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Scientific Instruments For Sale
Vintage Mid-Century Modern Hand Turned Wood Mortar and Pestle 1950
Located in Topeka, KS
Handsome Mid-Century Modern mortar and pestle hand turned from one piece of dense wood. It is in wonderful vintage condition. Please see photos, circa 1950-1960.
Whether you need or...
Category
1950s Unknown Mid-Century Modern Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Wood
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
Antique W.& T. Avery English Victorian Brass & Porcelain Balance Beam Scale
By W & T Avery
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Please message us with your zip code to request a more reasonable domestic U.S. shipping quote.
Antique W.& T. Avery English Victorian Brass, Cast Iron & Porcelain Balance Beam Scal...
Category
Late 19th Century Unknown Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass, Iron
Large copper & brass funnel
Located in London, GB
A large late 19th century copper and brass funnel.
From Wiltshire County, England.
Category
Late 19th Century English Industrial Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass, Copper
$603 Sale Price
20% Off
German 1900s Antique Ear Trumpet medical instrument Made of Ebonite and Rubber
Located in Milan, IT
Ear trumpet, bell and earphone of ebonite and extension of rubber, German medical instrument, manufacture of the early 1900s. Measures: Length 10 cm, 3.9 i...
Category
Early 20th Century German Scientific Instruments
Materials
Rubber
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
Baume Mercier 18 Karat Yellow Gold Ladies Wristwatch with Original Leather Band
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This ladies wristwatch was made by the well known Baume et Mercier of Switzerland in approximately 1970 in their period Mid-Century style. The watch and lugs are composed of eighteen...
Category
Mid-20th Century Swiss Mid-Century Modern Scientific Instruments
Materials
Gold
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
$180 Sale Price
20% Off
Boat Binnacle Compass from the 19th Century
Located in Norwell, MA
Rare yacht binnacle with a highly polished gimballed compass fitted to a varnished box. The box has a polished brass side burner and hinges, hooks, and screws. First class nautical r...
Category
1890s North American Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
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
$180 Sale Price
20% Off
Substantial Antique Italian Bronze Mortar and Pestle
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Substantial antique Italian bronze mortar and pestle, finely cast with shell and floral band, complete with 12" x 1.5" D pestle. The base of t...
Category
18th Century Italian Baroque Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Bronze
$1,020 Sale Price / set
20% Off
French Restauration Period Cast Brass Double Scale & Weights, ca. 1825
Located in Atlanta, GA
In complete and original condition and retaining bright patina this set of scales has a main scale and a smaller upper scale, both supported by dolphin forms hanging on a reeded stan...
Category
1820s French Restauration Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Vintage Rolling Rule English Brass Scientific Instrument, Navigation, circa 1950
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a vintage rolling rule. An English, brass scientific instrument to aid navigation, dating to the mid-20th century, circa 1950.
Attractive period instrument
Displays a desirable aged patina
Solid brass shows mellow golden hues
Used to draw parallel lines on navigation charts
Replete with the Ministry of Defense arrow mark and 160100 patent number
Oak faced box...
Category
Mid-20th Century English Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
A late19th-Century dental extractor, United States 1900.
Located in Milan, IT
An instrument for dental use. A late 19th early 20th century dental extractor. An iron forceps used in tooth extraction. White Maker, H.C. distributor Kern. American manufacturing. P...
Category
Early 20th Century American Scientific Instruments
Materials
Iron
Actinometer Antique Measuring Instrument made by Griffin & Tatlock London in 30s
By Griffin & Tatlock ltd
Located in Milan, IT
Herschel actinometer, 1930s, wood and brass, signed Griffin & Tatlock ltd London. It is an instrument invented in 1825 by John Herschel and used for the measurement of the solar heat...
Category
1930s British Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Wood
A 19th Century Mahogany Stick Barometer by Keen and Frodsham
Located in Pewsey, GB
A 19th Century Mahogany stick Barometer by Keen and Frodsham, South Castle Street, Liverpool .
"Keen and Frodsham" refers to a partnership between renowned clockmaker Henry Frodsha...
Category
Late 19th Century British Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Glass
British Admiralty Pattern Clinometer Inspectors Level
Located in Norwell, MA
World War II Bristish inspectors Mark III admiralty pattern clinometer by Watts and Son, London, England. The heavy brass relic is in a fitted hardwood case. The instrument consists ...
Category
1940s European Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
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
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
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
19th Century French Patinated Copper Rooster Weather Vane with Cardinal Points
Located in Dallas, TX
This elegant antique weather vane was created in Normandy, France, circa 1860. The traditional copper sculpture features a classic swivel French c...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Country Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Copper
West German Unisex Anatomical Model, circa 1950
By Somso
Located in Faversham, GB
A complete West German unisex anatomical figure of a head and torso with removal organs. Hand painted and in excellent condition.
German, circa 1950...
Category
20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Scientific Instruments
Materials
Plastic, Acrylic
$762 Sale Price
20% Off
Full Display Box of Early Camera Lens Salesman Samples
Located in Peekskill, NY
The velvet lined case is full and contains 45 sample lenses. The case is signed in gold stamped letters L.O. BITTNER & CO., OPTISCH FEINMECHANISCHES WERK. MUNCHEN. I have never seen ...
Category
Early 20th Century German Industrial Scientific Instruments
Materials
Glass
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 English 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
A terrestral globe signed Périgot, published by Delagrave, Paris 1880.
Located in Milan, IT
A Medium-sized terrestrial globe, made of papier-mâché, finished with pastille and completed by the application of paper spindles imprinted with intaglio printing. Color touch-ups. T...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
19th Century English Victorian Brass Merchants Scale
Located in Queens, NY
English Victorian brass merchants scale with square glass tray, round brass tray, and inset oval mirror.
Category
Late 19th Century British Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
1980s Chocolate Brown Touchtone Desk Phone
Located in Miami, FL
Vintage chocolate brown touchtone desk phone. Circa 1980s
Features a bright chocolate brown body with contrasting gray buttons.
The base has rubber feet ...
Category
1980s South Korean Mid-Century Modern Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Plastic
Botanical Model in Enlarged Section of a Moraceae Syconium, Italy, 1930s
Located in Milan, IT
Model in enlarged section of a Moraceae syconium (fig for example is a syconium). The model is made of painted plaster and almost certainly made by Paravia in the 1930s. Measures cm ...
Category
1930s Italian Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Plaster
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
$98 Sale Price / set
56% Off
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
Zoological Lithograph of Molluscs 1925 on Cardboard by H Aschehoug & Co Norway
Located in Milan, IT
Zoological didactic plate n. 62 lithograph on cardboard made in 1925 depicting molluscs. Dybdhals Zoologiske Plancher P.M.Bye & Co Oslo. Made by H Aschehoug & Co. Good condition. Mea...
Category
1920s Norwegian Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Paper
Opera Theatre Glasses, Binoculars with Leather Case
Located in Miami, FL
Good quality pair of opera glasses, binoculars with their original leather case.
In very good condition.
Glass clean and clear.
All mechanical settings work.
Optics has no sc...
Category
20th Century French Scientific Instruments
Materials
Glass, Bakelite
$350 Sale Price
29% Off
19th Century English Molding Plane
Located in High Point, NC
19th century molding plane made from beech wood. The plane is stamped with the name MIKE. Imagine the moldings this plane was used to make.....
Category
19th Century English Industrial Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Beech
19th c. Wooden Carpentry Moulding Plane c.1850-1920
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT
Antique wooden carpentry plane with iron blade used to make trim and moldings. Shown with life size hand mold for scale.
CREATOR Unknown.
DATE OF MANUFACTURE c.1850-...
Category
19th Century Industrial Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Iron
$95 Sale Price / set
24% Off
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
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
French 19th Century Black Forest Barometer
Located in Stockbridge, GA
French 19th century black forest barometer.
Category
Late 19th Century French Black Forest Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Mahogany
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
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
$503 Sale Price
20% Off
French 19th Century Brass Fabric Scale on Wooden Base by the Maison Piat
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French brass fabric scale from the 19th century with wooden base, from the Maison Piat. Created in Paris during the 19th century, this fabric scale, made of brass, is mounted on a ...
Category
19th Century French Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Oak cased weather station
Located in Cheshire, GB
Oak-cased Weather station by James Brown Glasgow. with silvered dials comprising a clock set with Roman numerals and subsidiary seconds dial, barometer, and central barograph over th...
Category
Late 19th Century British Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Oak
Large Early 20th c. French Medical Hand Model c.1920
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT
Early 20th century large French plaster hand model used as a medical teaching device. Lacquered plaster custom heavy steel stand.
Shown with life size hand model.
CREA...
Category
Early 20th Century French Industrial Scientific Instruments
Materials
Steel
$1,595 Sale Price
44% Off
Original Vintage Scale from the 20th Century 'Designed by Berkel'
By Berkel 2
Located in Udenhout, NL
Original personal scale from 1946 designed by Berkel in Belgium.
(Made in Brussels.)
Very nice Industrial decorative object.
Category
1940s Belgian Industrial Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal, Enamel
Vintage WESCO Oil Can
Located in Oxfordshire, GB
Vintage Metal Oil Can.
An automotive oil can made by Wesco, Birmingham. A fantastic piece of vintage motoring ephemera, the perfect gift for the motoring enthusiast. Who would have t...
Category
Early 20th Century British Industrial Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal
French 19th Century Brass Fabric Scale on Wooden Base Signed Robert A Vienne
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French brass fabric scale from the 19th century with wooden base, signed Robert A Vienne. Created in France during the 19th century, this fabric scale, made of brass, is mounted on...
Category
19th Century French Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
1920s Mahogany & Brass Antique Tool Carpentry Scribe
By Stanley
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Mahogany Wood & Patinated Brass Antique Old Carpentry Marking Tool circa 1920s USA
Carpenter Scribe Marking Gauge Vintage Wood Working Tool in Wood ...
Category
1920s American Industrial Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Antique American Iron Balance Weighing Scale with Weights
Located in Queens, NY
"American (early 20th Century) balance weighing scale Set on a concave rectangular cast iron beveled base with twist mid-section topped by a pointed finial. One chain beam balance fi...
Category
Early 20th Century American American Colonial Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
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
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
Antique Pharmacist's Medicine Cup, English, Glass, Apothecary Measure, Victorian
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique pharmacist's medicine cup. An English, glass and leather apothecary measure, dating to the Victorian period, circa 19000.
A fa...
Category
Late 19th Century British Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Glass
Folding Boxwood & Brass Shoe Size Measure, circa 1880
Located in London, GB
A late 19th century folding cobbler's boxwood and brass shoe size measure, for the French market.
With folding heel rest and slinging toe marker, with brass hinge.
Paris point shoe...
Category
Late 19th Century English Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Boxwood
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
Vintage Cell Counting Slide, German, Glass, Hemacytometer, Franke and Heidecke
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a vintage cell counting slide. A German, glass hemacytometer and carry case by Franke and Heidecke, dating to the early 20th century, circa 1930.
...
Category
Early 20th Century German Scientific Instruments
Materials
Glass
Louis XV Parcel-Gilt And Painted Wood Barometer
Located in Bradenton, FL
18th century Louis XV period hand carved and painted parcel gilt French wall barometer. Louis XV giltwood case with ornately hand-carved scrollwork on a green painted wood back. A be...
Category
18th Century French Louis XV Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Wood, Glass
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
Antique Surveyor's Circumcompendium Signed Brand Frères, 1850-1880
Located in Bilzen, BE
"Antique Surveyor's Circumcompendium Signed Brand Frères, 1850-1880"
Description: Antique Surveying Circumferentor by Brand Frères
Brand Frères, Optic...
Category
Mid-19th Century Belgian Other Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
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
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
Large, Antique Telescope Tripod, English, Pine, Observatory, Rack, circa 1900
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a large, antique telescope tripod. An English, pine observatory rack dating to the late 19th century, circa 1900.
Original painted ...
Category
Late 19th Century English Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Pine
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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Library Telescope
Opera Binoculars
Antique Microscope Slide
Antique Planer Tools
Opera Glasses Mother Of Pearl
Optician Sign
Stanley Tool
Surveyors Level
Torricelli Barometer
Antique Butcher Hook
Antique Cast Iron Weighing Scales
Antique Medical Box
Antique Medical Devices
Antique Metal Wood Planes
Antique Syringes
Antique Wooden Grinder
Avery Scales
German Sundial