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Scientific Instruments For Sale
Period: 18th Century and Earlier
Period: 1920s
Antique George III Quality Mahogany Banjo Barometer
Located in Suffolk, GB
Antique George III quality mahogany banjo barometer having a swan neck pediment, original thermometer and an engraved circular silvered dial with original hands and brass bezel, qual...
Category
1780s English George III Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Mahogany
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
18th Century Gold French Gilded Wood Barometer, Antique Parisian Thermometer
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A rare antique finely worked French barometer with lyre shaped crest thermometer above a large hexagonal framed barometer. The Parisian décor piece is m...
Category
Late 18th Century French Empire Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Giltwood
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
Late 18th Century French Giltwood Barometer
Located in Essex, MA
Period late 18th century giltwood barometer. Original gilding. Carved overall with globe, and navigation instruments. Foliate and neoclassical motifs. Maker signed.
Category
Late 18th Century French Louis XVI Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Giltwood
18th Century Medical Syringe
Located in London, GB
18th Century Medical Syringe
For historical medical use and dating from the 18th century, and certainly from the beginning of the 18th century. This hand-crafted example is made to...
Category
1780s Unknown Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Natural Fiber
Italian-transalpine time dial paper on wood board. Giusti, Nerici, Italy 1781.
Located in Milan, IT
An Italian and transalpine hour dial in paper printed on a fruitwood board. The base, in turned boxwood, has a wavy profile and distinct edge, at the top of which is mounted the rect...
Category
1780s Italian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Rare Antique Engraving of Microscopes, 1749
Located in Langweer, NL
Antique print titled 'A true Representation of sveral microscopes with some objects (..)'. Print of various microscopes, illustrating several microscope parts. This print originates ...
Category
18th Century Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Paper
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
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
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
Antique Original Engraving of Seasons by Le Bas, C.1780
Located in Langweer, NL
Antique astronomy print titled 'L'inégalité des Saisons et des Jours'. Interesting print explaining why there is an inequality in the length of days and seasons. Source unknown, to b...
Category
18th Century Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Paper
English Marine Barometer with Rope Carved Case
Located in Norwell, MA
Early twentieth century library barometer with rope carved case. Great old piece. Fitted with a brass hanging tab. Circa 1920.
Category
1920s English Vintage 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
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
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
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
Zoological Lithograph of Worm Organs 1925 Cardboard by H Aschehoug & Co Norway
Located in Milan, IT
Zoological didactic plate n. 59 lithograph on cardboard made in 1925 depicting enlargements of worm organs. Dybdhals Zoologiske Plancher P.M.Bye & Co Oslo. Made by H Aschehoug & Co. ...
Category
1920s Norwegian Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Paper
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
17th Century Spanish Talavera Pharmacy Jar in Blue Glazed Ceramic
Located in Marbella, ES
17th Century Spanish Talavera pharmacy jar in Blue Glazed ceramic.
Category
17th Century Spanish Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Ceramic
18th Century English Treen Yew Wood Mortar and Pestle
Located in Stamford, CT
18th century English treen mortar and pestle hand turned and carved from yew wood with the rich and warm patina that only comes with age and use. Beautifully carved by hand from a si...
Category
Mid-18th Century English Georgian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Yew
Pair 17th Century Medical Anatomy Engravings by Francesco Valesio, 1627
Located in Rochester, NY
Two anatomical copper engravings by Francesco Valesio. From De humani corporis fabrica libri decem
Evangelista Deuchino, Venice: 1627. Laid paper.
Category
1620s European Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Paper
Zoological Lithograph of a Cockroach 1925 Cardboard by H Aschehoug & Co Norway
Located in Milan, IT
Zoological didactic plate n. 64 lithograph on cardboard made in 1925 depicting an enlarged cockroach with the digestive and reproductive system. Dybdhals Zoologiske Plancher P.M.Bye ...
Category
1920s Norwegian Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Paper
17th Century Norther European Wrought Iron Pestle, 8.5 Inches
Located in Stamford, CT
Unusual wrought iron pestle, most are bronze like most mortars. This one is at least 17th century, quite possibly dating to the Gothic period. I have owned two iron mortars in my ti...
Category
Early 17th Century German Baroque Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Wrought Iron
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
Large 1920's Vintage Scientific Anatomical Human 3D Educational Ear Model
Located in Lafayette, IN
Large 1920's Vintage scientific anatomical human 3D ear model. Large 16" scale and wonderful antique patina!
Category
1920s American Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Rubber, Wood
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
A Brass Butterfield Type Dial French Early 18th Century
Located in Firenze, IT
signed Buterfield A Paris., the octagonal dial with hinged gnomon and bird pointer, inset compass and engraved with hour scales, the reverse engraved with towns and their latitudes, ...
Category
Early 18th Century French Napoleon III Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
18th Century George Sterrop Cuff Type Microscope in Original Mahogancy Case
Located in Lincolnshire, GB
A fine 18th century cuff type microscope by Sterrop, London
The microscope stands on a mahogany base with single drawer fitted with a near complete set of accessories.
A very simil...
Category
18th Century English Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Mahogany
Wall-Mounted Large Weather Station in Art Nouveau Style Carved Walnut Belgium
Located in Verviers, BE
Art Deco Style Barometer with Mercury Thermometer Weather Station Antique Decorative Cherrywood Wall Barometer Austria 1920s
Please don't hesitate to get in touch with any further q...
Category
1920s Austrian Art Deco Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Early 20th Century Death Cap & Fly Agaric Model Fungi Natural History
Located in Lowestoft, GB
Very well modeled pair of Fungi's, circa 1920/30 in age, European in origins.
Mounted on turned ebonised bases, each with a moss covered ground. Modeled with a composite paper mach...
Category
1920s European Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Paper
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
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
Fossilized Horse Leg. Equus Sp., Pleistocene, Florida, USA
Located in Madrid, ES
A fossilized horse leg. Equus sp., Pleistocene, Florida, USA
This set of fossil horse bones dates from an extinct equine. The inter-locking bones are eleg...
Category
15th Century and Earlier Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Bone
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
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
Framed Engraving By Matthaus Seutter Of Sphaerae Artificiales
Located in Essex, MA
Cartographer from Germany 1678-1757. Hand colored. Gilt wood frame. Estate of William Hodgins.
Category
Early 1700s German Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Paper
1920s Solid Brass Balancing
Located in Tarrytown, NY
1920s solid brass balancing.
Category
1920s Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
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
Tripod Apothecary Skillet from the 18th Century England
Located in Brussels, Brussels
18th Century tripod Apothecary skillet From England.
The skillet is in superb condition and has not undergone any restorations.
Bronze with a very beautiful patina.
Category
Early 18th Century British Georgian Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Bronze
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
17th Century Spanish Talavera Pharmacy Jar in Blue Glazed Ceramic
Located in Marbella, ES
17th century Spanish Talavera pharmacy jar in blue glazed ceramic.
Category
17th Century Spanish Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Ceramic
16th Century Cast Iron Mortar
Located in Brussels, Brussels
16th century cast iron mortar with two very beautiful handles
Beautiful original object with a great patina and in very good condition.
Category
16th Century French Renaissance Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Iron
Louis XV Period Gilded Barometer with Thermometer
Located in Pembroke, MA
An elegant French gilded wood barometer with thermometer (period Louis XV, Circa 1760). Barometer has been fitted with a new mercury tube, ...
Category
18th Century and Earlier French Louis XV Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Giltwood, Glass
Art Deco Oak Cased Barograph, Winter & Sin, Newcastle
Located in Norwich, GB
Art Deco Barograph, Winter & Sons, Newcastle
Art Deco barograph housed in an oak bevelled glass display case standing on a raised, moulded plinth with pad feet.
Six vacuum chambers ...
Category
1920s English Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Oak
Rare 18th Century Waywiser By Jonathan Sissons
Located in Lincolnshire, GB
A super example of an early waywiser by Jonathan Sissons with a finely engraved center of the dial and a silvered readings dial, with the original hands.
The oak and mahogany case ha...
Category
18th Century English Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Silver, Brass
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
Oak Cased Barograph by Negretti & Zambra, London
Located in Norwich, GB
Negretti & Zambra
Fine Edwardian oak cased barograph with bevelled glass panels and central chart drawer.
Ten vacuum chambers linking ...
Category
1920s English Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Oak
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
Induction electrification demonstrator instrument, Italy 1920.
Located in Milan, IT
Induction electrification demonstrator instrument. By putting two electrically neutral spheres in contact with each other, when a charged wand is approached, it is possible to notice...
Category
1920s Italian Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Gold, Brass
Scientific Tool for the Refraction of Light, Italy 1920
Located in Milan, IT
Scientific tool for demonstrating and assessing the refraction of light. Constructed in boxed metal with a square section, it consists of a horizontal...
Category
1920s Italian Vintage Scientific Instruments
Materials
Metal
17th Century Spanish Talavera Pharmacy Jar in Blue Glazed Ceramic
Located in Marbella, ES
17th century Spanish Talavera pharmacy jar in blue glazed ceramic.
Category
17th Century Spanish Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Ceramic
17th Century Spanish Talavera Pharmacy Jar in Blue Glazed Ceramic
Located in Marbella, ES
17th century Spanish Talavera pharmacy jar in blue glazed ceramic.
Category
17th Century Spanish Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Ceramic
Antique 18th Century French Bronze Scientific Silk-Weighing Instrument 1789-1795
Located in New Orleans, LA
Rare antique 18th century French Lyonnaise bronze scientific Instrument used for weighing Silk, in anchor form, 1789-1795. Made by "J. Berthaud et Cie...
Category
Late 18th Century French Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Bronze
17th century apothecary's ivory mortar - Indo-Portuguese
Located in Bruxelles, BE
17th century apothecary's ivory mortar
Apothecary's ivory mortar 9
Indo-Portuguese
17th century
Cites certificate number IT/CE/2023/MI/01108
11 x 9,5 cm
Category
17th Century Indian Renaissance Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Ivory
French Louis XVI Carved Giltwood Mercury Barometer
Located in Norwich, GB
Louis XVI carved giltwood and painted mercury wheel barometer.
Eight inch circular painted wood register dial with central rosette within the scale calibrated from 27-28-29 and ...
Category
1780s French Louis XVI Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Giltwood
17th Century Spanish Talavera Pharmacy Jar in Blue Glazed Ceramic
Located in Marbella, ES
17th century Spanish Talavera pharmacy jar in blue Glazed ceramic.
Category
17th Century Spanish Antique Scientific Instruments
Materials
Ceramic
Louis XVI Period Barometer
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Very charming carved and gilded acanthus leaf framed Louis XVI period wall barometer with glass covered central dial and glass thermostat beneath; bot...
Category
Early 18th Century French Louis XVI Antique Scientific Instruments
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.