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Scientific Instruments For Sale
Period: Early 20th Century
Period: Early 1900s
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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Small brass compass supplied to the US army during ww2
Located in Milan, IT
Small brass travel compass, issued to the U.S. Army during World War I, shaped like an onion pocket watch, an instrument consisting of a magnetized needle free to rotate in a horizon...
Category

1910s Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

Dental Phantom Head, Mounted on an Iron Display Stand, circa 1910
Located in London, GB
An early 20th century aluminum and bronze dental articulator or phantom head, mounted on an iron display stand, circa 1910.
Category

Early 20th Century North American Scientific Instruments

Materials

Aluminum, Bronze, Iron

Antique Emergency Survival Multi Tool Axe Hammer Hatchet
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Vintage Swordfish emergency survival tool Tomahawk Crate Hammer Hatchet Axe Use as Pry Bar Nail Puller Multi-function implement 13.25 h x 4.75 w x 1....
Category

Early 20th Century Industrial Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal

Antique 3 Draw Telescope, English, Brass, Leather, Terrestrial, Astro, Great War
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique 3-draw telescope. An English, brass terrestrial spotter's refractor in leather case, dating to the Great War period, circa 1915. Perfect for bird watching, landscape appreciation, wildlife, or maritime observation. Equally suitable for observing the night sky An attractive telescope with quality leather protective case Displays a desirable aged patina and in good order Rich tan coloured leather dresses the primary barrel and sun shade Of 3 draw type, opening with a reassured action to each tube Clear, bright objective lens with a diameter of 48mm (2") Quality, matching leather dust cup present for the objective and eyepiece The eyepiece finished with concentric ring turning Supplied with a London Fine oak and brass Captains Stand...
Category

Early 20th Century British Mid-Century Modern Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

Field Artillery Theodolite by Srb & Stys of Prague, 1930s
Located in Doylestown, PA
Field artillery theodolite by Srb & Stys of Prague, signed, 1930s. Spectacular precision optical instrument of bronze, brass and steel utilized by the Czech military for artillery s...
Category

Early 20th Century Czech Industrial Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass, Bronze, Steel

Antique Laboratory Microscope, German, Scientific Instrument, Carl Zeiss Jena
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique laboratory microscope. A German, brass and enamelled metal scientific instrument by Carl Zeiss Jena, dating to the early 20th cen...
Category

Early 20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

Eclectic Dutch Barometer With Thermometer From the Early 20th Century
Located in Opole, PL
Eclectic Dutch Barometer With Thermometer From the Early 20th Century An original barometer and thermometer set in an oak wood frame. The thermometer ...
Category

Early 20th Century Dutch Art Deco Scientific Instruments

Materials

Wood, Oak

Early Twentieth Century Boat Compass
Located in Norwell, MA
Solid brass boat compass in varnished wood box. Highly polished and lacquered finish. By M.C. & Co, Polaris. Dimension: 4"H x 6"W x 6"D Weight: 2 lbs. Made: America Material: Brass,...
Category

1920s North American Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

Antique Cased Scholar's Microscope, English, Brass Scientific Instrument, C.1920
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique cased scholar's microscope. An English, brass scientific instrument, dating to the early 20th century, circa 1920. Fascinating cased microscope with distinctive a...
Category

Early 20th Century British Mid-Century Modern Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

Antique 2 French Electro Therapy Devices "Institut Electrotherapy" Dated 1905
Located in London, GB
Of scientific interest two French Electrotherapy devices, both wih plaques to the tops stamped "Institut Electrotherapy, 27 Rue Godot de Mauroy, Paris" Complete with original instru...
Category

Early 1900s French Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Other

Monumental Floor Standing Brass Butcher Scale
Located in Cheshire, GB
A large set of floor standing brass balance scales and graduated weights with bullhead terminal above the circular column, to the platform base with fourteen graduated compartments f...
Category

Early 20th Century Spanish Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

Early 20th Century French Laboratory Scale
Located in High Point, NC
Made in early 20th Century France, this mechanical wonder was crafted with an eye for aesthetics, the richly polished wood and meticulously crafted mechanism elevate this piece with ...
Category

Early 20th Century French French Provincial Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal

Ancient anatomical model of the hand, Italy 1900.
Located in Milan, IT
Anatomical model for schools, educational use, depicting the hand swinging on a fork supported by a black lacquered wooden base. Made of plaster and finished entirely in colour. Ital...
Category

Early 20th Century Italian Scientific Instruments

Materials

Plaster, Wood

Wall-Mounted Weather Station in Art Nouveau Style Carved Oak By R. Krengel 1910s
Located in Verviers, BE
Wall-Mounted Weather Station in Art Nouveau Style Carved Oak By R. Krengel 1910s Eupen Belgium High quality mechanism with jeweled movement barometer and thermometer (in centigrade)...
Category

1910s Belgian Art Nouveau Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Oak

Antique Underwood Typewriter, C.1945
Located in San Francisco, CA
About An original Underwood typewriter with black crinkle finish. The typewriter functions properly except the space bar has ceased up and needs repair. New ribbon. The keys are bra...
Category

Early 20th Century Industrial Scientific Instruments

Materials

Steel, Nickel

Oak cased barograph and barometer
Located in Cheshire, GB
Oak-cased barograph and barometer retailed by Harrods London, having five bevelled glass panelled removable lid, and a drawer below to house the charts. The mechanical eight-day move...
Category

Early 20th Century British Scientific Instruments

Materials

Oak

Wall-Mounted Weather Station in Art Nouveau Style Carved Walnut G.Tart Belgium
Located in Verviers, BE
Wall-mounted weather station in carved walnut made in Liege Belgium by G.Tart. High quality mechanism with jeweled movement barometer and thermometer (in centigrade) Unusual design ...
Category

1910s Belgian Art Nouveau Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Walnut

Microscope cloth counting glass by Casartelli
Located in London, GB
Microscope cloth counting glass by J. Casartelli & Son of Manchester. Circa 1910. In original black leather case with satin and velvet lining. Marked: J. CASARTELLI & SON SALFORD.6...
Category

Early 20th Century English Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

19th Century Carpenters Pine Tool Chest and Tools The chest is in pine
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
19th Century Carpenters Pine Tool Chest and Tools The chest is in pine with metal banding, it is set on wheels and has layers of trays We have left the contents of the chest with i...
Category

Early 1900s Arts and Crafts Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Pine

Wall-Mounted Weather Station in Art Nouveau Style Carved Walnut 1910s
By A. de Lambert
Located in Verviers, BE
Wall-mounted weather station in carved walnut made in Belgium by A. de Lambert. High quality mechanism with jeweled movement barometer and thermometer (in centigrade) Unusual design ...
Category

1910s Belgian Art Nouveau Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Walnut

Antique Gilbert & Barker Red Self Measuring Type 208 Vintage Curbside Gas Pump
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique Gilbert & Barker Red Self Measuring Type 208 Vintage Curbside Gas Pump. Item featured weighs approx 180 lbs, remarkable red color, original lab...
Category

Early 1900s Art Deco Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal

Early 20th Century Boxed Pair of Crown Castle Quality Straight Razors Germany
Located in High Wycombe, GB
Early 20th Century Boxed Pair of Crown Castle Quality Straight Razors With Decorative Bakelite Handles Made and Ground In Germany From a Gentleman's Priv...
Category

Early 20th Century German Late Victorian Scientific Instruments

Materials

Bakelite

Early 20th Century Medical Curios Gold Teeth Dentures
Located in Lowestoft, GB
A collection of human gold teeth, with two having their original metal pegs. Most gold teeth are of a particularly high carrot, and these are heavy to hold. Tarnished and untouched,...
Category

Early 20th Century English Scientific Instruments

Materials

Gold

Kinora monochrome motion picture viewer, circa 1905.
Located in London, GB
A Kinora monochrome motion picture viewer on folding dark oak base. Circa 1905. Marked: THE KINORA REGISTERED TRADE MARK PATENTED THROUGHOUT THE WORLD ...
Category

Early 20th Century English Victorian Scientific Instruments

Materials

Optical Glass, Oak

Brass barometric altimeter signed J. Hicks Maker London from the early 1900s
Located in Milan, IT
Brass compensated barometric altimeter complete with magnifying glass signed J. Hicks Maker London from the early 1900s. Diameter cm 7 - inches 2.8, thickness cm 3.2 - inches 1.3. Bu...
Category

Early 1900s Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

Antique Seibert Witzlar Microscope, app. 1920
Located in Hoogeveen, NL
Beautiful antique microscope by German manufacturer of precision equipement Seibert Witzlar. Was made around 1920. It was the microscope brand of ch...
Category

1920s German Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal

Antique French Cast Iron Scale
Located in High Point, NC
This cast iron scale was made in France, circa 1900. A ubiquitous classic in the home or the market, scales of these dimensions were commonly used to weig...
Category

Early 1900s French French Provincial Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass, Iron

Antique 3D Anatomical Foot Model Made by SOMSO ca. 1930
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique 3D Anatomical Foot Model Made by SOMSO ca. 1930 A delicately handpainted and highly detailed anatomical foot model for class. It is made of papier ...
Category

Early 20th Century German Other Scientific Instruments

Materials

Plaster

Antique Teaching Aid - Median Incision of the Human Head by PHYWE
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Teaching Aid - Median Incision of the Human Head by PHYWE A great antique hand-painted and hand lettered anatomical model. A median incision of the head for class. It is mad...
Category

Early 20th Century German Other Scientific Instruments

Materials

Plaster, Wood

Accordion by Sabatino Nocentini & Figli Made in Florence, Italy
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Antique Italian custom made accordion by Sabatino Nocentini Castiglion & Figli. Antique pearl white accordion, Italian accordion with profuse inlay decoration, gorgeous hand made wi...
Category

Early 20th Century Italian Art Deco Scientific Instruments

Materials

Abalone, Mother-of-Pearl, Wood

Antique Kodak No. S Model E Folding Camera c.1900 (FREE SHIPPING)
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

Anatomical model: an external and inner ear, Germany early 20th century.
Located in Milan, IT
Anatomical model for class, depicting an external and inner ear, made out of painted papier plaster, mounted on a black painted plaster rectangular base. Sold from Paravia, Italy, to...
Category

Early 20th Century German Scientific Instruments

Materials

Plaster

Measuring Stand
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Measuring stand in wood France, circa 1900 Dimensions: 20W x 20D x 95H
Category

Early 1900s French Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal

Antique French Cast Iron Scale
Located in High Point, NC
This cast iron scale was made in France, circa 1900. A ubiquitous classic in the home or the market, scales of these dimensions were commonly used to weig...
Category

Early 1900s French French Provincial Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass, Iron

Art Deco Kodak Senior Six-16 Folding Camera c.1937-1939 (FREE SHIPPING)
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT An Art Deco Kodak Senior Six-16 Folding Camera with a leather wrapped body, chrome and black accents and flip out view finder. Shown with life size hand. Sold as decorative o...
Category

Early 20th Century Art Deco Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal, Chrome

An amazing antique set of 50 glass prosthetic eyes, Germany early 20th century.
Located in Milan, IT
An amazing antique set of 50 glass prosthetic eyes. Maximum quality and refined details with a great variability of models. In their original, wooden case, lined with black grained l...
Category

Early 20th Century German Scientific Instruments

Materials

Glass, Wood

Antique Teaching Aid Modell of an Ear - Somso ca. 1900
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Teaching Aid Modell of an Ear - Somso ca. 1900 A folding model of an ear. It was used as teaching material in German schools ca. 1900. It is made of wood and paper mache by ...
Category

Early 20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Scientific Instruments

Materials

Plaster, Wood, Paper

Antique "No. 1A Kodak Junior" Folding Camera c.1914-1927 (FREE SHIPPING)
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT The body of camera is leather wrapped with a leather handle and brass and chrome accents. It folds smoothly closed to 1.75 inches. Sold for decorative purposes only. May or...
Category

Early 20th Century Art Deco Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal, Brass, Chrome

Antique "No. 3 Folding Pocket Kodak, Model AB" Camera c.1900 (FREE SHIPPING)
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

Carved Wooden G.Tart Liege Antique Belgium Barometer with Thermometer, 1910s
Located in Verviers, BE
Carved wooden G Tart Liege antique Belgium Barometer with Thermometer, 1910s Unusual antique carved wooden barometer in a lovely carved case, working order. With best Wishes, Geert...
Category

1910s Belgian Art Nouveau Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Fruitwood

Art Deco Kodak Vigilante Junior Six-20 Folding Camera c.1940-1948
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT An Art Deco Kodak Vigilante Junior Six-20 Folding Camera with a leather wrapped body, chrome accents and flip out view finder. Folds neatly to 1.5 inches. Shown with life siz...
Category

Early 20th Century Art Deco Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal, Chrome

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 "No. 1A Kodak Junior" Folding Camera c.1914-1927 (FREE SHIPPING)
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT The body of camera is leather wrapped with a leather handle and brass and chrome accents. It folds smoothly closed to 1.75 inches. Solid brass "Marshall Field and Company" t...
Category

Early 20th Century Art Deco Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal, Chrome

20th Century Terrestrial Globe by Peter J. Oestergaard
By Peter J. Oestergaard
Located in Madrid, ES
Early 20th century antique traditional Columbus earth globe, brass frame, papier mâché sphere and turned, ebonized wooden base. Gezeichnet & Hergestellt Peter J. Oestergaard.
Category

Early 20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

WW1 1918 British Army Officer's Compass - Verner's Patent MK VII by French Ltd.
Located in Bath, GB
This is an excellent original example of the MK VII. It is fully functioning, has a brass case and is mounted with lanyard ring. The glass face and numbered brass outer ring are perf...
Category

1910s British Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

Antique "Le Jockey Club" 1930's Horse Racing Binoculars with Compass
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A French silvered brass and brown leather Horse Racing binoculars stamped "Le Jockey Club Paris" presented in their original brown leather case. ...
Category

Early 20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

English 1930s Philips Challenge Terrestrial Globe With Turned Walnut Base
Located in Atlanta, GA
An English Philips Challenge globe from the second quarter of the 20th century mounted on a walnut base. Journey through time with this English Philips Challenge globe from the secon...
Category

Early 20th Century English Scientific Instruments

Materials

Walnut, Paper

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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