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Scientific Instruments For Sale
Period: 20th Century
Period: 1910s
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
By Montblanc
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
Signed Marquise Paris Art Deco Period French Leather & Chrome Binoculars
By Hermès, Louis Vuitton
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
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
$580 Sale Price
20% Off
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
$35,000
Vintage Montblanc Meisterstuck Classique Fountain Pen with Papers & Boxes
By Montblanc
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 Mother of Pearl Opera Glasses
Located in Tampa, FL
A glam throwback to evenings at the theatre—these vintage opera glasses by TASCO are as chic as they are collectible. Likely dating to the 1970s, this pair features a luminous mother...
Category
1980s Japanese Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Male anatomical model in painted stuccoed fiber. First half of the 20th century.
Located in Leuven , BE
Male anatomical model in painted stuccoed fiber. First half of the 20th century. Beautiful patina. Height: 30 cm.
Category
Early 20th Century French Scientific Instruments
Materials
Natural Fiber, Parchment Paper
Midcentury Seeburg Styled Wall Mount Jukebox Diner or Soda Shop Tune Selector
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This early wall-mounted coin operated jukebox tune selector is completely unmarked, but being attributed to the Seeburg Corporation of the United States in circa 1955 in the period M...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal, Aluminum
Victorian Lightening Rod
Located in San Diego, CA
A very nice Victorian lightning rod made of a wrought iron tripod base and a slender copper rod pole with original glass ball, circa 1920s. The piece is in good vintage condition wit...
Category
Early 20th Century American Scientific Instruments
Materials
Copper
$380 Sale Price
20% Off
Austrian Bronze Mortar and Pestle, Original Patina, Pharmacy or Herbalist
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Offered is a beautiful antique solid brass mortar and pestle set. The mortar has a cylindrical shape with a flared mouth and two angular handles at the sides. The baton-shaped pestle...
Category
1920s Austrian Hollywood Regency Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal, Brass
Antique Drawing Instrument Set in Rosewood Box 1900
Located in Meer, VAN
Antique Drawing Instrument Set in Rosewood Box, France, 1900.
A wonderful set of drawing instruments / calipers / compasses to draw and dr...
Category
Early 20th Century French Arts and Crafts Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal
French Wooden and Iron Cheese Press, circa 1900
Located in Atlanta, GA
Having a double trestle base and a threaded press, the surface with a raised edge and a drain spout.
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Scientific Instruments
Early 20th Century Wooden Prosthetic Articulated Arm and Hand
Located in Buenos Aires, Olivos
This is a very early and prosthetic arm. Looks like it has been made in England, but i´m not sure.
The wooden carved hand is jointed, realistic and ve...
Category
Early 20th Century English Art Nouveau Scientific Instruments
Materials
Bronze, Iron
1900s Brass Bakelite Magnetic Topographer Compass Surveyor Measurement Instrumen
Located in Milan, IT
Magnetic topographer compass from the early 1900s, brass and bakelite base; instrument consisting of a magnetized needle free to rotate on a horizontal plane, marking with its tip th...
Category
Early 1900s European Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Curiosity Cabinet Collection of Shells, 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
Large Arts & Crafts Hand-Carved Nutwood Barometer with Thermometer, Early 1900s
Located in Lisse, NL
This rare and decorative early 20th-century Arts & Crafts wall barometer and thermometer is a striking testament to Dutch craftsmanship. Hand-carved from a single solid piece of rich...
Category
Early 20th Century European Arts and Crafts Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal, Brass
Mid Century West German Made Weather Station by Relative Hygrometer
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Mid-Century "Sputnik" table barometer weather station made in West Germany by Relative Hygrometer. This desktop space-age Sputnik-style weather station Features an acrylic ball housi...
Category
1960s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass, Steel
$211 Sale Price
35% Off
Set of Two Rustic Wooden Spools of Thread, circa 1930
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Rustic wooden spools of thread, by unknown manufacturer from Spain, circa 1930.
In original condition, with minor wear consistent with age and use, pre...
Category
1930s Spanish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Wood
$427 Sale Price / set
35% Off
Antique Pair of Cased Binoculars, English, Brass, Optical Instrument, Victorian
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique pair of cased binoculars. An English, enamel brass optical instrument, dating to the Victorian period, circa 1900.
Appealing weathering and presented in an attrac...
Category
Early 20th Century British Late Victorian Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Vintage Panasonic Toot-a-Loop-Radio, 1970s
Located in Roma, IT
Vintage Panasonic toot-a-loop-radio is an original decorative object realized in the 1970s by Panasonic R-72 (R72) and built by Matsushita Electric Industrial Co
This radio is the...
Category
1970s Japanese Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Plastic
$200 Sale Price
40% Off
Vintage Underwood Champion Portable Typewriter c.1946
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT
A vintage portable Underwood Champion Four bank typewriter in grey finish and original case. This typewriter is very clean and in good working order. It has smooth typing and ...
Category
Early 20th Century Industrial Scientific Instruments
Materials
Steel
$260 Sale Price
20% Off
Brass Pivoting Bullseye Magnifying Glass / Lens on Stand c.1915
Located in Bath, GB
A handsome antique English magnifying glass / bullseye lens on stand which pivots on a ball and socket fitting, moving around with ease.
Dating to c.1915, it remains in excellent co...
Category
1910s British Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
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
1930s Educational Model Depicting the Belly of the Woman Immediately After Birth
Located in Milan, IT
Educational model depicting the belly of the woman immediately after birth with a part of the placenta. 1930's, sold by the Hygiene Museum in Dresden...
Category
1930s Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Plaster
Mid-Century Modern Coral Pink Crosley Model T-60 AM Tube Table Radio
By Crosley Radio
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This Mid-Century Modern working tube radio was made by Crosley in Toronto Canada in approximately 1965 in the period stream-lined style. The radio is done with a molded coral pink pl...
Category
Mid-20th Century North American Mid-Century Modern Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal
Baume Mercier 18 Karat Yellow Gold Ladies Wristwatch & Bracelet & Original Box
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This antique ladies wristwatch was made by the well known Baume et Mercier of Switzerland in approximately 1920 in their period style. The wa...
Category
Early 20th Century Swiss Art Deco Scientific Instruments
Materials
Gold
Mid-Century Modern Universal Model CE-616 Turquoise AM Band Portable Radio & Box
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This radio was made by Universal of Canada and dates to approximately 1965 and done in the period Mid-Century Modern style. This radio is a six transistor AM band portable radio done with a turquoise plastic molded...
Category
Mid-20th Century Canadian Mid-Century Modern Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal
Glass scientific instrument: Crookes maltese cross tube, Italy 1900.
Located in Milan, IT
Blown glass scientific instrument. An example of the Crookes tube with Maltese Cross, in chromed metal, a precursor to the cathode ray tube. It was used t...
Category
Early 20th Century Italian Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal
Italian Radiophonograph RR126 and Record Player by Castiglioni, Brionvega 1960s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian Radiophonograph RR126 and Record Player by Castiglioni Brothers for Brionvega, 1960s.
RR126 radio phonograph and turntable with a rectangular wooden base with dark brown prof...
Category
1960s Italian Modern Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal
Antique Pocket Poco by the Rochester Optical Co. Folding Camera c.1903
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT
The original Pocket Poco was manufactured by the Rochester Optical Co. from approximately 1893 to 1905. Designed as a small compact camera, the camera took 3 1/4 x 4 1/4 (qu...
Category
Early 20th Century American Victorian Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass, Nickel
Semi-Automatic Large Bakelite Grocery Scale, Czech Republic, 1930s
Located in Żory, PL
Old shop scale from the 1930s/1940s, manufactured in the Czech Republic by Zbrojovka Brno. Semi-automatic scale, with internal weights. The scale is set with stylish metal buttons. Adjustable legs and built-in spirit level. Original tray made of thick white glass. The scale has been cleaned and is in very nice vintage condition. In working condition, but not entirely precisely (+/- 100 grams), it probably requires minor adjustment. A beautiful and original item for the grocery store...
Category
Early 20th Century Industrial Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal
Large Mid-Century Italian Giorgio Armani Eye Glasses Factice Shop Display Piece
Located in Nuernberg, DE
This is a rare and unique item! The Armani Eyeglasses Factic for display in a shop comes with its original cardboard packaging and is made of metal a...
Category
1980s Italian Modern Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal
1960s Industrial Medical Cabinet
Located in Norwalk, CT
This is a great medical cabinet from the 1960s, ready to keep all your goodies safe this is a great 1960s accent item that is sure to be a one of a kind addition to your decor!
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal
$1,550 Sale Price
20% Off
Brass compass with mother of pearl dial from WW1 period , English circa 1914
Located in Central England, GB
This superb example of an early 20th century heavy folding brass compass is of a design and type often issued to officers in the First World War.
This fine example is not marked for...
Category
Early 20th Century British Other Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Antique Noon Day Gun Cannon Sundial by Abercrombie & Fitch
Located in Sandwich, MA
Rare noon day gun cannon sundial by Abercrombie & Fitch circa 1910. Unique garden instrument which fires a small signal charge when the magnifying glass...
Category
Early 20th Century Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal, Brass
Unusual Mesmerizing Hand Built Hypnotic Wheel, by Melvin Powers, 1951
By Marilyn Powers
Located in Buffalo, NY
Melvin Powers is considered the king of hypnosis in this country. His first self published book entitled hypnotism revealed is still in print and first published in 1949, He self pub...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal
Early 20th Century Pair of Mirror Witches Balls on Bronze Stands
Located in Lowestoft, GB
A matching pair of early 20th century mirrored witches balls, with pressed steel galleries and hanging hoops. They have later been associated to a pair of extremely well cast and he...
Category
Early 20th Century English Scientific Instruments
Materials
Bronze
Antique Kodak No. S Model E Folding Camera c.1900
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT
The body is wrapped in leather with red bellows. Chrome, brass and leather accents on the lens. The camera may or may not work but is sold as a decorative object.
Shown with ...
Category
Early 20th Century Industrial Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal, Brass, Chrome
Antique Colmont French FT Binoculars Leather Paris
By Lawrence and Mayo
Located in Chula Vista, CA
AMBIANIC presents
Vintage Colmont FT Paris binoculars
Colmont a French optical company known for producing high-quality binoculars
leather-covered body
maker stamp present
7.75 x 5 ...
Category
Early 20th Century French Victorian Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal
Antique 3 Draw Telescope, English, Leather, Broadhurst Clarkson & Co, Edwardian
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique 3-draw telescope. An English, leather and brass terrestrial refractor by Broadhurst, Clarkson & Co, dating to the Edwardian period, circa 1910.
Perfect for bird ...
Category
Early 20th Century British Edwardian Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Rare Antique Agfa Ansco Readyset Traveler Folding Camera c.1930
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT
An antique Readyset Traveler folding camera. The body of camera is covered in a luggage canvas with a a pop out view finder and it folds smoothly closed to 1.5 inches. This ...
Category
Early 20th Century Industrial Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal, Brass, Chrome
Blown glass scientific instrument, Italy 1900.
Located in Milan, IT
Blown glass scientific instrument to evaluate the expansion of the liquids with the warmth. Italy circa 1900.
Category
Early 20th Century Italian Scientific Instruments
Materials
Glass
Set of Vintage Mortise Gauges, Four, Rosewood, Brass, Carpenter's Tools
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a set of vintage mortise gauges. 4 English, rosewood and brass carpenter's tools, dating to the mid-20th century, circa 1950.
Fascinating midc...
Category
Mid-20th Century European Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Pair of Antique Opera Glasses, English, Leather, Brass, Binoculars, Ross London
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a pair of antique opera glasses. An English, leather and brass binocular by Ross of London, dating to the early 20th century, circa 1920....
Category
1920s British Edwardian Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Antique J.C Ulmer Co. Survey Transit & Compass In Original Mahogany Box
Located in New York, NY
Brass and steel survey transit and compass in the original mahogany box. Made by J.C Ulmer Co. Good condition with appropriate wear from age. One availa...
Category
Early 20th Century American Industrial Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass, Steel
Vintage 1950s Hermes Rocket Typewriter
Located in Queens, NY
Vintage 1950s Hermes Rocket portable beige plastic typewriter with white square plastic keys and original matching beige plastic carry case
Category
20th Century Unknown Mid-Century Modern Scientific Instruments
Materials
Plastic
Antique Terrestrial Globe Published in 1940s by Girard Barrère et Thomas, Paris
Located in Milan, IT
Terrestrial globe published in the 1940s by Girard Barrère et Thomas 17, Rue de Buci Paris. Turned wooden base, papier mâché sphere covered with paper printed by engraving on copper ...
Category
1940s French Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Wood, Paper
French Cast Iron and Wood Coffee Grinder with Crank and Drawer, Dated 1901
Located in Dallas, TX
Crafted in France in the early 20th century and dated 1901, this large-scale cast iron coffee grinder combines functional design with rustic charm. The piece features a deep cast iro...
Category
Early 20th Century French Country Scientific Instruments
Materials
Iron
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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Apothecary Balance
Binoculars Midcentury
Brass Butcher Scale
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Brass Transit
Broadhurst Clarkson