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Scientific Instruments

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Scientific Instruments For Sale
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...
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1890s English Late Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Oak

19th Century Compass and Sundial Together
Located in Miami, FL
19th century compass and sundial together.
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Late 19th Century French Baroque Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Wood

19th Century, Compass and Sundial Together
Located in Miami, FL
19th century, compass and sundial together.
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Late 19th Century French Baroque Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Wood

1950 Film 16mm Camera, SOM Berthiot, France
Located in Miami, FL
Société d'Optique et de Mécanique Berthiot (SOM Berthiot) was a French manufacturer of optics and photographic lenses. They produced C and D mount motion picture lenses for professio...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Scientific Instruments

1920s Dental Paperweight Sculpture Glass Slab Temperature Gauge Thermometer
By Honeywell, S.T. Dupont
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

French 18th Century Gold Leaf Barometer
Located in New Orleans, LA
Made of hand-carved wood in 18th century France, this barometer is elegantly covered in a variety of carved designs, all coated in gold leaf. A handled Grecian vase sits atop the ste...
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Late 18th Century French Louis XVI Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Gold Leaf

Collection of Seven Antique Swedish Apothecary Jars from the Early 20th Century
Located in Atlanta, GA
A collection of seven Swedish apothecary jars from the early 20th century. These antique jars from Sweden were once used to hold an apothecary's (or pharmacists) wares and chemicals....
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20th Century Swedish Scientific Instruments

Materials

Glass

Bavarian Pharmacy Balance
Located in New Orleans, LA
This amazing and extremely rare Bavarian Biedermeier-period pharmacy balance stand would have been at home at any apothecary’s shop during the mid-19th century. Crafted of walnut with bold giltwood accents, this stand holds eight separate sets of balances with brass beams and pointers, and weighing pans made of Horn, brass and porcelain. The balances measure out varying sizes; the largest is capable of measuring up to 500 grams, while smallest weighs up to 5 grams. Such balances would have been essential tools in the practice of compounding, or creating customized medications to suit a specific patient's needs. The delicate porcelain scales even indicate what they were used to weigh: one set is marked “Jodoform,” or iodoform, a disinfectant and antiseptic once used to treat wounds, and the other is marked “Venena,” which is Latin for “poisons.” Each scale also exhibits stamps indicating that they have been tested for accuracy. It is extremely rare to find such a large array of scales, especially those in such wonderful condition, in one collection. This intriguing piece is a must for any medical antiques enthusiast. The units of measurement in which apothecaries worked were often minute: grains, scruples, drams and ounces. As they were typically used to measure very small amounts of ingredients, apothecary and analytical balances...
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19th Century Balkan Biedermeier Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

English Mahogany Stick Barometer Signed T. Taylor London
Located in Savannah, GA
Stick Barometer signed T. Taylor London featuring mahogany case with bone plinth, inlay and knob. Broken arch pediment above a flush-glass door, enclosing register plate and thermometer. Fully restored and calibrated by Julian Gibbard, Harpers Ferry...
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Early 1800s English George III Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

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...
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Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

French Louis XVI Style Gilded and Painted Wood Barometer from the Early 1800s
Located in Atlanta, GA
This French Louis XVI style barometer and thermometer features an exquisite carved giltwood crest with delicate foliage motifs. Below the crest, the thermometer, encompassed in a black painted body, sits atop the round barometer...
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Early 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Glass, Wood

Balance Scale
Located in Los Angeles, CA
American balance scale.
Category

Early 20th Century Unknown Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass, Iron

19th Century Neoclassical Style Gilt Bronze Cartel Clock and Barometer by Dasson
Located in London, GB
This fine set comprises a cartel clock and barometer, each of which are crafted entirely in gilt bronze. The clock and barometer cases are identical, and take the form of a lyre. The...
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19th Century French Neoclassical Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Bronze, Enamel, Ormolu

John Bennett Georgian Barometer
Located in New Orleans, LA
This exceptional Georgian barometer by the leading London instrument-maker John Bennett strongly reflects the prevalent furniture style and archite...
Category

18th Century English Georgian Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

Rare French Childs Leather Surgical Spinal Corset
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
We have two medical items here, they both date from the mid-19th century, the full upper body corset is a child’s size, it is formed in leather with nick...
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Mid-19th Century French Steampunk Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Leather

19th Century French musical automaton clock
Located in London, GB
This fine, antique mantel clock is constructed in ebonised wood by the renowned Parisian maker of automata, Xavier Tharin (French, active mid 19th Century). The clock face is set onto a curled, stylized pediment atop the clock case. The face is of white enamel, featuring black Roman numerals and signed 'Tharin a Paris', and is bordered in beaded ormolu. The pediment in which the face is set is decorated with ormolu mounts of stylized acanthus leaf form. The pediment is set onto a rectangular frame of ebonised wood, inside which is set a musical automaton...
Category

19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Enamel, Ormolu

Italian Bronze Mortar and Pestle, Signed, Christopher Eberhardt, Circa 1830
Located in Hollywood, SC
Italian bronze mortar and pestle. Christopher Eberhardt, Anno J667 Grabavw, Early 19th Century. Measures: 7.25" diameter at top, 5.75" diamete...
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1830s Italian Neoclassical Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Bronze

Pharmacy Height Measure Stand, Pitch Pine Measuring Stick or Somastometre
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Pharmacy Height Measure Stand, Pitch Pine Measuring Stick or Somastometre Once these along with scales were common place in Doctors Surgeries, Chemist S...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Scientific Instruments

English Victorian Blue & Brass Telescope
Located in New York, NY
English Victorian brass and blue telescope on adjustable mahogany tripod base.
Category

19th Century English Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

19th Century Antique Bow Front Barometer by J. Somalvico & Co of London
Located in Devon, GB
A good William IV period rosewood and mother-of-pearl bow fronted stick barometer with its original bowed glass thermometer by this fine London make...
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19th Century English William IV Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Rosewood

Tunbridge Wells Ruler, 19th Century
Located in Spencertown, NY
The ruler with differing scales on each side.
Category

19th Century English Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Wood

Vintage American Magnifying Glass, circa 20th Century
Located in Napa, CA
Free-standing vintage magnifying glass. American, circa 20th century. Curving articulated arm on pebbled black base.
Category

20th Century Scientific Instruments

Scientific Handblown Glass Vacuum Dome
Located in Norwalk, CT
A really neat way to display something amazing this is a really thick quality piece of handblown glass from the early 1900s.
Category

Early 20th Century American Scientific Instruments

Vintage Electric Company Meter Lamp
Located in Hanover, MA
This is a wonderful piece of suburban folk art and mid-century Americana. It is a vintage 'bench made' table lamp incorporating an actual working electric company meter. When the l...
Category

1920s American Art Deco Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

18th Century French Louis XVI Giltwood Barometer
Located in Houston, TX
Lovely period French Louis XVI giltwood barometer with beautiful patina. This antique French Louis XVI gilt wood barometer will add a touc...
Category

Late 18th Century French Louis XVI Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Giltwood

18th Century Antique Georgian Satinwood Precision Barometer
Located in Devon, GB
A rare late 18th century George III period antique cross-banded satinwood wheel barometer. The nine inch circular silvered and engraved main scale has...
Category

18th Century English George III Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Satinwood

Antique Albertus Seba Pair 18th Century Hand-Colored Engravings Butterfly
Located in Washington, DC
Rare pair of original hand-colored prints from Sir Albertus Seba's cabinet of natural curiosities. Prints come from published volumes in Amste...
Category

Mid-18th Century Dutch Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Paper

Mid-19th Century English Cast Iron Commodities Scale, Marked Birmingham
Located in Charleston, SC
A large 19th century English cast iron scale, circa 1840, marked Birmingham, England and features scrolling decorative and organic elements. It was purchased in the U.S. and would ha...
Category

19th Century British Gothic Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Iron

Pair of Louis XVI Ormulu Wall Clocks & Barometers
Located in New York, NY
Pair of French Louis XVI-style (Mid-19th Century) ormolu wall clock and barometer set each of banjo form with Apollo mask above putti and circular dial over bearded mask (Signed RAIN...
Category

19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal, Ormolu

English Mahogany Prince of Wales Banjo Barometer, Circa 1820
Located in Hollywood, SC
English mahogany four dial banjo barometer with broken arch pediment, steel engraved face with Prince of Wales motif, and original rotating bone dial. Barometer can be restored to wo...
Category

1820s English George III Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Steel

Old French Barometer with Love Knot
Located in Alessandria, Piemonte
Old French barometer with love knot, suitable in your kitchen or study room or.....everywhere. It is useful because working and beautiful to admire. Completely hand carved. Good pric...
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Early 20th Century French Arts and Crafts Scientific Instruments

Materials

Wood

French Bronze Mortar, Early 17th Century
Located in Spencertown, NY
The mortar with fleurs de lys decoration.
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Early 17th Century French Baroque Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Bronze

Art Deco Wood Propeller Barometer
Located in New York, NY
Art Deco wood propeller with barometer.
Category

1930s American Art Deco Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal

Venetian Equipment Corps. Sterilizer Cup
Located in Norwalk, CT
A cup and metal holder by Venetian Equipment Corps. The cup reads "Sterilizer" and depicts a star in red.
Category

Early 20th Century American Scientific Instruments

Materials

Plastic

Rare Microscope "Neopan" by Carl Aubock 1963, Reichert Vienna
Located in Vienna, AT
A very rare award-winning microscope, model Neopan, designed in 1963 by the Viennese architect and designer Carl Aubock. Executed by Reichert Austria. In good condition, fully workin...
Category

1960s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal

Medical Model by Denoyer Geppert
Located in Cathedral City, CA
Early 20th century wood and fiberglass medical model by Denoyer Geppert.
Category

1940s Modern Vintage Scientific Instruments

Materials

Fiberglass, Wood

Telescopes Vintage Signed Iseli
Located in Alessandria, Piemonte
O/2941 , vintage French telescopes with its case: for Your holidays ! Small and convenient to carry . Signed ISELI, Paris.
Category

Early 20th Century French Other Scientific Instruments

Materials

Leather

French Eglomise Barometer
Located in Lincolnshire, GB
A fine decorative french eglomise barometer.
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Scientific Instruments

Empire Painted and Lacquered Spyglass, Early 19th Century
Located in Spencertown, NY
The adjustable spyglass with gilt brass trim and original leather case.
Category

Early 19th Century French Empire Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Lacquer

19th c. Giltwood Barometer
Located in New Orleans, LA
Carved and Giltwood Louis XVI Style Barometer
Category

19th Century French Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Giltwood

French Louis XVI Barometer
Located in New York, NY
French Louis XVI (18th Century) barometer with original scientific illustrations and mercury vial framed with gilt foliate carvings & ebonized ...
Category

18th Century French Louis XVI Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Giltwood, Glass

Antique Clock and Barometer
Located in New Orleans, LA
Antique Victorian clock and barometer adorned with medieval weaponry.
Category

19th Century Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Bronze

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

Rustic Black Forest Walnut Barometer
Located in New York, NY
Rustic Black Forest (Late 19th Century) walnut wall barometer/thermometer with carved bird, deer and floral carving.
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19th Century German Black Forest Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal

18th Century French Barometer in Giltwood Frame
Located in Buchanan, MI
Category

19th Century French Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Giltwood, Glass

Antique Scottish Regency Verre Églomisé Barometer by John Russell of Falkirk
Located in Devon, GB
A fine and extremely rare early 19th Century Regency period wheel barometer by John Russell of Falkirk, barometer maker to the Prince Regent. This e...
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Early 19th Century English Regency Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Mahogany

Binoculars and Elegant Old French Theatre Set for Ladies
Located in Alessandria, Piemonte
O/431 - Pretty old French theatre set: Binoculars, fan and mirror. Delicious and useful also for Your summer nights or for a gift. that's my cost !
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Late 19th Century Argentine Belle Époque Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Leather

Louis XVI Style Eagle Crested Barometer, France, 1838
By D. T. Letorey
Located in Atlanta, GA
Crested double-headed eagle atop an oval giltwood and painted black frame with neoclassical borders and carved designs. The dial with metal arms and exposed thermometer coil, and...
Category

19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Glass, Paint, Giltwood

English Brass Telescope on Tripod Stand signed Dollond, London Circa 1890
Located in Hollywood, SC
English brass telescope on tripod stand with slipper feet. Telescope has the original carrying case with lens covers. Late 19th Century
Category

19th Century British Antique Scientific Instruments

Junction Tube
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A sculptural junction tube fashioned of laboratory-grade Pyrex glass.
Category

1930s American Industrial Vintage Scientific Instruments

American Mahogany and Leather Dental Arm Chair, Circa 1840
Located in Hollywood, SC
American mahogany and leather dental arm chair with adjustable back and head support, terminating on turned bulbous legs. Mid 19th Century
Category

1840s American American Empire Antique Scientific Instruments

Italian Venetian Gilt Wood Barometer
Located in New York, 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

Louis XVI Giltwood Barometer
Located in Kittery Point, ME
Of typical form‚ the giltwood body centered by a circular barometer dial flanked by pillars ending in flame‚ above a thermometer flanked by foliate branches‚ surmounted by swags.
Category

Late 18th Century French Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Wood

Victorian Ormolu Clock and Barometer Desk Set, of Maritime or Naval Interest
Located in London, GB
Each in the form of a ship's wheel with 2.5 inch silvered dial, contained in cases, one with seven turned banded agate handles, the other with eight banded agate handles, each on ova...
Category

19th Century English Victorian Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Agate, Ormolu

18th Century Antique Georgian Mahogany Wheel Barometer by E. Bates of Kettering
Located in Devon, GB
A late Georgian mahogany wheel barometer with satinwood marquetry inlay by Bates of Kettering. The mahogany case has satinwood stringing and marquetry shell...
Category

Early 19th Century English George IV Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Mahogany

English Brass Bankers Balance Scale from the 19th Century with Circular Pans
Located in Atlanta, GA
An English brass bankers balance scale from the 19th century. Born in England during the 19th century, this elegant brass bankers scale features a centra...
Category

19th Century English Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

English Mahogany Banjo Barometer. Circa 1830
Located in Hollywood, SC
English mahogany banjo barometer with centered brass finial in scrolled pediment, glass encased thermometer, ebonized reeded mirror, original ...
Category

19th Century British Antique Scientific Instruments

Old Theatre Set for Ladies
Located in Alessandria, Piemonte
O/432. Pretty old theatre set: Binoculars, fan and mirror. a wonderful gift for any lady, young or in mature age. With a good price also, because I'm clos...
Category

Late 19th Century Argentine Belle Époque Antique Scientific Instruments

Materials

Leather

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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