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Scientific Instruments For Sale
Vintage Wooden Mortar and Pestle, Italy
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Wooden footed mortar and pestle hand turned and carved from one piece of dense fruitwood.
Handcrafted by artisan in Italy, vintage Mid-Century Modern hand turned wood Mortar and Pestle...
Category
Early 20th Century Italian Organic Modern Scientific Instruments
Materials
Wood, Fruitwood
Large Antique Victorian Quality Rosewood Banjo Barometer
Located in Suffolk, GB
Large antique Victorian quality rosewood banjo barometer having a quality rosewood banjo shaped case with carved scroll decoration with a thermometer and 10 inch circular silvered di...
Category
19th Century English Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Other
Vintage Woman Figurine Lady Sewing Tailor Tape Measure
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Very charming small figurine of a lady that functions as a tape measure. This vintage piece was commonly found on a sewing table and has both centimeters as well as inch measurements...
Category
Early 20th Century German Folk Art Scientific Instruments
Materials
Plastic
Early 20th century French Wood and Brass Balance Scale, 1900s
Located in LEGNY, FR
Very nice wooden trade Balance with two removable brass trays, Glass window and bronze inner mechanism. The piece is solidly built and works properly.
Stamp of the French manufacture...
Category
Early 20th Century French Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Vintage Brewer's Thermometer, Dairy, Scientific Instrument, Zeal of London, 1960
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a vintage brewer's thermometer. An English, cased brew or dairy scientific instrument by GH Zeal of London, dating to the mid-20th century, circa 1960.
Fascinating sheathed thermometer
Displays a desirable aged patina
Wooden case with beveled CAP in dark caramel hues
Long glass...
Category
Mid-20th Century English Scientific Instruments
Materials
Glass
Antique Optometrist's Set, English, Optical Instrument Case, Victorian, C.1900
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique optometrist's set. An English, mahogany optical instrument case, dating to the late Victorian period, circa 1900.
Offering su...
Category
Late 19th Century British Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Wood
Brass and Iron "KEKUATAN" Hanging Beam Scale
Located in London, GB
A brass and iron beam scale, marked with KEKUATAN 110 kg. along with various proof and numeral markings.
Indonesian, KEKUATAN meaning strength.
The m...
Category
Mid-20th Century Asian Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass, Iron
1963s Italy Vallardi Box With 6 Wooden Geometric Solids Scientific Instrument
Located in Milan, IT
Box containing 6 dismounplate geometric solids of oak wood, height 20 cm, in their original wooden box complete with illustrative leaflet for calculating surfaces and volumes. Made for educational purposes for schools by Antonio Vallardi publisher in 1963. Box cm 24 x 40 H 12 cm.
The origins of the publisher Vallardi date back to 1750 when founder Francesco Cesare (1736-1799) acquired a small craft in the heart of old Milan. In the early nineteenth century, the publishing house was noted for the production of works of art, geography and science, including a "Tour of Italy" which took twenty-two printings between 1819 and 1835. The complete works of various maps and directions for travel, including timetables and fares for transportation of the time, can be considered the first modern tourist guide. The firm "Vallardi" was born in 1843 and the company became industrial, with the opening of branches on national...
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Oak
Boxwood Tailor's and Dressmaker's Square by John T Johnson of Birmingham
Located in London, GB
A boxwood 24 x 18 inch tailor's and dressmaker's square, by John T Johnson of Birmingham, circa 1900.
Marked: JOHN T. JOHNSON - UNION PASSAGE. BIRMm.
Category
Late 19th Century English Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Boxwood
Mushroom Botanical Scientific Specimen Model Europe, 1950s or older
Located in Nuernberg, DE
This rare vintage model of a botanical scientific specimen depicts a mushroom native to Central Europe. This kind of items are used as teaching material in German schools or as showp...
Category
20th Century Czech Folk Art Scientific Instruments
Materials
Wood, Paper
Mushroom Botanical Scientific Specimen Model Europe, 1950s or older
Located in Nuernberg, DE
This rare vintage model of a botanical scientific specimen depicts a mushroom native to Central Europe. This kind of items are used as teaching material in German schools or as showp...
Category
20th Century Czech Folk Art Scientific Instruments
Materials
Wood, Paper
Mushroom Botanical Scientific Specimen Model Europe, 1950s or older
Located in Nuernberg, DE
This rare vintage model of a botanical scientific specimen depicts a mushroom native to Central Europe. This kind of items are used as teaching material in German schools or as showp...
Category
20th Century Czech Folk Art Scientific Instruments
Materials
Wood, Paper
Antique Pestle & Mortar Set, English, Brass, Chemist Shop Instrument, Victorian
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique pestle and mortar set. An English, brass chemist shop instrument, dating to the early Victorian period, circa 1850.
Dashing Victori...
Category
Mid-19th Century British Early Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Vintage Goodell-Pratt Brass and Wood Level c.1940
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT
A vintage level with two bubbles, large brass label and brass accents.
CREATOR Goodell-Pratt Company, Mass.
DATE OF MANUFACTURE c.1930-1940.
MATERIALS AND TECHN...
Category
Early 20th Century Industrial Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
20th Century English Theodolite by W.F. Stanley London in Original Wooden Box
By W. F. Stanley
Located in Sofia, BG
20th century English surveyor's theodolite or transit instrument of brass by W.F. Stanley (Optical, Philosophical & Mathematical Instrument Manufacturer, London), circa 1930, in orig...
Category
Early 20th Century English Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
1850 Old French Map Depicting the Entire Earth's Surface Divided into Two Parts
Located in Milan, IT
Geographical map depicting the entire earth's surface divided into two parts that correspond to the two hemispheres divided into small climatic zones that depict the climatic trend f...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Glass, Wood, Paper
Rare Charles and Ray Eames Sphere's "Mathematica world of numbers" 1961 Exhibit
Located in Buffalo, NY
Super rare. The spheres in this image are components of one of the exhibits... originally aquired from an IBM employee.
Mathematica: A World of Numbers…and Beyond, is the title of...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Stone
Bussola magnetica da topografo da viaggio in legno di rovere e ottone metà '800
Located in Milan, IT
Bussola magnetica da topografo e da viaggio, in legno di rovere e ottone; strumento costituito da un ago calamitato libero di ruotare su un piano orizzontale segnando con la punta de...
Category
Mid-19th Century Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Wood
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
Large Antique French Neoclassical Brass Scale
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Large Antique French Neoclassical Brass Scale, by Berenger & Co, Lyon
France, Circa 1870
A stunning Large Antique French Neoclassical Brass Scale, crafted by the renowned Berenger & Co of Lyon during the mid to late 19th Century. This remarkable brass shop keepers, assay or pharmacist scale...
Category
Late 19th Century French Neoclassical Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
1950s Vintage Vornado Gray Electric Window Wall Fan
By Vornado
Located in Chula Vista, CA
1950s Vintage Wall Unit Vornado Industrial Gray Electric Window Fan
18 h 37 w (open) 25.5 w closed x 9.5 d
Preowned unrestored vintage condition.
Missing circle with label in center
...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal
A Large Antique Root Bowl, "Trøys", Scandinavia 1800s
Located in Hønefoss, 30
A unique and large root bowl from Norway, Scandinavia.
In Norwegian called "Trøys"
A trøys is a vessel used for transporting liquid. It is usually shaped like a bowl with a spout o...
Category
19th Century Norwegian Romantic Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Wood
Napoleon III Gilt Bronze & Boulle Barometer & Thermometer Gervais Durand
Located in Miami, FL
Exquisite Pair of fine Antique Gilt Bronze Mounted Tortoiseshell Inlaid Ebonized Boulle Marquetry Instruments by Gervais-Maximilien-Eugene Durand. Originals featuring exquisite bronz...
Category
19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Bronze, Brass
19th c. Varville & Son Plow Plane c.1870-1900
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT
Solid wood carpenter's wood plane with steel and bronze accents. Stamped on both sides.
CREATOR Varville & Son, York, UK.
DATE OF MANUFACTURE c.1870-1900.
MATE...
Category
19th Century Industrial Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Bronze, Steel
Surveyor's Poles/Logging Measuring Stick c.1940
Located in San Francisco, CA
About
Two remaining. The 168" and 144" have sold.
Original surveyor's pole and one logging measuring stick. The other wider all wood yellow surveyor pole is fixed. The logging meas...
Category
Early 20th Century American Industrial Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Antique Pair of 19th Century Brass Scales
Located in Suffolk, GB
Pair of antique brass scales standing on a mahogany base. A brass centre column having a shaped arm to the left holding a removable brass bowl. Th...
Category
19th Century English 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
Rare Microscope "Neopan" by Carl Aubock 1963, Reichert Vienna
Located in Vienna, AT
A very rare award-winning microscope, model Neopan, designed in 1963 by the Viennese architect and designer Carl Aubock. Executed by Reichert Austria. In good condition, fully workin...
Category
1960s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal
French Bronze Mortar, Early 17th Century
Located in Spencertown, NY
The mortar with fleurs de lys decoration.
Category
Early 17th Century French Baroque Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Bronze
Mushroom Botanical Scientific Specimen Model Europe, 1950s or older
Located in Nuernberg, DE
This rare vintage model of a botanical scientific specimen depicts a mushroom native to Central Europe. This kind of items are used as teaching material in German schools or as showp...
Category
20th Century Czech Folk Art Scientific Instruments
Materials
Wood, Paper
Late Medieval Marble Apothecary Mortar
Located in Pease pottage, West Sussex
Marble apothecary mortar. with four lugs having being worked into horses heads. Most likely for private apothecary use Excellent patination. Marble C...
Category
15th Century and Earlier Italian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Marble
Charpentier French Victorian Brass Scale
By P. Charpentier a Paris 1
Located in Queens, NY
French Victorian brass scale with 2 round trays on square wooden base (signed CHARPENTIER with hallmark)
Category
19th Century French French Provincial Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Grande Bilancia Italiana Inizio 1800 in Legno Scolpito e Ferro a Due Piatti
Located in Milano, MI
Alta quasi 51 inches, questa grande bilancia italiana da terra del XIX secolo è realizzata con un capitello corinzio intagliato a motivi folgiati, scolpito con foglie di acanto e la...
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Louis XV Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Iron, Metal
Antique Dazey Commercial Industrial Churn or Mixer with Toleware Decoration USA
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This antique commercial churn or mixer was made by the Dazey Manufacturing Company of St. Louis in approximately 1920 in a period Art Deco style. The frame and gear mechanism of the ...
Category
Early 20th Century American Art Deco Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal
Vintage, Commercial Grade Tri Pod by Samson
Located in New York, NY
High quality vintage camera trim pod by Samson. The trim pod is adjustable in various ways, including height ( 42- 73.5 in ) in addition the camera platform tilts and can be related ...
Category
Late 20th Century American Industrial Scientific Instruments
Materials
Aluminum, Steel
Antique Cased Optometrist's Set, English, Optical Instrument, Boxed, Victorian
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique cased optometrist's set. An English, mahogany optical instrument box, dating to the late Victorian period, circa 1900.
Fine display ...
Category
Late 19th Century British Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Wood
The Astronomer Unique Historical Folk Art Painting Signed 1918
Located in South Burlington, VT
Unique Historical Work of Art Dated 1918 "L' Astronome (The Astronomer) by Fedinant Roybet.
This is an original and one-of-a-kind artistic presentation- a superb pyrography incis...
Category
Early 20th Century French Scientific Instruments
Materials
Wood
Early 20th Century Anatomical Plaster Medical Torso Figure
Located in London, GB
Early 20th century anatomical plaster medical torso figure
This early 20th century life size anatomical medical torso would have originally been used as...
Category
1950s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Plaster
Antique Spectacle Lenses Eye Glass Optometrist tool set
Located in Norwalk, CT
Salmon Bros London, A beautiful cased instrument for measuring the sight to determine the need for glasses.
Category
Early 20th Century English Scientific Instruments
Materials
Glass
Italian-transalpine time dial paper on wood board. Giusti, Nerici, Italy 1781.
Located in Milan, IT
An Italian and transalpine hour dial in paper printed on a fruitwood board. The base, in turned boxwood, has a wavy profile and distinct edge, at the top of which is mounted the rect...
Category
1780s Italian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
1940s Chiropractor Bench
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Great 1940s chiropractor bench; chrome and green vinyl with a Lucite handle.
Category
1940s Unknown Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Chrome
Vintage Teaching Aid Modell of An Ear - Somso ca. 1960
By Somso
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Vintage Teaching Aid Modell of An Ear - Somso ca. 1960
A folding model of an ear. Used as teaching material in German schools ca. 1960. Made of wood and plastic by Somso, Germany.
...
Category
Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Scientific Instruments
Materials
Plaster, Wood, Paper
19th Carpentry Molding Plane with Steel Blade
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT
Antique wooden carpentry plane with steel blade used to make trim and moldings. Stamped "E. Avery' on the side. Shown with life size hand mold for scale.
CREATOR Unknown...
Category
19th Century Industrial Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Walnut
Japanese Blacksmith Tongs and Woodcarver Brace Drill, Early 20th Century
Located in Miami, FL
REDUCED FROM $225....Antique Japanese Tools, a Blacksmith Tong Pincer and Woodcarver Brace Drill, both early 20th century. Most likely late Meij...
Category
Early 20th Century Japanese Japonisme Scientific Instruments
Materials
Iron
Vintage Trade Scale Wood and Metal, France, circa 1940
Located in Labrit, Landes
This trade scale was made in the 1940's in France.
It was used to weigh food.
Oak
Shipping:
L50 P57 H28 18,1Kg.
Category
1940s French Napoleon III Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Oak
Antique Print of a Scientific Instrument, 1769
Located in Langweer, NL
Antique print titled 'A curious Instrument which shews the Hour of the Day (..)'. Print of a scientific instrument. This print originates from 'The Gentleman's Magazine'.
Artists a...
Category
18th Century Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Paper
Fassamano French Tortoise antique Eyeglasses second half 19th Century
Located in Milan, IT
Fassamano (from the French face-a-main) eyeglasses with handle that turns into a case shaped like the lenses; dark tortoise eyeglasses, oval lenses...
Category
1860s French Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Bakelite
Sketch of a hind Korea 1970s Acrylic on Paper for an Animals Encyclopedia
Located in Milan, IT
Acrylic colors on paper depicting a hind; it is a preparatory sketch commissioned for an animals encyclopedia for children, created and signed by a Korean artist in the 1970s. Very g...
Category
1970s Korean Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Paper
Silvered Fire Suit
Located in Peekskill, NY
I'm guessing that this industrial safety garment dates to the mid 20th century. We had a custom made museum quality display stand created for this item and it just comes alive. This ...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Industrial Scientific Instruments
Materials
Canvas
WW1 brass pocket military sextant made by Ryland & Sons, London circa 1915
Located in Central England, GB
This rare precision instrument is a fine solid brass pocket sextant made for the military by the high-quality instrument makers Ryland & Son Ltd of London. It dates to the early 20th...
Category
Early 20th Century British Edwardian Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Antique Pluviometer, English, Udometer, Ombrometer, Rain Recorder, Victorian
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique pluviometer. An English, copper udometer, ombrometer or rain recorder, dating to the early Victorian period, circa 1850.
Fasc...
Category
Mid-19th Century British Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Copper
Bronze and Marble Sculpture With Bust Desk Thermometer
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Charming Art Nouveau bronzed bust of a woman sitting atop a black marble base. This desk sculpture also functions as a thermometer.
Category
Early 20th Century French Art Nouveau Scientific Instruments
Materials
Belgian Black Marble, Bronze
English Brass Scale with Deep Weighing Pan from the 20th Century
Located in Atlanta, GA
An English brass weighing scale from the 20th century, stated to weigh up to 28lbs. This 20th-century English brass weighing scale is a striking example of both functionality and vin...
Category
20th Century English Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
19th c. Carpenter's Molding Wood Plane
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT
Antique wooden carpentry plane used to make trim and moldings.Shown with life size hand mold for scale.
CREATOR Unknown.
DATE OF MANUFACTURE c.1850-1920.
MATERI...
Category
19th Century Industrial Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Walnut
Antique Original Engraving of Seasons by Le Bas, C.1780
Located in Langweer, NL
Antique astronomy print titled 'L'inégalité des Saisons et des Jours'. Interesting print explaining why there is an inequality in the length of days and seasons. Source unknown, to b...
Category
18th Century Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Paper
Late 19th c. Optometrist Eye Testing Kit c.1890
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT
An original Victorian optometrist eye testing kit. The interior of the kit is lined in velvet with the name and number of the lenses. The optical testing lenses are wrapped in...
Category
19th Century American Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Silver
Antique Mahogany Buck Saw c.1910-1930
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT
A Mahogany buck saw with steel tension rod and blade.
CREATOR Unknown.
DATE OF MANUFACTURE c.1910-1930.
MATERIALS AND TECHNIQUES Steel, Mahogany.
CONDITION ...
Category
Early 20th Century Rustic Scientific Instruments
Materials
Steel
Early 20th Century Belgian Black Board, Chalkboard
Located in Udenhout, NL
Early 20th Century Belgian Black Board, Chalkboard, in a good state.
Category
1940s Belgian Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Slate
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.