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Scientific Instruments For Sale
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
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
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
Three-Dimensional Anatomical Midcentury Wall Plaster Sculpture, Germany, 1950s
Located in Reggio Emilia, IT
Midcentury three-dimensional anatomical plaster painting representing human respiratory system, provenance Hygiene Museum Dresden with museum sticker ...
Category
1950s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Plaster, Wood
Rare Antique 19th C Reuben Sutcliffe English Nickel Plated Hanging Balance Scale
Located in Dayton, OH
Monumental 19th century English general store balance by Reuben Sutcliffe of Manchester. Made from Iron with a rich nickel plated finish. The company traded on Thomas Street, Manches...
Category
Late 19th Century Industrial Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Iron, Nickel
Antique Print of Two Balances for Weighing Fire and Air, c.1780
Located in Langweer, NL
Antique print titled 'Balance for weighing air - Balance for weighing fire'. Copper engraving of two balances. Source unknown, to be determined.
Artists and Engravers: Anonymous
...
Category
18th Century Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Paper
Antique Anatomical Model of the Human Ear Painted Plaster by Somso 1950s
By Somso
Located in Milan, IT
Didactic model of the human ear, painted plaster, made in 1950s by Somso, a German company active since the second half of the nineteenth century, known as an excellence in the devel...
Category
1950s German Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Plaster
1930s Italian antique Sketch of a Campaign to Fight Tuberculosis
Located in Milan, IT
Sketch of a futurist poster, 1930’s, campaign against tuberculosis with united strength 10 cents for poor sicks with tuberculosis, for the national campaign to inform people about th...
Category
1930s Italian Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Paper
Vintage Industrial Foundry Wooden Block Mold Architectural Valcor Engine - Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Industrial Foundry Large Wooden Block Mold Architectural Salvage from Valcor Engine Corp - a Pair. Approx 30 lbs each. Great to use as unique decorative objects or convert fo...
Category
Mid-20th Century Unknown Industrial Scientific Instruments
Materials
Wood
Antique Teaching Model Longitudinal Profile of the Grain
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Teaching Model Longitudinal Profile of the Grain
A great antique hand-painted model of the grain with removable germ. Made of papier ma...
Category
Early 20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Scientific Instruments
Materials
Plaster, Wood, Paper
Dr Forbes Specifications Bath Thermometer
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Dr Forbes Specifications Bath Thermometer
A great piece, the thermometer has a beech Case so that it can be floated to show the numerical temperature and also the recommended from
...
Category
Early 1900s Edwardian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Beech
Brass Boat Compass in Varnished Wood Box
Located in Norwell, MA
Classic early twentieth century boat compass by American Maker. The gimballed compass has been meticulously polished and lacquered. This classic marine instrument is fitted to its or...
Category
1940s Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Wall-Mounted Large Weather Station in Art Nouveau Style Carved Walnut Belgium
Located in Verviers, BE
Wall-mounted weather station in carved walnut made in Spa Belgium by Valentine Engel
High quality mechanism with Jeweled movement barometer and thermometer (in centigrade)
Unusual de...
Category
1910s Belgian Art Nouveau Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Walnut
System walking stick with grain measuring the function, France 1820.
Located in Milan, IT
System walking stick: stick with grain measuring function. Oak wood barrel, graduated on the outside with brass nails. Iron knob, brass ferrule. By unscrewing the knob, a graduated i...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass, Iron
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
Old Blue Scale Gwarancja Olsztyn, Europe, 1970s
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
A fantastic antique weighing scale with nicely aged blue paint. Made by Gwarancja Factory in Olsztyn, Poland in the late 20th century. It presents...
Category
1970s Polish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal, Iron
Antique Print of a New Water Exhausting Machine, 1758
Located in Langweer, NL
Antique print titled 'A New Machine for exhausting a large quantity of water'. Print of a new water exhausting machine. This print originates from 'The Universal Magazine...
Category
1750s Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Paper
Terrestrial globe published by Ernst Schotte & co, Germany 1890.
Located in Milan, IT
Terrestrial globe in watercolored paper, fixed with an inclined axis through a small brass arm, mounted on a black turned fruit wood base. Published by Ernst Schotte & Co. Berlin, Ge...
Category
Late 19th Century German Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Rare Print of a Nilometer, a Structure Used to Calculate Taxes in Egypt, 1802
Located in Langweer, NL
How high is the water, mama?
Johny Cash was asking his mother, when it is was '6 feet high and rising'. In Egypt it would probably mean that taxes that year would be low.
In Egypt it all depended on the behavior of the Nile and a Priest, who would monitor the so-called Nilometer.
A nilometer was a structure for measuring the Nile River's clarity and water level during the annual flood season. If the water level was low, there would be less food. If it was too high, it would be destructive. There was a specific mark that indicated how high the flood should be if the fields were to get good soil. Their predictions would determine how much money...
Category
Early 1800s Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Paper
Antique Botanical Plate Boehmeria tenacissima Bohemian Manufacture of the 1930s
Located in Milan, IT
Colored lithograph applied on light cardboard depicting botanical study with various sections of Boehmeria tenacissima Roxb and of Corchorus capsularis L. Bohemian manufacture of the...
Category
1930s Czech Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Paper
Sketch of a tiger Korea 1970s Acrylic on Paper for an Animals Encyclopedia
Located in Milan, IT
Acrylic colors on paper depicting a tiger; it is a preparatory sketch commissioned for an animals encyclopedia for children, created and signed by a Korean artist in the 1970s. Very ...
Category
1970s Korean Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Paper
US Navy Mark 74 Aiming Telescope
Located in Norwell, MA
1943 United States Navy Telescope. Used primarily as part of the Mark 16 Aiming System on 50 caliber anti-aircraft gun mounts. Fitted with three sun filters...
Category
1940s North American Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Antique European Enameled Postal Scale with Brass
Located in Miami, FL
Antique European Enameled Postal Scale with Brass, this desk top pendulum scale is a quirky and fun addition to your collection of antique scales. Bought from a collector, it’s made ...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal, Brass, Enamel
U.S. Naval Gun Factory Stadimeter
Located in Norwell, MA
Stadimeter dated 1919 from the U.S. Naval Gun Factory W. N.Y.. Mark IV No 253. Supt. A.L.W. inspector H.F. as engraved on plate. A label inside the lid of the varnished box has full ...
Category
1910s North American Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal
French 19th Century Freestanding Brass Tea Scale Mounted on Wooden Base
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French brass freestanding tea scale from the 19th century mounted on a wooden base. Born in France during the politically dynamic 19th century, this tea scale features a central sh...
Category
19th Century French Antique 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 Scientific Instruments
Materials
Shell
Set of Three Victorian Set Squares, C. 1880
Located in High Point, NC
This is a set of three antique shipwright's set squares. The squares are made from oak and have brass caps. They are right-angled tools, dating to the Victorian period, circa 1880. ...
Category
19th Century English Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
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
Antique Bearing, Graphite, English, Cast Iron, Ornament, Paperweight, Victorian
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique engine bearing with graphite finish. An English, cast iron and bronze desk ornament or paperweight, and dating to the Victorian perio...
Category
Late 19th Century English Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Iron
Mahogany cased Barograph
Located in Cheshire, GB
Kelvin Bottomley mahogany-cased Barograph, having five bevelled glazed removable lid, and a drawer below to house the charts. The mechanical eight-day movement is housed in the drum,...
Category
Early 20th Century British Scientific Instruments
Materials
Wood
Lapis Lazuli Table Clock and Barometer
By Fabergé
Located in London, GB
The body of this fine table clock and barometer is veneered in lapis lazuli and supported by a hinged arm to the reverse. The clock and barometer d...
Category
Early 20th Century Russian Belle Époque Scientific Instruments
Materials
Lapis Lazuli
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 of Worm Organs 1925 Cardboard by H Aschehoug & Co Norway
Located in Milan, IT
Zoological didactic plate n. 59 lithograph on cardboard made in 1925 depicting enlargements of worm organs. Dybdhals Zoologiske Plancher P.M.Bye & Co Oslo. Made by H Aschehoug & Co. ...
Category
1920s Norwegian Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Paper
Sketch of two gibbons Korea 1970s Acrylic on Paper for an Animals Encyclopedia
Located in Milan, IT
Acrylic colors on paper depicting two gibbons; it is a preparatory sketch commissioned for an animals encyclopedia for children, created and signed by a Korean artist in the 1970s. V...
Category
1970s Korean Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Paper
American Country Brass Coffee Grinder
Located in Queens, NY
American Country-style (19th Century) brass coffee grinder with etched floral design.
Category
19th Century American Country Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Trio Of Antique Mortars, English, Bronze, Apothecary Pot, William III, C.1700
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a trio of antique mortars. An English, bronze apothecary instrument, dating to the William III period, circa 1700.
Charming trio, ideal for decorative display or as planting...
Category
Early 18th Century British William and Mary Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Bronze
Solid Boxwood Extra Long Plow Plane c.1850
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT
Solid boxwood carpenter's wood plane with steel and bronze accents. Stamped "Krautz" on both sides.
CREATOR Possibly Casey Kitchel & Company.
DATE OF MANUFACTURE c....
Category
19th Century Industrial Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Bronze, Steel
Exclusive Antique Armillary Sphere
Located in Vlimmeren, BE
An armillary sphere is a model of objects in the sky consisting of a spherical framework of rings, centred on the Earth or the Sun, that represent lin...
Category
Mid-19th Century European Industrial Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal
Vintage Erskine Barber Shop Shaving Brush Tool
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Vintage ERSKINE 200 Sterilized Barber Shop SHAVING BRUSH Nylon Bristles
Rubber Stamped Sterile 200
4.5 tall x 1.38 diameter
Preowned original vintage...
Category
1950s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Nylon, Rubber
Antique Brass Three Crown's Plumber's Blowtorch c.1900, Made in Sweden
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT
An antique solid brass plumber's blowtorch with a wooden handle. Stamped "The Swedish Lamp" and "Three Crowns Original Swedish".
Shown with life size hand model for scale.
...
Category
Early 20th Century Swedish Industrial Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Italy 1939s Sketch Futurist Poster "Day of Two Crosses" Against Tuberculosis
Located in Milan, IT
Sketch of the futurist poster "Day of two crosses, 16th April 1939, XVII", mixed technique of pastel and water-color, for an Italian campaign against tuberculosis, to inform people a...
Category
1930s Italian Futurist Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Paper
Wall-Mounted Large Weather Station in Art Nouveau Style Carved Walnut 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
Clitograph level by Jules Lefebvre, Paris
Located in London, GB
Clitograph level by Jules Lefebvre, Paris, France, circa 1870.
Rare tripod mounted model. With original tripod and case.
Steel frame marked: NIVEA...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass, Steel
Antique Barometer Altimeter, English, Explorer's Instrument, Hicks, Victorian
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique pocket barometer altimeter. An English, oak cased explorer's instrument by Hicks of London, dating to the late Victorian pe...
Category
Late 19th Century British Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Oak
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 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
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 a Cockroach 1925 Cardboard by H Aschehoug & Co Norway
Located in Milan, IT
Zoological didactic plate n. 64 lithograph on cardboard made in 1925 depicting an enlarged cockroach with the digestive and reproductive system. Dybdhals Zoologiske Plancher P.M.Bye ...
Category
1920s Norwegian Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Paper
Sketch of a weasel Korea 1970s Acrylic on Paper for an Animals Encyclopedia
Located in Milan, IT
Acrylic colors on paper depicting a weasel attacked by a snake; it is a preparatory sketch commissioned for an animals encyclopedia for children, created and signed by a Korean artis...
Category
1970s Korean Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Paper
Sketch of two herons Korea 1970s Acrylic on paper for an Animals Encyclopedia
Located in Milan, IT
Acrylic colors on paper depicting two herons; it is a preparatory sketch commissioned for an animals encyclopedia for children, created and signed by a Kore...
Category
1970s Korean Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Paper
Walter Bosse Cow Figurine with Thermometer by Herta Baller, Austria, 1950s
Located in Vienna, AT
A charming Austrian desk thermometer, consisting of a nice cow figurine and a lantern-shaped thermometer. A humorous design by Walter Bosse, executed by H...
Category
Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Sketch of a jay Korea 1970s Acrylic on Paper for an Animals Encyclopedia
Located in Milan, IT
Acrylic colors on paper depicting a jay; it is a preparatory sketch commissioned for an animals encyclopedia for children, created and signed by a Korean artist in the 1970s. Very go...
Category
1970s Korean Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Paper
18th Century English Treen Yew Wood Mortar and Pestle
Located in Stamford, CT
18th century English treen mortar and pestle hand turned and carved from yew wood with the rich and warm patina that only comes with age and use. Beautifully carved by hand from a si...
Category
Mid-18th Century English Georgian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Yew
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
Antique Ram's Horn Cabinet Maker's Wood Scraper c.1905
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT
Antique wood and steel ram's horn cabinet maker's wood scraper.
CREATOR E.C. Atkins & Co.
DATE OF MANUFACTURE c.1905-1910.
MATERIALS AND TECHNIQUES Steel, Boxw...
Category
Early 20th Century Industrial Scientific Instruments
Materials
Steel
17th Century Norther European Wrought Iron Pestle, 8.5 Inches
Located in Stamford, CT
Unusual wrought iron pestle, most are bronze like most mortars. This one is at least 17th century, quite possibly dating to the Gothic period. I have owned two iron mortars in my ti...
Category
Early 17th Century German Baroque Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Wrought Iron
Three-Dimensional Midcentury Anatomical Wall Plaster Sculpture, Germany, 1950s
Located in Reggio Emilia, IT
Midcentury three-dimensional anatomical plaster painting, provenance Hygiene Museum Dresden with museum sticker label, Germany 1950s.
Please note tha...
Category
1950s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Plaster, Wood
Antique Rosewood and Bronze Push Drill Brace
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT
Antique push drill brace with Rosewood wooden handle and bronze collar.
CREATOR Unknown.
DATE OF MANUFACTURE c. 1860-1900.
MATERIALS AND TECHNIQUES Bronze, Stee...
Category
19th Century Industrial Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Steel, Bronze
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.