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Scientific Instruments For Sale
Pantograph by Thomas Dunn of Edinburgh, circa 1845
Located in London, GB
An oak cased brass pantograph by Thomas Dunn of 50 North Street, Edinburgh.
Interior of case has trade label: Thomas Dunn, optician, mathematical and philosophical instrument make...
Category
Mid-19th Century Scottish Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
$3,808 Sale Price
25% Off
Anatomical model: a decomposable eyeball, Italy end of 19th century.
Located in Milan, IT
Rare anatomical model for schools, educational use, depicting a decomposable eyeball, complete in all its parts, made of plaster, glass and painted paper mache, metal hooks. Italy ci...
Category
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal
Early 19th Century Butchers Steelyard for Weighing Scale
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Early 19th Century Butchers Steelyard for weighing scale
A good original industrial piece, the balance has blacksmith made sliding hook for adjustme...
Category
Early 19th Century Georgian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Iron
A 19th Century, French Dairy Cheese Press
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
A 19th Century, French Dairy Cheese Press
This is an attractive press from France it is designed to press a small round cheese, like a Camembert it is made in fruitwood and it is in...
Category
19th Century Country Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Nutwood
Terrestrial globe apres Mr. Rizzi Zannoni, Paris 1762.
Located in Milan, IT
Designed to be hanged to the ceiling, terrestrial globe, made out of paper machè and wood, brass hook. It is reported in the cartouche of the globe: globe terrestre d’après Mr. Rizz...
Category
Mid-18th Century French Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
1920s Dental Paperweight Sculpture Glass Slab Temperature Gauge Thermometer
By S.T. Dupont, Honeywell
Located in Hyattsville, MD
Rare item from the L.D. Caulk Co. of Milford Delaware. New old stock, New in box. A true Relic from yesteryears building technics. A beautiful desktop sculptural object. Temp rises w...
Category
1920s American Industrial Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Glass
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
Vintage Hydroway Scales Inc, HydroScale 1000 Pound Crane Weigh Scale
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Hydroway Scales Inc, HydroScale 1000 Pound Crane Weigh Scale. Item itself weighs approx 40-50 lbs. Circa Late 20th Century. Measurements: 13.5" H x 13.5" W x 8" D
Category
Late 20th Century Industrial Scientific Instruments
Materials
Iron
Atomic Physicist A.G. Shenstone Princeton Gyroscope
Located in Savannah, GA
A machined gyroscope presented to Allen G. Shenstone (1893-1980) physicist and chair of the department of Princeton from 1949-1960. Presented by friends in the department.
7 inches...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal
Fine Circular Protractor by William Cary, London c.1810
By Cary
Located in Norwich, GB
William Cary, London Circular Protractor. C.1810
The protractor with geared knob turn for full diameter bar, double hinged scribe arms with shaped frame. Main wheel with four spokes and glass sight cross centre, full circumference inscribed divider to 360 degrees signed Cary, London to the bar. Adjustment screws to the arms and housed in it’s original mahogany case with hinged lid.
William Cary is listed as working in Strand, London from 1801 to 1825.
William Cary was an important scientific instrument maker, he trained under Jesse Ramsden (1735-1800) he produced numerous scientific instruments including mechanical calculators...
Category
1810s English Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Small French 20th Century Terrestrial Globe on Turned Black Wooden Base
Located in Atlanta, GA
A small French terrestrial globe from the 20th century, with metal protractor and circular black wooden base. Created in France during the 20th century, this terrestrial globe is con...
Category
20th Century French Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal
Wall Mounted Calipers from the Ross Optical Company London
Located in London, GB
A set of graduated calipers from the Ross of London optical company, mounted on a later wall hanging backboard.
Each caliper with various markings.
Ross of London was a maker o...
Category
Early 20th Century English Industrial Scientific Instruments
Materials
Steel
Log Caliper, Made by William Greenleaf Company, Belmont, MA
By William Greenleaf
Located in Nantucket, MA
A large caliper for calculating the number of board feet a log will yield. The central wood shaft engraved with multiple scales on each of the four sides with a large metal mounted c...
Category
Early 20th Century American Rustic Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal
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
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
Barograph and Barometer by Negretti & Zambra
Located in Cheshire, GB
Unusual oak-cased barograph and barometer by Negretti & Zambra, having five glazed removable lid. The mechanical eight-day movement is housed i...
Category
Early 20th Century British Scientific Instruments
Materials
Oak
$1,950 Sale Price
33% Off
Large French 19th Century Scale
Located in Round Top, TX
A delightful 19th century large French Balance - or scale in copper, iron and wood used in the silk industry for weighing silk cocoons. A perfect kitchen island accent piece.
Category
19th Century French Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Copper, Iron
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 Wood Flower Mold Two Hole
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Antique Wood Flower Mold Two Hole
8.25 w x 3 d x 1.75
Original vintage condition unrestored
See all images provided.
Category
Mid-20th Century Industrial Scientific Instruments
Materials
Wood
19th Century Arnold & Son Veterinary Operation Key Table "Canine Table"
Located in Lowestoft, GB
A wonderful late 19th century operation table also known as the "canine table"
Made by Arnold & Son who where established in 1819 as a chemist and dru...
Category
1890s English Late Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Oak
$5,636 Sale Price
29% Off
1960 Double-Deck Precision Analytical Balance by Galileo Sartorius in Glass Case
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Germany hand-built analytical beam balance scientific scale by Galileo Sartorius. The scale is used to measure both solid and liquid masses (10/100g capacity). Highly sensitive silver cylinders dampen the harmonic motion of the beam balance.
Galileo Sartorius refers to a collaboration between the Italian company Galileo and the German company Sartorius, specifically in the production of high-precision analytical balances...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Iron
$655 Sale Price
30% Off
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 with high relief C-scrolls and flowers in Rococo style (from theArt Nouveau' period) with a lovely walnut case/. Equipment in full working order.
Please don't hesitate to get in touch with any further questions.
With best wishes, Geert
Early Bird Gallery...
Category
1910s Belgian Art Nouveau Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Walnut
Rope Barometer. French Work by Adrien Audoux & Frida Minet, circa 1950
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This very unusual barometer is made of rope. This is a French work by Adrien Audoux & Frida Minet. circa 1950.
Category
1950s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Rope
$1,608 Sale Price
30% Off
Mid-Century Functional Tesla AS20 Phone 1979, Československo
By Tesla
Located in Praha, CZ
- Good original condition
- Fully functional
- Tesla manufacturer
- Scratched, see photo-
Category
1970s Czech Mid-Century Modern Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Plastic
English Silver Plated Bronze Barometer Covered with Hand-Sewn Leather
Located in Marbella, ES
English Silver Plated Bronze Barometer Covered with Hand-Sewn Leather
Category
Late 20th Century English Scientific Instruments
Materials
Aluminum, Bronze
English Regency Red Lacquer Barometer
Located in Queens, NY
English Regency-style (19/20th Century) red lacquer small chinoiserie wall barometer.
Category
19th Century British Regency Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Lacquer
Rare Oversized Stormoguide Barometer by Short & Mason
Located in Sandwich, MA
Rare oversized Stormoguide barometer by Short & Mason circa 1930. Possibly made as a store display, this barometer's 12-1/2" dial is over twice the size of the more commonly found St...
Category
Mid-20th Century 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
Carved oak wall hanging Banjo barometer
Located in Cheshire, GB
Carved oak barometer, the shaped carved oak frame with rectangular thermometer encased by glass. Above the silvered dial with silvered bezel, flanked by crisp scrolling carved decora...
Category
Early 20th Century British Scientific Instruments
Materials
Oak
Postmodern Funnytime 105 Kitchen Timer by Roberto Pezzetta for Wikidue
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A whimsical Italian postmodern multicolor kitchen timer designed by Roberto Pezzetta for WikiDue. Stacked green, red and yellow discs give it a fun Me...
Category
Late 20th Century Post-Modern Scientific Instruments
Materials
Plastic
Antique Scientific Visual Aid, Bone Cut of the Human Elbow
Located in Berghuelen, DE
An antique visual aid of a longitudinal bone cut of the elbow. Genuine bone mounted on cardboard with hand-painted structure of muscles, bursae and tendons. With German explanation. ...
Category
Early 20th Century German Early Victorian Scientific Instruments
Materials
Bone
Brass Balance Shop Scales with Eagle Crest
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Brass balance shop scales with eagle crest
Decorative large brass balance shop scales
I super looking set, the slightly dished pans are hung on brass...
Category
Late 19th Century Industrial Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Anatomical model for class: an animal stomach, Italy 1890.
Located in Milan, IT
Anatomic model for class, didaptic purpuse, depicting an animal’s stomach, made out of painted paper machè. Italy end of 19th century.
Category
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Paper
Two Large Wood Sterling Handled Magnifiers
Located in San Francisco, CA
Two Large Wood Sterling Handled Magnifiers
One is marked Hull
4.25" x 1" x 17.5
4" x 1" x 17
Category
19th Century Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Wood
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
Antique 20thC English Solid Silver Barometer & Thermometer, J.C Vickery c.1912
Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Antique 20th Century English solid silver cased barometer & thermometer. The case is beautifully worked with engine turned design. Hallmarked English solid silver (925 standard), Lon...
Category
20th Century British Other Scientific Instruments
Materials
Silver
Antique English Oak and Brass Postal Scale
Located in New Orleans, LA
Antique English oak and brass postal scale.
Category
Late 19th Century English Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Vintage Bausch & Lomb Optical XD 7489 Medical Supply Test
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Bausch & Lomb Optical XD 7489 Medical Supply Test. Item features a Bausch & Lomb optical device. We are not exactly sure what is used for or wha...
Category
Late 20th Century Art Deco Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal
Set of Cast Iron and Glass Rings c.1940
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT
A set of three cast iron rings with smaller rings on top. Convex glass on both sides in each piece.
CREATOR Unknown.
DATE OF MANUFACTURE c.1940-1960.
MATERIALS AN...
Category
Mid-20th Century Industrial Scientific Instruments
Materials
Iron
Vintage Resuscitation Male Dummy Training Head
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Vintage resuscitation man's head. Open mouth connected to tubes that would raise chest for CPR training. Resuscitation dummies were invented in th...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Steampunk Scientific Instruments
Materials
Rubber
19th Century Victorian Weighing Scales By J White & Son, c.1880
Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Antique 19th Century Victorian grocers scales consist of a cast iron base with a ridged brass column supporting a cast iron balancing arm from which white glazed stoneware plate is s...
Category
19th Century British Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass, Iron
Osterloh Botanic Model of a Wheat Flower, Germany, 1900
Located in Milan, IT
A botanic didactical specimen depicting a Wheat flower (Triticum durum), made out of papier mache wood and metal with black wooden base, hand painted. Extremely detailed. Osterloh Mo...
Category
Early 20th Century German Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal
Bronze Mortar with Pestle, Spain, 17th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
Mortar with hand. Bronze. XVII century.
Mortar with a circular base, cylindrical body and slightly outwardly flared mouth, decorated with a series of smooth horizontal moldings arranged both in the lower and upper areas and with simple vertical elements (which still maintain slight balustraded shapes) derived from of the ribs that these specimens used to have in the medieval Spanish...
Category
17th Century Spanish Baroque Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Bronze, Other
Brushed Aluminum Industrial Hourglass on Stand
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Modern industrial brushed aluminum hourglass - in the style of Bauhaus industrial - German, Berlin.
An interesting contrast of blown glass and heavy industrial material gives this...
Category
20th Century Modern Scientific Instruments
Materials
Aluminum
Mahogany cased barograph and barometer by Negretti & Zambra
Located in Cheshire, GB
Unusual mahogany-cased barograph and barometer by Negretti & Zambra, having five glazed removable lid. The mechanical eight-day movement is housed in the drum, fitted with a seven-da...
Category
Early 20th Century British Scientific Instruments
Materials
Wood
$1,782 Sale Price
20% Off
Anatomical Model: the Skeletal Part of a Foot, Germany, 1970’s
By Somso
Located in Milan, IT
Anatomical model depicting the skeletal part of a foot, made by Somso, Sonenberg. Germany, circa 1970.
Category
1970s German Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal
19th Century Bronze Apothecary Mortar & Pestle, Circa 1800
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
The cup shaped cast body decorated with incised ring-turned detail, rising from a waisted & stepped circular foot, together with its original pestle.
Combined weight, 3.75 lbs.
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Grand Tour Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Bronze
A botanic scientific specimen of Spruce, Paravia & co, Milan, Italy 1900.
Located in Milan, IT
A rare example of a botanical maquette for didactic use by Professor T. Ferraris, depicting a (natural) strobilus and a scale with ovules (about 12 times enlarged) of Spruce (Picea e...
Category
Early 20th Century Italian Scientific Instruments
Materials
Wood
Italian Bronze Mortar and Pestle, Signed, Christopher Eberhardt, Circa 1830
Located in Charleston, SC
Italian bronze mortar and pestle. Christopher Eberhardt, Anno J667 Grabavw, Early 19th Century. Measures: 7.25" diameter at top, 5.75" diamete...
Category
1830s Italian Neoclassical Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Bronze
Foldable Anatomical Wall Chart Depicting Human Musculature
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Foldable Anatomical Wall Chart Depicting Human Musculature
A rare 19th century anatomical wall chart depicting human musculature and internal organs. ...
Category
Early 20th Century German Victorian Scientific Instruments
Materials
Paper
Handcrafted 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, hand turned wood Mortar and Pestle...
Category
Late 20th Century Italian Organic Modern Scientific Instruments
Materials
Wood, Fruitwood
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 rosewood and have brass caps. They are right-angled tools, dating to the Victorian period, circa 1...
Category
19th Century English Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass, Steel
Antique Scale in the Shape of a Cross
Located in Lisboa, Lisboa
Antique scale in the shape of a cross with a plate and a weight. Main structure painted grey, with signs of wear that highlight its historic character. The balance mechanism consists...
Category
Mid-20th Century Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal
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
Anatomical model: a decomposable eyeball, SOMSO, Germany circa 1950.
Located in Milan, IT
Anatomical model for schools, educational use, depicting a decomposable eyeball, complete in all its parts, made out of polyvinyl chloride, plaster, glass and painted paper, metal ho...
Category
Mid-20th Century German Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal
A botanic model of a fern Pteris serrulata, A. Dall’Eco, Italy 1880.
Located in Milan, IT
A rare botanical model by A. Dall'Eco di Pteris serrulata N.66 (Ferns. Sporangium and Spore). The round boxwood base contains 4 elements, components of a model of fern Pteris serrula...
Category
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Plaster, Boxwood
Early 20th Century Edwardian Travelling Tradesman Salesman's Soap Sampler
Located in Lowestoft, GB
A unusual travelling tradesman's soap display case, early 20th century in age likely Edwardian.
A segmented internal draw hidden via the sliding cover,...
Category
Early 1900s English Edwardian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Natural Fiber, Glass, Pine
Exquisite Boat Binnacle with Compass
Located in Norwell, MA
Solid brass yacht compass fitted to a very fine varnished binnacle box with brass hinges and glass door. Also fitted with a varnished brass sidelight wit...
Category
1890s American Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
German Anatomical Muscular Bust Model
Located in Brooklyn, NY
German, anatomical, plaster model of a cross-section of a bust, depicting the muscular and circulatory systems.
Category
Mid-20th Century German Industrial Scientific Instruments
Materials
Plaster
Rustic Black Forest Walnut Barometer
Located in Queens, NY
Rustic Black Forest (Late 19th Century) walnut wall barometer/thermometer with carved bird, deer and floral carving.
Category
19th Century German Black Forest Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal
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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