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Scientific Instruments For Sale
Period: Late 18th Century
Period: 1910s
18th Century English Mahogany Cased Stick Barometer by Dolland of London
By Dolland
Located in Dublin, IE
An exceptional late 18th century mahogany cased stick barometer by Dolland of London, The mahogany case of a very solid construction and with a superbly made turned mahogany cistern ...
Category
1790s English Georgian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Steel
1910s Doctors' Medical Scale Mechanical Stand Up with Weights
Located in New York, NY
1910s antique Industrial stand up doctors' scale. Features height indicator and a movable weights with great old paint. Please note, this item is located in one of our NYC locations.
Category
1910s American Industrial Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal
Engraving of an 18th-Century Measuring Device, Based on Double Reflection, C1780
Located in Langweer, NL
"Occasus Ortus"
This engraving illustrates an 18th-century measuring device.
The instrument, built after the principle of the double reflection, allowed precise observations wi...
Category
1780s Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Paper
Rare George III Celestial Pocket Globe by Cary, London
By Cary
Located in Oxfordshire, United Kingdom
A fine and rare 3" celestial pocket globe by G & W Cary, Strand, London circa 1791, housed in its original sharkskin case.
A companion globe to terrestrial globes of this type we...
Category
Late 18th Century English George III Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Plaster
Bronze Sculptural Thermometer, Long Bodied Lady, Artist Signed and Dated 1911
Located in Petaluma, CA
It wasn't easy trying to title this bronze in one sentence. The first thing about it to my eye is the wonderful whimsy displayed. The fact that it's a thermometer just adds to the jo...
Category
1910s American Art Nouveau Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Bronze
Edwardian Mahogany Barograph by Hamilton and Inches, Edinburgh
Located in Norwich, GB
Edwardian Mahogany Barograph by Hamilton and Inches, Edinburgh
Edwardian mahogany Barograph housed in a bevelled glass display case with satin...
Category
1910s English Edwardian Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Mahogany
Stick Barometer Mahogany Board Antique Weather Measuring Instrument J. Ramsden
By Jesse Ramsden
Located in Milan, IT
Stick barometer mounted on a mahogany board complete with vernier reading the variation of atmospheric pressure signed by Jesse Ramsden, end of the 18th century.
Very good condition...
Category
1780s Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Wood
Antique 18th Century French Bronze Scientific Silk-Weighing Instrument 1789-1795
Located in New Orleans, LA
Rare antique 18th century French Lyonnaise bronze scientific Instrument used for weighing Silk, in anchor form, 1789-1795. Made by "J. Berthaud et Cie...
Category
Late 18th Century French Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Bronze
Pantograph Signed Lennel, Paris, 1780
Located in Milan, IT
Brass and ebony pantograph, in its original mahogany box. Bone wheels. The instrument shows the signature of the maker Lennel à La Sphére à Paris. France, 1780.
Category
1780s British Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Late 18th Century Lacquered Brass Table Telescope
Located in New York, NY
Late 18th century lacquered brass table telescope.
Category
Late 18th Century English George III Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
18th Century French Louis XVI Giltwood Barometer
Located in Sheffield, MA
A stunningly beautiful 18th century French gold gilt barometer is a weather instrument with mercury-filled glass thermometer still in working order...
Category
1790s French Louis XVI Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Wood
English Pocket Globe, London, Circa 1775-1798
By Herman Moll
Located in Milano, IT
Pocket globe
London, between 1775 and 1798
Re-edition of the globe of Hermann Moll (1678-1732) dated 1719
The globe is contained in its original case, which itself is covered in sh...
Category
Late 18th Century English George III Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Shagreen, Paper
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
Zoological Lithograph Water Predators 1912 Cardboard by H Aschehoug & Co Norway
Located in Milan, IT
Zoological didactic plate n. 21 lithograph on cardboard made in 1912 depicting water predators. Dybdhals Zoologiske Plancher P.M.Bye & Co Oslo. Made by H Aschehoug & Co. Good conditi...
Category
1910s Norwegian Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Paper
Brass, Bardou and Son Telescope Badged James W. Queen and Co.
By Bardou & Son
Located in Baltimore, MD
Table top, brass refracting telescope on folding cabriole leg base. Objective lens is 3 possibly 3.25" diameter with additional solar viewing eyepiece, and lens cap. The telescope fu...
Category
1910s French Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Antique Hand-Crafted Solid Bronze Mortar with Pestle and Great Original Patina
Located in Lisse, NL
Decorative and tactile, late 18th century mortar set.
Mortars have been used for centuries by private people and by people in certain trades. In the kitche...
Category
Late 18th Century European Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Bronze
Zoological Lithograph of Ungulates 1912 on Cardboard by H Aschehoug & Co, Norway
Located in Milan, IT
Zoological didactic plate n. 25 lithograph on cardboard made in 1912 depicting ungulates. Dybdhals Zoologiske Plancher P.M.Bye & Co Oslo. Made by H Aschehoug & Co. Good condition. Me...
Category
1910s Norwegian Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Paper
Zoological Lithograph of molluscs 1925 on Cardboard by H Aschehoug & Co, Norway
Located in Milan, IT
Zoological didactic plate Pl 61, colored lithograph on cardboard made in 1925 depicting molluscs. Dybdhals Zoologiske Plancher Kristiania lithografiske aktielbolag. Made by H Ascheho...
Category
1910s Norwegian Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Paper
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
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
Edwardian Oak Cased Barograph by Negretti & Zambra, London
Located in Norwich, GB
Negretti & Zambra
Fine Edwardian oak cased barograph with hinged lid, bevelled glass panels and central chart drawer.
Seven vacuum ...
Category
1910s English Edwardian Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Zoological Lithograph Teeth of some Animals 1912 by H Aschehoug & Co, Norway
Located in Milan, IT
Zoological didactic plate n. 15 lithograph on cardboard made in 1912 depicting the teeth of some animals. Dybdhals Zoologiske Plancher P.M.Bye & Co Oslo. Made by H Aschehoug & Co. Go...
Category
1910s Norwegian Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Paper
Zoological Lithograph Monkeys and Insectivores 1912 by H Aschehoug & Co, Norway
Located in Milan, IT
Zoological didactic plate n. 16 lithograph on cardboard made in 1912 depicting monkeys and insectivores. Dybdhals Zoologiske Plancher P.M.Bye & Co Oslo. Made by H Aschehoug & Co. Goo...
Category
1910s Norwegian Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Paper
Antique Malloch Side Casting Fishing Reel, Scottish Salmon Fishing Reel
Located in Oxfordshire, GB
A rare sized (2.5') Malloch of Perth side casting fishing reel of fine quality and in excellent condition. The reel is all brass, with optional check, exc...
Category
1910s Scottish Sporting Art Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
French Louis XVI Carved Giltwood Mercury Barometer
Located in Norwich, GB
Louis XVI carved giltwood and painted mercury wheel barometer.
Eight inch circular painted wood register dial with central rosette within the scale calibrated from 27-28-29 and ...
Category
1780s French Louis XVI Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Giltwood
Edwardian Mahogany Cased Barograph by Negretti & Zambra, London
Located in Norwich, GB
Negretti & Zambra
Fine Edwardian mahogany cased barograph with beveled glass panels and central chart drawer.
Seven vacuum chambe...
Category
1910s English Edwardian Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Mahogany
18th Century French Louis XVI Giltwood Barometer
Located in Sheffield, MA
A stunningly beautiful 18th century French gold gilt barometer is a weather instrument with mercury-filled glass thermometer still in working order...
Category
1790s French Louis XVI Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Wood
Pair of English Globes by Cary, London, 1798 and 1800
By Cary’s
Located in Milano, IT
Pair of 12-inch table globes
John and William Cary
London, 1798 and 1800
Some restored cracks and abrasions
lb 11 each (kg 5)
The two terrestrial and celestial globes rest in their original Dutch style stands with four supporting turned wood columns.
Each one measures 18 in in height x 17 in in diameter with the diameter of the spheres measuring about 12 in; 46 cm in height x 43 cm in diameter x 31 cm diameter of the spheres.
The 12 inch measure was one of the most frequently used by British manufacturers of globes of this period.
Each globe is composed of two series of twelve printed paper gores, aligned and glued onto plaster spheres.
The brass circle of the meridian bears engravings...
Category
Late 18th Century English George III Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Wood, Paper
Important Georgian Mahogany Mercury Stick Barometer by Stott, Dumfries
Located in Norwich, GB
Fine Georgian mahogany bow fronted stick barometer. Bow fronted glass set in front of the silvered register plate with sliding vernier controlled by an ivory turned knob. Concertina ...
Category
1790s English Georgian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Mahogany
Antique Late 18th Century Hand-Forged Cheese Cutter / Knife Museum Quality 1794
Located in Lisse, NL
Possibly the oldest cheese cutter in the world.
This hand forged 18th century cheese cutter with wooden handles is in excellent condition. Because of th...
Category
Late 18th Century Dutch Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Iron
French 18th Century Gold Leaf Barometer
Located in New Orleans, LA
Made of hand-carved wood in 18th century France, this barometer is elegantly covered in a variety of carved designs, all coated in gold leaf. A handled Grecian vase sits atop the ste...
Category
Late 18th Century French Louis XVI Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Gold Leaf
18th Century French Louis XVI Giltwood Barometer
Located in Houston, TX
Lovely period French Louis XVI giltwood barometer with beautiful patina. This antique French Louis XVI gilt wood barometer will add a touc...
Category
Late 18th Century French Louis XVI Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Giltwood
Louis XVI Giltwood Barometer
Located in Kittery Point, ME
Of typical form‚ the giltwood body centered by a circular barometer dial flanked by pillars ending in flame‚ above a thermometer flanked by foliate branches‚ surmounted by swags.
Category
Late 18th Century French Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Wood
Louis XVI Gilt-Wood Barometer & Thermometer, France c. 1780
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Louis XVI Period Barometer & Thermometer Combination, originating in France & dating from the last quarter of the 18th century. The workings enclosed by a gilt-wood case with carve...
Category
1780s French Louis XVI Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Glass, Giltwood
Louis XVI Period Gilt-wood Barometer with Globe, c. 1790
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Louis XVI period Gilt-wood Barometer, with an interesting crest design of a Globe & rolled-up map, capped by a laurel wreath. The barometer & thermometer combination contained by a...
Category
1790s French Louis XVI Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Glass, Giltwood
Wall-Mounted Weather Station in Art Nouveau Style Carved Oak 1910s
Located in Verviers, BE
Wall-Mounted Weather Station in Art Nouveau Style Carved Oak 1910s Belgium
High quality mechanism with jeweled movement barometer and thermometer (in centigrade)
Unusual design wit...
Category
1910s Belgian Art Nouveau Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Oak
U.S. Army officer's pocket compass during WW1 signed WITTNAUER
Located in Milan, IT
U.S. Army officer's pocket compass during World War I made of chrome-plated brass in the shape of an onion clock, signed WITTNAUER.
The compass is equipped with a snap-lock cover wi...
Category
1910s Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Pair WW1 Binoculars - British Officer's Issue by LeMaire, Paris
Located in Bath, GB
A fabulous pair of French made World War 1 British Officers Military binoculars with both the brass on the binoculars and the leather case with the British military crows foot mark. ...
Category
1910s French Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Pair Antique French Mother of Pearl Opera Glasses circa 1910, Lorgnette Handle
Located in Bath, GB
A splendid pair of late Victorian Opera / Theatre glasses professionally re-polished to gleam, making them as good as they would have looked over 100 y...
Category
1910s French Edwardian Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Louis XVI Giltwood Barometer
Located in Essex, MA
Oval with a ribbon bow over an oval glass fronted barometer with grisaille painted panel with metal directionals. Inscribed Selon Torricelli.
Category
1790s French Louis XVI Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Giltwood
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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