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Scientific Instruments For Sale
Good 18th Century Bronze Sundial By Miller And Adie, Edinburgh
Located in Lincolnshire, GB
A finely engraved 18th century, 15" diameter bronze sundial signed Miller & Adie, Edinburgh with good patina and the original gnomon.
Category
Late 18th Century Scottish Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Bronze
Anatomical model: a human brain inserted into a sectioned skullcap, Italy 1920.
Located in Milan, IT
Anatomical model for schools, educational use, depicting a human brain (enlarged 2 times). Model that can be dismantled into six parts which highlights both the internal and external...
Category
Early 20th Century Italian Scientific Instruments
Materials
Plaster
19th Century Chinese Apothecary Balance Scale Stand
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Large Chinese carved wood apothecary balance scale with stand and storage drawer cabinet. It features beautiful carved fretwork on the top and sides...
Category
19th Century Chinese Ming Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
$700 Sale Price
22% Off
Hand Held Magnifying Glass with a Turned Wooden Handle
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Hand Held Magnifying Glass with a Turned Wooden Handle
A lovely piece for your study in good vintage condition with a chunky turned handle
Th Glass is 10” long, the lens is 4” in di...
Category
1960s Adam Style Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Glass
American Country Style Weather Vane
Located in Queens, NY
American Country-style (19th Century) wrought iron weather vane with serpent with arrow tongue
Category
19th Century American Country Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Iron
Rummy Grapefruit Soda Advertising Tin Thermometer Sign
Located in San Diego, CA
Vintage "Rummy Grapefruit Soda" advertising sign / thermometer, circa 1950s. The piece is in very good working condition with great color and graphics. A rare piece of soda memorabil...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal
$1,000 Sale Price
33% Off
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
$179 Sale Price
20% Off
Large Wrought Iron Mid-19th Century Scale from Catalonia
Located in Dallas, TX
Known as an “equal arm scale”, this large wrought iron scale has the traditional “T-form” associated with weighing devices of this nature. Stabilized by a tripartite stand with curve...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal, Iron, Wrought Iron
19th C. German Stag Horn Thermometer and Barometer
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A remarkable German Folk Art Weather Station in the Black Forest Style. Elaborate and sinuous construction with stag horns of various sizes, boar tusk...
Category
19th Century German Folk Art Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Antler, Horn
Lithographic print on paper, depicting the atlas of the hand, France 1850 ca.
Located in Milan, IT
An anatomical lithographic print on paper, depicting the anatomical atlas of the hand. Black lacquered fir wood frame with golden ramin wood batting. N. H. Ja...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Glass, Wood, Paper
Real Tennis Print, Ed Barre by W. Bromley
Located in Oxfordshire, GB
A wonderful and extremely rare real tennis, Royal Tennis, Jeu de Paume, Court Tennis Picture, J. Edmond Barre By W. Bromley.
An exceptionally rare mid-19t...
Category
Mid-19th Century English Sporting Art Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Paper
1920s Solid Brass Balancing
Located in Tarrytown, NY
1920s solid brass balancing.
Category
1920s Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Art Deco Motorized Store Display / ETALAGE-RECLAME CORP. New York City
By Advertising Metal Display Co. Inc.
Located in Buffalo, NY
Art Deco Motorized Store Display made by the ETALAGE-RECLAME CORP. New York City,, Truly ingenious design, The base has a spinning triangle that moves using a toothed pin that rides...
Category
1940s American Art Deco Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Chrome, Metal
Iron pharmacy mortar. 18th-19th centuries.
Located in Madrid, ES
Iron pharmacy mortar. 18th-19th centuries.
Old mortar for pharmaceutical use, made of cast iron. It follows the usual structure for this type of utensil between the 15th and 19th ce...
Category
19th Century Spanish Neoclassical Revival Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Iron
Imperial Sand & Ballast Measure by De Grave Short & Co Ltd of London
Located in London, GB
A rare sand and ballast measure by De Grave Short & Co Ltd of London, circa 1940.
Measures one, three-quarters, and half cubic foot.
Made for Monmouthshire County Council.
P...
Category
Mid-20th Century English Industrial Scientific Instruments
Materials
Oak
$924 Sale Price
30% Off
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
$264 Sale Price
20% Off
19th C Scientific James DeVille L N Fowler Phrenology Plaster Bust Head Curio
By L. N. Fowler
Located in Lowestoft, GB
A larger than the normal plaster cast phrenology head, with its original painted finish and paper labels.
The original makers label is partially missing leaving it a bit of a myster...
Category
Mid-19th Century English Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Plaster
A seed scale model, France 1830.
Located in Milan, IT
Rare model of scale for seeds. Wooden and iron. France 1830 ca.
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Iron
Model of an Early Communications Satellite
Located in London, GB
A cased model of an early British Hawker Siddeley Dynamics satellite concept, relating to the ELDO Europa rocket, circa 1966.
The model is accompanied by a Royal Aircraft Establis...
Category
Mid-20th Century English Industrial Scientific Instruments
Materials
Plastic
$3,006 Sale Price
20% Off
Antique Print of an Anatomy Display with a Human Skeleton, 1686
Located in Langweer, NL
Description: Antique print, titled: 'To Ralph Macro of Clapton (…)'
This original old antique print shows people at an anatomy display with a human skeleton, ecorche, male body. ...
Category
1680s Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Paper
$612 Sale Price
20% Off
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
Antique Victorian Kitchen 40 Pound Scale Cast Iron Balance w/ Ironstone Plate
By Young Son & Marlow
Located in Hyattsville, MD
No chips or cracks to the Stoneware tray. Heavy item about 60 lbs. Seems to be working, but you will need counterweights to use it, that will go on the metal tray.
Ironstone stone...
Category
19th Century American High Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
$2,000 Sale Price
20% Off
19th Century Optician or Optometrist Test Glasses Lens Kit in Cabinet
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
19th Century Optician or Optometrist Test Glasses Lens Kit in Cabinet
This beautiful Mahogany cabinet was used by a traveling optometrists to treat patients in their homes.
Th...
Category
Late 19th Century Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Mahogany
Brass Standard Meter for the City of Exeter
Located in London, GB
A brass standard meter for the City of Exeter, with steel lifting handles.
Marked: STANDARD METRE No: 11454 20ºC
Made by Reverifications Ltd. of A...
Category
Late 20th Century English Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
A precision brass scale, France 1880.
Located in Milan, IT
Precision scale made out on brass. France circa 1880.
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
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
Zoological Lithograph Teeth of some Animals 1912 by H Aschehoug & Co, Norway
Located in Milan, IT
Zoological didactic plate n. 15 lithograph on cardboard made in 1912 depicting the teeth of some animals. Dybdhals Zoologiske Plancher P.M.Bye & Co Oslo. Made by H Aschehoug & Co. Go...
Category
1910s Norwegian Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Paper
Industrial Copper Fluid Level Instrument
Located in Norwell, MA
Solid copper industrial ship or factory tube with clear view glass. Mounted to a round base that looks original. Tell us what this is! 62" H x 15" D. 92 lbs.
Category
1950s North American Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Copper
Large Painted Plexiglas Terrestrial Globe, France circa 1950
Located in Paris, FR
Important relief earth globe representing the oceans and the continents.
The globe is made of painted plexiglas, fixed to the marble base by a brass axis. France around 1950.
Category
1950s French Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Marble, Brass
Brass Ashcroft Ships Revolution Counter
Located in Norwell, MA
Ships Revolution Counter by Ashcroft Mfg. Co New York. 8 inch face inscribed New York Ship building Co. Camden, N.J. USA. Nickel plated over brass with n...
Category
1920s American Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
20th Century Terrestrial Globe by Peter J. Oestergaard
By Peter J. Oestergaard
Located in Madrid, ES
Early 20th century antique traditional Columbus earth globe, brass frame, papier mâché sphere and turned, ebonized wooden base.
Gezeichnet & Hergestellt
Peter J. Oestergaard.
Category
Early 20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
$754 Sale Price
20% Off
Set of W T Avery 10 LB Bankers Balance Scales and Weights
By W & T Avery
Located in London, by appointment only
Magnificent set of very large bankers 10lb balance scales together with a contemporary set of stamped W T Avery weights 7, 4, 2, 1 lb. Fully restored, po...
Category
Late 19th Century British Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Antique French Country Primitive Carved Marble Mortar and Pestle on Wood Base
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Please message us with your zip code to request a more reasonable domestic U.S. shipping quote.
Antique French Country Primitive Carved Marble Mortar and Pestle on Solid Wood Primit...
Category
Late 19th Century Unknown Other Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Marble
Sketch of Four Macaques Korea 1970s Acrylic on Paper for an Animals Encyclopedia
Located in Milan, IT
Acrylic colors on paper depicting four macaques on a branch; it is a preparatory sketch commissioned for an animals encyclopedia for children, created and signed by a Korean artist i...
Category
1970s Korean Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Paper
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
19th Century R. & J. Beck Stereoscope
By R.&J. Beck 1
Located in Norwood, NJ
Museum quality tabletop Stereoscope by British maker R. & J. Beck London. It is fitted with with adjustable rack and pinion focusing and elevation adjustment for ease of viewing. Eac...
Category
Late 19th Century English Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
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
Superb Large Painted Iron Balance Scales by Holliday & Co London 1907
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Superb Large Painted Iron Balance Scales by Holliday & Co London 1907
This very large and attractive beam balance scale is set on a cast Iron base the central upright columns are a...
Category
Early 1900s Industrial Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Iron
An oversized brass silk scale with wooden stand, Italy 1850.
Located in Milan, IT
Ancient scale for weighing silk. Over a square wooden base weighted with lead with brass plaque and connecting element rise the tall wooden central part, made out of wood, with moved...
Category
Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass, Iron
Rare Yacht Binnacle with Compass
Located in Norwell, MA
Solid brass gimballed boat compass fitted to a hinge front wood binnacle. Brasses include carry handle, side light, brass hooks, etc. Circa 1920.
Overall Dimensions: 7"H x 7" L x ...
Category
1920s American Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Oval Ceramic Thermometer by Mithé Espelt
By Mithé Espelt
Located in Saint-Ouen, IDF
Oval glazed ceramic thermometer by the french artist Mithé Espelt, it features pale beige glaze and crackling gold.
Bibliographie: Mithé Espelt, the discreet luxury of the everyday
...
Category
1960s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Ceramic
Italian Venetian Gilt Wood Barometer
Located in Queens, NY
Italian Venetian-style (20th Century) gilt carved and black painted barometer,with wreath top and cornucopia sides with scroll motifs.
Category
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Scientific Instruments
Materials
Giltwood
Flemish mortar. Bronze. 17th century.
Located in Madrid, ES
Flemish mortar. Bronze. XVII century.
Features brand.
Mortar with a circular base with a mouth that extends outward from the two upper stripes and a body with slight entasis and a ...
Category
17th Century European Baroque Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Bronze
Emile Deyrolle 19th Century Plaster, Wire and Wood Didactic Germination Models
Located in Buffalo, NY
Les Fils D'Emile Deyrolle, Paris. Extremely rare set of five 19th century French painted plaster, wire and wood Didactic models depicting progression, Anatomie Vegetalf, beautifully ...
Category
19th Century French Folk Art Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Wire
Ornate 19th Century Agricultural Sack Scales by Bartlett & Son, Bristol.
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Ornate 19th Century Agricultural Sack Scales by Bartlett & Son, Bristol.
This is a very ornate set of Scales in cast iron they would have been used for weighing sacks of many agr...
Category
Late 19th Century Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Iron
Victorian Brass Cased Aneroid Barometer by Stanley, London
By Stanley
Located in Norwich, GB
Victorian brass cased Aneroid barometer by Stanley, London.
Brass cased aneroid barometer housed in the original leather fitted case.
Silvered dial with original ‘blued’ st...
Category
1890s English Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Military Meter for National Service, Italy, 19th Century
Located in Milan, IT
The military meter was used during the campaign of military conscription visits for military national service in Italy. The base, made out of cast iro...
Category
1860s Italian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass, Iron
Antique English Spring Balance Scale Made by Salter 100 Years Old, Custom Stand
Located in New Orleans, LA
Antique English spring balance scale made by "Salter Co." on custom made stand, 100 years old.
(Shown at center in group photo)
...
Category
Early 20th Century English Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Barograph by R Fuess
Located in Cheshire, GB
Mahogany framed barograph by R Fuess Berlin. The mechanical eight-day movement is housed in the drum, fitted with a seven-day chart which covers one full rotation of the drum. The in...
Category
Late 19th Century German Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Walnut
$1,300 Sale Price
34% Off
Italian Mid-Century Wrought Iron Armillary
Located in Queens, NY
Italian Mid-Century Modern wrought iron armillary globe with a center sun surrounded by 9 movable planetary rings on a platform base.
Category
20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Scientific Instruments
Materials
Iron, Wrought Iron
Botanical Ceramic Educational Blooming Hazelnut Intersection
By Osterloh Modell
Located in Weesp, NL
Beautiful Mid-Century Modern hand painted ceramic intersection of a blooming Hazelnut, Corylus Avellana. This rare sculptural piece is in great condition as can be seen in the images. Made in Leipzig, German Democratic Republic...
Category
1960s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Ceramic
An apothecary bronze mortar and pestle, Italy 1700.
Located in Milan, IT
Bronze Apothecary mortar, fitted with mortar pestle. Italy early 18th century.
Category
Early 18th Century Italian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Bronze
Rare anatomical model: an external and inner ear, Italy end of 19th century.
Located in Milan, IT
Rare anatomical model for schools, educational use, depicting a separable external and internal ear, complete in all its parts, made of plaster and painted paper mache, metal hooks. ...
Category
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal
Botanic Model Brendel, Germany, 1890
Located in Milan, IT
A rare botanical model of the Brendel, Syringa vulgaris N. 37 (Uleaceae). The round base in ebonized wood holds the botanical model which reveals the flo...
Category
Late 19th Century German Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Plaster, Wood
Vintage Safe Deposit Box In Steel, Czechoslovakia 1980s
Located in Zohor, SK
Step back in time with this remarkable vintage steel safe box, a testament to both craftsmanship and security. Crafted in the 1980s within the borde...
Category
1980s Slovak Mid-Century Modern Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Steel
$185 Sale Price
50% Off
Set of Oak Doctors Scales
Located in Cheshire, GB
Set of doctors scales for C.F Thakray Chemists. The solid oak seat with shaped back alongside cast balance scale. standing on square sports with pull out ...
Category
Early 20th Century British Scientific Instruments
Materials
Oak
$2,383 Sale Price
45% Off
Baudot Multiple-Impression Telegraph, c. 1900 Manufactured by J Carpentier Paris
By J. Carpentier
Located in Madrid, ES
Baudot multiple-impression telegraph, c. 1900 Manufactured by J Carpentier Paris,
brass and steel, Grunewald type electric motor mounted upside down.
For the five-bit Baudot code...
Category
Early 20th Century French Art Nouveau Scientific Instruments
Materials
Wood
Volta's electrophore, demonstrator of the flow of electrons Italy 1960.
Located in Milan, IT
Volta's electrophore, demonstrator of the flow of electrons from inert materials to conducting materials. Taking the instrument composed of a disc of conductive metal and a handle of...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal
An apothecary glass mortar and pestle, Italy 18th century.
Located in Milan, IT
Apothecary glass mortar, fitted with glass pestle. Italy early 18th century.
Category
Early 18th Century Italian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Glass
Anatomical Model of the Upper Limbs, Italy 1900
Located in Milan, IT
Anatomical model for schools, didactic use, depicting the upper limb tilting on a fork supported by a black lacquered wooden base.
Made in plaster and finished entirely in colour. F...
Category
Early 20th Century Italian Scientific Instruments
Materials
Scagliola
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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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