Scientific Instruments
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Scientific Instruments For Sale
Period: 21st Century and Contemporary
Period: 20th Century
Sears Tower Constellation Portable Typewriter W/Metal Case. Circa 1960s.
Located in Miami, FL
Vintage Sears Tower Constellation Portable Typewriter W/Metal Case. Circa 1960s.
Manufactured for SEARS is the equivalent of a Smith-Corona Classic 12.
Features a stylish mid century...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal
Viennese enamel opera glasses, c. 1900.
Located in Gargrave, North Yorkshire
Viennese enamel opera glasses, c. 1900. The gilt metal opera glasses, having hand painted barrels of a couple wearing 18th Century costume, playing music in garden settings.
The hand...
Category
Early 1900s Austrian Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Enamel
English Edwardian Brass Pivoting Magnifying Glass on Stand c.1900
Located in Bath, GB
A handsome antique English magnifying glass on stand which pivots on a ball and socket fitting, moving around with ease.
Dating to c.1900, it remains in excellent condition having b...
Category
Early 1900s British Edwardian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
10 demountable geometric solids in oak height 7.9 inch 1960 Vallardi Milan
Located in Milan, IT
Box containing 10 removable geometric solids made of oak wood, maximum height 20 cm -inches 7.9, housed in their original wooden box. Made for educational purposes for schools by pub...
Category
1960s Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Wood
Globe from Dietrich Reimers. Germany 1930's
By Dietrich Reimers 1
Located in BAAMBRUGGE, NL
Globe by Dietrich Reimers berlin in the 1930's
Made of papier mache with a wooden foot.
Category
1930s German Art Deco Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Antique Half Relief Anatomical Model Head in Wax, Germany c.1910
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT
A German wax dissected model of the head, circa 1910, showing nerves, arteries, veins and muscles of the head with paper numbered labels. The case has the original marker’s la...
Category
Early 20th Century Mid-Century Modern Scientific Instruments
Materials
Wood, Glass
Maitland Smith Art Nouveau Style Large Standing Brass Nautilus Magnifying Glass
Located in Doylestown, PA
Maitland Smith Art Nouveau style large standing nautilus magnifying glass.
Lots of intricate details capture the beauty of this intriguing sea creature. It is free standing supporte...
Category
Late 20th Century Chinese Art Nouveau Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Antique Extension Ruler Wood Folding Measuring Tape
By Stanley
Located in Chula Vista, CA
AMBIANIC presents
Extension Ruler Rustic Wood Folding Tape Decorative Item
Attributed to Lufkin or Stanley
Closed .75 h x 1.75 d x 8 w, fully extended 55 fully extended
Antique vinta...
Category
Early 20th Century Industrial Scientific Instruments
Materials
Wood
Elementary playful atlas composed of a puzzle, by D. Locchi, Paravia, Italy 1920
Located in Milan, IT
Elementary playful atlas composed of a puzzle made up of eighty fruit wood cubes sandwiched in paper faces. Each of the faces of each die participates in a geographical table, or ele...
Category
Early 20th Century Italian Scientific Instruments
Materials
Fruitwood, Paper
Anatomical model: a male human body in life-size proportions, Italy 1930.
Located in Milan, IT
Anatomical model for schools, educational use, depicting the flayed male human body in life-size proportions, with removable organs, made of painted resin, all placed on a black wood...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Scientific Instruments
Materials
Resin, Wood
Vintage industrial kitchen scale with timer of Yasu Sasamoto - Dulton -
Located in Roma, IT
Simple but elegant design by Yasu Sasamoto for Dulton. A kitchen scale with a built-in timer. Tested and working (both timer and accuracy are good). This creamy white edition will be...
Category
Mid-20th Century British Industrial Scientific Instruments
Materials
Iron
Bilancia pesa persona Wunder
Located in Roma, IT
Bilancia pesa persona prodotta in Italia negli anni 70 in perfetto stato
Meccanica restaurata
Pesata 120 Kg divisioni 500g
Category
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Iron
Wall Fish Skeleton Thermometer St Labre Indian School Ashland Montana
Located in Chula Vista, CA
AMBIANIC presents
Wall Fish Thermometer St Labre Indian School Ashland Montana
Maker stamp
6.5 h x 2.5 w x .13
Original unrestored vintage untested decorative item
Refer to images.
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Scientific Instruments
Materials
Plastic
Olivetti Divisumma 18, designed by Mario Bellini, 1973
Located in Firenze, IT
The Divisumma 18 is a portable electronic calculator made by Olivetti in 1973 through which the company entered the portable electronics market.
Thanks to the design of Mario Bellin...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Plastic, Rubber
Berkel LP Scales
By Berkel 2
Located in Roma, IT
Berkel scale mod.LP from the 1960s made in the Netherlands
Category
1960s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Iron
Bilancia pesa persona da Farmacia Diara
Located in Roma, IT
Bilancia pesa persone da Farmacia prodotta in Italia negli anni 70 dalla ditta Diara di Livorno completamente restaurata
Pesata massimo 150 kg
Divisione 100 g
Meccanica
Category
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Iron
Fine Pair French Abalone & Mother of Pearl Opera Glasses
Located in Bath, GB
A stunning pair of French Opera glasses made from gilded brass, all intact and original. The glasses are clad in alternating Mother of Pearl or Nacre shell...
Category
1920s French Art Deco Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
20th Century Japanese Pair Of Naval Bridge "Big Eye" Binoculars By Nikon c.1940
By Nikon
Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
A rare set of Japanese naval bridge “big eye“ binoculars by Nikon manufactured during WWII by Tokyo Kogaku Kikai (Tokyo Optical Company). They have been expertly cleaned and hand pol...
Category
1940s Japanese Other Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal
Italian Renaissance Chrome Armillary
Located in New York, NY
Italian Renaissance-style (20th Century) chrome armillary globe with a rust patina.
Category
20th Century American Renaissance Revival Scientific Instruments
Materials
Chrome
Vintage Bausch & Lomb Brass Harbormaster 0905 Telescope on Tripod Stand
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Bausch & Lomb Brass 0905 Harbormaster 48" Telescope on Tripod Stand. Circa Mid to Late 20th Century. Measurements: 60" H x 48" W x 3...
Category
Mid-20th Century Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
1920s 35 Zeiss-Ikon 35 Cm Cinema Projector
By Zeiss Ikon
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
Wall-Mounted Weather Station in Art Nouveau Style Carved Oak By Grand Bazar
Located in Verviers, BE
Wall-Mounted Weather Station in Art Nouveau Style Carved Oak By Grand Bazar 1910s Liege Belgium
High quality mechanism with jeweled movement barometer and thermometer (in centigrade...
Category
1910s Belgian Art Nouveau Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Oak
Gold Ceramic Thermometer by Mithé Espelte
By Mithé Espelt
Located in Saint-Ouen, IDF
Beautiful wall thermometer in ceramic by Mithé Espelt. Abstract decors with gold glaze and pockets of molten glass
Marie Thérèse Espelt, aka. Mithé Espelt (1923-2020)
Born in...
Category
1960s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Ceramic
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
Struttura molecolare del cloruro di sodio ad uso didattico Cecoslovacchia 1950
Located in Milan, IT
Struttura molecolare del cloruro di sodio (NaCl) ad uso didattico in metallo satinato e verniciato giallo, sfere in bachelite verniciate verde e grigio.
Manifattura cecoslovacca de...
Category
1950s Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal
Vintage Polaroid SX-70 Tan Land Camera by Henry Dreyfuss
Located in Wallkill, NY
A very nice Polaroid SX - 70 camera, developed by Edwin Land and Richard Wareham, designed by Henry Dreyfuss Associates. This was state of the art and re...
Category
1970s American Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Stainless Steel
Brass Framed Monumental Sized Magnifying Glass with Natural Horn Handle
Located in Savannah, GA
This monumental sized horn handled magnifying glass with brass framework and stem, is of heavy weight and fine quality. The horn is quite substantial and supports this very large gla...
Category
Early 1900s German Black Forest Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Antique Weber Costello 12 Inch Globe - Rare Tall Base
Located in Peekskill, NY
I checked the globe and its signed Weber London but could not find a date of printing. This is an 12 inch desk globe is a bit different because of the extra tall decorative stand. I ...
Category
Early 20th Century English Industrial Scientific Instruments
Materials
Bronze
20th Century Soviet Cold War Anti Aircraft Binoculars c.1950
Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
An impressive set of highly polished Cold War-era anti-aircraft binoculars from the former USSR, crafted in the 20th Century. Accompanied by a sleek and adjustable metal tripod, thes...
Category
1950s Russian Other Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal
Vintage German Barometer Wrapped in Leather, Adnet Style
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Vintage leather and brass hanging German Barometer.
Polished brass German barometer with readings in English.
Wrapped in a leather black strap with ha...
Category
Mid-20th Century German Bauhaus Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Berkel Scales
By Berkel 2
Located in Roma, IT
Libra from Holland in good condition all original no parts missing or repaired
Category
Mid-20th Century Dutch Mid-Century Modern Scientific Instruments
Materials
Iron
Terrestrial globe, Italy 1940.
Located in Milan, IT
Terrestrial globe, physical and political, in paper mache on a round metal base. Cartographic design G. Pugno, lithographic typography C. Brandoni. Italian globe laboratory, Turin, I...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal
Large 1920's Globe on Wood Base
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Large Vintage Globe on Wood Base, circa 1920's
Decorate an office or a desk with this beautifully preserved antique globe. Crafted in Europe, circa 1920's this piece is mounted on a...
Category
1920s European Biedermeier Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Campbell–Stokes sunshine recorder by Casella & Co of London
By Casella
Located in London, GB
A mid twentieth century Campbell–Stokes sunshine recorder, by Casella & Co, London.
Pattern: Mk III C 45- 65 (latitudes 45° – 65°, North or South). 4 inch glass sphere.
Serial numb...
Category
Mid-20th Century English Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass, Bronze
Seldom Seen Authentic Exploding Skull, Medical, After Claude Beauchêne
By Claude Beauchene
Located in Buffalo, NY
Authentic Exploding Skull
Originally created by Edmé François Chauvot de Beauchêne (ca.1780-1830), a French anatomist and
surgeon, developed this disarticulation method to comprehensively show all the
cranial bones and their connections.
The exploded skull...
Category
Early 20th Century French Industrial Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal
Chrome-plated brass and leather telescope signed W. OTTWAY from the first war 1915
Located in Milan, IT
Chrome-plated brass and leather telescope signed W. OTTWAY & Co Ltd Ealing London A49 in use by British Army officers during World War I.
Single-length focus, focal diameter cm 3...
Category
1910s Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Brass Lorgnettes 'Long-Handled Opera Glasses' Mid-Century Italian Design 1930s
Located in Palermo, IT
A splendid pair of 'lorgnettes' (long-handled opera, or theatre, glasses). Lorgnettes, eye glasses held in place by long handles rather than resting on the bridge of one's nose, were...
Category
1930s Italian Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Refinished Gerstner & Sons Machinist's Toolbox
Located in New York, NY
Gerstner & Sons is a renowned American company with a long history of manufacturing high-quality tool chests and wooden cases. The company was founded in 1906 by Harry Gerstner in Da...
Category
20th Century American Industrial Scientific Instruments
Materials
Felt, Faux Leather, Oak
Italian Artist's Mannequin from the 19th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
This elegant Italian artist's mannequin from approximately 1900 is a beautiful representation of craftsmanship from the 19th century. Crafted from solid fruitwood, it stands as a tes...
Category
Early 1900s Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Fruitwood
1970's Vintage Olivetti Lettera 35 Typewriter
By Olivetti
Located in San Carlos, CA
Beautiful vintage 1970's Olivetti Lettera 35 typewriter, made in Italy. This typewriter comes with a very cool vintage Olivetti shoulder bag.
This typewriter is in very good cosmeti...
Category
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal
Italian Artist's Mannequin from the 19th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
This elegant Italian artist's mannequin from approximately 1900 is a beautiful representation of craftsmanship from the 19th century. Crafted from solid fruitwood, it stands as a tes...
Category
Early 1900s Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Fruitwood
Italian Artist's Mannequin from the 19th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
This elegant Italian artist's mannequin from approximately 1900 is a beautiful representation of craftsmanship from the 19th century. Crafted from solid fruitwood, it stands as a tes...
Category
Early 1900s Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Fruitwood
Weather Station in Art Nouveau Style Carved Walnut C. Engel & Cie Verviers
Located in Verviers, BE
Wall-mounted weather station in carved walnut made in Verviers Belgium by C. Engel & Cie Opticiens Verviers
High quality mechanism with jeweled movement barometer and thermometer (in...
Category
1910s Belgian Art Nouveau Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Walnut
Solid Brass Ships Telephone On Pedesta
Located in Norwell, MA
Highly polished brass ships telephone on pedestal. Meticulously polished andl lacquered head by Hose-McCann Telephone Co, Inc., Brooklyn New York. Type A, model WTP, with phone insid...
Category
1920s North American Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Vintage Specimen Collector's Chest of Drawers, French, Walnut Desk Box, Art Deco
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a vintage specimen collector's chest of drawers. A French, solid walnut four drawer executive desk box, dating to the Art Deco period, circa 1930.
Exceptional figuring and f...
Category
Early 20th Century French Art Deco Scientific Instruments
Materials
Walnut
Didactic atomic structure of zinc-iron sulfide Czech production 1950s
Located in Milan, IT
Atomic structure for educational use of zinc-iron sulfide, made of metal with Bakelite spheres painted gray and yellow.
It is an inorganic compound found naturally in wurtzite, a mi...
Category
1950s Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal
Large Antique Double Barel Victorian Brass Tripod Telescope London 1915
Located in Sofia, BG
20th Century large antique double barel Victorian brass telescope raised on a foldable wooden tripod made in London in 1915.
Very good original condition.
Category
Early 20th Century English Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Didactic atomic structure of graphite made Czech manufacture circa 1950s
Located in Milan, IT
Atomic structure for educational use of graphite made metal with black Bakelite spheres. Czechoslovakian manufacture of the 1950s.
Good condition, Measures 28x28x20 cm - inches 11...
Category
1950s Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal
Brass and Bakelite telescopic acoustic cornet England early 1900s
Located in Milan, IT
Telescopic acoustic cornet made of brass and Bakelite , English manufacture of the early 1900s.
The principle of its operation is based on the reflection of sound on the inner walls,...
Category
Early 1900s Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
20th Century Edwardian Solid Silver Map Reading Tool, London, c.1908
Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Antique early-20th Century Edwardian very rare solid silver map reading tool, with a magnifying glass, compass and distance measure, one side in English the other in Russian, present...
Category
20th Century British Edwardian Scientific Instruments
Materials
Silver
21th Century Solid Silver Ruler By Richard O.A Jarvis, England, c.2003
Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
An early 21st century novelty "Premier Rule" measuring ruler with all the British Prime Ministers listed from Sir Robert Walpole 1721 up until Tony Blair 1997. It is made of solid silver, featuring centimeter and inch measuring markers. Presented in a beautiful original box. Hallmarked English Silver (925 standard), London, year 2003 (d), Maker Richard O.A. Jarvis (Richard Jarvis...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary British Scientific Instruments
Materials
Silver
Large Estate Solid Iron Mortar And Pestle, Circa 1930's-1940's.
Located in New Orleans, LA
Large Estate Solid Iron Mortar And Pestle, Circa 1930's-1940's. Very heavy and substantial piece.
Mortar
H = 10.25 inches
Dia = 6.5 inches
Pestle
H = 10.25 inches
Dia = 2 inches
Category
Early 20th Century American Scientific Instruments
Materials
Iron
Early 19th Century Negretti and Zambra Bakelite Weather Forecaster
Located in Norwich, GB
19th century Negretti and Zambra Bakelite Weather Forecaster.
Housed in a black metal case with a cream coloured bakelite front plate.
The dial with barometer scale, hand turned indicator and a secondary dial operated by the side lever to set the wind direction...
Category
1910s English Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Bakelite
20th Century Central European Glass Beaker Stand
Located in High Point, NC
An intriguing and unique accent, this vintage lab-ware stand holds various vintage technical glasswares. Industrial, utilitarian, and scientific, yet also playful and curious, this v...
Category
20th Century European Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal
1900s European Glass Beaker Stand
Located in High Point, NC
An intriguing and unique accent, this vintage lab-ware stand holds various vintage technical glassware. Industrial, utilitarian, and scientific, yet also playful and curious, this vi...
Category
20th Century European Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal
20th Century Czech Set of 3 Wooden Decoration
Located in High Point, NC
This striking set of three wooden decorations from the 20th century is a fine example of Czech craftsmanship. Each piece, unique in height, features a minimalist design that showcase...
Category
20th Century Czech Scientific Instruments
Materials
Wood
20th Century Central European Glass Beaker Stand
Located in High Point, NC
An intriguing and unique accent, this vintage lab-ware stand holds various vintage technical glasswares. Industrial, utilitarian, and scientific, yet also playful and curious, this v...
Category
20th Century European Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal
Oak barometer
Located in Cheshire, GB
Carved oak barometer, the shaped carved oak frame with rectangular thermometer above the silvered dial inscribed J. Durkin, Middlesbrough, encased in copper frame.
Dimensions
Height ...
Category
Early 20th Century British Scientific Instruments
Materials
Oak
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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Patent Model Antique
Antique Leather Machine
Antique Thermometer Signs
Compass In A Box
Folding Camera
Mid Century Barometer
Telescope London
Victorian Barometers
Wooden Instrument Case