device of the human body. The organs and muscles are numbered and the skull has Roman numerals. One glass eye. The piece has re...
Category

Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Scientific Instruments

Materials

Plastic, Wood

Mid-Century English Inlaid Burlwood Barometer / Thermometer
Located in Germantown, MD
Mid-Century English Inlaid Burlwood Barometer / Thermometer. Clean vintage condition. Measures 8.5" in width, 33" in height and 2.25" in depth.
Category

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

Materials

Wood

Small Antique 6 Draw Pocket Telescope, English, Travel, Baker, London, Victorian
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a small antique 6-draw pocket telescope, an English hiking or navigational instrument by Baker of London, dating to the mid Victorian period, circa 1860. Perfect for bird wa...
Category

1860s British Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

Carl Zeiss binocular Design Collection 8x56B T*P* Black Forest
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

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

Antique English Brass Cased Compass c.1900
Located in Bath, GB
A handsome cased late Victorian or Edwardian compass with hinged lid, the little button on the top used to open; just like a full hunter pocket watch. The case is made from brass wi...
Category

Early 1900s British Edwardian Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

Art Deco Kodak Compur Model Six-20 Folding Camera c.1930
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT An Art Deco Kodak Compur Model Six-20 Folding Camera with a leather wrapped body, chrome accents and flip out view finder. Black and silver Art Deco design on both sides Show...
Category

Early 20th Century Art Deco Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal, Chrome

1920s 35 Zeiss-Ikon 35 Cm Cinema Projector
Located in London, GB
A late 1920s 35 mm Zeiss-Ikon cinema projector. Lens: Neokino 52.5/110 by Emil Busch A.-G. Rathenow. Original black paint. Lamp house contain...
Category

Early 20th Century German Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass, Steel, Iron

Antique Rosewood and Mahogany Putty Knives
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT A set of antique putty knives with Rosewood, Mahogany and brass handles. CREATOR Embee, Red Devil DATE OF MANUFACTURE c.1920-1950. MATERIALS AND TECHNIQUES Steel...
Category

Early 20th Century Industrial Scientific Instruments

Materials

Steel

Cardboard round section telescope with four extensions and brass ferrules
Located in Milan, IT
Rare round cardboard scope with four extensions and brass ferrules, german manufacture from the early 19th century. Excellent state of conservation. Maximum length cm 95 - 37.4 in,...
Category

Early 19th Century Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Paper

French Brass & Polished Steel Telescope w/ Spotting Scope on Tripod Stand C 1850
By Bardou & Son
Located in Charleston, SC
French brass and polished steel telescope with removable lens cap, spotting scope, and mounted on folding tripod stand, 19th Century. Signed on focal tube by prolific telescope make...
Category

1850s French Louis Philippe Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass, Steel

Beautiful Antique Brass Scale
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Immerse yourself in the elegance and charm of yesteryear with this exquisite antique brass scale, a true testament to craftsmanship and beauty. Th...
Category

Mid-20th Century Scientific Instruments

Materials

Marble, Brass

Antique 2 Draw Telescope, English, Maritime, Day or Night, Richardson, Regency
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a large antique 2-draw telescope. An English, terrestrial or maritime ‘Day or Night’ instrument by Richardson of London, dating to the Regency period, circa 1820. Perfect fo...
Category

1820s British Regency Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

Antique French Style Chased Repoussé Gilt Telephone with Carved Jade Inset
Located in Rochester, NY
Antique French style telephone. Decorated in the Asian style. Hand chased gilt brass. Inset with carved jade moth plaque. Bakelite and brass handset. Signed. Circa 1920's. Made by Be...
Category

Early 20th Century American Scientific Instruments

Materials

Jade, Metal, Brass

"Kodak Special Model A" Sealskin Folding Camera c.1915-1920
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT The body of the Kodak Special, Model A incorporates several unusual design features. The most immediately obvious of these is the Bakelite panel on either side of the lens a...
Category

Early 20th Century Art Deco Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal, Chrome

Rare Pierre Cardin Pop Art Futuristic Ambiance Phone
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Rare and highly collectable Pop Art futuristic Ambiance phone.
Category

1980s Taiwanese Futurist Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Plastic

Mid-20th Century Dow Jones Wall Street Journal Broad Tape Ticker Tape Machine
Located in Stamford, CT
This antique Dow Jones News Wire Broad Tape Ticker Tape machine from the 1930s-1940s. With its beautifully crafted design and historical significan...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal

Curiosity Cabinet Naturalism Collection of Shell circa 1900
Located in Beuzevillette, FR
Very interesting set of shells collected by an amateur between the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century. The shells are classified by size and age either in ...
Category

Early 20th Century French Scientific Instruments

Materials

Shell

19th Century Italian Carved Louis XVI Style Giltwood Barometer
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Gorgeous late 19th century gilt wood barometer thermometer made in Italy in the Louis XVI or baroque taste. The large barometer features a large carve...
Category

19th Century Italian Louis XVI Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal, Brass

Antique Root Bowl, Wabi Sabi Style, Scandinavia 1800s
Located in Hønefoss, 30
A unique and large root bowl from Norway, Scandinavia, dated 1818. In good vintage condition showing beautiful patina from age and use.
Category

19th Century Norwegian Romantic Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Wood

Curiosity Cabinet Naturalism Collection of Shell, Circa 1900
Located in Beuzevillette, FR
Very interesting set of shells collected by an amateur between the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century. The shells are classified by size and age either in ...
Category

20th Century French Scientific Instruments

Materials

Shell

Antique The Standard Computing Scale Co Dry Goods General Store Countertop Scale
By Standard Computing Scale Co.
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique The Standard Computing Scale Co. Porcelain Enamel Dry Goods General Store Scale with Beveled Glass Mirrors. Circa Early 20th Century. Measurements: 30" H x 18" W x 20" D.
Category

Early 20th Century Unknown Art Deco Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal

Large Antique Brass Butcher’s Balance Scale with Ox Head, Circa 1890
Located in Barntrup, DE
A rare and visually commanding late 19th-century brass balance scale, attributed to J. Motk & Co., circa 1890. Likely of Portuguese or Central European origin, this exquisite scale w...
Category

Late 19th Century Portuguese Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

1950s Dutch Industrial Scientific Convex Lens Brass Stand Cast Iron Tripod Base
Located in Haarlem, NL
Scientific school or laboratory convex shaped lens on a brass stand with cast iron tripod base. The heavy convex glass lens is 7 1/2 cm (2.95") th...
Category

1950s Dutch Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal, Brass, Iron

Antique Working English Cast Iron Cheese Press Thomas Corbett of Shrewsbury 1880
Located in Portland, OR
A rare antique and all original fully functioning cast iron English cheese press, by Thomas Corbett of Shrewsbury, circa 1880. This cheese press has just ...
Category

1880s English Industrial Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Iron

Antique "No. 3 Folding Pocket Kodak, Model AB" Camera c.1900
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT The Kodak No.3 Model AB is an early model. The body of camera is all leather with a leather handle and unique leather covered lens. it folds smoothly closed to 1.75 inches. ...
Category

Early 20th Century Art Deco Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal, Chrome

Antique Technical Drawing Set, German, Architect, Cartography, Wichmann
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique technical drawing set. A German, architect's or cartographer's instrument case by Wichmann, dating to the early 20th c...
Category

Early 20th Century German Edwardian Scientific Instruments

Materials

Nickel

Intriguing Set of 4 Spanish Wooden Molds Used in Shaping Toile and Other Soft
Located in Round Top, TX
An intriguing set of 4 Spanish Wooden Molds used in shaping toile and other soft metals. A wonderful collection for any bookcase or table top. Super patin...
Category

Early 19th Century Spanish Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Wood

German Vintage Leather Tape Measure, Orange Brown 1940s, Germany
Located in Andernach, DE
Highest quality and minimalistic design tape measure in a solid leather casing. Around the late 1930s to 1940s, Germany. Sturdy seams and leather remind of Hermès and is decorative i...
Category

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

Materials

Metal

Antique Eastman Kodak 3A Folding Pocket Camera with Leather Case
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Collectible antique 1920s Kodak film camera in hard leather case. With original leather case stamped made in Belgium. Antique No. 3A Special Autographic Folding Pocket Model C Kodak with Zeiss Kodak Anastigmat Lens 6.3. The 3A Folding Pocket Kodak, Eastman Kodak...
Category

Early 20th Century American Art Deco Scientific Instruments

Materials

Aluminum

French 1940's Equestrian Brass & Mercury-in-Glass Thermometer
Located in Hanover, MA
Even Maria Pergay would have to respect the quality and artfulness of the brass-work on this wall hanging in the form of a stirrup suspended from a buckled harness made of hand rivet...
Category

1940s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

Early 20th Century Walnut Cased Barometer
Located in San Francisco, CA
Early 20th century walnut cased barometer Beautiful barometer. Dimensions 43" long x 13" wide x 5.5" at the crown x 5" at the bottom. The door on the back reveals the inner wor...
Category

Early 20th Century American Edwardian Scientific Instruments

Materials

Walnut

Small Antique English Brass Magnifying Glass c.1910
Located in Bath, GB
A lovely little magnifying glass made from solid brass with a handle; the perfect size to pop in the pocket or bag. Dating to c.1910, Edwardian in era, the magnifier works well and ...
Category

1910s British Edwardian Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

French Louis XVI Style Bronze Barometer
Located in Queens, NY
French Louis XVI-style bronze wall barometer with an urn finial top with a head above the round dial and draped with a ribbon design.
Category

20th Century French Louis XVI Scientific Instruments

Materials

Bronze

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

Greta Garbo Limited Edition Mont Blanc Ballpoint Pen with Pearl
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Greta Garbo Limited Edition Mont Blanc Ballpoint Rollerball pen with pearl. Montblanc honors Greta Garbo in the form of another mystical writing i...
Category

Late 20th Century German Art Deco Scientific Instruments

Materials

Resin

Antique maritime navy compass
Located in Banská Štiavnica, SK
Antique maritime navy compass in very nice original condition.
Category

19th Century European Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

19th Century German Miniature Pocket Terrestrial Globe
Located in Essex, MA
A miniature 19th century 3.5 inch diameter pocket terrestrial globe by C. Abel-Klinger, Nuremberg, Germany, in English for the English speaking markets. Signed with cartouche reading...
Category

1880s German Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

Engraved boxwood sun clock English manufacture mid-19th century.
Located in Milan, IT
Engraved boxwood diptych sun clock with brass hinges and locking hooks, book-shaped, mid-19th-century English manufacture. The clock has an orientation compass inserted in the base w...
Category

Mid-19th Century Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Wood

Luxury Victorian French Lorgnette Opera Glasses Marked "La Roi, Paris" Ca. 1895
Located in Incline Village, NV
Absolutely exquisite pair of operable mother of pearl high quality luxury French Opera Glasses with fancy lorgnette style handle and metal mounts. Premium mother of pearl and only th...
Category

1890s French Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Mother-of-Pearl

Signed Marquise Paris Art Deco Period French Leather & Chrome Binoculars
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A stylish pair of antique binoculars. By Marquise of Paris. With relatively low-power magnification, chromed brass, curved eye cups, and leather ...
Category

Early 20th Century French Art Deco Scientific Instruments

Materials

Chrome

Gruchon & Emons Paris 1918 magnetic compass for U.S Engineer Corps
Located in Milan, IT
Rare nautical survey magnetic compass, brass pocket, signed Gruchon & Emons Paris No. 81 1918, made for U.S Engineer Corps and in use by officers during World War I. This is a smal...
Category

1910s Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

Vintage Handmade Egg Timer Hourglass in Wooden Textile Bobbin Spool 3min Timer
Located in Bishop's Stortford, GB
Vintage Handmade Egg Timer Hourglass in Wooden Textile Bobbin Spool 3min Timer. Crafted with precision, the hourglass features fine sand that flows smoothly, symbolizing the passage ...
Category

Early 20th Century British Victorian Scientific Instruments

Materials

Glass

Antique English Folding Brass Magnifying Glass c.1910
Located in Bath, GB
A brass folding pocket magnifying glass which is made also to be added to a chain or ribbon to be worn around the neck. The lens has a good magnification and in lovey condition. D...
Category

1910s British Edwardian Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

19th c. Bock-Steger Anatomical Brain Model, Germany
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT A hand crafted and painted plaster anatomical model of the human brain. Franz Josef Steger and pathological anatomist Carl Ernst Bock collaborated a...
Category

19th Century German Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Plaster

Keuffel & Esser Co. Military Transit Surveyor Telescope
Located in Guaynabo, PR
This is a Keuffel & Effer Co. military transit surveyor. It consists of a compass and a telescope. Inside the center of the compass is hallmarked Keuffel & Esser. Also over the front...
Category

20th Century American Industrial Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal

BMT 110 mm Binoculars
By Kazan
Located in Aspen, CO
BMT-110 Soviet Marine Binocular Telescope – 20x110mm Cold War Era Optics, Circa 1950s Step into the history of Cold War surveillance and maritime observation with this rare Soviet B...
Category

20th Century European Scientific Instruments

Materials

Steel

Vintage Montblanc Meisterstuck Classique Fountain Pen with Papers & Boxes
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This fountain pen was made by the well known Montblanc factory of Germany in approximately 1990 in their classic modern style. This fountain pen is their 'Meisterstuck' model and has...
Category

Late 20th Century German Modern Scientific Instruments

Materials

Gold, Stainless Steel

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

Vintage 16 Gallon Pegasus Mobil Oil/Grease Drum Barrel
Located in Chula Vista, CA
For your consideration, a vintage 16 Gallon Pegasus MOBIL Oil/Grease Drum Barrel. Vintage unrestored condition. Dimensions: 27.63 H x 15 Diameter. Delivery within 200 miles from...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal

Early 20th Century Large Foxed Mercury Mirror Witches Hanging Ball Curio
Located in Lowestoft, GB
A larger than the normal witches mercury mirror ball, with a beautiful time worn oxidisation to the interior. Thick hand blown glass with a simple steel hanging hoop, turn off the ce...
Category

Early 20th Century English Scientific Instruments

Materials

Blown Glass

Antique 2 Draw Telescope, English, Brass, Navigational Instrument, Victorian
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique 2-draw telescope, an English terrestrial or maritime navigational instrument, dating to the late Victorian period, circa 1900. Perfect for bird watching, landscap...
Category

Early 20th Century British Late Victorian Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

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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