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Scientific Instruments For Sale
Period: 19th Century
Period: 18th Century and Earlier
Sailing ship's pulley fiddle block
Located in London, GB
An early 19th century Naval oak fiddle pulley block, with two wood sheaves.
Marked with Roman Numerals: XXVIIII
In sailing, a block is a single or multiple pulley. One or a number ...
Category
Early 19th Century English Industrial Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Oak
Early 19th Century Medical Science Surgical Specimen
Located in London, GB
Early 19th Century Medical Science Surgical Human Skull Specimen
An example of a 19th Century medical science surgical human skull specimen. This specimen is of the top section onl...
Category
1850s Unknown Edwardian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Natural Fiber
c.1800 Portable English Orrery by W. Robinson
Located in Greenlawn, NY
c.1800 Portable English Orrery by W. Robinson
The circular base is covered with a brightly decorated polychrome paper that shows the astrological houses, the months, visual displays...
Category
Early 1800s English Other Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
19th Century Medical Specimen
Located in London, GB
A 19th Century medical specimen, with articulated jaw and removable mandible and cranium cap. This example is of an old, aged female specimen as witho...
Category
1860s Unknown Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Natural Fiber
Antique French Lorgnette Binoculars or Opera Glasses in Brass & Mother of Pearl
By LeRoy
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This pair of antique lorgnette opera glasses were made by LeRoy of France in approximately 1880 in the period Victorian style. These bi...
Category
Late 19th Century French Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Early 19th c.Medical Teaching Device- Shadowboxed Wax Fetus Models c.1800-1850
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT
Two early 19th century British wax models of a fetuses with attached placenta. Used as a medical teaching device. Numbered and attached to a velvet background. In a sealed woo...
Category
Early 19th Century Mid-Century Modern Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Wood, Velvet
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 ful...
Category
Late 19th Century Swedish Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Glass
Mortaio in bronzo, Veneto, XVI° secolo
Located in Brescia, IT
Mortaio in bronzo fuso a cera persa con corpo delineato da un gran numero di cornici parallele e susseguenti che ne delimitano la circonferenza; e ornato con motivi vegetali di deriv...
Category
16th Century Italian Renaissance Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Bronze
19th Century Brass and Wooden Jewelry Scale
Located in High Point, NC
Loyally underhand for quickly weighing out gemstones and precious medals, this trustworthy sidekick was once the prized tool for the detailed work of the jeweler. Made in France in t...
Category
19th Century French French Provincial Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Small Antique Pharmacist's Measuring Cup, English, Glass, Apothecary, Victorian
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a small antique pharmacist's measuring cup. An English, glass and leather apothecary measure, dating to the late Victorian period, circa 190...
Category
Late 19th Century British Late Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Glass
Mortar with pestle. Bronze. Spanish school, 17th century.
Located in Madrid, ES
Mortar with pestle. Bronze. Spanish school, 17th century.
Bronze mortar with a convex mouth, a raised base facing outwards and a cylindrical body decorated on the outside with relie...
Category
17th Century Spanish Baroque Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Bronze
French 18th Century Louis XVI Gilt Barometer
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A 18th Century Louis XVI French gold-gilt barometer circa 1780. This early instrument of meteorology was used to measure atmospheric pressure and air temperature. The barometer is adorned with hand carved details; a large bow, flowers, a flaming heart, laurel leaves and scrolls. The dial face is hand-painted and has been repaired over time. The barometer is no longer in working order and is now purely decorative. Be sure to view the detailed images to see this interesting antique up...
Category
18th Century French Louis XVI Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal, Gold Leaf
Antique 1897 Wooden Eastman Kodak Bulls Eye Camera Tripod
Located in San Carlos, CA
Fantastic antique wooden Bulls-Eye tripod made by Eastman Kodak in Rochester, New York.
With over 100+ years of life, this tripod is in surprisingly good ...
Category
1890s American Industrial Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Wood
Oversize steelbridge scale for butcher's use, Kingdom of Sardinia 1800.
Located in Milan, IT
Figurative brass Butcher’s weighbridge. Weighs up to 44 pounds. Complete of main “ Romano” principal weight and additionals “Romanos” for detailed weight. Pedimont and Sardinia King...
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Antique Victorian Art Nouveau Cast Brass Wall Hanging Alcohol Thermometer 8.5"
Located in Dayton, OH
Late 19th century Victorian brass wall hanging thermometer. Simple art nouveau styling with scallops and flowers. Indicates temperatures up to 120 degrees Fahrenheit and 50 degrees C...
Category
Late 19th Century Art Nouveau Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Transparent blown glass laboratory retort from the early 19th century.
Located in Milan, IT
An early 19th-century transparent blown glass laboratory retort used for distillation, it has an ovoid body and long downward-bent neck that gradually narrows toward the mouth.
Very...
Category
1820s Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Glass
Luxury Victorian French Lorgnette Opera Glasses Marked "Iris, Paris", circa 1885
By Iris, Paris
Located in Incline Village, NV
Absolutely exquisite pair of operable mother of pearl high quality luxury, top of the line, French Lorgnette Opera Glasses; with fancy mother o...
Category
1880s French Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Mother-of-Pearl
18th Century French Louis XVI Carved Giltwood Wall Barometer & Thermometer
Located in Dallas, TX
Decorate a wall with this elegant, antique barometer with attached thermometer. Crafted in Paris, France, circa 1760 and hexagonal in shape, the scientific instrument features its or...
Category
Late 18th Century French Louis XVI Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Glass, Giltwood, Parchment Paper
Antique Scholar's Microscope, English, Brass, Scientific Instrument, Victorian
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique scholar's microscope. An English, brass and enamelled metal scientific instrument by Henry Crouch, dating to the late Victorian period, circa 1900.
Appealing micr...
Category
Late 19th Century British Late Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
A pair of celestial and terrestrial globes, E.Pini, Gussoni & Dotti, Italy 1892.
Located in Milan, IT
Pair of Italian globes. On an ebonized wooden base, worked on the lathe, with a circular foot and perfect patina, are placed: a celestial globe of 9,2 inches, compiled by the enginee...
Category
1890s Italian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Wood
French Metamorphic Opera Glasses, 18K Gold
Located in New Orleans, LA
These unique 18K metamorphic gold French opera glasses are the epitome of both elegance and luxury. Exquisitely engraved with delicate floral motifs, these glasses fold up perfectly ...
Category
19th Century French Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Gold
Transparent blown glass laboratory retort from the early 19th century.
Located in Milan, IT
Transparent blown glass laboratory retort from the early 19th century, used for distillation, has a spherical body and long neck in the center.
Very Good Condition. Measures length ...
Category
1820s Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Glass
Laboratory Trebuchet Balance By Maison Mabille In Paris.
Located in BARSAC, FR
Pharmacy/laboratory trebuchet scale in its all-sided glass case, a vertical sliding door on the front, a storage drawer at the bottom.
Complete with its original accessories, functi...
Category
Late 19th Century French Art Nouveau Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Glass, Wood
Terrestrial globe apres Mr. Rizzi Zannoni, Paris 1762.
Located in Milan, IT
Designed to be hanged to the ceiling, terrestrial globe, made out of paper machè and wood, brass hook. It is reported in the cartouche of the globe: globe terrestre d’après Mr. Rizz...
Category
Mid-18th Century French Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
A rare celestial globe edited by J. Wyld, Charing Cross East London 1860.
Located in Milan, IT
Celestial globe over a wheel turned wooden base, with round foot, moved profile and tall leg, with a perfect patina, is placed this celestial globe, edited by J. Wyld, Charing Cross ...
Category
Mid-19th Century English Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Copper
Grande Bilancia Italiana in Ferro su Capitello Scolpito 1800 a Due Piatti
Located in Milan, IT
Alta quasi 51 inches, questa grande bilancia italiana del XIX secolo è realizzata con un capitello corinzio intagliato a motivi folgiati, scolpito con foglie di acanto e laccato, u...
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Louis XV Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Iron, Metal
Transparent blown glass laboratory retort from the early 19th century.
Located in Milan, IT
An early 19th-century transparent blown glass laboratory retort used for distillation, it has a pyriform body and long neck bent downward that gradually narrows toward the mouth.
Bo...
Category
1820s Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Glass
Rare 12 inches terrestrial globe signed Cary, London United Kingdom 1800.
Located in Milan, IT
Large 12" terrestrial globe made by the famous Cary brothers, made with a wooden frame, refined plaster polished to perfection, and colored paper gores. The globe is supported by a f...
Category
Early 19th Century English Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Late 19th Century Charles X Eglomise Barometer
Located in Charlottesville, VA
This is a pretty French barometer with pretty decoration. Made in the Late 19th Century.
Category
19th Century French Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Antique 2 Draw Telescope, English, Chromed Brass, Terrestrial, Astro, Victorian
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique 2 draw telescope. An English, chromed brass terrestrial or astronomical refractor, dating to the late Victorian period, circa 1900.
Perfect for bird watching, landscape appreciation, wildlife, or maritime observation. Equally suitable for observing the night sky. Supplied with a London Fine oak and brass 'Captain's Stand' for display.
Of generous proportion when fully drawn, and neatly stowed in its own case
Displaying a desirable aged patina, some light marks commensurate with use
Leather covered primary barrel tanned in dark green with some light colour wear
Polished draw tubes show bright silvered tones, lightly marked from gentle use
Presenting a clear optical performance, with a 34mm (1.25") primary objective lens
Lift-off dust cap to the objective, the flared eye cup...
Category
Late 19th Century British Late Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Storta da laboratorio in vetro soffiato trasparente dei primi del XIX sec.
Located in Milan, IT
Storta da laboratorio in vetro soffiato trasparente dei primi del XIX sec., utilizzata per la distillazione, presenta corpo ovoidale e lungo collo piegato verso il basso che si restr...
Category
1820s Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Glass
Antique American "Bausch & Lomb" Compound Monocular Microscope, Circa 1890-1910.
Located in New Orleans, LA
Antique American "Bausch & Lomb" Microscope in Compound Monocular Design, Circa 1890-1910.
Rochester, NY
Category
Late 19th Century American Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Antique Cased Microscope, English, Scientific Instrument, J Swift, Victorian
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique cased microscope. An English, enamelled metal and brass scientific instrument by J. Swift & Son of London, dating to the late Victorian period, circa 1900.
Presen...
Category
Late 19th Century British Late Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
A Rare 2 Day Marine Chronometer By George Hedger
Located in Lincolnshire, GB
A fine example of a 2 day chronometer in the original 3 tier mahogany and brass bound case by William Hedger, the movement with the unusual layout is almost like an 8 day example mad...
Category
Mid-19th Century English Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Antique English Victorian Brass Postal Scale, Circa 1880-1890.
Located in New Orleans, LA
Antique English Victorian Brass Postal Scale, Circa 1880-1890.
Category
Late 19th Century English Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
1800s Veterinarians Horse Gag and Cutaway Skull
Located in Peekskill, NY
This is an early medical school demonstration model. The horse skull on its own very interesting. It shows a professionally done cutaway of the skull showing the teeth below the gum ...
Category
Late 19th Century American Industrial Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Bone
Anatomical model for class: a heart, France 1890.
Located in Milan, IT
Anatomical model for class, depicting an animal’s heart, made out of painted papier mache. Ebonized wooden base, square shape. France circa 1890.
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Wood
Antique Cylinder Sundial Late 19th Century
Located in Firenze, IT
Shipping policy No additional costs will be added to this order. Shipping costs will be totally covered by the seller (customs duties included).
A boxwood cylinder sundial, also kn...
Category
Late 19th Century British Late Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Wood, Paper
Antique English Victorian Brass Postal Scale, Circa 1870-1880.
Located in New Orleans, LA
Handsome Antique English Victorian Brass Postal Scale, Circa 1870-1880.
Category
Late 19th Century English Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
19th C. Diminutive Plaster Phrenology Head, Atribb. A.L. Vago London, C.1870
By Vago
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
19th C. Diminutive Plaster Phrenology Head, Attributed to A.L. Vago London. C 1870
This diminutive plaster Phrenology head, attributed to A.L. Vago London circa 1870, stands as a f...
Category
19th Century English High Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Plaster
Late 19th C Gemstone Mineral & Semi Precious Stone Specimens Display Case Curio
Located in Lowestoft, GB
Just the most wonderful collection of mineral specimens, housed in there original birds eye maple case.
Each specimen is encased in a hand blown glass convex vial, along with a corr...
Category
Late 19th Century English Late Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Natural Fiber, Birdseye Maple, Pine
Antique Schaeffer & Budenberg Stationary Steam Engine Model w Copper Boiler
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique 19th century Schaeffer & Budenberg stationary steam engine model. Made of cast iron featuring copper boiler
The Budenberg Gauge Company was founded in 1918. The original pa...
Category
Late 19th Century Industrial Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal, Copper
Antique English Postal Scale Brass Oak Circa 1880-1890
Located in New Orleans, LA
Antique English Postal Scale Brass Oak Circa 1880-1890
Category
Late 19th Century English Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
English or French Antique Brass Surveyor's Transit Theodolite, last quarter 19th
Located in Atlanta, GA
From Wikipedia:
“A THEODOLITE is a precision optical instrument for measuring angles between designated visible points in the horizontal and vertical planes. The traditional use has been for land...
Category
1880s English Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
French 19th Century Iron & Brass Tabletop Scale
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A smart French metal hanging balance scale from the 1900’s. Two straight stirrups hang from the arms with round brass dishes that hold the weighted item in one, and counterweights in...
Category
19th Century French Other Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass, Iron
Antique English Victorian Brass Letter Scale & Weights, Circa 1880-1890.
Located in New Orleans, LA
Antique English Victorian Brass Letter Scale with Weights, Circa 1880-1890.
Category
Late 19th Century English Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Antique English Mahogany Cased Compass by Stanley, London
By Stanley & Co., London 1
Located in Bath, GB
A very handsome Victorian military explorer's compass dating to around 1840 / 1860 set in a hinged mahogany block measuring 2" square.
The compass has a shapely blued-steel needle (...
Category
1850s British Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Wood
Metallic Polyhedron From The 19th Century – Hexaoctahedron With 48 Faces
Located in Madrid, ES
Behold a masterpiece from the 19th century—a remarkable representation of an irregular polyhedron with 48 faces, specifically a hexaoctahedron, featuring 12 vertices. This exquisite ...
Category
19th Century Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal
Late 19th C Gregory Bottley Scientific Collection of Mineral Fossils Shell
Located in Lowestoft, GB
A good collection of Gregory Bottley mineral, fossils and shell all contained in there original teak trays and card board sleeves.
Each specimen has its original hand written and nu...
Category
Late 19th Century English Late Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Natural Fiber, Hardwood
19th C Scientific James DeVille L N Fowler Phrenology Plaster Bust Head Curio
By L. N. Fowler
Located in Lowestoft, GB
A larger than the normal plaster cast phrenology head, with its original painted finish and paper labels.
The original makers label is partially missing leaving it a bit of a myster...
Category
Mid-19th Century English Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Plaster
Anatomical Model an External and Inner Ear, France 1890
Located in Milan, IT
Anatomical model for class, depicting an external and inner ear, made out of painted papier mache’ mounted on black painted wood. France circa 1890.
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Plaster, Fruitwood
A Fine 19th Century Noon Day Cannon
Located in Pease pottage, West Sussex
A Fine 19th Century Meridian or Noon Cannon, Large Marble Base into which is carved a sundial with a bronze Gnomen, also engraved is the operational latitude 48 50 13'. Mounted cann...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Marble, Brass
Antique English Brass Cased Floating Card Explorers Pocket Compass c.1890
Located in Bath, GB
A very attractive Victorian explorers compass dating to around 1890.
The floating card dial pivots on a bearing and is housed under a glass crystal which is clean and free from any ...
Category
1890s British Late Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
SECOND HALF OF THE 19th CENTURY NAPOLEON III'S BAROMETER
Located in Firenze, FI
This beautiful wall barometer with room thermometer is a highly valuable craftsmanship, attributable to French manufacture and dating back to the period of Napoleon III (approximatel...
Category
1860s French Napoleon III Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Bronze
Antique Trade Scale Brass and Painted Cast Iron, France, circa 1880
Located in Labrit, Landes
This trade scale was made in the late 19th century in France. It was a scale used by traders for retail.
Brass and painted cast-iron
Patina and signs of use which make this antique o...
Category
Late 19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass, Iron
Oak cased weather station
Located in Cheshire, GB
Oak-cased Weather station by James Brown Glasgow. with silvered dials comprising a clock set with Roman numerals and subsidiary seconds dial, barometer, and central barograph over th...
Category
Late 19th Century British Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Oak
Large Studio Portrait Camera
Located in Peekskill, NY
Cameras are not my expertise but we could not pass up on this beauty. The camera is signed ANSCO and the large lens reads DARLO OPTICIEN, PARIS 35436. I'm told that this lens is the most valuable...
Category
Early 19th Century Industrial Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Wood
Dutch Opera glasses by J.M.Schmidt, Amsterdam, ca 1890
Located in Delft, NL
Dutch Opera glasses by J.M.Schmidt, Amsterdam, ca 1890
Mother of pearl Opera glasses with brass adjustable in degrees and length for visibility. The name and address of the optician...
Category
Late 19th Century Antique 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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